Archive for the 'About Pets' Category


November 4, 2009

Cat and Kitten Toys

Although each cat or kitten has their own preference for play, there is one thing common among all of them–they love a chase and they are natural born predators.  A cat toy that will peak their interest is a toy that will seem to move on it’s own such as plush toys that move around or jump around when a string is pulled within them or a battery operated toy that moves on its own when turned on.  Cats and kittens just naturally love any toy that moves or jumps on its own and they willl play with that toy for a long time trying to catch it or to “kill” it.  Even if they do “catch” that prey, they will most likely let it go for a minute to see if it will move again.  When the toy does move again, the chase is on again!  These kinds of toys are perfect for stocking stuffers during the holidays or anytime and are a must for indoor cats!  First Rate Pets has all kinds of toys for your cat or kitten at very reasonable prices and who can’t appreciate that during these hard times!  And if you have someone in your life who loves cats and kittens, they will appreciate your thoughtfullness at buying their best friend a fun and unique toy!


FERRETS AS PETS

Author: ecolcleasure
November 2, 2009

Small Pet and Ferret Pet Supplies

Ferretts are domesticated animals, cousins of the weasels, skunks and otters. (Other relatives are minks, ermines, badgers, black-footed ferrets, polecats and fishers). They are NOT rodents. It is believed that ferrets were first domesticated by the Egyptians some several thousand years ago. Their behavior and personality is somewhere between cats and dogs (although they are much smaller in size). Some are cuddly and others are more independent. They vary a lot, just like other pets. Average size for a male is around 45cm in length and weigh between 1.2-2.3kg compared to 35cm in length and 500gms-1.2kg for females. FERRETS WILL NOT SURVIVE IN THE WILD. They are likely to die from dehydration or starvation within a few days.  Ferrets are extremely playful with both humans and other ferrets; inquisitive; remarkably determined; able to be trained to use kitty litter; very social; sleep for great lengths of time. Most love to go places with you on a harness and can be kept in a decent sized cage.  There are so many different things you can buy for your ferret to make life with a ferret so much more enjoyable and rewarding.  Harnesses are best for ferrets and you can even get  high fashion for them just by shopping at First Rate Pets.


November 2, 2009

Bird Toys and Bird Supplies

Before bringing your new bird home for the first time, it is important to purchase a cage that will provide adequate space and convenience for cleaning and maintenance.Birds require a cage where they can flap and stretch their wings with ease without touching their wings to the cage bars and move around the cage with little restriction on their movement. Because of this, choose a cage that is no less than 18 inches wide, 18 inches across and 24 inches tall.The cage bars should be no more than 3/8 of an inch wide to prevent the bird from getting its neck or beak stuck between the cage bars. It is important that your bird be able to climb around its cage for exercise, so make sure these bars are not vertical only.Look for cages that feature horizontal bars as well as vertical bars. Also be sure to purchase a cage that has a door opening large enough for you to reach inside and easily remove the bird from its cage. You will need to purchase just a few bird supplies to keep your new bird happy and healthy which include food and water dishes and especially toys made especially for birds that will keep them intellectually challenged, busy and happily playing.After bringing your new bird home, allow your bird to become accustomed to its new surroundings.  While it is important to go about your daily activities so your new pet can observe and become accustomed to the everyday routine it will be living in, you should also keep noise level down to avoid scaring your bird. Loud noises, yelling, shouting or loud music and television may frighten your new pet and cause added stress and anxiety.


November 2, 2009

Pet Reindeer Antlers for Christmas and HolidaysHalloween has come and gone and now it’s time to think Christmas!  It’s always fun to include our pets in the holiday festivities and it’s easy to find pet supplies to make these holidays more fun and enjoyable.  You can buy your pet their own stocking with toys and treats and you can also dress them up in colorful and unique dresses or suits.  Heck, you can even  buy them cute reindeer antlers and such to really get into the holiday spirit!  You can find all of the holiday pet supplies you are looking for to make this holiday a really special one and you can find special and thoughtful gifts for the pet owners and pet lovers in your life by going to First Rate Pets where you will be surprised by their expertise and friendly helpful advice for all pet owners who really love their pets!


HAVE A GREAT HALLOWEEN!

Author: petlady
October 26, 2009

file009.jpgfile011.jpgfile008.jpgfile007.jpgfile002.jpgfile001.jpgfile000.jpg

FIRST RATE PETS WISHES EVERYONE AND THEIR PETS  A SPOOKY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!


PET GROOMING BASICS

Author: BettyAnn
September 26, 2009

Pet Grooming Supplies  

The dog owner can do much to help a dog’s haircoat achieve its full potential and to keep it in good condition: feed a good quality nutritionally complete and balanced dog food; keep the dog free of internal and external parasites and maintain a regular grooming schedule with the appropriate pet grooming equipment.

Grooming your dog not only helps him/her look their best at all times, but also helps keep them clean and healthy.

Grooming sessions are an excellent time to assess your dog’s health. Learn what is normal for your dog, what characteristics distinguish him. Changes in appearance or behavior may be signs of illness. If a dog displays constant problems such as itching, sudden loss of hair, inflamed areas, any signs of tenderness or lumps under the skin, a veterinarian should be consulted.

A dog who is accustomed to grooming will be more at ease when he is examined or treated by a veterinarian.

The kind of grooming routine you establish for your dog will depend on how much time the dog spends outside, weather conditions and whether the dog is a longhaired or shorthaired breed.

Shorthaired breeds should be groomed two to three times a week. Longhaired breeds require daily grooming. Many terrier breeds require periodic plucking to remove dead hairs and to give them a trim appearance with careful brushing and combing between pluckings.

If your dog’s haircoat requires complicated grooming, you may want to have it done professionally. However, trips to the groomer’s are not adequate to maintain a healthy, handsome haircoat. Your dog still needs to be brushed and combed regularly between professional grooming sessions.


September 26, 2009

Shampoos for Dogs and Puppies

BathingDogs should be bathed when they look dirty and/or have a strong doggy odor. Puppies or small dogs can be bathed in sinks and tubs while large breeds may require bathtubs. (After bathing your dog, be sure to scrub and disinfect the area prior to human use.) If the weather is warm, a child’s wading pool and garden hose may be used. Have your dog’s shampoo or soap, brush and comb and towels nearby before you begin. Place the dog in the tub and soak the dog through to the skin. Use a shampoo that is pH balanced for dogs. If your dog has a special skin problem, ask your veterinarian to recommend a shampoo. Two shampoos ( the first shampoo to loosen dirt and the second shampoo to remove it), each followed by a thorough rinsing with warm water, not hot water, should be sufficient to get your dog clean. Let the dog “drip dry” for a few minutes as you squeeze the excess water out of the coat. Put him on the ground or on a table, cover with a dry towel and squeeze the coat until most of the water has been absorbed. Begin to brush dry. A hair dryer may be held about 12 inches away from the coat to aid in the drying process. Move the dryer and the brush over the entire surface of the dog so the coat dries evenly. Never let a wet dog outside in cold weather or expose him to drafts. Keep him away from areas where he can get dirty before he dries completely.


September 26, 2009

Dog Toys to Play Fetch

Playing “fetch” games provides some good exercise for your puppy. It also provides a good way to get those toys back so you don’t end up getting all the exercise. In the beginning, roll the fetch toy away from the puppy and let him get it. When he picks it up, say, “Fetch!” so he begins to associate the command with the action. Then praise him with an excited voice.As he gets older, throw the toy a little farther. When he brings it back, give lots of praise and let your puppy play with the toy for a few minutes so he gains some benefit from his effort of retrieving it. If he doesn’t bring it back, use a long lead attached to his collar. Gently reel your puppy in with the toy and praise him for coming back. Touch him, but avoid his head so he doesn’t think you’re going to immediately take the toy from him. Some puppies enjoy the chase of the toy and retrieving it and want you to throw it back immediately. Others want the toy with less chasing and retrieving.Once he’s had a minute or so to play with the toy, puppy may drop it on his own. If he does, say ‘Drop’ to reinforce the behavior. If he doesn’t drop it on his own, get a light grip on the toy and give the command to drop. Praise him when he lets go of it and throw it again.


September 26, 2009
  • Dog and Puppy Toys

Prevent puppy from chewing and destroying your house and belongings by providing proper training and chew toys. Afterall, chewing and playtime are part of normal puppy growth and development.

DO

-Provide several of a variety of toys for your puppy. -Teach your puppy to play with these toys.-Praise puppy every time you see him chewing or playing with his toys on his own.-Teach your puppy to get a toy to greet you. Each time your pup runs up to greet you or anyone else, encourage him to find and get a toy. All humans, especially the owners should always be greeted by a dog with toy in mouth.-Any area that the pup has access to must be kept clear and clean. Put out of puppy’s reach anything you don’t want him to chew or destroy, such as trash, shoes, hazards, etc. Your dog does not know what is valuable or dangerous and what is not.-If you find your puppy with your best shoe in mouth, distract him away from it and replace the shoe with one of his toys. Praise him for chewing his toy. Do not reprimand him for chewing your shoe. Reprimand yourself for leaving it out where he could find it.-Booby traps items and articles to show your puppy that these things are no fun to chew, in fact, they are an annoyance even to touch.

DON’T

-Do not allow unsupervised access to ‘unchewables.’-Do not chase the puppy in an attempt to take something away. -Do not reprimand excessively. A verbal warning should be enough. A loud startling noise is even better. It gets the puppy’s attention without the puppy associating it with you. As soon as the puppy is distracted, show him what to chew and praise him for chewing it.


September 11, 2009

Dog Blanket Coats and Dog Jackets

There are so many different coats, jackets, and hoodies that are a must for keeping your beloved dog or puppy warm in cold or wet weather.  You have many options bcause there is a wide variety of colors, styles, and sizes that are available.  You can go classic college style sweaters, vintage 60’s, camo, knit, or anything you can think of for all types of dog apparel.  Boots protect your pet’s paws from not only the elements, but from salt, stones, and rough terrain.  There are raincoats, hoodies, and tee shirts for all tastes and all sizes of dogs and puppies.  All pet parents want their pets to be safe and protected from the elements when they go outside for whatever reason and you can find any kind of dog apparel to fit your needs and your pet’s needs at First Rate Pets where you can shop and get friendly expert advice about pets at anytime.