Pets | Cats | Dogs

In a survey of the 150 most populous US cities, researchers found that 93% of them allowed for the raising of backyard chickens in some capacity.

These are pretty great odds that you can have your own backyard flock!

Keep reading to learn some basics on how to raise backyard chickens and discover how easy and rewarding it can be!

The Type of Chicken Matters

The most basic question to ask yourself is: “Why am I considering raising chickens at home?”

Do you want to raise the chickens for eggs, meat, or both?

The answer to this question will determine what kind of chickens you need.

Different Chicken Breeds

The purpose for your chickens, egg-laying, meat production, or dual-purpose, will inform what kind of breeds you choose.

Did you catch that plural? The great thing about chickens is different breeds tend to get along just fine. So you can mix and match your flock accordingly.

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, there are a few things to take into consideration when choosing breeds, such as:

• climate,
• egg colors,
• egg production, and
• temperament.

Do your research and know what breeds you are looking for before you head to the store and just choose the cutest ones. (Looks are important, for sure!)

Should You Buy Chicks or Adult Chickens?

Well, there are pros and cons to each. Keep in mind a few basic things before deciding what is best for you.

Chicks will require more initial care and upkeep. They are more susceptible to the elements, hot or cold temperatures, and tend to get in trouble around water.

A chicken’s first 2 years are the best for egg production, you may need to consider rotating hens in and out.

How Many Chickens Should I Get?

First, and most importantly, chickens are flock animals. You will need 3 chickens minimum to have happy, healthy chickens.

The general rule of thumb for egg-laying chickens is that 3 chickens will lay about a dozen eggs per week. So base your decision on your family size, how many eggs you eat, and whether you want to sell your extra eggs on the side.

How Much Space Do Chickens Need?

Plan for about 4 square feet of space inside the coop and 10 square feet of space outside in an enclosed run area per chicken. Make sure that you have an area large enough for the … Read the rest

Horses crisscross America. More than one million Americans own at least one horse.

Becoming a horse owner lets you bond with an intelligent and useful animal. But you can’t just buy a horse and treat it like a dog or a cat. You have to make some special considerations.

What do you need to do to promote your horse’s health? What resources do you need to get for your horse? What can you do with your animal?

Answer these questions and you can figure out how to become a horse owner. Here is your quick guide.

Find a Veterinarian

Before you buy a horse, you need to find a professional who will take care of your animal. Most metropolitan areas and some rural areas have a specialist in horse health. But you can find an all-around veterinarian or animal hospital near you.

Talk to the veterinarian about the horse you plan on buying. Ask them about the life expectancy and common health problems of your species of horse. If the doctor seems unprofessional or uninformed, you should find a different professional.

Learn About Horse Health

You don’t have to learn everything about horse health or horse ownership. But you should have a good grasp of the essentials.

You should learn how to perform a few basic medical procedures like creating shoulder-in dressage. You should also study the signs of illnesses like equine influenza. It is okay to ask a veterinarian for help, but you should offer your own response to help your horse.

Get Resources for Your Horse

Horse stables are absolutely essential. Your horse needs plenty of room to sleep, eat, and relax. You may need to build stables, but you can get help and follow guides on how to build them.

You need to feed your horse a balanced diet. Alfalfa, grain, and grass provide them with the nutrients they need. You should also give them an adequate supply of water.

Get cleaning supplies so you can clean their stables and grazing fields. Bacteria can grow and make your horse sick if you are not careful.

Develop an Equestrian Lifestyle

Once you’ve built trust with your horse, you can start playing horse polo and other games. You can go for rides through the countryside or across your fields.

You can help develop a smart horse by visiting your animal every day. Horses can develop an emotional attachment to … Read the rest

If you find yourself intrigued by the nesting habits of your local flying friends, you’re not exactly an odd bird. Armed with binoculars and camera monitoring systems, many avid birdwatchers have spent countless hours observing the stunning owls in their backyard—and even monitoring nests for science!

But if you’re hoping to bring the wild a little closer to home, you may be considering ways to encourage more owl nests on your property. After all, with the right habitat, you can prompt any owl to make its home near yours.

However, finding the best owl nesting box isn’t just a question of aesthetics. In fact, there are a few key things your feathered friends will need to make their house a home. Here’s what you should know as you consider your options.

Size

First off, it’s important to start by considering the size of your owl box. The inside of the box should provide enough space for the owl in question to stretch its wings, which may mean that you need to do a little online sleuthing to understand the size and wingspan of the owls on your property. In addition, if you’re hoping for a box that will attract a breeding pair, you’ll need to provide extra room for them to raise their young.

At a minimum, you should expect to buy a box of at least eight cubic feet for a single owl. For a breeding pair, find a design that’s at least 24 inches deep, 18 inches tall, and 18 inches wide.

Entrance Hole

The entrance hole should be at least 6-8 inches from the floor, as the high placement prevents young owls from hopping out of the box before they’re ready. Depending on the size of the owl, you should have a hole that’s 5.5 inches or greater in diameter.

Materials

If you’re hoping for a long-lasting owl nest box, you’ll want to provide sound materials that will stand the test of time. Though it will make the box heavier and require more effort to install, exterior-grade plywood of a ¾- to 1-inch thickness provides the sturdiest design. For high-quality boxes of sturdy materials, try the options on birdinformer.com.

Sun Protection

Though the color of the box may seem like a purely aesthetic choice, this hue also affects the internal temperature of the box. If you live in a warm area, painting the box white … Read the rest

Did you know that almost 40% of households in the US have at least one dog? That’s about 50 million households!

These animals are faithful companions that love us even when we’re at our lowest. As long as the treats keep coming, dogs keep loving us and keeping us company. For that reason, so many people choose to add a dog to their family.

It’s important to keep your dog safe and happy. This is easily achieved with a harness. However, you might not know how to measure your dog for a harness.

A harness can reduce potential injury, keep your dog secure, and improve training results. A proper fit is key to ensure comfort, so read on to learn how to measure your dog!

Why Should Your Dog Wear a Harness?

Many people opt for a collar as it’s easier to put on. However, a harness is better compared to a piece of safety equipment that can keep your dog and others away from harm.

Several scientific studies have been conducted on the forces involved on the dog’s neck and torso with a collar as compared to a harness. They have conclusively found that safety is one of the greatest benefits of harnesses. The findings of this study are summarized below.

Some collars have spikes in them and are known as prong collars, while others tighten when pulled and are known as choke collars. These are especially dangerous and can cause damage to the brain, trachea, and other sensitive neck tissues. They can also compress the jugular.

Even without the prongs and choking features, collars can put sudden excessive force on the neck and throat, especially if the dog is prone to chasing and jumping.

The forces of a harness on the dog were also measured and revealed that force is distributed over the chest and torso area, reducing impact and strain.

This makes them especially great options for smaller dogs or older dogs who are too delicate to have excessive force on their necks. However, all dogs can benefit from a harness.

Measuring Your Dog

In order to measure your dog and pick the appropriate size harness, you’ll need the following:

• A scale
• A soft measuring tape

You might already know how much your dog weighs from visiting the vet, in which case you don’t need to re-weigh your dog. An approximate number is fine.

After you know … Read the rest

If you want to sell a puppy, it can be difficult to know where to start if you’re not used to the process.

You want your puppy to end up in a loving home, taken care of, but how can you be sure that will be the case? How do you vet owners and give them the best chance?

Fear not. With these tips, you can find the best places to advertise, vet potential owners, and give your puppy the best life with their new forever home.

Find the Best Places to Advertise

Out of all the potential places to advertise, it’s likely places like Craigslist aren’t your best bet. Instead, seek out other, higher quality websites and Facebook groups with people looking for puppies.

Craigslist is full of scammers on both ends of the buying and selling, and anyone looking for a dog that hasn’t truly thought it through might end up there.

It’s not impossible to find a good match there, but it’s not likely either.

Attach an Appropriate Price Tag

If you’re in a hurry to adopt your puppies out, it might be tempting to attach a cheap price to them. Cheap price tags lure in more potential buyers, and mean your puppy might be sold fast.

It also, however, might attract poor owners. If someone can’t afford a higher price tag, they may struggle to meet the needs of a puppy. Veterinary visits and quality food don’t come cheap.

It also might attract owners who haven’t put a lot of thought into owning the dog, and even some who want them for nefarious purposes.

You should never, ever rehome a puppy for free for that reason. Many dog fighting rings will seek out free puppies to use as bait, and puppy mills often try to acquire them so they can breed with others and churn out poorly taken care of babies.

Have a look into what quality breeders usually charge for the kind of puppy you’re selling. For more information on pricing, and selling your puppy in general, you can check out Puppy System for a wealth of advice.

Vet Potential Owners

Adopting a puppy is a big commitment, and you want to be sure your buyer is ready! It’s okay to vet them.

Ask Questions

Ask them a lot of questions, such as:

• Is everyone in the home on board with a dog?
• What other

Having curly hair tarantulas as a pet is a great hobby. But keeping and caring for them is not an easy task. Read this article to know how you can do that.

The curly hair tarantula mostly has a spherical body. Their whole body is surrounded by long, slightly curled bristles. Most of the bristles are dark brown or black, although some golden bristles can also be seen. This provides an overall bronze sheen to the tarantula.

Curly hair tarantulas are burrowing, terrestrial species. They are native to Central America. Almost all the curly hair tarantulas found in the pet commerce are bred in captivity.

These spiders are usually hardy, calm, and easy to look after. Therefore, ideal for new pet owners. They need housing, similar to their natural habitat, together with dwell prey. And while some people do manage their tarantulas, they are largely hands-off pets.

Curly Hair Tarantula Temperament and Behavior

Curly hair tarantulas are extraordinarily quiet and mellow pets. They wander around its enclosure and may rearrange some of the items you keep in the enclosure, like pieces of bark. But most of the time, you will find it sitting in a restful state unless hunting its prey. Therefore, if you were expecting a lively animal, you may be disappointed.

Moreover, they are a docile species, which makes them popular among those who enjoy handling their spiders. Some of them don’t mind sitting on your arm or hand, as long as you deal with them very gently and calmly. The best practice is to sit on the floor while dealing with these tarantulas in case they get scared and attempt to flee since they are easily spooked. They can be seriously injured or killed even if they fall from a few feet.

These tarantulas use their defense mechanisms when they feel threatened. They kick off their abdominal hair that can irritate your skin and cause injury if they enter your eyes. Therefore, it is extremely important to wash hands properly after handling your tarantula or something in its enclosure. Also, be careful not to rub your eyes.

They may also bite to defend themselves. There is a mild venom in their bite that can cause swelling, redness, and local pain. The discomfort has been compared to that of a bee sting. However, certain people can have more severe allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing.

Keep your tarantulas … Read the rest

It’s hard to argue the tranquility that a beautiful aquarium brings to a room. Fish make the perfect pets. They are low maintenance and provide hours of happy observation.

Whether you have a freshwater or saltwater aquarium, one thing is clear: You must know how to clean an aquarium the right way. Read on to discover the steps to clean your aquarium the right way.

How Often Should You Clean Your Aquarium

Keeping your fish tank clean is crucial for the health and safety of your fish. Depending on your tank size, the number of fish you have, and your filtration system will depend on how often you should clean your tank.

Bigger tanks can be cleaned once a month, while standard fish tanks should be cleaned more frequently.

The Tools for the Job

Not all aquariums are the same, so depending on your tank, you may or may not need all of the tools on this list. However, if you have a larger tank, these tools are essential for a clean aquarium.

To clean your aquarium the right way, you’ll need:

• Algae scraper or pad
• Filter media and brush
• A water siphon
• Bleach and lime remover

Some other things to have handy are some paper towels, a bucket especially for your aquarium, and a plastic razor blade for stubborn areas.

Step 1: Clean Inside the Glass

The first step is to clean the inside of the glass. Use your algae scraper or pad to remove algae caked onto the inside of the glass. For stubborn areas, use a plastic blade.

It’s important to buy your algae scraper or pad from a pet store. While you may be able to find one elsewhere, they may have soap or chemical residue inside that can harm your fish, so stick to the pet store.

Step 2: Soak Your Decorations and Rocks

Next, remove any decorations, artificial plants, and rocks from the aquarium. Soak them in a 10 percent bleach/water solution for up to 15 minutes. After that, use your algae pad or some towels to remove any stubborn algae still on the items.

Put the items under running water and let air dry to remove all bleach. Wait until all chlorine smell is gone.

Step 3: Siphon the Gravel

Use your water siphon to vacuum out any debris. Be sure to vacuum the entire bottom to remove all debris. The water … Read the rest

If you race horses, you will know how just important exercise is to keep the animal in shape. And if you want your stallion to be one of the fastest on the track, you will want to provide the right training.

For this, you will need a host of equipment, including a horse treadmill. But are they different from the regular kinds, and what are the benefits of using a horse treadmill for equine athletes? You can find out more here, https://www.thesprucepets.com/training-your-horse-1886992 on training horses the right way.

What is a Horse Treadmill?

They are designed just like the ones you would find in the gym, but only larger. And this is so they can be able to support the weight and size of the animal. The primary function is to provide movement for the animal within a controlled environment. Most stallion racers do this to assist the animal with training for a race. It will also help in keeping them in the best shape, which allows them to stay healthy.

Does Your Horse Need a Treadmill?

You may not think it necessary if you live out in a barn and have horses as pets or to help out on the farm, but if you participate in equine sport, owning one could help with winning races. Adequate training is required for your stallion to stay healthy. And this needs to be done on and off the racetracks.

A gym may be ideal if you have a few stallions in your team, but you can find gyms that help get your equine athletes in shape. Still, it would not hurt if you own a few training equipment of your own. And you want to start with a treadmill.

The Benefits of Using a Horse Treadmill for Equine Athletes

Wondering if it would be worth it at all spending on new gym equipment for your stallion? You can find below horse treadmill benefits for equine athletes.

·         Stay Fit

Racehorses need to stay fit to keep up with the rigors of playing at a competitive level. And just like human athletes, they would need to get exercise daily. And while they would also get more out of running in the open, you would also agree that indoor practice will also help.

·         Run Faster

Regular practice with a treadmill will help a pony work up their pace, which can help with increased … Read the rest

For cats and humans alike, there are many factors to consider when trying to become happier and healthier. For many of us, simply having a cat in our lives can improve our health by lowering our blood pressure and improve our happiness by reducing our stress. While having a lovely home, getting plenty of quality food, and getting sleep can all make your cat happy, there are a few other things you can do to make them have a happier and healthier life as well.

Brain Health

It’s obvious that cats need to play, but sometimes pet parents don’t realize just how important play time can be. By having quality cat toys like this Unicorn Fur Mouse String and Stick Teaser or this LED Rotating Windmill Cat Puzzle, both from HappyFriendy, your cat will get enough exercise and also have some mental stimulation. While keeping your cat’s body active is good, making sure that your cat is never bored can be even more important for their mental and brain health.

With the Unicorn Fur Mouse toy, you’ll tap into your cat’s natural instinct to hunt. With the fun colors and mouse toy on the end of the string, your cat will be jumping all over the place to try to catch it. He’ll be using his brain to figure out ways to trap the mouse as it flies around. With the Rotating Windmill Cat Puzzle, your kitty will have to figure out how to get the treats.

Cat toys are great for mental stimulation and exercise. The more exercise, both physical and mental, your cat gets, the happier and healthier they will be.

Paw Health

Even the most experienced pet owners sometimes forget about their cat’s paw and claw health. Without proper care, nails can become too long and cause issues with walking. When a cat claws on a scratcher, like HappyFriendy’s P Shape Cardboard Cat Scratcher, they are able to stretch their paws, maintaining bone and ligament strength. In addition, they are able to essentially trim their nails, preventing any issue with walking and playing.

Coat Health

Cats are notorious for taking care of their own grooming, but sometimes self-care isn’t enough. With the Plastic Bristle Pet Grooming Glove from HappyFriendy, you’ll be able to help maintain your kitty’s coat health. This brush is dual-sided, with one side to remove excess hair and debris, and the … Read the rest

For pet mum and dads, leaving their animal companion alone could be a depressing scenario. You have to get to work or dash out to run errands and are not keen on leaving your pet alone in the house. The truth is you have every right to be concerned about the safety of your pet and the home when you are away.

You can save yourself the guilt and risk involved with leaving pets alone at home by getting in touch with the best dog boarding and daycare in Port Coquitlam. And it could be the best decision to make for so many reasons. The guys at Good Dog Wellness are qualified and trained handling specialists who know how to care for animals and might be worth contacting if you need help in the area.

Dog Boarding And Its Benefits

It’s not an easy decision to leave the responsibility of taking care of pets to strangers, and this is one thing that most dog daycare services are aware of. So they tend to always lookout for ways to improve your pet’s situation whenever they are in their care. When it comes to ways your dog can benefit from joining a daycare, you can be sure there are many of them to think of.

·         Avoid Loneliness In The House

It could be a traumatic experience for pets to stay alone at home without anyone. This could quickly worsen if there are other complications, such as underlying ailments that can cause depression and anxiety. Keeping your pet in a boarding facility is an excellent way to get them to socialize with other animals and keep company while you are away.

·         Prevent Damage To Your Property

This is especially if you have a dog fond of tearing the sofa and breaking things in the house when alone. In this case, it is right that you get them away and have them in a place where they will be supervised and catered for.

Most animals tear up the place out of boredom, and it is not enough to turn on the television or keep their play toys around; without adult supervision, they’ll likely do whatever they like, including tearing up the place.

·         Educate Your Pet

You can also find dog daycare that offers tutorials to your pet while in their care. Although you shouldn’t expect anything serious unless you are paying … Read the rest

Pets can’t tell us even when something is wrong with them. Therefore, you need to trust your instincts as a pet owner and act accordingly if you notice something different with your dog or cat. Any abnormal behavior could be a sign of a severe medical condition. Here are signs never to ignore in pets at home.

Unusual Eye Appearance

The majority of visits to the vet by pet owners are attributed to eye problems. However, cats don’t often have as many eye problems as dogs since they usually stay indoors. The severity of eye infections and diseases may include conjunctivitis, glaucoma, cataracts, and blindness. Generally, consider cleaning your pets’ eyes regularly and remove dirt and dust. When you notice any signs of redness or inflammation, take them to the vet without hesitation to rule out anything serious.

Excessive Drooling

Those who own dogs such as boxers, bloodhounds, or mastiffs know that drool is a normal thing for dogs. However, Excessive drooling may be a sign that something is wrong with your dog; it may indicate heatstroke, dental issues like periodontitis or a tooth abscess. Or maybe your pet has chewed down on something that has irritated the mouth, has eaten a toxic plant, or is a sign of a neurological problem. Whatever the case, make sure you give it attention as soon as you discover abnormal behavior.

Persistence in Vomiting or Diarrhea

When you notice diarrhea or throwing up several times in a day and accompanied by other symptoms like lack of appetite, your pet could be suffering from a gastrointestinal illness, or it could be roundworm. Whenever you see blood, either fresh or looks like coffee grounds, call your vet right away. This can be a sign that your pet has eaten something dangerous or could be a sign of a gastric ulcer. Getting some dog food online to eat as it recovers could be a good move for you to save your pet.

Bleeding Of the Paws

On a day-to-day basis, cats and dogs use their paws and claws to ensure their health is essential. The typical sign that your dog or cat is in pain is when you see they are limping, excessively licking the feet, or bleeding. When you notice such, home care may include rinsing the infected foot under cold water to remove any debris and applying an antibacterial cream on the wound, then … Read the rest

Cannabis is a rather controversial topic that people would want to stay away from. This is due to the fear of the discussion becoming volatile, even on online platforms. People from all over the world have something to say about this plant, whether it is good or bad as you can read on this page: https://www.livescience.com/fda-warns-companies-selling-cbd-products.html. However, we cannot deny that for the most part, it is still considered dangerous by many countries and sovereignties.

There are various reasons that people put out to justify this ban on cannabis. For one, people point out that its psychedelic nature can cause harm to the brain. They say that the images that it conveys can wreak havoc to the neural pathways and cause psychological disorders later in life. There seems to be some evidence to this claim, but it is still refutable on whether it does cause those disorders. Meanwhile, many people still opt to use the product for their various needs.

Is Cannabis Safe?

The perceived notion that cannabis is something that people should avoid. They would usually give various reasons aside from its psychedelic properties. Some claim that it can be addictive, thus damaging to people’s health and reputation once found out by the public. There is also a lot of scrutiny to those who use it even just for fun.

Scientists have been trying for years to see whether there is potential in cannabis to be considered as a medicine. As you might have already guessed, they have separated more than 100 compounds from pure cannabis. The result has stated that each of these compounds has a specific purpose, as they are just a part of the entire effect of cannabis. This has led to the discovery of CBD or Cannabidiol.

It has always been used for human consumption, as you might read in some articles online. However, there is another way that it can be useful for people by giving it to their pets. It might seem surprising, but you can give CBD to animals as you can read more information on CBD here. It is not inherently an evil substance, as us humans can take them without any worry about toxicity. There is a caveat though: you must get the right product, and you should know the proper dose.

Feline Care At Its Best

For cats, they can be one of the easiest animals to take … Read the rest

When people have aching joints, you likely won’t find them hitting the gym, or maybe not even moving very far from a chair.

On the other hand, when you notice physical signs that your horse may be suffering from a joint issue, he has likely been enduring episodes of chronic pain while performing his daily routine for a while. Regardless of the species, many animals will suffer in silence until they can’t anymore.

While most equestrians have the utmost respect and love for their companion animal, there are ultimately undue stresses typically placed on the horse’s body based on perceptions formed over their size and the fact they were initially built for labor.

There is a tendency to take them above their capacity with a dependence on their strength and power to pull off whatever feat is placed in front of them.

Sadly, horses’ joints, as in humans and domestic animals like dogs, deteriorate. They require extra support in order to remain free of pain and healthy for the long-term. That’s why regardless of their activity level, age, or past history, integrating joint supplementation into your equine wellness regimen can potentially be of benefit.

Starting ponies at a young age will encourage supported joints as they develop and throughout the aging process. For an outline on joint supplements for horses go to this page.

Choosing Supplements For Joint Health With Your Horse

It’s vital to learn your horse so you recognize the signs of a problem immediately. They might be slight with his movement or possibly the greeting, the way his head raises, his response when the saddle is applied, or if he jerks away when being brushed. These are all behavioral indications there is a problem with the way the horse feels.

Claims suggest joint supplements (see the supplement guide here) can help with age progression, allow better mobility, and decrease arthritis impact. You can start a horse on these substances at an early age in an effort to maintain a sense of wellness and seamless movement.

The ingredients in the compounds will vary depending on the specifics of the horse, i.e. senior horses will have a certain set of ingredients distinct from those of a younger, developing age. Common ingredients found in supplements:

• Hyaluronic Acid: This element is an integral component for ‘shock absorption’ and lubrication for the joints.
• Glucosamine: Glucosamine is a broadly studied joint support