Pet Lizard Basics

There are approximately 5,000 "known" species of lizards around the world and a lot of them have become popular in terms of becoming household pets. The range in size, shape, color and look is so wide that breeders and ordinary pet lovers find them very interesting and for some, they consider their pet lizards as their collection.

But there are a few things one must remember when owning or planning to own a pet lizard. Unlike cats or dogs, these animals are usually unfriendly. Most lizards don't like being handled and are aloof, if not apprehensive, towards humans. So proper care and precaution must be observed when owning and handling one.

Lizards are complex animals. Just because you've had experience in owning or caring for other kinds or types of pets does not mean that owning a lizard would be relatively easy for you. These creatures have strict diets to follow. They have dietary and needs that you can't just simply guess and there are specific requirements for their tanks or housings.

If you are just a beginner in the field of owning a lizard, make sure to research all the important information first on how to care for pet lizards before you set off to buy one. There are various species of lizards that you could own, some look better than others while some look meaner or scarier than others.. Don't make the mistake of getting one simply because it looks cool or because it looks scary and you can use it to play pranks on your little sister.

Your very first consideration should be your ability to own and raise a complicated animal for a pet. If you think you can't handle owning one, then it would be best not to, but if you are insistent, then get those that are more manageable and will not give you too much trouble.

When you get your first lizard, make sure that you house it in a tank with enough space for your pet to move around and grow. Some breeders will opt getting two tanks for their pets. A small tank while the lizard is still a hatchling and another one when the pet lizard has become an adult. There is nothing wrong with this but it's a waste of money. Instead of getting two housings, just get one that will be enough to house an adult lizard. This way, you don;t have to transfer your pet from one housing to another.

In terms of diet and nutrition, the needs depend on every species. There are lizards that feed exclusively on insects, there are lizards that are vegetarians, there are lizards that eat small mammals, birds, fish and insects, while there are lizards that eat everything that will fit in its mouth. Before you get your pet lizard, make sure that you know what their diet is so that you could prepare your daily budget for their dietary needs.

These reptiles, just like every other animal in the planet, do get sick as well. Unlike other animals though, lizards won't show you their sick until it's too late. They either don't feel that they are sick or they are so good at pretending to be healthy. So be cautious of your pet lizards health and lifestyle in order to avoid severe illnesses that could cause its death.

These are just a few reminders and information that you might want to know about lizards. If you want to know more about Pet Lizards, the type that are popular and manageable to own for beginners, and how to properly care for and feed pet lizards, visit: Pet Lizards for more readings.

http://www.petlizards.com.au/

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Things You Need to Know About Pet Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are very docile and gentle in nature and make ideal starter pets for older responsible children. They rarely bite or scratch, but are easily stressed, so they require careful handling. They are very timid and shy by nature. They are generally sociable animals and are most content when kept with other guinea pigs.

These animals come in several breeds. The most common are the English short hair (also known as the American) and the Abyssinian. The American guinea pig has a short smooth coat as opposed to the ruffled coat of the Abyssinian.

They're not particularly agile and do not climb well, rarely attempting to escape from their cages. They have poor eyesight, but well-developed senses of hearing and smell. They are also surprisingly good swimmers. They are nosey, friendly characters that are easily frightened and always rummaging around for something to chew on.

They often will whistle as an expression of excitement when their owner approaches or feeding is expected. They will also purr when being held or petted.

Cage:
Aquariums are not recommended, as they provide poor ventilation, and wire-flooring in cages irritate their feet. A solid-bottom cage is best. For the health and welfare of your pet provide as spacious a living area as you can manage. Bigger is better.
Recommended cage sizes:
One guinea pig: 7.5 sq ft...30"x36"
Two: 7.5 sq ft to 10.5 sq ft...30"x50"
Three: 10.5 sq ft to 13 sq ft...30"x62"
Four: 13 sq ft...30"x72"
Clean the cage completely once a week by replacing dirty bedding and scrubbing the bottom of the cage with warm water.

Diet:
Timothy Hay (or a grass hay) is the animal's natural diet. Alfalfa hay is also recommended for the younger ones 4 months and younger. Guinea pigs are herbivores ( unlike hamsters who are omnivores ) and like primates are unable to produce their own vitamin C. Without enough vitamin C in their diets, they can become very ill with scurvy. It is recommended that 1 teaspoon of vitamin C be added to 12oz of water daily. Broccoli and cauliflower are very high in vitamin C.

Bedding:
Bedding should be relatively dust-free shavings (Aspen, Hemp, Kiln-Dried Pine) woodchips, hardwood pellets, grass hay, etc. Cedar is toxic to these animals and should never be used. Bedding should never be allowed to get damp. Be sure everything's dry before adding fresh bedding. Change the bedding once or twice a week.

Weight:
Adults weigh between 1.5 - 2.5 pounds (700 - 1200gms) and measure between 8" - 10" (20 -25cm) in length.

Life span:
They will usually live an average of four to five years.

Unlike many rodents, these animals are born with fur and their eyes open.

Lamar Deane offers free tips and information on how to choose the The Right Pet [http://pets4usite.info/popular-pets.html] for you.

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Pet Parrots

So you want a pet parrot but have you thought it through? Yes parrots look like wonderful pets and Polly looks really cool sitting on pirate Long John Silver's shoulder or Johnny Depp's for that matter. The thing is, parrots are not pets you should get involved with either lightly or on impulse. There are some far reaching factors to consider and I have listed some of these pitfalls below. Parrots are fast becoming the world's number one unwanted pet so serious consideration of the following pitfalls to parrot ownership would make sense.


Parrots, depending on which type you get, can live for a very long time. Some live for up to 70 years. Will you still be around or is your parrot to become an heirloom bequeathed to one of your nearest and dearest?
Noise. Parrots can make an awful lot of noise. What about your neighbours? Do you live in a detached house or an apartment block? What about you, will you be able to handle the noise? At dawn and dusk your parrot will call out to his flock. He will also probably do a fair bit of calling in between times as well!
Mess. Parrots can make a whole lot of mess. Anything chewable can and will be chewed. Your furniture will be fair game and believe me the damage inflicted by a parrot can be great.
Behavior Training. Believe it or not your parrot needs to learn social graces. They need to learn how to behave, not just with you the owner, but also in the company of strangers. Are you prepared to do this? This is not something you can delegate and if you don't do it you WILL end up with a juvenile delinquent for a pet. That won't be fun!
Food. Feeding your parrot properly takes effort. You won't get away with just seed. Your parrot needs more than that. Fruit and veggies and occasionally some meat. My African Grey Parrot really enjoys his chicken bones. But not all food is suitable or even safe, so are you prepared to learn what is and is not suitable and are you prepared to prepare food each day for your bird?
I would not want to put you off having a parrot as a pet. Parrots make fantastic pets BUT they do take a lot of time and effort and it is better to go in to owning a parrot with your eyes wide open, rather than blinkered and then end up having to find another home for your parrot because you are unable to cope.

For free information on how to care for and train your African grey parrot visit http://www.african-grey-parrot-talking.com

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Pet Stain Removal Tips

Pet stain removal can be quite an arduous job. A lot of us do not want to see any stains on our rugs and couches. Luckily, for us there are now enzyme cleaning products that are tough on stains. This product is a much better option compared to its chemical counterparts.

The enzymes work naturally and this is done by acting up on the stain itself. The process may not look great to look at but it gets the job done. The best thing about it is that it does not leave any chemical residue. It has become a popular alternative when it comes to pet stain removal.

Here are some tips on how to effectively remove the stains from your rug or carpet. It is a natural reaction to rub out stain but it only makes everything worse. Furious rubbing will only make the stain get more embedded. To successfully get the stain out, one should start rubbing on the outside and make their way in. This will help lessen the spreading of the stain itself.

I assure you that rubbing back and forth can only make it worse. The best way to attack this kind of situation is to stay calm. You do not want to worsen the problem by making the stain affect a larger area. Another way to remove the stain is to get a towel and soak it in hot water. Then cover the stain with the soaked towel for a few minutes. Try to apply pressure on it several times. This process will help soften the stain and remove it successfully. This may take a few repetitions before you can successfully clean the whole area.

Then you can dry out the area by using an electric fan or a blow dryer. Once the wet patch is dried you will notice that stain has been removed. You can master the whole process in due time. These are just a few of the process of pet stain removal which has been used by a lot of women in maintaining cleanliness in their household. Why not try it some time and you will be amazed of how much you can save from buying chemical cleaning agents.

If you need more stains removal tips then check out this excellent site for Pet Stain Removal tips where you can find all kinds of Pet Stain Remover products, reviews and advice.

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Read This Before You Buy a Puppy

It is hard to resist that cute little bundle of fur in the pet shop window. Those big, sad eyes are just begging you to take them home with you. That soft fur is pleading to be stroked. When you pick up that darling little bundle of fur, a moist little tongue begins to lick your hand. Its love at first sight and you cannot bear to be parted. But wait...

...there are things you need to consider before you buy that cute little puppy.

The most important thing is to understand that you will be responsible for the animal for the rest of it's life. Some dogs can live to twenty years old, although this is rare, and you need to be there every day for your pet. You need to provide food, shelter, exercise and companionship for your pet at all times. If you travel or if you work long hours, it is not a good idea to take on the responsibility of a pet.

Another thing to consider before you buy a dog is whether your lifestyle will change dramatically in the next few years. Many people get a pet when they are young and single, then marry, move house, have children, change careers or other major lifestyle changes and find their pet does not fit in with the changes.

Before buying the cute little puppy in the pet shop window, you really need to know what breed of dog he is. That cute little bundle of fur could turn into Cujo. A large breed will eat a lot of food, and what goes in must come out.

Larger breeds will need more exercise than toy breeds. Working breeds need exercise or they become destructive and frustrated. A border collie, if left unexercised will probably just dig under your fence and cause havoc with the neighbour's cat. If your dog gets out in the traffic you are liable for any accidents he causes, and he could be seriously injured or killed. There are also heavy fines for wandering pets.

If you want to be sure you have a sound, healthy pet it is always best to see the parents. I prefer to buy from a reputable breeder. You can get details from your local Kennel Club. Make sure you visit the breeder and check the conditions the dogs live in. If the animals are unhappy, nervous, over-excited or dirty, it is probably better to try elsewhere.

When you find a good breeder with healthy, happy dogs, you can be sure your pup will be healthy and have a good temperament. Many breeders like to keep in contact and can help you with any questions that may arise.

Getting a pet is a major commitment. It is important to know what you are getting into. The rewards are certainly worth the effort but you do need to be able to properly care for and understand your pet's needs. Do some research before you buy.

Wendy Streater goes to http://mrsnoahsark.info for information, advice and ideas on keeping pets.

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