PET CARE TIPS

Clean FiltersWhen feeding my tropical fish I unplug the filter for their feeding time (about 15 min.) The filter doesn't pull their food into it. It keeps the filter clean much longer.

Flea ControlThe best and most effective means of controlling fleas that hitchhike into your home is to vacuum vacuum vacuum. A moth ball or two in your vacuum canister or bag (2.94 a box) will kill them for up to one month. Putting out mothballs will kill fleas in problem areas. Continue to vacuum in case any eggs hatch afterwards. Also you can bring your pet inside for a short visit to rid your home of fleas. Flea eggs hatch off animals and baby fleas live on ordinary house dust. They only need protein (blood) when they start to reproduce. Adult fleas will jump on the pet, and you can treat them afterwards. This takes more work, but it is safer as it does not use a lot of spray chemicals which can be absorbed into bare feet, and the cost is minimal.

Cheap Flea Prevention
Our dog had a lot of fleas and was scratching so much she had hot spots and her fur was falling out. We used expensive flea shampoo but nothing helped. We started using Lever 2000 deodorant soap and the fleas jumped off of her. Her hair has grown back and she rarely scratches any more. (Always consult a vet before administering any home remedies.)

How to Keep Animals Off Furniture
A great way to keep dogs and especially cats off of furniture is to put double stick tape (preferably poster tape) on the areas you want to prevent the animal from scratching or sitting. It does not hurt the animal, is inexpensive and does not harm the furniture if changed monthly. In time they will learn not to scratch or sit on the area even after the tape is gone. To keep cats from digging in your houseplants, put decorative rocks on top of the dirt.

no Office Visit Fee For Rabies Shots
If you have a pet that annually needs a rabies shot check with your local pet supply store (Petsmart in this area) about discount times. Locally a pet can be vaccinated for only the cost of the rabies shot weekdays from 3:00pm - 5:00pm. That's a tremendous savings, especially if you live in a state where the vaccine cannot be ordered and administered by you.

Spaying And Neutering Pets
Check your area for 'snap' Programs or Spay / Neuter Programs by your local spca. I found out that my local spca will send me a certificate (upon receiving payment first) that can be used at my veterinary office for much less than it would have cost me for using the same veterinary doctor/hospital! To neuter our male kitten my cost was only 19 instead of 68!

Puppy Trouble This is a tip for any puppy owner who couldn't stop his puppy from swallowing something he shouldn't. Recently my pup swallowed a buck-eye (a large seed from a tree). I called the vet emergency line and they said it was toxic. They recommended that I come to their office immediately so they could induce vomiting. I continued to call vets to get a second opion. A different Vet said to put about 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp of salt on the back of her tongue and she will vomit. It worked within five minutes and I recovered the buck-eye. Ultimately this saved me a vet trip that could have cost over 100. Always consult a Vet first, every situation is unique.

Multiple CatsWith four cats of our own and fostering a mom and her four babies, odor and cat hair (I vacuum a lot!) are issues. Use long, under the bed, tupperware sweater containers for litter boxes. It tends to mask the odor better because there is more surface area for them to utilize. Also put paper under the scoopable litter and change the paper after you scoop. It prevent urine from building up on the bottom of the container and leaving an odor.

Save Big Money on Kitty LitterI have many cats--all are inside kitties--and was seeking a way to use litter that was safe (non-clumping) but cheap. I started using Feline Pine (pine pellets) which I loved for the ease of use and pleasant scent, but discovered a way to really save money. The Feline Pine runs about ten dollars per 20lb. bag. I now buy woodstove pellets at my local feed and grain or hardware store (just call and ask if they have them in stock ahead of time). The cost? Woodstove pellets are only $3.99 per 40lb. bag.

Help For Hot Spots My dog occasionally gets small reddish 'hot spots'. These look like areas that are maybe just getting licked too much. A little dab of Crisco rubbed in once (repeat in a couple of days if needed) clears these right up. It will look like the dog just licks the Crisco right off again but it still works great. No more painful looking spots on Spot! (Note: Always check with your veterinarian before trying or administering any procedure not prescribed by a qualified veterinarian. We make no representation that this or any other tip is advisable for your animal.)

Pamper Your Horse No expensive shampoos are necessary to make your horse happy! Simply buy regular on-sale people shampoo and use a mixture of dreft and water to dip the tail in a bucket to soak for awhile. Softens the hair and promotes easy combing. For stubborn burrs stuck in manes and tails use vegetable oil let it soak and the burr falls apart in your comb. Avon's Skin So Soft used on both you and your horse will keep you both fly free for an afternoon's riding. Happy Trails to You! (Note: Always check with your veterinarian before trying or administering any procedure not prescribed by a qualified veterinarian. We make no representation that this or any other tip is advisable for your animal.)

Pills For Your Pooch I have a hard time giving my golden retrievers pills. I found that if I break off an inch or so of a banana and push the pill into it my dogs love taking their pills!

Cheapskate PurebredsAim High! Want the best-bred best-cared for pet of all? Be specific when considering the pet of your dreams: color, age, size, temperament matter. Then be flexible. Look through pet classifieds, specialty magazines, and internet sites to see who has pups/kittens for sale. Ask who has the best animals in online discussions. For example, top breeders often have finished showing and breeding their best dogs, and may be willing to part with older dogs, retiring them to a good home. They often have potential champions needing more space, time and attention than is available.

Small Pet Bedding I save money on litter for my guinea pig bedding by shredding my old bills etc. and then mixing several handfuls of the shredded paper in with the expensive litter. This basically doubles the life of the litter and recycles the old paper. T

Male Cat Spray I have four male cats who sometimes like to 'spray' their territory. I have a spray bottle with 1/2 cup White Vinegar, one cup of Ammonia and the rest with water. I shake it up and spray, wash the area and then spray again to make sure the area does not smell. I use white vinegar (1/4 c.), ammonia (1/4 c.) and baking soda (1/4 c.) in the wash to clean all clothes that also might have their 'scent' to remove their odors also.

Free Doggie Bones!Our two huge dogs enjoy real bones although some vets don't recommend them we have always indulged....we find that at our locals grocers, if we go to the meat counter, and simply ask for a 'bone for our dog' they produce wonderful huge bones. Some are shoulder joint bones, etc, but they are enormous and free. Frequently meatcutters keep them behind the counter or in the back. If you ask for a bone for your dog, they generally have one, ask them if they charge for them. If unable to find one, for an occasional treat, check out the meat counter and you may find a huge 'soup' type bone for as low as 25-50 cents.

Dog Bed Instead of throwing away our families old pillows and pillowcases, I use them for beds for our dog. I can remove the pillowcase to wash as often as I need to. I air out and wash the pillow as often as needed and when it is necessary I throw it away and use another one. If the dog is the only one ready for a new pillow I can purchase a pair at Sams Club for about six dollars and they last for months. Our dog sleeps just as comfortable as she would on an expensive dog bed, if not better. (This 'bed' is already broken in!)

Protect Privacy/pamper a Pooch
We all understand the usefulness of protecting our privacy by periodically shredding certain documents that we no longer need. But what are we to do with the mountains of shredded paper we produce? Why not donate it to your local animal shelter? The shredded paper is great for lining cages and is in great demand at most shelters. And think about it who's going to go 'pawing' through your personal documents after the shelter is finished with them?!

Cat Hair Removal To remove most pet hair from furniture, especially cat hair, put on a pair of latex gloves and rub hands over furniture in one direction. Hair will clump for easy removal.

Removing Pet Hair From Carpet No matter which type of vacuum I use I have found out it is nearly impossible to remove all of the stray hairs my dog sheds on a daily basis. There are a few simple tricks that I found to be helpful. Take a broom and make short 'sweeps' towards yourself over the carpet after vacuuming. The friction helps pull the hair together in a pile that can be easily picked up and thrown away. Another option is to dampen a sponge or rag and wipe across the surface. This will roll the hair together making it even easier to collect..........LINKSOURCE ;http://www.circleofchristianwomen.com/MyWebs/selfhelp/Petcare.htm