A Kenneling Alternative

Tina Tuszynski

Slimming Down For Spring

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A long winter can often result in a bit more padding around the midsection – and our pets are just as susceptible! Obesity in our pets, unfortunately, has become a serious health threat. In 2018, an estimated 60% of cats and 56% of dogs in the United States were overweight or obese. Ouch!

First, it’s important to know how many calories your pet is eating daily. Talk to your veterinarian about how many calories he should be eating and guidelines for a safe weight loss plan. It’s important to take small steps, as “crash” diets can result in serious medical conditions.

If Fido has put on a few pounds this winter, here are some ways to get him active and help him lose weight: [Read more…] about Slimming Down For Spring

Plant a Pet Friendly Garden this Spring

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Are you aware that many common flowers and vegetable plants can be poisonous and/or toxic to dogs and cats? Whether you’re planting a new garden or maintaining an existing one, it’s important to design it to contain pet friendly plants, as many toxic plants can have a detrimental effect quickly and with only a little bit of ingestion. [Read more…] about Plant a Pet Friendly Garden this Spring

Designing a Beginning Fish Aquarium

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Fish make wonderful pets and create beauty and peace around them. Though fish are fairly low maintenance, it is integral that you keep their aquarium clean and healthy. Planning your aquarium is half the battle.

Planning your tank
First, it’s important to consider how large your tank will be. This is partly determined by how much space you have available and what type of fish you plan on keeping.

There are two types of aquariums recommended for beginners: a coldwater tank and a heated freshwater tropical fish tank. [Read more…] about Designing a Beginning Fish Aquarium

Fun Facts about Fish!

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Did you know there are over 30,000 known species of fish? Here are some interesting facts about fish!

  • Some fish can recognize their owner’s faces and have a conscious understanding of their surroundings.
  • Fish play!!
  • Saltwater fish drink water.
  • Goldfish can remember things for up to five months, and can even be trained to associate sounds with feeding time, according to studies.
  • Fish communicate with each other using a variety of low pitched sounds.
  • Fish sleep! Since they do not have eyelids, they sleep with their eyes wide open. They typically will rest towards the bottom of the bed of water they inhabit. Fish do not lie down.
  • In aquariums, fish sleep when the lights are turned off.
  • Fish can suffer from sleep deprivation and sleep disorders.
  • Since a fish’s jaw is not attached to its skull, many fish can shoot their mouths forward like a spring to catch startled prey.
  • A fish can drown in water. Like humans, fish need oxygen, so if there isn’t enough oxygen in the water, they will suffocate.

Is A Pet Ferret Right For You?

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I can remember many years ago taking my kids to the annual Spring Road Pet Parade in Elmhurst, and seeing these three adorable little ferrets, wearing jaunty little sombreros, walking in the parade on their owner’s shoulders. They seemed so adorable and playful!

Ferrets can indeed make great pets for a family and can have similar qualities as a dog or cat. They thrive on human interaction for bonding and need at least two hours of playtime with you. They’re a compact pet that spends its sleeping time in its cage, so they can be ideal for smaller spaces.  Is the ferret the right pet for you? Here’s some considerations: [Read more…] about Is A Pet Ferret Right For You?