Guinea Pigs: A Great First Pet

The sight of a guinea pig nosing around in a pile of fresh shavings is an image that brings a smile to both parents and children alike.

A large population of adults have fond memories of the guinea pig they raised as a child. It doesn't take a lot of encouragement before they are describing the way it looked and recounting the adventures they shared. Most parents who had these pets during their childhood are normally quick to make sure that their children have one of these animals to call their own.

Parents like the idea of guinea pigs as a child's first pet for a variety of reasons. Compared to cats and dogs, these friendly rodents are a cheap pet to maintain. Even rescuing a kitten from an animal shelter can cost more than fifty dollars. However, a young, well-cared for guinea pig can be purchased for around fifteen dollars. The average guinea pig doesn't need as much veterinary care as a dog or cat. These pets can be kept in the child's bedroom, lessening the impact on your furniture and shoes. In short, these cute creatures are a smart choice to teach a child about the responsibility needed to care for a pet.

One of the skills that children will develop when they are raising a rodent is pet grooming. Despite their diminutive size, these creatures, like dogs and cats, need to be groomed on a regular basis. Parents who are concerned that their child will be lax about grooming their pet should make sure that they purchase a short haired breed. The short hair will not tangle and mat like their long haired counterparts. Brushes that have soft bristles are the best for brushing guinea pigs, the soft bristles won't hurt his or her skin.

When your new pet comes home, teach your child how to examine its eyes, ears and nose, to make sure that they are clean and free of debris. Show them how to use a warm slightly wet washcloth to gently wipe any mucus that might be accumulating in the corners of their eyes.

Guinea pigs don't require a great deal of of brushing, and they shouldn't be bathed. They do need to have their nails clipped. This is an activity that the parent needs to supervise. Explain to your child that they are not supposed to remove the entire nail, that the only thing that is going to be removed with the nail clippers is the sharp tip of the nail. On a pet that has white nails you should be able to see the tiny blood vessels that run through the nails, explain to your child that the blood vessels represent a living part of the nail, that the goal is to trim the nail with hurting the tiny blood vessels. If your pet has dark nails, your probably won't be able to see the blood vessels. On dark nailed breeds, the rule of thumb is to trim approximately 1/4 of an inch of the nail.

The biggest problem with these rodent pals is that they can smell quite offensive if the cage environment is not cleaned regularly. The scent of an unclean guinea pig cage can quickly drive the entire family from the house. It is important to make sure that your child understands that it is extremely important to clean his or her pet's cage on a regular basis. Explain that the health of their pet as well as the family harmony depends on them keeping the cage clean and the bedding fresh.

Jonathan Hook own Bow Meow Pet Care Centre in North Bay, Ontario. Much more information about dog care and general pet care is available at www.BowMeowNorthBay.ca

Thinking Of Bringing A Pet Home? Read This First

Most parents will, at one time or another be asked by their children if they can have a pet. Or maybe you live alone and would love the companionship of a pet. Did you have a pet when you were growing up and want to recreate those experiences? Whatever the reason, pets are a wonderful addition to almost any household.

But if you are considering bringing home a pet - please consider this. If you "impulse-buy" a new purse you can almost always return it if you decide that it is the wrong size or color. But bringing home a pet to become a member of the family is an entirely different matter.

A pet is a living thing; it bonds with you, and becomes dependent on you. Bringing home a pet should never be a whim of the moment, rather the intent is that the pet you have selected will be for keeps. So consider carefully before you make any decision about a pet.

Selecting your pet should be done over time, and all members of the household should be part of the decision process. Here are some ways to involve everyone in deciding about adding a new pet to the family.

Picking A Pet Step #1: Do Research in Books, Magazines, and the Internet

In order to narrow down the selection process, visit your local library to find out what books or magazines they have on the different kinds of pets. Read the books together. You can pick a nonfiction book which contains all kinds of facts and figures about a prospective pet or a fiction book which tells about someone's experience with a pet.

You can also read about pets on the Internet or purchase a book that you may want to keep. Ask your kids to draw pictures or tell a story which shows what they would be doing with a favorite pet. Maybe you can find a movie at your library about this pet.

Picking A Pet Step #2: Visit Pet Stores, Breeders, and the Humane Society

A visit to one or more pet stores where you and your children can ask all kinds of questions should be a fun outing. Also visit a chapter of an animal humane society or rescue organization. Find out all you can about a prospective pet.

Picking A Pet Step #3: Talk To People Who Already Own The Pet

It's important to talk to people who already own the pet you are considering. A lot of people don't do this step, but wouldn't you get references before hiring a painter or talk to a car owner before buying a car? Ask them about their experiences with the pet. What do they like best about the pet? What do they like least about the pet? Would they get another one? These are good starting questions.

Now you are ready to pick a pet. This is a great adventure and joyous time for your family. Don't be in a rush, pick carefully. Keep in mind that a pet is not a purse. You are signing on for the life span of the animal you select. In the case of a goldfish, that might be no more than a year; while some birds can live up to 50 years or more. There should be no surprises if you've done your homework.

Enjoy every moment with your new pet, don't take them for granted. They will give you so much love and joy.

I hope that you will find these tips to be helpful in your process of selecting a new pet. Check out http://www.HomeHowToGuides.com to find many more tips for making your home safe and comfortable for children, pets, your family, and to help you prepare for a potential disaster.

From Karen Wintress and Home How To Guides

Your Child's First Pet

Tired of hearing your child whine about wanting a pet? All parents seem to have this problem at one time or another. Many children want a pet, and it's a perfect way to teach children responsibility. If you've decided to give your children the opportunity to have a pet of their own, you just have to figure out which pet is the right pet! There are a few smaller, easier to care for animals that make great first pets. These are typically a bit more affordable than bigger animals such as dogs or cats. However, with any pet, the owner's personality affects the decision.

Gerbils make great pets for smaller children, as they are active during the day and are extremely curious and friendly. Gerbils are actually desert animals. They are very clean animals, which makes cleaning up after them a lot simpler. For a young child's first pet, these are perfect! Gerbils are very social animals, so a pair is definitely the way to go with these animals. However, be sure they are not mates, otherwise you'd better be prepared to take care of lots of little gerbils! A large aquarium-style tank with a deep layer of wood shavings makes for a perfect home for these little creatures, as they love to tunnel and dig. To keep them (as well as your child) entertained, tunnel-type toys are great! Gerbil food is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at any pet store. They also enjoy the occasional bit of lettuce or cheese. Gerbils usually live up to three years.

Guinea pigs are good first pets, as they don't scratch and can be gently handled. Like gerbils, they're social creatures, so a pair is preferred. Guinea pigs are very timid, so they need lots of places to hide in their cage. An aquarium-style tank works well for guinea pigs as well, as long as they have a grazing area and places to burrow. Guinea pigs need a daily diet that his high in fiber and vitamin C. Guinea pigs live up to six years.

Most people aren't entirely keen on the idea of keeping mice, but if you're looking to get one as a first pet, you should keep in mind that, like the others, they are social. Two to three female mice are the best way to go as males tend to fight and produce a much stronger smell. Cages must be cleaned two to three times a week. A wire-mesh cage works best for mice, as they need a well-ventilated living space, with tunnels and other toys. Mice need a lot of things to gnaw on, such as dog biscuits.

Though they generally have a shorter life span than gerbils or guinea pigs, mice are by far the highest maintenance. However, any of these pets are perfect for a child's first pet, and what better way to give your child a lesson in responsibility?

Amanda Baker writes for All Things Pondered

How to Pick the First Pet For Your Kids

If you have children then there will come a point in time when they really want a pet as a part of their lives. Your child or kids are often bombarded by television shows that depict a pet as a novelty however as a parent you know better. You know that owning a pet is more than having a cuddly little animal to look at and think about how cute it looks. As a parent it's important to not just give in to your child's demand for a pet without thinking through which type is best suited for your family as a whole. Do you not agree?

At this point you may or may have not taken a walk around the pet store to take a look at your conventional options. Chances are that if you took your son or daughter along then you also left the store with a headache from their constant begging and whining to get a dog, fish, or any animal they saw and fell in love with.

Many children want the classic pet like a dog or cat to start with but that is not always the best decision. Especially if you are planning getting a puppy or kitten, things can become difficult as your family struggles to adjust as the young, rascal pet goes through it's growing phases like adolescents do. Chewing, biting, and tearing up your shoes and other belongings is often not expected to be a hassle but often turn out to be nightmares!

When it comes to deciding on a pet for your home, you want to first think about the size of the pet you will be housing and what type of daily care is going to be required of you to make sure that your pet is healthy and of course, happy. Nothing is more saddening than seeing a pet dog or cat neglected because their owners did not think through the costs of time and money associated with being a responsible and caring pet owner. When people become owners of pets that they cannot manage then they often feel guilty to "give them up" to an animal shelter. Or even worse pet owners begin to adopt the belief that no one but them can show care and love to their animal even though they cannot clearly provide the needed care when looked at from an outside prospective.

Do not fall into that trap! There is a way to avoid all the mistakes that others have encountered and make sure that any potential pet goes to an owner who is adequately prepared to take care and provide a nurturing environment and home. Do not focus on your emotions and past associations with animals that are your typical home types. Be willing to look at different options that will not bog you down and especially your children.

You may want to focus on smaller animals as a good start for your children. Examine pets like guinea pigs, fish, and other small critters as possible starting points to get your young children used to the chores and duties associated with keeping a pet. This is the best way to work up to the dog or cat we all really want in our lives!

John is an author who focuses on creating a better life through getting in touch with the Earth that provides so much to his family. Not a hippie, however John does cover a variety of wholesome living ideas and wants to share more with you about Cheap Rabbit Cages that aren't a fortune to obtain. Also please take your time to visit this site to learn more about How To Build A Rabbit Cage for you new pet rabbit.

So the Family Wants to Choose a Dog As the New Family Pet - What You Need to Know First

We will assume there are children in the family. This time of year many choose a puppy as the new family pet. A reasonable question is then, how old should the children be when their first pet comes into the home? Some experts say 6 to 8 years old. A more common sense approach is simply that the children should be old enough, mature enough, to understand the word no. Notice your children around dogs belonging to friends and relatives. How do they relate to those dogs? If this is all positive then it will be a parental decision. Parents should remember that the child needs to be mature enough to take on the responsibility for care and feeding because if the do not, you know who will be doing it, sometimes for years.

Should you go ahead and choose a pet begin immediately teaching by example. Let the children know and understand that the pet is now a family member and should be loved and cared for, not simply played with then tossed aside when something new comes along that may be more fun.

Puppies require lots of physical attention and training. Consider how much time you as the adult can be at home then how much time you can devote to the care, feeding and training of your pet puppy. If you bring a puppy into the home an amount of training will be required. It will pay dividends year after year. You need to be at home often to do that. You will also need to do dog crate training. One expert suggests that if your family is out of the home for 8 hours or more each day, you probably should not be trying to find a pet for your family.

Will you choose a dog that will be affectionate and cuddly or will you choose a dog that will be an outdoors type? It is important to choose a breed with the nature to become the type of dog you are looking for. This requires some time and reading to make a list of outdoors active dogs or indoor cuddly smaller dogs. Do your homework. The decision to bring a pet puppy into your home is a huge decision.

What color or appearance do you want in your puppy? Many do not care but if you do, again, do your homework. The American Kennel Club does a good job defining each breed. Don't follow the leader and choose a breed that seems to be the breed of the month or whatever is popular. Do your homework.

How large do you want your puppy to be when he or she becomes a fully grown adult dog? Do you have your own home and property or do you rent? If you are a renter I suggest a smaller dog. It will be easier to find a willing landlord if you have a smaller dog.

You will want to have your children involved in caring for the family pet. It will teach them responsibility and bonding with the puppy which will make a big difference as the dog grows to adulthood. For smaller children their involvement can be as simple as selecting dog food while shopping, assisting with a shampoo or helping out when it is time to feed the puppy.

As the adult you are the key to teaching your children how to relate to and to take good care of their puppy. As soon as puppy joins you set rules for the family and especially the children regarding puppy care and individual responsibilities as well as how to treat a dog, what to do and what not to do. Take the leadership position and stay firm.

Please know that a great is a trained pet. This means crate training and hopefully obedience training. How far you go with training your dog will depend on your expectations of your pet.

Making good choices when choosing a pet can change your quality of life and provide a fun life for your pet as well. Bad choices lead to pets being let loose on the street or becoming another statistic down at the Humane Society. Make your choice a great choice for you, your pet and your family.

Bill Beavers is with http://www.CarryMyDog.com and looks forward to your visit to this informative website. We know you will benefit from the information. You will find top quality dog crates, pet carriers, pet strollers, dog harnesses, pet playpens and much more. Deep discounts on many products. Http://www.carrymydog.com is a excellent place for improving your pet's quality of life and simplifying yours. All the best...

Goldfish and Betta Fish Make Great First Pets For Children

Goldfish and Betta Fish are fish that can live in a fishbowl or an aquarium. They are a lot of fun without a lot of work.

Children can learn caring and compassion for others by having an animal to care for and develop an understanding of responsibility. Parents and adults are the ultimate caregivers though, and should not turn a child of any age loose with the full responsibility for any animal. Always supervise, setting and enforcing boundaries and rules. Fish should not be touched with a persons hands as their skin can be damaged very easily. Make it clear to your child that the fish is a living thing with needs both like and unlike his/her own.

The simplest way to keep a fish is to have one that requires only a bowl without the filter and pump setup of an aquarium. Not all fish can live in a bowl. There are two good candidates: Goldfish and Bettas. They can live in a bowl because they naturally gulp air at the surface. Most fish don't do this.

First thing, decide which kind of fish you want and how many. Then get supplies together to house your fish. Your local pet store is well equipped to help you do this and there is generally someone knowledgeable available to work with you. Ask questions. These people usually know a lot and are happy to help.

Goldfish are an excellent choice to start with. I believe they are the best of the two choices. There are many different types of goldfish. The basic goldfish, or Comet, is the least expensive. They may be available in gold or gold with some white markings. There are specialty goldfish with fan tails, calico coloring, bubble eyes, lions head, and others. All are beautiful, hardy, easy to care for and fun to watch. All can grow fairly large and live long lives. Make sure the bowl you choose is large enough that your fish has some room to swim around and room to grow. A gallon of water is O.K. for two small fish but, remember, they will grow! Take that into consideration.

Goldfish can learn to interact with you, coming to the surface for food, taking a bit of a treat from your fingers, nibbling your fingers, and other things. Goldfish food can be found in flake form in the pet store. Do not over feed your goldfish. Just a small pinch of food twice a day is plenty-as much as they can consume in about two minutes. Some goldfish will eat other things as well, but only for treats and only sometimes. It won't hurt them to have a couple of bread crumbs (no more!) from time to time, or a bit of lettuce.

Bettas, or Siamese Fighting Fish come in several colors with draping fins and tails. You have probably seen them in your local pet store alone in small bowls or even plastic cups. To house them long term they should really have more space than that. Usually these are male fish, but sometimes you will see females also.

Do not try to keep more than one Betta in a bowl, and never put them with other types of fish. They must be kept singly. They are called fighting fish because they are very aggressive and will kill one another. The females are less aggressive and probably won't try to kill other fish unless they are much smaller. A single Betta fish keeps very quiet and still most of the time. Pet stores often sell setups for Bettas, complete with bowl, decorations, food-everything you need to get started with a Betta fish. Betta food is in pellet form and will float on the surface of the water. Usually Bettas need just one or two pellets a day as they are not active fish.

Goldfish and Bettas need to have their bowl kept clean or they will get sick. Remember that they live, breathe and eat in the same environment in which they poop. Not a pleasant thought. You should clean your fishbowl about once a week.

To remove your fish from the bowl, use a net gently and carefully catch it and place it carefully into another bowl with some of its water. Cover the top so your fish won't jump out. Dump out the old water from the fishbowl. If you have gravel, plants or other decorations in the bowl, rinse them well with hot water. Rinse out the bowl with hot water and wipe out the inside with a paper towel or clean cloth. Algae can grow on the inside of the bowl and cause a green slime on the surface of the glass. Never use cleaners of any kind. They are poison to fish in any amount. Refill the bowl using bottled spring water. It is pure, contains beneficial minerals, and requires no chemicals to make it safe for your fish. Never, ever use distilled water or plain tap water. If you must use tap water then make sure you have a de-chlorinating additive to make it safe for your fish.

Goldfish and Betta Fish make great first pets for children. They require a little care and attention but are not an overwhelming responsibility. They are not terribly expensive to purchase or to maintain and are lots of fun to watch.

Goldfish and Betta Fish Make Great First Pets For Children

Goldfish and Betta Fish are fish that can live in a fishbowl or an aquarium. They are a lot of fun without a lot of work.

Children can learn caring and compassion for others by having an animal to care for and develop an understanding of responsibility. Parents and adults are the ultimate caregivers though, and should not turn a child of any age loose with the full responsibility for any animal. Always supervise, setting and enforcing boundaries and rules. Fish should not be touched with a persons hands as their skin can be damaged very easily. Make it clear to your child that the fish is a living thing with needs both like and unlike his/her own.

The simplest way to keep a fish is to have one that requires only a bowl without the filter and pump setup of an aquarium. Not all fish can live in a bowl. There are two good candidates: Goldfish and Bettas. They can live in a bowl because they naturally gulp air at the surface. Most fish don't do this.

First thing, decide which kind of fish you want and how many. Then get supplies together to house your fish. Your local pet store is well equipped to help you do this and there is generally someone knowledgeable available to work with you. Ask questions. These people usually know a lot and are happy to help.

Goldfish are an excellent choice to start with. I believe they are the best of the two choices. There are many different types of goldfish. The basic goldfish, or Comet, is the least expensive. They may be available in gold or gold with some white markings. There are specialty goldfish with fan tails, calico coloring, bubble eyes, lions head, and others. All are beautiful, hardy, easy to care for and fun to watch. All can grow fairly large and live long lives. Make sure the bowl you choose is large enough that your fish has some room to swim around and room to grow. A gallon of water is O.K. for two small fish but, remember, they will grow! Take that into consideration.

Goldfish can learn to interact with you, coming to the surface for food, taking a bit of a treat from your fingers, nibbling your fingers, and other things. Goldfish food can be found in flake form in the pet store. Do not over feed your goldfish. Just a small pinch of food twice a day is plenty-as much as they can consume in about two minutes. Some goldfish will eat other things as well, but only for treats and only sometimes. It won't hurt them to have a couple of bread crumbs (no more!) from time to time, or a bit of lettuce.

Bettas, or Siamese Fighting Fish come in several colors with draping fins and tails. You have probably seen them in your local pet store alone in small bowls or even plastic cups. To house them long term they should really have more space than that. Usually these are male fish, but sometimes you will see females also.

Do not try to keep more than one Betta in a bowl, and never put them with other types of fish. They must be kept singly. They are called fighting fish because they are very aggressive and will kill one another. The females are less aggressive and probably won't try to kill other fish unless they are much smaller. A single Betta fish keeps very quiet and still most of the time. Pet stores often sell setups for Bettas, complete with bowl, decorations, food-everything you need to get started with a Betta fish. Betta food is in pellet form and will float on the surface of the water. Usually Bettas need just one or two pellets a day as they are not active fish.

Goldfish and Bettas need to have their bowl kept clean or they will get sick. Remember that they live, breathe and eat in the same environment in which they poop. Not a pleasant thought. You should clean your fishbowl about once a week.

To remove your fish from the bowl, use a net gently and carefully catch it and place it carefully into another bowl with some of its water. Cover the top so your fish won't jump out. Dump out the old water from the fishbowl. If you have gravel, plants or other decorations in the bowl, rinse them well with hot water. Rinse out the bowl with hot water and wipe out the inside with a paper towel or clean cloth. Algae can grow on the inside of the bowl and cause a green slime on the surface of the glass. Never use cleaners of any kind. They are poison to fish in any amount. Refill the bowl using bottled spring water. It is pure, contains beneficial minerals, and requires no chemicals to make it safe for your fish. Never, ever use distilled water or plain tap water. If you must use tap water then make sure you have a de-chlorinating additive to make it safe for your fish.

Goldfish and Betta Fish make great first pets for children. They require a little care and attention but are not an overwhelming responsibility. They are not terribly expensive to purchase or to maintain and are lots of fun to watch.