Posts Tagged ‘animals’

Relocating with Small Animals

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

There is no need to leave a pet behind when you move. You can take your pets with you, but you need to do some research. One of the easiest moving methods to use when you have pets is a moving truck rental.

There are a variety of different benefits to using a moving truck rental for your relocation project. The biggest benefit of all is the flexibility that you will have when moving your things. If you have pets, then you will need this flexibility. When moving small animals, you need to have that extra room in the cab or in another vehicle to transport them.

Getting Ready

Small animals are easy to move, and you do not need to put a whole lot of time and effort into getting them ready. Make sure that you get a transport tank or cage for all small animals. You should never attempt to transport an animal in any large or glass cage. These cages can break and then harm your pet. You might want to buy a small plastic container for your move instead. Try loading the tank or cage, without disassembling it, into the back of the moving truck rental. Doing this will allow you to easily unload and set up your pet’s home when you reach your destination.

Make sure to pack a travel box for your small pet. Make sure to include food, dishes, toys, and blankets that might be needed. For pets like snakes, you do not need to bring much. For small animals like birds, you need to make sure that you pack treats, food, water, toys, and a blanket to cover their cage or carrier with. Different needs will have to be met depending on the type of pet that you have.

Moving Day

On moving day there is not a whole lot that you need to do. Wait until you are ready to go before you load up any small animals. It is vital that you not store any animal in the car before you are ready to leave. Temperatures inside vehicle can get very hot, which may prove to be fatal to any animal or child. Never try to transport any animal in the back of a moving truck rental for the same reasons.

Try to take care to make sure that your small animal does not get exposed to temperature extremes. In the winter, keep the car parked in sunny areas if you must get out, and in the summerFree Web Content, try to park in the shade. Make sure that you run the air conditioner or heater in order to keep your pet healthy and happy. It will all be worth the trouble when you arrive at your new home in one piece.

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How To Clean Stuffed Animals

Saturday, February 7th, 2009

How To Clean Stuffed Plush AnimalsBy: Tippy & Alfred

Do you have a stuffed animal and are wondering how to keep it clean?

Stuffed animals are a lot of fun to have around andgreat for kids, but sometimes even they need a bath.

With the proper care, your stuffed animal can provideyou and your children with many years of joy and happiness.

Here’s some tips and pointers on how you can clean yourstuffed animals and keep them in great shape.

Most stuffed animals have an outer covering of fake fur,usually synthetic materials (polyester, acrylic or modacrylic) or natural materials (wool, wool/cotton, mohair, or alpaca).And, most stuffed animals come from the manufacturer withinstructions on how to clean them, follow those first.

  • Toys stuffed with styrene foam, foam beads or excelsior must Not be washed. Things stuffed with synthetic fiber (usually polyester fiber) or plastic beads can be putin a washing machine.
  • If the animal is stuffed very firmly and you put it ina washing machine, it may never dry out, or the stuffingmay shift and cause the stuffed animal to lose it’s shape.
  • If the stuffed animal has cardboard or hardboard stiffenersor joints, these can be destroyed in a washing machine.
  • If the stuffed animal has a sound box: Do Not put itin a washer or dryer.
  • To keep your stuffed animal fresh, give it a dry bathon occasion with baking soda. Just sprinkle the bakingsoda on the stuffed animal and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then simply brush it off.
  • To keep dust off your stuffed animal, once a weekuse your vacuum cleaner. Most home vacuum cleaners havea hose and brush attachment. Just go lightly over thestuffed animal with the brush. Make sure that itemslike eyes on the stuffed animal are secure beforedoing this.
  • You can wash most stuffed animals in your washing machine,however this should be used as a last resort. Before doing this, make sure that there are no loose seamswhere the stuffing can float out.

Put the stuffed animal in a pillowcase and close with a safety pin or two. Then wash as you would any delicateitem. Fabric softener can be added to bring out a fluffy and softer stuffed animal.

Bleeding can occur from other clothes in the washingmachine, so be careful what you wash the animal with.Bleeding can also happen from the fur onto the animalsclothes. If this is a possibility, then remove clothingfrom the animal before washing.

  • If the stuffed animal is not badly soiled, you can clean it using a mild, all purpose cleaner and sponge.Spray the cleaner on the area to be cleaned and spongeoff.
  • Use a soft scrub brush for badly soiled or stainedareas along with the all purpose cleaner.
  • Use rubbing alcohol to remove spots or stains fromplastic parts.
  • An upholstery cleaner can be used for stuffed animalsthat cannot be put in a washing machine.
  • To get mats out, use an old hairbrush.
  • To remove dust mites put the stuffed animal in a plastic bag and then place in the freezer overnight, or outside if the temperature is below freezing. The next day use the vacuum cleaner to go over the animal.

 

Dying a Stuffed Animal

If you have put your stuffed animal in a washing machine,or it has gotten very wet….it is Not recommended touse a clothes dryer.

Hair dryers can be used for quick surface drying being careful not to get too close to the surface.

However the best thing is to let the stuffed animal air dry. While this may take several days to dry the stuffing, it is the safest method.

If liquid is spilled on the stuffed animal, then shakeas much liquid off as possibleArticle Search, just like a real dogthat gets wet shakes off the water. Then use a dry sponge or paper towels to dab off the remaining liquid.

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Pepper Spray – Protection Against Bears, Dogs, and Other Animals

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

�Pepper spray has a long history of being used as a reliable self defence tool by law enforcement, civilians, and sportsmen. This non-lethal tool requires no physical contact and allows the victim to adequately protect themselves without resorting to force. �Pepper Spray for Aggressive Dogs�A well-known veterinary message board recently posted a note from a woman regarding pepper spay use. It seems that this woman was out walking her own leashed dogs when she was attacked by three, unleashed animals. �This woman and her animals got away without fatal injuries, but there are too many similar situations where the victims are not as lucky. Loose, aggressive dogs are a serious threat that leaves many people feeling helpless.

��The first targets of these animals’ attacks are usually other domestic animals and small children. For this reason, most vets and safety officials do not recommend sending children out alone to walk the family pet. �Everyone who has lost a beloved animal to an aggressive dog, or who has suffered their own injuries, will tell you that if there was something they wish there was something they could have done. �Even more frightening is the fact that aggression in domestic animals can be caused by rabbis, a dangerous and potentially lethal disease spread to humans by infected animals. �One of the easiest solutions for protecting yourself, your pet, and your children from aggressive dogs is to carry a small canister of pepper spray. With one quick spray you will able to deter the attacking dog and return your family to safety.

��Pepper Spray for Hunters �Hunters are one of the most loyal consumer groups when it comes to pepper spray products. This is because they recognize the simplicity of the product and appreciate its reliable protection. �Your first thought may be “why don’t the hunters use their guns?” Of course the hunters are carrying weapons, but their guns are not actually a reliable source of self defence when a bear attacks. Instead, hunters carry two forms of protection – the gun for when they are hunting the bear, and the pepper spray for when the bear is hunting them. �In fact, statistics indicate that human-bear encounters are less likely to result in a person’s injury when firearms are not used.

�Pepper Spray in Coyote Country �There are some areas of the country where wildlife and human life come in close contact every day. In these areas people rely on pepper spray to protect themselves should the wildlife get too close for comfort. �If you live in an area where wolves, coyotes, or bears are a dangerous threat, then you are likely living in fear every time you, your child, or your pet ventures outside. A simple and effective way to protect yourself would be pepper spray. This tool ensures that should a wild animal attack you will be able to deter it long enough to return your family to safety. �

Whether you are in the market for pepper spray, or are simply gathering information for a future purpose it is important that you seek out reputable merchants. A great place to look is at http://bljsselfdefense.com/pepper_spray_mace.html. This company offers a wide variety of items, including tasers, and provides consumers with education on self defense. In addition to the online resourcesHealth Fitness Articles, BLJ Enterprises supplies its customers with personal attention to help ensure that they receive the self defense tool that is right for them.

��RESOURCE BOX:�

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Aromatherapy for Animals, Part 1: Healing Blends for Dogs

Sunday, December 21st, 2008

The trend toward natural health consciousness in humans is gaining popularity in the animal world too. Many veterinarians are beginning to introduce natural therapies in their practice, including osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, flower essences and more recently aromatherapy. It’s just been a few years since aromatherapists and vets have begun to recognize how animals can benefit from this wonderful natural therapy.

For humans and animals alike, essential oils are powerfully antiseptic, detoxifying and revitalizing, thus increasing resistance to disease while strengthening the immune system. Essential oils can also be used to control pet odors and to purify the air from dust, dander and allergens. For example, mix 50 drops of lemon essential oil in a 2-oz spray bottle filled with water. Shake very well several times and spray the room. You’ll notice immediately that it refreshes and cleanses the air!

But aromatherapy offers more than just fragrance. Their remarkable actions upon animals — most notably dogs, cats and horses — are immediate, profound and long-lasting, positively affecting their overall health and emotional well-being.

Today we will focus on recipes and tips for Fido. As faithful friends, dogs bring affection, pure joy and loyalty into our lives. Most breeds thrive in the outdoors, running and playing in the freedom of nature. In fact, dogs will naturally purge their system in the wilderness, carefully choosing specific plants their systems need, such as blackberries, raw carrots, etc. Now a domestic animal, most dogs have lost this natural instinct, and are becoming less resistant to illness in general.

Dogs have a predictable set of physical ailments that may occur during their life span. Today I’ll share aromatherapy blends that will soothe and heal skin problems, remove and prevent fleas and ticks, relieve the pain of rheumatism and arthritis, revive energy and control pet odor.

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Blend to Relieve Skin Problems
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Pour the following essential oils into a 10-ml bottle and fill with Calendula oil. Apply to afflicted area.

-5 drops Lavender
-6 drops Geranium

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Blend to Relieve Itching
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Pour the following essential oils into a 10-ml bottle and fill with Calendula oil. Apply to afflicted area.

-4 drops Lavender
-5 drops Geranium
-3 drops Roman Chamomile

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Blend to Combat Fleas
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Fleas are nuisances for man and animal alike. This sinister pest hides within your pets’ fur as well as in our carpets, parquet and window coverings.

Prepare the following blend by pouring the following ingredients into a 1-oz spray bottle:

-7.5 ml Mint essential oil
-22.5 ml rubbing alcohol

Fleas absolutely dislike mint! Spray the affected areas of your home. Don’t forget your dog’s bed. Spray directly onto your dog, holding the bottle about 10 inches from him. Avoid spraying on the head and eyes.

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Blend to Combat Ticks
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Check your home and pet for ticks – look in his bed, window coverings, walls, etc. Burn the ones you find to prevent them from coming back.

Prepare the following blend by pouring the essential oils into a 10-ml bottle and adding organic vegetable oil to fill.

-10 drops Tea Tree
-10 drops Lavender

Apply 1 drop of Lavender and 1 drop of Tea Tree undiluted essential oils before extracting ticks from your pet. This will disinfect the inflamed area. It may sting a little bit (as alcohol would) but it works great!

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Blend to Ease Rheumatism
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Like humans, many dogs suffer from rheumatism as they age. Your veterinarian may treat him with specific medications or natural therapies. But locally, you can apply and massage the following blend in the morning and night to alleviate pain.

Prepare the following blend by pouring the essential oils into a 10-ml bottle and adding organic vegetable oil to fill.

-8 drops Birch
-8 drops Juniper
-7 drops Rosemary

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Blend to Ease Arthritis
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As recommended by some veterinarians, soften your dog’s bed to make it very cozy and warm. If your dog is an “outside” pet, allow him to sleep inside. A little moist heat, applied directly over painful joints, can be a great comfort to arthritic pets. Get him a warm sweater, or apply a moist heating pad. And massage the area twice a day with the following blend to soothe the pain away.

Prepare the following blend by pouring the essential oils into a 10-ml bottle and adding organic vegetable oil to fill.

-12 drops Birch
-8 drops Juniper
-7 drops Rosemary

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Blend to Boost His Energy
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Prepare the following blend by pouring the essential oils into a 10-ml bottle and adding organic vegetable oil to fill. Massage the spine gently. Use in the mornings only.

-5 drops Rosemary
-6 drops Lavender
-2 drops Peppermint

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Blend to Control Pet Odor
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Try this natural and aromatic spray. Pour the essential oils into a 1-oz spray bottle filled with water. Shake very vigorously several times before each use. Spray directly onto your dog, holding the bottle about 10 inches from him. Avoid spraying on the head and eyes.

-10 drops Lavender
-10 drops Geranium
-6 drops Lemon

In Good Health,
Francoise Rapp
http://www.aromalchemy.com

(c) Francoise Rapp, 2002. Internationally renowned aromatherapist and alchemist, Francoise Rapp, shares her expertise in using essential oils to heal and revitalize body and mind at http://www.aromalchemy.com. Highlights include in-depth aromatherapy classes designed for working adults, pure & organic essential oils, recipes and aromatic treatments for health and wellnessPsychology Articles, and a free weekly newsletter. Discover the power of aromatherapy today at http://www.aromalchemy.com!

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The Mystery of Furry Animals

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

However, the human body, a marvelous piece of creation can adjust itself to changing climatic conditions to provide comfort to the owner. It has become quite common knowledge that sweating and their evaporation cools down the body.

Have you tried wrapping yourself in a plastic sheet? You will feel warm because of the air trapped within the sheet. However, after a while, you will sweat and you will feel very uncomfortable indeed. Why?

It has to do with what air-conditioning people call the comfort zone. According to them, most people will feel comfortable between 70 to 78 degree Fahrenheit at about 50% relative humidity wearing light clothing and when seated or at rest and without much wind.

There is also a difference in comfort levels when we do different activities. When we feel comfortable wearing woolen jackets to keep warm while we are at rest, don’t we feel uncomfortable when we are running or doing strenuous activities? Clearly just wearing a jacket will not automatically make us more comfortable.

On a hot day, you will want to take off everything. Well, society dictates that you cannot do that, or you will be charged with indecent behavior. Anyway, that’s the easiest way to become comfortable. The body’s thermoregulatory action will make your comfortable automatically.

In nature, the body has a very good self-temperature regulatory action. When we sweat, the latent heat of vaporization takes away the heat from the body. However, if the sweat were to be evaporated, a person with all the sweat glands fully opened up can even feel a chill. Putting on clothing will hinder that process of evaporation.

In cold weather, how would you want to wear just a thin piece of clothing, instead of layers after layers of thick clothing? You don’t want to look like an astronaut with their bulky suit, do you? You might look a bit too fat and clumsy!

Moreover, some clothing will retain the water, so much so that even when the outside is cold, you are actually sweating inside. That’s the condition of condensation. The same thing happens when a glass of cold water is put in a warm atmosphere. The water comes out from the air around the glass and become water droplets. Your body becomes wet from your perspiration.

You become uncomfortable.

How do furry animals keep warm or cool? They don’t wear clothing like humans. They seem to be able to adjust their body temperatures in their fur to all weather conditions. Can that be duplicated?

Scientists have been searching for the solution to comfortable all weather clothing for ages. They were searching for that special fiber that can duplicate the thermoregulatory action of a human body and yet feels comfortable to wear.

They have tried using capillary action of closely spaced fibers to draw the liquid from the sweat to the surface and then to evaporate. However in order to be effective, the fabric need to be worn close to the skin in order to transport the moisture. Whenever the capillary fabric gaps, the draw is broken and it becomes ineffective. The result – heat is lost for the wearer. Wearing tight clothing can be quite uncomfortable sometimes. Maybe they are not so fashionable, or just do not fit the many different body sizes.

The latest technological breakthrough lies in utilizing electrostatic charges in the fibers. Scientists are now able to move moisture from the body whenever a wearer perspires in warm temperatures using electrostatic charges in the fibers. As the wearer’s activity decreases, the fabric will reduce the evaporative process, leaving a constant water barrier between the wearer and the fabric.

In cold temperatures, a layer of 100% relative humidity is formed between the skin and the fabric, creating an area of moist air that holds more heat during cooler temperatures. By using electrostatic charges to pull the moisture away from the skinFree Web Content, scientists are able to increase the heat capacity of the trapped air next to the skin and the wearer feels warm.

Individual molecules are separated much faster and thus favor evaporation.

These fibers are special.

They actually duplicate and enhance the thermoregulatory actions of the body! They create a vapor barrier to keep you cool when the weather is warm and warm when the weather is cold.

Truly a technological breakthrough!

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