There are a few facts about rabbits and hutches that you should know if you expect to raise a healthy and thriving bunny. You have two options when it comes to supplying housing for your rabbit: an inside bunny rabbit cage or an out-of-doors rabbit hutch. As a general rule pet rabbits are housed inside and bunny rabbits raised for meat production are grown outdoors. Nevertheless, pet bunnies can also be successfully raised out-of-doors if there is not enough room in the house.


You must know a few facts about rabbits if you expect to keep your pet bunny out-of-doors and would like to purchase or construct a rabbit hutch. An outdoor rabbit hutch is almost always manufactured in the nature of a square or rectangular room. Three sides are constructed from wood whereas the fourth side is wire. The bottom will also be manufactured with wire while the top (roof) ought to be solid and detachable for simple cleanup. The hutch will normally sit on four legs made of wood which serve a number of purposes. First, it maintains cleanliness in the interior by allowing the droppings to fall to the ground. Second, it helps keep the rabbit safe from wild predators. Third, it will make it much easier to maintain and clean. And lastly, it will protect them from direct sun, snow, or rain.

One of the benefits of a bunny hutch as opposed to an inside cage is that there will be much less cleanup duties. If you don't clean an indoor cage everyday it will usually cause smells to become fairly potent, but smells are usually not a huge issue outdoors. If you live in a small home that lacks adequate room to raise a pet rabbit inside, an outdoor hutch is most ideal. Pet bunnies can just as easily be kept outside.

One of the negatives of a hutch is that your rabbits will be subjected to bad weather conditions. Larger-sized bunnies cope better than smaller-sized ones when the temperatures plunge too low, and smaller bunny rabbits may not live through extremely cold temperatures. Varieties with very long ears can possibly have their ears stick to frozen wires which can cause injury to their long ears or even loss of life. Rabbits do best inside, but in moderate weather it is quite acceptable to house them out-of-doors.

Here are some facts about rabbits that you must know if you want to keep bunnies in an inside cage. You have two main options when buying an inside bunny cage: one level or two. Cages constructed with two levels have a ramp letting a pet bunny to scurry downstairs or upstairs as it so desires. This offers your pet a bigger area to scurry around in while not taking up any extra floor space. With this type of cage a rabbit will remain in better health as a result of the extra exercise it will get hopping between levels.

There are two key benefits when housing your critter indoors: You will not need to concern yourself with harsh weather conditions or wild predators. And seeing as they are inside, you will not be able to forget about them. You will be more apt to remove them from their cage to play with them or permit them to scuttle around awhile, which is always a good thing to do. The negative is that you will be required to clean their litter container more often. It's not a huge job, but it should be done often.

It all comes down to this: if you would like to be the owner of a pet bunny you should probably house it in an inside rabbit cage where you will be able to give them more attention and affection. If you're going to successfully raise bunnies for meat production you will in all probability raise them out-of-doors or in your garage.

By: Joshua A Harding

Spring is here, and the warmer weather is on the way. As the grass starts to grow, the sun appears and nothing seems so attractive as meandering down those country lanes or cantering up the bridle paths on your own horse.

If you have only ever ridden at a riding school before, buying your first horse will be a real experience for you - and one you shouldn't go without doing some careful thinking and planning first. A horse should be your trusted companion for some time - you owe it to him to make sure you pick the right one for you. There is nothing worse for a horse than to be sold on time and time again because he was bought by the wrong person.

The person selling your ideal horse will be keen to make sure you are right for him and may even seem reluctant to part with him - if you ever feel you are being pressured into making a decision it is probably not the right horse to buy!

This article tries to give the first time buyer some tips.

Where should I look for my perfect horse?

Horses are advertised in magazines, both local and national, and in many local outlets such as notice boards in livery yards and tack shops.

Horse and Hound is a very popular source, and has a large number of horses for sale. However you do need to be quick off the mark - if you wait a couple of days you will find the best ones have been sold. Horse and Hound do carry their adverts on their internet site, and there are also many other sites offering horses for sale.

For a first horse or pony word of mouth is always a good option - your local riding school or livery yard may know of ponies or horses in the locality which may suit you and which are going to be sold, however this may not be the quickest option.

Be prepared for it to take some time to find your right partner.

Before you start looking at the adverts and especially before you go to see that first horse, be absolutely clear in your own mind:

- What is an honest assessment of your riding ability?
- What do you want to do with your horse?
- What is your budget?

When you start going out to see horses bear in mind that you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince! Finding your ideal partner for the next few years will take time and cannot be rushed. Make sure you are totally honest and keep the answers to the questions in your mind - many a person has been led astray by falling in love with a totally unsuitable mount. Remember, it is not fair on either you or the horse if you end up with an animal you cannot control or if you want to jump and the horse has a total aversion to it!

And remember, keeping a horse is an expensive business - there is no point overstretching yourself to buy him if you are going to need to buy tack as well.

Keep a clear head - and let it rule your heart!

When I go to see a horse, what should I look for?

Make sure you see the horse in the stable - don't rely on any statement that he has 'perfect stable manners', ask to see for yourself. Ideally watch him being tacked up - does he stand quietly? Horses which behave well when being ridden sometimes try to kick or bite in the stable, when being tacked up, having rugs put on or off or just when you go to fill a hay net. A horse which is difficult in the stable will make your life difficult as the owner, and if you are going to keep your horse at livery will not make you popular!

Look carefully at the horse for any signs of sweat marks. Some sellers lunge or vigorously exercise their horses just before a prospective owner turns up at the yard making them seem a much quieter ride than they really are. You can also ask about the level of exercise he has been used to - if he is used to being exercised more than you will have time for you may find you have a more excitable horse on your hands than you really want.

I have never bought a horse before - what should I do when I try it out?

If you have only had lessons before you may find yourself at a loss without an instructor standing in the middle telling you what to do. It is therefore best to decide before you go a short routine you will use that will test the horse you are trying, and allow you to assess whether it is the one for you or not.

A routine might be, walk round the ménage, halting at least once to make the horse is listening to you. Walk a 20 metre circle, watching out for the horse leaning in or out. Does he listen to your corrections? Change rein and repeat the walk exercises. Try to assess whether he bends easier on one rein or the other - not necessarily a fault as horses do tend to have a stronger rein, but it is more important that he is attentive to you!

Now put the horse into trot - watching for whether he goes forward eagerly or is reluctant. Use little leg at first - if you have been used to riding school horses they may have become 'dead to the leg'. You can always increase the leg aid, but it is preferable to do this than having the horse shoot off with you! As in walk work a circle on both reins. Does he drop out of trot as he bends? Does he try to go forward into canter? Would you be happy with this behaviour? If he is very strong, be prepared for him to be even stronger when you get him home - an energetic horse may well have been lunged before you came to see him and may be even fresher on other days!

If you are happy with the trot try a canter on each rein. He should make the upward transition smoothly when you ask him to do so.

If you want a jumping horse make sure you try him over a fence. Is he eager or does he need a lot of encouragement?

Try to decide before you visit the horse exactly what you are looking for, and what you are prepared to work with. And try to keep sensible. There is no point falling in love at first sight with a beautiful animal you cannot control - or one which is reluctant to jump when that is your reason for buying!

This is a partnership which you will have for some time - your partner should be chosen very carefully to make sure he is compatible with your level of riding, and what you want to do. Common sense should rule here - not your heart!

When I go to see a horse, should I see him ridden first?

DEFINITELY YES! If the owner says there is no one available to ride him be very wary. It may be that he is too difficult for anyone there to ride. Only attempt this is you are a very experienced rider - otherwise be prepared to walk away, or at the very least try and arrange to come back when you can see him ridden.

The current owner should ride a routine similar to the one described above to enable you to assess the horse's way of going, and how he responds. If he makes upwards transitions easily for someone else, but not for you, this could be something that can be addressed with some lessons. However, be aware - there is a saying that a horse's ability sinks to match those of its rider. Just because the horse you have fallen in love with makes flying changes on demand for its current owner, it may not make them for you if you cannot ride at that level! Your new perfectly schooled dressage horse cannot be depended on to teach

And finally

It may take a few months to find the right horse, but be assured that the wait will be worth it. One thing is probably certain - that palomino mare you had pictured yourself riding away on into the sunset may well turn out to be a bay gelding! But whatever size, colour or sex you end up with, if you have taken your time choosing you will have a wonderful partnership.

By: Keri Carrillo

There's no question that our cats are full-fledged family members. Their loyalty, their love, and their ability to comfort us are unparalleled. Sometimes, though, their hair or odors can leave an unwelcome footprint in our homes. Just as we clean up the spills made by our kids (or our spouses!), it's up to us to clean up after our cats. Luckily, there are any number of products that make pet care a breeze.

Cat Litter Boxes

Cats are generally low maintenance pets, but their litter boxes often contribute little to you home decor, and can become a smelly nuisance. Today's litter boxes, though, can bring a touch of whimsy to your interior design, while their functionality can put an end to messes and odors.

One line of litter boxes comes in an assortment of patterns and colors, from solid silver and solid black, to polka dot, leopard print and wood grain. The litter tray door pulls out, and a metal sifter rake pulls and lifts litter out of the tray for easy cleaning. Another ingenious design has a triangular shape so that you can easily place it otherwise used corner space.

If you want to make cat care even easier, self-cleaning litter boxes are the answer. One style has an internal grill that traps used litter. You simply roll the enclosed litter box on its side and remove the waste tray. Another type takes self-cleaning to the next level by having a slowly but rotating system that quietly but continuously scoops used cat litter into a receptacle. The ultimate litter box is one that automatically flushes cat waste down your toilet. Instead of cat litter, this box uses permanent granules that are washable. After your cat uses the box, the granules are automatically washed, disinfected, and dried. Liquid and any solid waste are flushed down the toilet with fresh water.

Kitty Litter

When it comes to kitty litter, many cats have a preference for one brand over another. But if you start with the right litter or are persistent, you can find kitty litter that can help eliminate odors while keep your cat healthy. One brand of kitty litter on the market not only neutralizes litter box odors, but also changes color if your cat has a urinary tract infection. Given that urinary tract infections can quickly become life threatening, early detection is key. It's also helpful to have information about a potential infection to give to your veterinarian.

Shedding Tools

Many people who love cats are troubled by allergies, or by the cat hair that clings to furniture and clothes. Products that help with shedding take one of two approaches: either they work at the source of the problem (your furry feline) or they make it a snap to clean up hair off of furniture.

Cats typically shed their undercoat (rather than the hair you see), so a product that helps you remove hair from your pet - a "furminator" of sorts - means you'll never see it on your couch. These products brush out the dead hair from the undercoat (but don't cut it), while bringing your cat's natural oils to the surface. Because this type of product also helps stops over zealous self-cleaning, your cat may be less likely to be bothered by hairballs.

Cat care isn't difficult, and the great litter boxes, kitty litter, and shedding tools make it even easier!

By: Eugenio Mccarthy

Choosing dog food can be confusing down right confusing. Due to the large number of companies offering products, and the seemingly endless variations like regular adult, adult light, and senior dog formulas. Here are seven tips for choosing dog food.

1. Company Reputation

One way to quickly narrow down your options is to buy from a company you have heard about. Many generic brands you have never heard about but often see on the grocery store shelves often have inferior ingredients.

2. Quality Ingredients

This one goes along with the company's reputation. A company with a good reputation generally put high quality ingredients into their products.

3. Primary Meat

The first ingredient on the label should be a meat. If it is some type of grain, then find another product. Quality dog food should be well over 50% meat, some people say up to 75% should be made of meat.

4. Primary Carbohydrate

Most companies use corn as the primary carbohydrate in their products because it is cheap and easily available. However brown rice is often a better choice because it is much easier for dogs to digest.

5. Dog Preferences

You could have the best pet food in the world, but if your dog doesn't like it, it doesn't matter how nutritious it is. Try out several brands and see which one they prefer.

6. Dog Life Stage

Try to find a product that matches your pet's life stage. If they are less then one year old, feed a puppy formula, if they are older then 5 to 7 years of age, feed a senior dog formula. There are even products for small breed and large breed dogs.

7. Veterinary Recommendations

When choosing dog food, its always best to talk to your veterinarian. They probably have a very good idea of which formulas are best for your pet.

By: Luke Blaise

As a cat lover, you would naturally want to know as much as you can about your kitty's health! Your little bundle of fur can be practically considered as part of the family, so why wouldn't you make sure that he is happy and healthy?

In this article we will look at a few starting points for your cats health.

Cat health is strongly affected by what kitty eats. Obesity is a major factor in heart disease particularly as your cat gets older. Choose a pet food for your cat that is right for it's age but feed it regularly. If in doubt get your veternarians advice as your cat can have completely different nurtient needs to what you would expect!

Longhaired cats should be groomed regularly for optimum cat health. Use a pet brush and groom no less than once a week. This is a great way to bond with kitty!

The litter box can be a danger to both cat health and human health if it isn't cleaned regularly. Change your pet's litter no less than once every four days or more remembering to clear the tray of faces as since cats are very clean animals and can smell up to 10 times better than humans! Your kitty will just love you for it! Also be careful as some litter can be very dusty, which can irritate kitty's asthma.

If choosing to declaw your kitty, this can be a major factor in Cat health. If you choose to declaw your pet it is important to remember to keep them inside at all times! Although I would never recommend to declaw kitty as this is taking away what makes him a cat! Also sometimes declawing can be very painfull for your cat and he may become resentful! If you are worried about your furniture, invest in a cat scratcher and rub some cat nip over it, you will be suprised! Another option is only to trim the claws with great care.

Stressful situations like moving, travelling, natural disasters or even changes in the family can affect cat health as cats are very sensitive creatures. To minimize the effects of stress on your pet, ask your vet or pet store what to recommend to slightly sedate kitty. Cat nip is always a good option, when cat eats this plant it acts as a sedative.

Part of managing cat health is making sure dangerous poisons like antifreeze are inaccessible to your pet just as you would with your own toddler. Some household plants are fatal to cats so make sure to raise your plants and lock your toxins! If you have an indoor kitty, invest in a few cat-friendly plants such as Cat nip, Cat grass, Honeysuckle etc with the bonus of giving kitty much needed nutrients and minerals not generally found in manufactured pet food!

Cat's often have mouth diseases and this can impact cat health. Cat's are just as prone to gingivitis as humans and cats can also develop. Take kitty to the vet at least once a year to have his teeth regulary checked and cleaned, even switching to a food that prevents tatar buildup is always a bonus.

As always one of the greatest factors in cat health is deciding if your cat goes outdoors. Cars, children, other animals and toxins, ALL are all dangerous and should be avoided by keeping your cat indoors. Sometimes this isn't the solution for every kitty as you will need to stock up on the cat toys! And can be very hard to stop your kitty if he already has been accustomed to the outdoors!

By: Eugenio Mccarthy

Did you know that many foods that are good for people can actually hurt or kill your dog? Your dog’s digestive system is not designed to process many of these foods and they can cause him great harm.

Many people love to feed their dogs table scraps or whatever they themselves are eating. And they think that because the dog readily gobbles them up, it couldn’t possibly be harmful to them. But just because your dog eats these foods, that doesn’t mean they are good for them. Unlike humans, dogs and other pets cannot properly discern what is or isn’t good for them all the time.

There are some animals that can eat just about anything without experiencing any adverse effects. Unfortunately, or fortunately, (depending on how you look at it), dogs do not fall within this category.

I’ve seen people give their dogs potato chips, bacon, and other fried or salty food without realizing that the salt on these foods can cause kidney failure. The salt can also cause excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning. Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and death can result.

Too much fat or fried food can cause severe stomach upset and pancreatitis.

Chocolate, coffee and caffeine can result in vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, panting, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death.

Other foods to avoid giving your dog or other pets are grapes and raisins, avocados, macadamia nuts, yeast dough, milk, onions, garlic, chives, alcohol, raw and under-cooked meats, eggs, and bones.

All these foods can be harmful or deadly to your pet. So stick to feeding your dog foods that were designed for him. There are many great dog foods on the market. And these won’t harm him. Ask your local veterinarian to recommend the best food for your little furry friend.

By: Pet Guy

A pedicure for dogs is just how it sounds. It is very similar to a pedicure for humans, although the techniques used to give a dog a pedicure is somewhat different from the ones used on humans, for many reasons.

To give a dog a pedicure, there are different tools used because of the shape of the dogs toenails as well as the thickness and other characteristics. Unlike human pedicures, a pedicure for a dog is what you would call a necessity. Dog pedicures are not used as a way to relax and spend time getting a foot massage while you relax at the spa.

A pedicure for a dog is the upkeep of the toenails to keep them healthy and prevent them from hurting themselves and ruining furniture and other valuables of yours. When a dogs toenails get too long, it can be hazardous to their health. It can cause them to have misshapen toes and their toenails can break off past the quik (the part of the toenail close to the edge where there are nerves) and cause them a lot of pain.

It is important to keep your dogs toenails maintained. You can do this at home or professionally. If you choose to give your dog a pedicure at home, you need to be very careful and make sure that you have all of the necessary equipment, including good clippers and a file. You may also want to purchase a special stick that can prevent bleeding if you cut too far and damage the quik.

By: Raymond Spencer