pets Archives - Serendipity Mommy

Here Are the Five Best Fish Care Tips

March 17, 2021 by Mandy

Maintaining an aquarium and fish is inexpensive and rewarding. Fish are the most straightforward pets to keep and require very minimal care. However, just because they are low maintenance pets doesn’t mean there is no trouble involved in looking after them.

If you own a fish, it may help go through guides like “helpusfish” to give you valuable tips on maintaining your aquarium. Having your small ecosystem of fish and micro plants can be an enthralling experience. Most people turn aquarium building and maintenance into a hobby for life.

Clean and Cycle the Tank

To cycle the tank means bringing the water conditions to safe and healthy levels for the fish. You may want to ensure your tank is clean before adding water. Hence, it’s best to cycle the tank and get it ready even before purchasing the fish. Healthy microorganisms conducive to the fish will grow in the water during cycling.

Experts recommend at least one week of cycling before adding the fish. You can even buy aquarium kits that come with all elements necessary for cycling. Cycling the tank when the fish are already in it is very unhealthy for the fish.

Regular Checks on the Water Conditions

Water testing kits available in the market can help you establish if the water is safe for your fish. Testing kits will help you check the ammonia levels, nitrates, nitrites, and pH levels of the water. If the level of any of these elements is high, they could be dangerous for the fish.

Change the Water Frequently.

Cleaning the tank will help keep your fish healthy. Cleaning is also essential to prevent a buildup of dirt from fish excreta. Microbes overgrow in tanks. Some of these could be fatal to the fist. Timely cleaning could help prevent the death of your fish.

To clean, remove one-third of the water and add in with fresh, clean water. You may have to repeat this process each week. If you have gravel bits in your tank, you should vacuum them. Go through tank cleaning guides at websites like helpusfish.

Avoid Overfeeding the Fish

Fish need very little food. Generally, they don’t need to be fed more than once a day. Specialized fish food meets most of the dietary needs of your fish. If you have bottom feeders in your tank, you may also want to consider sinking pellets. If you have algae-eating fish, then you’ll need algae wafers. Overfeeding the fish will not only make the tank dirty but is also unhealthy for your fish.

Control of Light in the Aquarium

Excess light in the aquarium could promote the growth of algae in the tank. However, the fish does need light. So managing light is essential. Placing the tank in a place where the sunlight doesn’t hit too strong will help. Like all plants, algae also thrives with sunlight. It’s best not to keep the tank light on for more than 12 hours a day. It would be best to turn on the light only at night.

Aquarium Care Is a Continuous Learning Process.

Fish care is something you’ll figure out as you go. Most first-time fish owners instantly like taking care of fish and expand their aquariums. The best thing about fish care is that it doesn’t take up too much of your time. No pets are disposable. If you own fish, you will want to give them the best environment to grow and thrive.

What to do if your dog disappears

March 12, 2020 by Mandy

For most people, dogs are more than just pets. They are friends; they are family, they are loved. When a loved one disappears the panic and anxiety can be overwhelming. It may seem impossible, but the first thing you need to do if your dog disappears is to stay calm. Take a few minutes to let all the emotions wash over you, then take a deep breath and follow the procedures outlined below:

1. Start a search

Begin by searching for your immediate area. Visit areas that your dog is familiar with and think of the places he likes to pee as these will have his scent and be comforting to him. Dogs often run off when they get scared and will seek a comforting place. Slowly expand your search area outwards by either walking or driving in a circular pattern. Ask neighbors, the people you walk by, postal workers, and delivery people if they’ve seen your dog. Ask them to keep an eye out for your dog and provide them with your contact info and a recent photo of your dog.

2. Utilize the power of the internet

Apps like https://shadowapp.com/ are specifically designed to send messages to people about found and missing dogs. They also provide a personalized plan for helping you to locate your dog, as well as providing a missing flyer that you can post around your neighborhood. Utilizing an app like Shadow can increase the volume of your message, allowing you to get the word out quickly and efficiently.

Social media is also a great resource for connecting members of a community. Messages spread quickly, and people can get organized efficiently. It’s a much faster way to get the word out about your lost dog then by simply going door to door. There are pet and neighborhood-specific groups where people will often post to say they’ve found a dog or alert people to keep an eye out for their missing dog. Additionally, you can also try sites like Pet FBI, Center for Lost Pets, Fido Finder, Lost Dogs of America, Lost Pet USA, and Missing Pet Partnership

3. Reach out to local animal shelters and animal control agencies

Contact all the animal shelters within a 60-mile radius of your home and file a lost pet report. If possible, visit the nearest shelters every day. It’s essential that you provide the shelter or agency with a detailed description of your dog, including fur color, markings, and whether they have a microchip. You also need to provide a recent photo of your dog that clearly shows their face. It’s important to visit the shelter every day because shelters tend to be overwhelmed with animals, and they may not recognize your dog from its photograph. By visiting the shelter and asking to see any new dogs that have come in, you know for sure that your dog hasn’t been overlooked. If there isn’t a shelter in your area, then you should contact your local police department.

4. Spread the word as far as possible

Even though the internet is far-reaching, it can’t grab people’s attention the same way a flyer does. Therefore it’s a good idea to advertise as far and as wide as possible. Put up flyers in community centers, grocery stores, boutiques, libraries, veterinary offices, traffic intersections, pet supply stores, and anywhere else you can think of. Additionally, it would help if you placed advertisements in local newspapers. When designing your flyer, it’s important to describe your dog’s sex, age, weight, breed, color, and markings. However, to avoid getting fraudulent calls don’t include identifying characteristics such as floppy ears, curly tail, etc. When someone calls saying they think they’ve found your dog, ask them to describe the dog so you can know for sure that they’ve truly found your dog. If the caller doesn’t include the identifying characteristics that you left out of your advertisement, then he may not actually have your pet. Be on the lookout for people who want you to give them money for the safe return of your pet.

Preparing to Get a Family Dog

January 24, 2020 by Mandy

Getting a new pet is an exciting time. Or in some parent’s case, it may be a case of just being prepared to give in after years of Santa letters from the children asking for a pup of their own.

Dogs are a big responsibility, and the decision shouldn’t be taken lightly, but if you have gone over all of the pro’s and con’s and are ready to take the next step, this guide is for you!

First Things First

Getting your first puppy or dog can feel slightly overwhelming. After all – you are bringing a brand-new family member into the house! Not to mention one that you have to feed, wash, look after, and take for walks! Dogs often enrich a family’s life, and much like having children, it is often a trial and error situation, as dogs, much like children, are all different.

There is a lot to learn, but there is no need to let that put you off. Remember to take things one step at a time and be patient with yourself too!

Get Ready to Prepare Your Home

Much like when you are expecting a baby’s arrival, it is likely that your whole way of living will change. Things that you wouldn’t need to be concerned about before now need to be at the forefront of your mind. Things like cables that can be chewed through need to be stored correctly or out of reach, your favorite pair of shoes need to find a home much higher off the ground, and other collectibles such as socks should be out of sight. Another tip is to keep the trash lidded and secure or in a room where the pup won’t be in with your supervision, as they are likely to smell something they will want to get their little paws on.

Prepare the Family

Now the home is sorted, it’s important to prepare the family too. There will be big changes around the house and also to routine. Children will need to be on the same page when it comes to training your puppy as it must be consistent, and everyone will need to understand that having a dog will alter a lot of the aspects of general life. It is recommended that everyone do as much reading as possible from great sources such as happyfitdog.com to learn as much as possible before your new furry friend comes home!

Gather Up Some Supplies

Possibly one of the most exciting parts of preparation for a new pup is getting all the toys and treats that you cannot wait to give them! There are plenty of comprehensive guides out there to ensure you are prepared for every situation possible upon getting your pup, but there is no need to go overboard. A bed, a couple of toys that are different in nature, such as a ball, a soft plushy and a squeaky toy, a water bowl, and some good quality dog food are the very basics you need for welcoming your pup home. Don’t forget a collar, poop bags, and a lead for when they are ready to go outside!

Dog training is a challenging task. That’s why you need delicious, healthy grain-free treats to keep your new dog motivated. Soft bite-sized training treats are essential to teach untrained dogs, especially puppies, new commands and reinforce good behavior. On the other hand, long-lasting meaty chews will help keep your teething pup away from your shoes, furniture, cables, and anything it can get its mouth on. Other than treats, pets and praises are also great positive reinforcements and can help deepen your bond with your new companion, so be generous with your love and affection!

Things to Consider When Selecting A Dog Collar

December 18, 2019 by Mandy

Although choosing a dog collar may seem as if buying a dress from a mall, there are still a few things to keep in mind before you proceed to the market to purchase a dog collar. Here there will be a few points that you can tick on to make sure you have got the perfect collar for your loved pet.

Why is the collar necessary?

A dog collar and leash are necessary to train the dog. Dog leashes help its owners to have a lookout on them so that they do not get lost while they go out on a walk with it, for instance. It is important to tie the collar in such a manner so that you can place fingers between the neck skin and the collar. Many prefer a choke collar, although it can not be used for puppies. This choke collar stiffens itself when the dog tries to pull the leash.

How the collar must be?

For everyday use or maybe if your dog is trained for any particular reason, always choose a collar that is strong and flat. These collars do generally have a clip to fasten and they are collars made from different materials in the market. Nylon collars are good for day-to-day use but if you are using your dog for training purposes then you must choose the belts made of better alternatives like leather or a more strong and flexible one.

Make sure that the collar fits around the neck correctly and make sure the collar is strapped on in such a manner that the hair can grow around their neck.

Not all dogs have the same collar size, which means that a collar for the greyhound, who has a thinner neck will not fit for a bulldog breed dog who has a broader neck. The dog collar should ride in the middle of the dog’s neck. Most prefer to use use the leather dog collars due to their sturdiness and attractive appearance. A disadvantage of the leather leashes is that it can produce a poor smell due to the oil released by the dog’s skin. Nylon dog collars are lightweight.that goes well with puppies and smaller dog breeds. Canvas and woven fabric collars for options if you are looking out for collars that are extremely sturdy and fast-drying once you wash them/when coming out from a pool game.

Collar Tags

The most important feature of the dog collars is their tags -which can be used to identify various ways like to display the vaccinations, permits, identification, etc. The tag is a very important thing to be attached to the collar, especially the identity tag as this will help someone who may have found your lost dog to return it to you.the identity tag attached to the collar must contain the following details:-pet name (optional )your name, street name, city, state, and emergency contact.

Different types of collars available

Dog collars come in various colors and designs as well. For example; there are spike pink dog collars almost more than a decade ago which is waterproof. Also, the lead is double-sided and the rubber is thick enough that gives good protection to the neck as well as a very soft handle so that there are no marks on the person’s hand who handles the leash. There is a also stud range that is designed for fashion purposes. This is also equally waterproof and like the other leads, it is also double sided. Gold laced dog collars as an exquisite collection. Designer dog collars are bought to showcase glamour.

Hands-Free Leash

A hands-free dog leash is a good choice if you are someone who does not like to hold on to the rope all day long. Another new invention that has been making rounds is the retractable leash that is attached to the dog’s collar.

Length of Collar Lead

There are some things you want to determine the length of your lead. The factors include- the dog’s vigor, dog’s behavior and where do wish to take the dog most often or whether you wish it stays at home most of the time.

If the dog belongs to a larger breed, it is important to have a long and durable leather or strong rubber lease, while or smaller dogs you can go with lightweight and comparatively smaller leads. Long leads can turn dangerous if you are not walking near roads /other people and dogs.

Final Words

Choose the collar that meets your needs. With the best information in hand, you can make the right choice about selecting that perfect collar for your beloved pet. As a part of the final review these are the factors you must look into while selecting the collar- dog’s size, how active is the dog and of course the style of the collar to make it look more attractive.

Best Fences To Install For Your New Dog

September 24, 2019 by Mandy

Any good pet owner knows that keeping your dogs on a leash or in a cage is not the most optimal way to raise them. At some point during the day, dogs need to be walked or at the very least, let out of the house to for sun and fresh air. To make this possible, a good fencing system must be in place to keep your new (and old) dogs safe within your property.

But what kind of fence works best for a new dog? While old mutts could have undergone training to not cross the threshold or your gate, new pups would need to be taught of which areas they can and cannot cross. This can be done through familiarizing them with boundaries. Start off by doing some research on fence installation.

Panel Fences

Usually sold in 8-piece sets, panel fences are a go-to choice for owner who wish to have a fence they can use both indoors and outdoors. Panel fences are usually created with heavy-duty plastic which can weather the elements outside. Some come with rubber pads which is ideal when one wants the fence inside the house.

Steel Panel Fences

For greater outdoor use, one can also get panel fences made from steel. After speaking with a fence contractor Sacramento, we discovered that many people these days on the part of the fence facing the inside of their property will choose coated steel since it is safe from rust or other weathering elements. Steel fences are also available with at least 40” height so bigger breeds can find it challenging to jump on.

Convertible Play Pen

New dogs can learn lots of tricks so make sure to keep your training fun all over the house. Configurable play pens can be turned into fences thanks to its panels that can be lined to look like gates so it stretches as wide as it can reach. This can also be relatively easy to transport when traveling.

Freestanding Dog Fence

One can also invest in one single-panel fence which can be used to block walkways and doorways. This can also be useful on stairs to prevent small dogs from falling off steep staircases or if you simply do not want dogs within the bedrooms.

Invisible Dog Fence

On the more modern side of fencing is the electric fence. This type of fence does not have a physical barrier but its main feature is a collar worn on the dog that delivers non-lethal shocks to the dog to remind them not to stray too far. But worry not as these shocks simply startle the dog and the shock level is far from painful.