Pet Advice and Tips from WeArePets

Plants and Decoration for your Biorb, real or artificial??

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Decorating your biOrb can be really exciting, there are so many possibilities and products to choose from, such as topiary, pebbles, grass rings to sea stars and coral.

But we do get asked from time to time whether it is best to use artificial plants or real plants. This really comes down to your own personal choice, both options have their own merits but there is no right or wrong answer in terms of choosing real or artificial decoration.

Real plants can look amazing but do require more maintenance than artificial plants and can be very difficult to clean, real planting though, can provide a nice little snack for your fish. However constant nibbling can start to make the plants look rather bedraggled and can cause debris so this would require some monitoring to keep your tank looking and performing at its best.

Real plants oxygenate the water and use up nitrates so can help in the fight against algae so a lot of fishkeepers do prefer the natural organic way to decorate a tank, in terms of looks and their beneficial contribution to the tank.

Artificial plants on the other hand are low maintenance and can be removed and cleaned easily when necessary. There is a wide range of biOrb decoration from which to choose, we especially like the silk plants as these sit and sway in the water beautifully. With new products arriving all the time especially with the introduction of the new Flow tank you can update and transform the look of your tank dramatically and with ease.

Dog Crates??? To crate or not to crate!!??

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Molly and Flo out of their crate relaxing in the garden!!

I used to think it was mean to put a dog in a dog crate or cage but then I had problems with my Labrador, Molly, urinating in the night, although she was let out before bedtime this pattern of weeing in the night was starting to become a habit so I reluctantly purchased a dog crate.

I was amazed how quickly she actually went into the crate, the door was always left open apart from through the night, it became her bed and her space and she willingly went into the crate throughout the day and at bedtime.

Funnily enough I looked after a friends dog, Flo, who was also used to having a dog crate as her bed and having set the 2 crates up my kitchen, I was amused to see them sleeping in, and exploring each others crates, like they were having a nosy around each others houses!! Even though a comfy settee was not far away they both still chose to spend time in their crates.

It was so evident that the dogs loved to have access to a small space just for them and the fact that it had sides and a roof seemed to make it more of a doggy den just for them.

The dog crate was also great for that time none of us look forward to, hoovering and mopping the floor! For cleaning time I knew that Molly would be fine resting securely in her dog cage whilst the floor dried and I cleaned the house. A dog crate can also be invaluable at Fireworks time, that secure place can help a nervous dog feel more secure and makes those bangs and screams a little less stressful.

The dog crate can also be used as a training aid and is usually used to toilet train a puppy but in my case I was trying to break a cycle of night time wetting and it worked!! My original plan was to get rid of the crate once the wetting problem had been resolved and I did remove it but then actually felt guilty that I had taken Molly's little house away, her lovely sad eyes won and I put it back!!

So although not cute or particularly pretty to us house proud dog lovers I no longer see the dog crate as a ‘cage' and something mean to lock a dog in, it's Molly's nest and her secure hideout and she now sleeps through the night with the door open!

I have recommended and have found the Pet Gear Dog Crates personally to be not only great value but also tough and durable, Molly has had hers for years now and it still looks like new.

It would be great to see your photos and hear about your doggy experiences, sometimes the best way to learn is through friend's stories and past experiences.

Posted by Claire.

Canagan Dog Food

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000

CANAGAN IS FINALLY HERE!!!!

We have all been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Canagan but now that wait is over and our shelves are stocked with all three fantastic grain free flavours.

Canagan is British made and is based on the principle that dogs should be fed a grain free diet and a diet that their ancestoral roots predisposed them to.

All the ingredients in Canagan are freshly prepared and are sourced and prepared to an equivalent human grade standard.

Canagan provides your dog with a host of biologically appropriate nutrients - in an ideal ratio of animal protein to vegetable, plus beneficial botanicals. Each ingredient is specially selected to deliver optimum nutrition, digestibility and flavour.

New Improved Courier Service

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000

We understand that our customers want an easy to use online pet shop who can supply top quality pet products at great prices, but we also recognize how frustrating it is waiting in for the delivery once your order has been placed. With that in mind we have teamed up with Interlink Express and can now offer a great next day courier service, free for orders over �50.00. On the morning of your delivery we will text and email you with the arrival time of your order. Allowing you to plan your day rather than having to wait around for the delivery van! We want to make your shopping experience with WeArePets as easy and pleasurable as possible from first entering our online pet shop right through to receiving your pet products at your front door. WeArePets aim to bring you a huge range of pet foods, toys and pet accessories but don�t forget if there is anything you need and you are unable to find it in our pet shop please call us and we will try our best to get it for you.

A Dog's Diet - What Should I Feed My Dog?

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

When feeding man's best friend it's important to ensure that our canine companions are getting all the nutrients they need. But how can you be sure that you're giving your pet healthy dog food?

Dog Food from We Are Pets

All the dog-food which we supply is healthy and clearly labelled. We understand that dogs of different ages have differing dietary needs which is why many of our supplied dog food brands (such as Arden Grange Dog Food) offer dog foods to suit every age range. Even so; we know the discerning pet owner prefers to check for themselves whether their pet-feed is "up to scratch". This being the case, we've put together this small article to help you determine the dos and don'ts of dog-diet.

Understanding Dog Diet

The first step to understanding which foods are good for your dog is to examine the natural dietary traits of dogs as animals. For instance; many food manufacturers claim that dogs are omnivores because they can ingest and benefit from non-meat related foodstuffs.

This claim is untrue since a true omnivore is able to survive entirely upon either aspect of their natural diet (meat or vegetation) if required. Whilst a dog is capable of surviving for some time on an entirely vegetable-based diet, there may be long-term health ramifications to this.

A dog clearly benefits from a meat-inclusive diet and this view is further reinforced by examining the jaw configuration and motions (during food consumption) of dogs and all members of the canine family. To put it simply; a dog is a true totivore (an animal which actively gathers or scavenges its nutrients) but not a true omnivore. Consider a dog's carnivorous leanings when selecting your dog food.

Don't Write Off Dog-Foods Containing Non-Meat Ingredients

That isn't to say that dog foods which contain other ingredients (such as wheat, etc.) are bad for dogs. In-fact grains can help dogs to store and release energy over long periods of time. All we're saying here is that you want a good amount of protein-rich meat, fish or poultry contained within your dog's diet.

The more naturally sourced and preserved the ingredients are, the healthier they are for your dog. Look for dog-foods which boast fresh or locally sourced ingredients! Fresh salmon, chicken etc. are great sources of protein and bio-accessible vitamins for your dog. For example, Arden Grange dog food state clearly that they source fresh Scottish salmon. Locally sourced ingredients are more likely to be fresher and also benefit from our increasingly stringent environmental protection laws!

Closing Cautionary Notes:

This might seem obvious, but although dogs are scavengers as well as occasional predators; there are many foods fit for human consumption which are unhealthy for your dog. By all means throw a dog a bone from time to time as an occasional treat but food substances such as chocolate are entirely toxic for canines.

Folding Dog Crates Now On Offer

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

WeAreDogs currently has a number of metal dog crates on sale for a fraction of their original retail prices. If you're looking for a folding dog crate, head over to the dog crates section of WeAreDogs.

Dog carriers are a valuable tool for the transportation and safety of man's best friend. If you need to take your canine companion to the vets then likely you will need a safe and secure dog crate to place them within. Dog carriers (especially the extra large ones) can take up a large amount of room in the house. That's why WeAreDogs offer a number of foldable metal dog crates.

The entire range of Happypet dog crates are constructed of sturdy foldable steel. Metal dog crates aren't the only available solutions at WeAreDogs, however. There are a number of canvas dog carriers available for purchase from Ancol and Pet Gear.

If the safety of your dog during transit is your number one concern, then be sure to purchase a dog carrier which is suitable for your journey and vehicle. If you purchase a dog carrier which is too large and you have to fold it slightly or leave your boot open in order to fit it into your vehicle, the safety of your pet will undoubtedly be compromised. WeAreDogs provides dimensional statistics for all available dog crates, so make sure to measure before you buy!

biOrb 105: Now available for Pre-order

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Recently debuting at the Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida (and having gained a 2nd place award in the "Aquatics Best in Show" category), the biOrb 105 is the newest addition to the biOrb line of aquariums.

The biOrb 105 is based around the very successful biOrb Classic range. In part, this is due to the fact that the biOrb 105 was tasked not only with selling in the UK, but also with breaking into the US market; this is also why the product attended and did so well at the Pet Expo in Florida.

As an introduction of the biOrb to the United States public, it was essential that the biOrb 105 had a truly biOrb feel to it. What better line of biOrb to introduce the aquarium brand than the "Classic" model? The biOrb 105 is a tried and tested classic design of the highest quality available.

We are currently selling the biOrb 105 (pre-order) at the bargain price of £249.99, which is great value considering that the new biOrb 105 can hold 105 litres of water! The biOrb 105 is a larger aquarium aimed at those who wish to have a feature aquarium that really stands out and adds something unique to their home.

If you are looking for a quality fish tank that adds a distinctive element of modern class to any room, look no further. The biOrb 105 has ample capacity to support a large number of fish and utilises a winning design that has proven itself time and again...

WeAreDogs Recommendation - Symply Dog Food

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

At WeAreDogs, we often review our own products in order to better understand their benefits (and also to uncover any potentially defective items). We are glad to say that Symply Dog Food is nothing but beneficial for man's best friend, but why are we recommending it to you - our customers?

The owners of Symply Dog Food have over 40 years experience in the dog food industry. This rich experience ensures the proper nutritional balance for each blend of Symply Dog Food is maintained, meaning no problems for your canine chum.

Inferior dog food can lead to a plethora of problems. Many veritable veterinary medical sources state that poor dog feed is the cause of common health problems among dogs. Issues such as itchy skin, stomach upset and hyperactivity may all often be traced back to inadequate dog food.

Symply Dog Food however, is made using only the finest ingredients sourced from around the United Kingdom. Containing lamb raised on lush British meadowland or salmon straight from the Scottish highlands, Symply Dog Food is both healthy and a treat for your dog.

Symply Dog Food contains everything your dog requires in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Including Linoleic Acid (an essential fatty acid rich in Omega-6) and the necessary proteins for an active dog to function as a valued member of the family - Symply Dog Food is 'symply' a great choice for your dog.

Buying a New Fish for Your biOrb

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

When buying a fish for your biOrb aquarium, there are many factors to consider. Firstly, what type of biOrb aquarium do you own? For example; if you have a smaller model of biOrb aquarium - how much space do you have left in your tank? Space can be taken up by environmental accessories or ornaments and even by the fish themselves. Many breeds of fish grow larger and require more space than others, so be certain you have room for a fish within your tank before taking it home with you.

When looking at potential new fish to add to your biOrb aquarium at your local pet store, check for signs of disease. If a fish you are looking at appears limp in the water or unable to keep up with other fish, it's likely that it could have some type of disease which might kill all of the fish in your own aquarium. If you notice a diseased fish, do not introduce it to your own aquarium. Additionally, do not introduce any fish from the infected tank to your biOrb, as they may be carrying the disease.

You should check the water quality of your own aquarium before buying additional fish. It may be that your own fish have become used to an unusual PH level gradually. Introducing a new fish which is not used to the PH level of your tank could have fatal results. Make sure the PH level of your biOrb is normalised before you introduce new fish.

Be sure to purchase your fish from a specialist fishkeeping shop. Poor quality fish actually pose a significant danger to a quality aquatic environment, causing disease and other issues.

If you are unsure on the products to purchase in order to ensure that your biOrb aquariums healthy environment is maintained, check out our biOrb service kits which will enable you to clean your tank and treat your water in preparation for the addition of new fish.

How to Keep a Healthy biOrb

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that the ways in which biOrb aquariums have played with the aesthetics of the fish tank have revolutionised fishkeeping. But to enjoy your biOrb aquarium, you need to ensure you are taking the correct precautions - or you could end up staring at algae instead of your beautiful tropical fish!

Apply new tank filters often. As the level of waste inside the tank increases, the filters eventually reach their maximum capacity for catching filth. When this happens, it's time to change your filter and give your fish tank a good clean. It's best to clean your tank, treat the water and change the filter all at the same time (performing all these tasks at once means disturbing your fish less). The biOrb Service Kit is a useful way of combining these tasks, providing the biOrb owner with the means to change their filter, clean their aquarium and treat their water.

As a rule, it's best to change your filter every 4-8 weeks. In the same time period, 30% of the water in the tank should be treated and the entire aquarium should be cleaned. Some people will tell you that disturbing the bottom of your aquarium in order to clean it could potentially release pockets of dangerous toxins into your tank. Whilst this is true, these pockets of toxins are symptoms of a tank which does not have its floor layer disturbed on a regular basis. You should probe into the gravel at the bottom of your biOrb regularly to ensure these toxic gas pockets cannot develop in the first place.

Fish generally seem happier and healthier in a more varied environment. In order to enhance the environment created for your fish within your biOrb aquarium, you may wish to experiment with some biOrb Accessories. As well as accessories for the biOrb tanks which provide the tank owner with a better experience (such as the externally visible swap tops) there are a myriad of accessories and pseudo-plant life which your fish can enjoy just as much as you can. Try placing different tank ornaments within your biOrb and take not of their environmental impact on your fish.

BiOrb lighting also plays an integral part in the happiness of your fish. If you leave the lighting of your tank on overnight, the activity patterns of your fish may become distorted. In their natural environment, when the sun goes down fish have little or no light. Fish use this time of darkness to rest (typically) so make sure to turn the lights out when you go to sleep!

Algae and Blanketweed control

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Pond season is well and truly here now and we have all gathered around our ponds for summer , at this time we tend to feed a lot more than we normally would do, with all this extra food there will be extra compost being produced so we end up getting lots of green water and algae. A lot of people now will be changing their uv tubes. If you are suffering with green water the uv tube needs to be changed every year also within the uv tube there is a quartz sleeve, this also needs to be cleaned. If this is not cleaned the problem will persist. A lot of people come in the shop saying "we have a uv but our water is still green" in this case what they need to do is clean the quartz sleeve within the uv and change the uv bulb.

Once all the green water has gone we then tend to get the problem of nitrates causing Blanketweed, this is the bain of many pond keepers lives but can be quite easy to eradicate. We would recommend a product called Soll blanket weed remover, it was actually designed to oxegenate ponds in the summer when the pond is really warm and the fish are starting to gasp we put Soll in and it oxegenated the water. A side effect was that right before your eyes you could see the blanket weed dying, within a week all the blanket weed would be gone by using Soll, a great product, very efficient. An alternative if you don't like using chemicals in your pond is the blagdon blanketweed controller this has two wires on it which are wrapped around the pond pipe leading to your filter and what this does is it puts an electromagnetic field through the pond water and it makes all the atoms in the blanketweed face one way this means that it is unable to bind so it is broken down and goes into your filter, another great product, does take a little bit longer than Soll but once you have got it you have got it. Obviously with the higher amount of food we do need to keep an eye on our water parameters and we should be testing regularly for nitrates.

The main thing we need to be testing for at this time of year is nitrate, the tetra pond quick test, tests for five things, nitrites, nitrate, ph and general hardness and carbonate hardness. Nitrates are the food for algae and green water and blanketweed by doing a part water change no more than 20% for a small pond will help to reduce nitrates, if it is a big pond with a waterfall or a larger open filter you can also reduce nitrate by planting things such as watercress. Watercress eats nitrate and is ideal for a bigger pond.
Another thing to look for with the teat is the pH reading, sometimes fish can be poorly with no apparent reason to be found, this can be due to a pH swing and it is therefore important to test the pH level in the morning and in the evening, if the pH differs between the two we then need to put a pH buffer in the water to stop that swing happening. Such a swing will affect the fish's osma-regulation which ultimately stresses them and problems can start. This is usually caused by the amount of plants, if you have a lot of plants in the water they produce oxygen which will raise the pH, in the evening the plants use the oxygen and thus create co2 thereby lowering the pH.

Other useful products for keeping your pond water clean and free from algae and blanketweed is Barley Straw Pellets, you can get Barley Straw Extract and even Barley Straw, a lot of people use Barley Straw and when it starts to rot they throw it away but this is when it is actually working at its best because the chemical it produces stops the algae and blanketweed from growing. You can use Barley Straw extract to avoid the mess or you can put barley straw pellets into your filter.

Another great product is UV Booster , what this does it reduces the organic waste in the water , if the water is slightly cloudy the Uv in your tube will not be able to penetrate the water so well, by using a UV Booster this will clear the water allowing the uv to work more efficiently. That can be used in conjunction with Crystal Water, Crystal water makes all the organic residue stick together making it sink, the uv booster will then break it all down.

Other products to consider, in order to grow, algae and blanketweed need nitrates, sunlight and they need phosphates, we can use Phosphate minus to remove the phosphates from the water preventing the algae from growing.

Obviously when we are feeding our fish, if we feed our fish with high quality flake and pellets that produces a high quality compost, by reducing feeding during times of high algae the fish will actually eat the algae and part of the blanketweed themselves but more importantly the muck they then produce is not so high quality so we are not feeding future algae problems.

New Rabbit?

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Feeding rabbits can be a bit of a minefield we have to be very careful when we first get our new rabbit, if it is a young rabbit we wouldn't recommend feeding any vegetables to it until it is at least 12 weeks old. One thing we would never feed any rabbit is lettuce, a lot of people do feed lettuce but it has a drug in it which can make them very drowsy and it has no nutritional value. Things like dandelion leaves are super, rocket, spinach, and carrot are all good foods.

One thing they must always have is hay, their teeth constantly grow and they will chew and chew the hay and this will help to keep their teeth from growing too long.

When it comes to food we like to feed Beaphar Care + and the reason we like to feed Beaphar Care + is because it is a pellet, now these pellets will stop selective feeding so the rabbit will get everything they need in each pellet and not leave the good ones behind like they tend to do with some foods. To feed Beaphar Care + only costs around 30 pence a day and you can be sure that your rabbit is getting everything he needs and it is very palatable.

Sometimes it is very easy to overfeed your rabbit, people say he has eaten all his food so we gave him some more, this is not good for the rabbit, because when rabbits go to the toilet initially it is like diarrhoea and the rabbit eats it this then goes through the rabbits system again and comes out as the little pill/currant which we all recognise. However if we feed the rabbit too much what will happen is it will go the toilet and we have a lot of people coming in saying our rabbit has diarrhoea what can we do, it hasn't actually got diarrhoea what has happened is it has been overfed so he is not eating his mess as he should, he is leaving it.

He needs to eat this initial mess, as the first time round he does not absorb all the fatty acids which are in there, also it is full of good gut bacteria and if he doesn't eat that he can start getting stomach problems so it is very important not to overfeed your rabbit and if you do get rabbits with diarrhoea we would suggest that you stop feeding altogether just give plenty of hay and a little bit of bread which has been put into the oven and gone dry, do that for two days and hopefully this will resolve the problem. Then cut down on the amount of food you are feeding. If the diarrhoea is bad and smelly we would advise consulting your vet but do consider your feeding first.

View the accompanying WeArePets video on YouTube here:

Feeding Your Rabbit

Which Cat LItter Should I Use?

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

What can cause a lot of confusion when you get a new kitten home is how you are going to litter train it and what cat litter and which tray to use. There are lots of litter trays, some cats like normal litter trays, some cats like high sided litter trays and they will not use an open one. So we have the ones with the flaps on and they have filters at the top but maybe best to start off with just a normal litter tray and discuss where we can place this tray.

Never put the tray near the cat's food and never put it near the cat's bed, this would stop the cat from using it, so always put the litter tray away from the cats food and bed.

You can use wood based litters, clay type litters, clumping litters, Fullers earth litter, crystals, there are lots and lots of litters to choose from nowadays. Basically it comes down to what your cat will use, some cats will not use one particular litter but they will use another . We also need to think about our own preferences, some litters will do the job they just clump and the mess can be thrown away but you do get a bit of a smell out of them however there are lots of products available to help that , litter freshners and lots of odour eliminators.

We have to be careful with cat litter because it contains lots and lots of bacteria and pregnant women in particular need to stay away from the litter tray. But when we are cleaning the litter tray we can use , for example litter tray liners, basically they fit in the bottom of the tray and once it has been used you tie it up and you can get dispose of it, we find this can be a bit messy. You can use one of the clumping litters and they can go straight into your litter pan without liners. When cleaning litter trays it is important to use a cat friendly disinfectant, Dettol and other disenfectants contain phenols and if you look on the bottle of these disenfectants they actually tell you not to use them around small animals and cats so make sure you use a pet friendly disinfectant . The phenols by the way, gradually build up in the cat and they are unable to get rid of them and over a period of time it can make the cat very ill and can kill them so always use a pet friendly disinfectant.
The litter we use and would recommend is Cats best from Oko Plus we like this litter , its very economical , we can throw it down the toilet, or it can go into the compost heap so is very easy to get rid of. It has total odour control so you don't need any freshners with it or anything llike that, a 10ltr bag can last one cat up to 6 weeks so it works out at about 10pence a day, its nice and light and if you use it correctly you will get good coverage. When the cat goes in the tray you will see how quickly it absorbs the waste, any stools will all clump together and basically it is just a case of scooping up the solid clumps giving the scoop a shake and then that can go straight down the toilet with no messing about and it doesn't smell.

GREAT NEW DOG COMPETITION!!

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Most adorable dog competition!!!

Win a free supply of dog food for a whole year!!!

Simply upload your doggy phots into our gallery at http://www.wearepets.co.uk/upload-photo these will then be judged and the winner announced on the 17th May.

We will be launching the competition at Crufts on Thursday.

Good Luck!!!

(For terms and conditions please see www.wearepets.co.uk)

Not Fleas but still scratching???

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

As Martha did not have any fleas we need to look at other things, one of the biggest causes of scratching is food and diet, this can be evident by the dog scratching and licking their paws, this is quite common and a lot of people do not realise that this can be caused by the food they are giving to their dog. Dogs that lick their paws may also scratch their ears, bite and scratch around their rump, and have a bit of a doggy smell, 9 times out of 10 this will be down to diet.

What normally causes these problems is an allergen and the biggest allergen in food is wheat, wheat gluten, and that is found in lots of foods usually under the guise of vegetable protein extracts. If you look at the label on your dog food and it has vegetable protein extract in it then a change of food would be advisable. Another thing to consider when discussing dog food is hyperactivity again this can be caused not as a lot of people think through protein but it is usually through E numbers and preservatives and a lot of dog foods have been preserved with EEC Additives and these can make some dogs very hyperactive. Other things to bear in mnid with food is the main content, dogs can be allergic to chicken, to lamb, a lot to beef and pork so we tend to advise away from pork and beef.

One of the foods we reccomend is Barking Heads, Barking Heads are members of the Campaign for Real Pet Food, a lot of the foods around will only contain about 4% meat content, and when it says on the label, meat that could mean any meat (this is what we call an open ingredient). A lot of foods contain cereals which can also be an allergen so best to avoid foods which contain cereals, which say meat and EEC additives.

If we look at Barking Heads, it has fresh British chicken 26%, white rice 26%, dry chicken 26% so 52% chicken in this food, ground oats, chicken fat, linseeds, flour oil, salmon oil, rapeseed oil, minerals, carrots, dried tomato, seeweed, glucosamine, chondroitin, msn and vitamins. No nasty ingredients at all and because all the ingredients are digestible we dont need to feed as much.

A lot of foods contain maize, this is sweetcorn which has been ground down so when we feed maize your dog will tend to poo a lot by feeding Barking Heads or another dog food, we would also recommend Symply we would expect to notice fewer poos, it is much better for the dog, will stop him biting his paw and scratching and surprisingly both of these foods work out to be very cheap, If you have a 20-25kg dog it would cost around 70 pence to feed your dog daily on either of these foods. So not only better for your dog but also great value.

A lot of people feel their dog is very very picky again this is usually through wheat, if you have given your dog a bit of toast in the morning it will sit in the dogs stomach taking a long time to digest this will make a dog picky and we would advise cutting out all wheat products. To see if a change of diet will work for your dog only feed for a week one particular food ( if you are changing food this needs to be done gradually over a week) then we would expect you to be able to see a difference after the second week.

Fleas?

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Martha keeps scratching what could this be??

This could be one of several things, first thing we need to look at is a possible flea infestation, we can do that several ways, if you have a nice white dog it is quite easy to spot as you can look right into their skin and you can see if there is any flea dirt,flea marks or fleas jumping and you would be able to see that quite easily. However all dogs are not white just like Martha, in this instance we would get a damp white cloth, the area where fleas usually go is around the neck area and around the rump area, so with a fine comb we literally comb her coat onto the damp cloth, just do a little bit round the neck, round the rump and generally shake the fur onto the damp cloth. Fleas make muck and that muck is made of dried blood so as soon as the flea dirt falls onto the wet cloth, if there were fleas present on the dog there we would be little red rings on the damp white cloth where the blood has absorbed the water.

If Martha did have fleas, one of the flea treatments that we would recommend is Frontline, Frontline is a great treatment, guaranteed to kill all fleas. In each carton of frontline you get three pipettes, a pipette lasts for 2 months, so per pack of Frontline you have 6 months worth of treatment. Frontline is administered on to the back of the dogs neck and it is quite safe, so we put Frontline onto the neck, so long as we dont bath her for 2 hours the flea treatment will take effect. Frontline is distributed accross the dogs body through the lymphatic system and not the blood system so the actual treatment works on the skin, if for example we pulled a hair out of Martha's tail after about 5 or 6 hours we would find traces of Frontline there. Once the Martha is Frontlined we know then that no flea is going to live on Martha.

However if fleas are present, those fleas will lay 50 eggs each per day and can live for about 10 days, those eggs once laid onto the dog are not adhesive so wherever the dog goes the eggs will drop off the dog and these eggs will then hatch and turn into little larvae, this larvae is like a little maggot and it will feed on your carpet, feed on dead skin, any organic matter. During this larvae stage they go and find any dark places under the skirting board, piping in your furniture, the pile of your carpets etc. they will then pupate, now once they pupate there is not much we can do with them, they can stay in this pupal form for up to 9 - 10 months so you could have your room totally clear of animals, bring an animal in 10 months later and find that they become infested by fleas, so it is important to get rid of these eggs and larvae before this stage, for this we would suggest using something such as De-fest which is a household flea spray, or a flea fogger which is like a smoke bomb, you would seal the room and release the fogger it then gives off poisons for up to 2 hours, care needs to be taken with this product that there are no fish or birds present, but after 2 hours your room would be free of fleas. A good tip when we do spray the room is to wake the larvae up this is usually done when the larvae feels the heat of an animal or the vibration of an animal it will then hatch and re-infest, as previously stated the larvae is very difficult to get rid of and just by spraying doesnt always solve the problem so ideally we would go round with a hoover making quite a bit of noise round the skirting, round all your furniture, the vibration from this will wake the larvae up we would also suggest turning the heating up by 2 degrees whilst hoovering and then 10-15 minutes later go round with the household spray. Once frontlined we know that should a flea go on your dog it will die, by treating with Frontline regularly you will prevent flea problems, as unfortunatley once you have a flea problem you would need to spray the whole of the house and not just one room which can be quite expensive we would also suggest washing any pet bedding regularly at 60 degrees as that will kill any larvae and pupae.

Once they have been frontlined it is not a bad idea to give a dog garlic tablets, garlic deters any blood eating insects so if Martha has had her garlic tablet, there are not only the obvious benefits of garlic in that it aids digestion and is benefifcial to the blood and heart but also makes the dog unpalatable to any fleas, so if Martha were to come into contact with a dog down the street and that dog has fleas those fleas will not jump onto Martha.

Another thing we should do regularly for our dog is worming, particularly when there have been or fleas have been found, there are two types of worm, roundworms and tapeworms. The flea carries the egg for the tapeworm so if a dog has had fleas are likly to have tapeworm. That tapeworm lives inside the body and little segments break off which then crawl out of the dogs anus, they then fall off and go into furniture and carpets and when the flea larvae walks along there they eat the egg of the tapeworm, the dog then comes along, scratches and licks her paw and so swallows a flea thats when the tapeworm will hatch and go into her intestines and thus the whole cycle starts again. So whenever your dog gets fleas always treat with a wormer as well but this should be done 2 days after using frontline otherwise if you worm her first that will kill all the worms inside her but then if she eats another flea she will get reinfested.

We recommend Drontal, because not only does it kill tapeworm it kills roundworm as well, its important particularly with puppies to make sure that they get wormed at least every 4 weeks, when they are 12 - 16 weeks old we can then move that to worming once every 2 months and when adult we would worm every 3 months. They can pick worms up from a whole variety of things normally when they are sniffing round other dogs and where dogs have been. It is also important to treat for roundworms if you have children because a child can act as a host for the roundworm and if the child puts their hand where a dog has soiled or been rubbing they can transfer the egg of the worm into their body , the worm hatches and migrates through the childs body, one of the biggest problems this can cause is blindness so if you have children it is very important to treat for worms.

Dirty fish tank??

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

So how do we go about cleaning a dirty fish tank?

Well if your tank gets into a bad state, first things first we would use an algae cleaner to clean the algae off the front, on algae cleaners there is a soft side and a rough side, the rough side goes inside the tank, just move it over and you will see the algae is removed. Most magnet cleaners will float so if you happen to leave it off and thus break the magnetic connection it will float to the top. The next thing we need to do is use a gravel cleaner and we would start it off just by a syphon action so what we do is fill the gravel cleaner up make sure there is no air in the cleaner and put your finger on the other end and point into a bucket, the syphon action then start, then put the gravel cleaner back into the gravel and you will see the muck coming up. We dont want to be taking too much of this muck out because a lot of it is good bacteria and it acts as a compost heap which breaks down all the muck which the fish are producing so we tend to take out around half of the gravel and we do this probably once every three or four weeks. You will see the difference between the water in the tank and in your bucket, because the muck is a fertiliser it feeds the algae and hence the algae grows so if we dont remove it we will get lots of algae so this does need to be done at least once a month. In a normal tank we would take out around about 25% of the water, we would then top the water back up using a declorinator, no need to warm it, it should be fine so long as we dont go above 25%.

We can also cut down on algae by cutting the light time down, algae needs light to grow, now the light unless you are using real plants is for our benefit not the fishes so simply by having the light on at night rather than all day will also help cut down on algae.

Declorinator is used for two reasons:- firstly it puts a protective lining on the fishes gills so the chloride which is a bleach doesnt burn their gills but more importantly tap water straight out of the tap has a lot of chlorine in and will kill filter bacteria and thats the thing we need to preserve so by putting in Aquasafe in the water these problems will be avoided. Another thing we can put in there is Algae clear and that helps keep nitrates under control, nitrates feed algae so by putting algae clear in your filter will work really well.

A lot of people say "oh we dont need to clean our tank, my tank has been perfect for the last 6 months and we have never cleaned it" and then a new fish is added and that fish gets diseased and passes on disease to the other fish and commonly then the customer will come back saying " I've put the fish in my tank and it has died and I have had no problems for 6 months" the reason for that is because the nitrates have not been removed, the nitrate will be really high in your tank and the existing fish have got use to it and then a new fish is introduced which is not used to nitrate and that fish will then get disease and most likely die and pass that disease on to the other fish so it is very important that we do at least a 20% water change once a month you can do smaller changes more frequently if you wanted.

Thanks from Janette

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Hi just wanted to thank you for my order,Roxy just loves her new
basket and toy,i will tell my friends about your web site,and also about the
good service you provide, keeping us up to date with our order with you
phone calls,thanks again.
regards Janette

Top Ten Cat Related Myths

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Cats may healthily drink cow's milk

Cats are lactose intolerant carnivores and so are not used to consuming or digesting dairy products. Though a cat may enjoy a saucer of cow's milk, this could lead to stomach upsets and other health problems.

Cats should be fed fish

Fish does not supply cats with enough taurine to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The occasional fishy treat is fine for your cat, but if your cat's diet consists only of fish then it could contract yellow fat disease. It's best to use commercial solutions such as Hill's cat food if you are unable to create your own natural and acceptable cat food diet.

It doesn't hurt to de-claw my cat

De-clawing your cat removes the final bone at the end of each toe in addition to removing the claw. Since cats tend to move on their toes, this makes their lives both painful and difficult. A de-clawed cat may also develop behavioural problems. You have been warned!

A cat will always land on its feet

Cats are able to right themselves in the air due to the flexibility their bodies' exhibit. However, if falling a short distance, a cat will not have time to right itself and could sustain an injury. In addition; landing on its feet is not an advantage to a cat falling a very large distance - the cat will still become injured.

Cats smother, draw breath from or otherwise kill babies

Cats do not kill babies, nor are there any proven documented cases of such an event occurring. Cats may snuggle up to a baby because their crib is warm (alongside the child) however they will not smother or attempt to kill children. Many cats were blamed for the deaths of very young children before Sudden Infant Death Syndrome was fully recognised medically. It has become evident that cats have been blamed for many infant deaths caused by SIDS, when actually they were merely in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Cats gravitate towards those who dislike them

Your friend who doesn't like cats comes to visit, you all sit down and the cat makes a beeline for your friend? What this actually means is that either your cat moves towards the person who does not make eye contact with it (which cats perceive as threatening) or the cat moves towards the only stranger in the room (who may bring in new smells and sensations).

A black cat brings good/bad luck to the one whose path it crosses

This is simple superstition and is entirely unfounded. The myths surrounding black cats probably relates to their mystique and dark appearance. Additionally these myths are probably offshoots of the popular mythology surrounding the companionship of black cats and witches.

A cat will purr only when it is happy

Yes, a cat will purr when it is happy. Your cat may purr if you pat it or even whilst it is using a cat scratching post. However; a cat will sometimes purr if it is distressed, giving birth or even dying. Most experts perceive a cats purr to align with strong emotion but not any particular emotional feeling such as happiness or sorrow.

Cats balance using their whiskers

Cats use their whiskers as feelers and to help them enter very dark and narrow areas safely. A cat uses its tail more for balance than its whiskers. A cat's whiskers will help a cat to perceive the world which it inhabits but not in terms of balance.

A collared cat is unable to easily catch prey

This myth came into being because it became common practice to place belled collars upon cats so that any potential prey could hear them coming. However, collars with bells actually refine a cat's hunting abilities since they learn perfect stealth in compensating for the burdening bell which they are forced to carry. This doesn't make collars a bad idea. Collars are a good way of keeping track of your cat and a bell can help you to ascertain where in the garden your cat may be whilst it is not stealthed or hunting. We have a large selection of cat collar models here at WeAreCats!

Top Ten Bird Care Tips

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

When purchasing a parrot

Be aware that parrots live for a very long time, and can even outlive their owners. A parrot becomes very attached to their owner so expect to form a lifetime relationship with your parrot!

When holding your pet bird

Be careful! Bird bones are famously fragile. The slightest misplacement of pressure could fracture one of the many small bones within your pet bird so be very gentle.

Buy the correct bird cage for your bird!

Take a parrot, for example. A parrot may live 40 - 70 years under your care and it will require a decent quality home for those years just as a human would. Make sure you get a cage which is the correct size for your bird and which has the appropriate number of struts, bird perches and feeders. Different species of bird have vastly differing habits so the habitat which they live in can play a key role in how stressed they become; a stressed bird may become unhealthy or even die. Having said this, it is easy to pay too much for a bird cage. WeAreBirds supply cheap bird cages which are also manufactured with care and quality in mind.

Place your bird cage with care

Birds are very sensitive to airborne pollutants, toxins and fumes. This being the case; do not place your bird cage near the kitchen or near any area where it may come into contact with these substances.

Provide your pet bird with a varied diet

Supply plenty of water to keep your bird hydrated and then think about the variety in your birds food and diet. Provide different fruits, nuts, grains and green vegetables! A varied diet is a good diet. Do check that your particular bird is not allergic to any commonly perceived universal bird-foods before you begin feeding your bird, though.

Teach your bird to perch on your hand/finger

If you neglect to train your bird to perch upon you, it may frequently bite you as you attempt to handle it. By teaching a bird slowly that a human hand is not a danger and can allow the bird to travel outside of its cage - you can form a closer bond with your bird.

Respect your bird

A bird can have too much excitement in one day and this will usually cause behavioural problems. When it's time for your little friend to sleep, turn out the lights and switch off the television. Birds are sensitive creatures and will feel the need to process unfolding events around them. By giving them quiet time to sleep and rest you can increase the quality of life which your bird leads.

Keep life exciting for your bird

Perhaps interesting would be a better word to use here. Prevent your bird from suffering the stresses of a mundane lifestyle by offering it variety and interesting activities. Some birds such as parrots can be trained to speak. Others love to explore outside the cage (though if this is true, bird proof everything! A beak can cut through electrical power lines and other hazardous objects frighteningly easily).

Your bird is probably healthy if…

If your bird sleeps with its head tucked in and it balances upon one leg whilst sleeping it is most likely healthy. Other signs of a healthy bird include a bird which eats healthily and is able to vocalise itself frequently and without issue.

Your bird may be sick if…

If your bird starts to sneeze/cough, requires both legs for stability whilst sleeping; loses its appetite or energy then it is likely you should take your bird straight to the vets!

Top Ten Fish Tank Tips

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Try not to overpopulate your fish tank

It's easy to overcrowd fish tank aquariums. Don't get overexcited, populate slowly and carefully. This will reduce the stress levels of your fish and will also help you to track disease among your fish more easily if it occurs.

Make sure your fish species are compatible with one another

Many species of fish will fight or eat one another. Make sure that the fish you place in your tank will get along; or you could end up with less fish than you paid for.

Change your water regularly

Regularly changing your water will ensure that your fish remain healthy. In a natural habitat as fish move through bodies of water it is natural that they experience subtle nuances in the water which surrounds them. Whilst you should never make extreme or radical changes to the water within your aquarium, changing the water once in a while is very beneficial.

Use the correct size of aquarium

Although many shop owners will tell you that a fish will only grow to the size of its tank, this is not so much a natural feature of fish as a way of stunting their growth and preventing healthy development. Always use a large enough tank for your fish, whether you keep one or one-hundred!

Don't feed your fish too much

Over-feeding your fish can have very serious health consequences. Unlike many animals, fish are not always able to tell when they have eaten enough. In their natural habitats, fish often eat when they have the opportunity since feeding frenzies are irregular in the wild and wild fish must maintain their growth often on an irregular basis. This means that most fish are programmed to eat whatever they see, even if it will cause them harm!

Allow your tank to 'settle'

After purchasing a new fish tank, add the water and treat it with whichever chemicals are necessary. Following this, allow your tank to settle for five days to a week. The chemicals in your water take time to mix in and in their pure forms can be dangerous to fish (some more than others). If you are uncertain as to how these chemicals may affect your fish during the early stages of a fish-tank setup, be certain that you give the tank time to settle (or "cycle").

Stir your tank's gravel on a regular basis

Anaerobic toxins can build up under the gravel of your fish tank if it is never stirred. When these are released, they could easily wipe out the entire population of your aquarium. Many fishkeepers will tell you that disturbing the gravel causes the release of these toxins; however it is only undisturbed gravel which allows them to build up in the first place. Additionally, if these toxins do build up, it is not always necessary to disturb the soil in order to release them. This is why we suggest that you always stir your gravel as you clean your fish tank!

Utilise the natural abilities of scavenger and bottom-feeder fish types

Many fish are overlooked or seen as boring because they are small, dull coloured "bottom-feeders" who do not aesthetically contribute to the tank. However, these fish often exhibit unique and useful abilities to help you maintain your tank. Some may consume algae which can build up on the sides of your tank whilst others graze the gravel for leavings and other undesirable waste substances. It is good to have one or two bottom feeders or scavengers in your tank – however; such a fish is not a substitute for cleaning your tank. These fish can help to contribute to the welfare of your aquariums environment but you should not clean your tank or treat your water any less often. You have been warned!

Keep three or more of each variety of schooling fish you keep in your tank

If you have types of fish in your fish tank which naturally school, you should really have at least three or more of that type of fish. Often it's better to have five or more. A schooling fish is able to relax amongst fish of the same kind more easily; forcing such a fish to live a solitary existence could damage or even kill the fish.

Use dark gravel in your fish tank to make your fish appear brighter and more vivid

And finally, a minor aesthetic note. Fish always stand out more within fish tanks which use dark gravel. The contrast between the gravel and the colouring of your fish can really help to make your tank come alive! If you want to bring out the best in your fish tank, try decorating it with some of our Fluval Accessories.

Top Ten Dog Food Myths

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Dogs require meat in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle

Dogs can gain the proteins which they need from egg, cheese or fish. A dry food diet is indeed acceptable for almost all breeds of dog as long as they are given the occasional protein rich treat!

Feeding a dog scraps from the table can harm the dog

Many claim that dogs require an incredibly balanced diet; but just as it is with people – a dog does not require the same meal day-in-day-out. In fact, as explained above, the odd table treat can be very beneficial for your dog. Just be sure not to feed your dog table treats in excess since this could cause health or even behavioural problems.

All commercial dog foods are bad

This is a myth which to some degree opposes the myth above. Symply dog food, Alpha dog food, Barking heads dog food and many other commercial dog food products are well tested and healthily consumable by any dog.

Cooked protein foods will not benefit a dog

You may be told that proteins within processed or cooked foods will be unusable by a dog. This is in fact not true. If it were true then a dog on a commercial dog food diet would die within a month. This myth can be dismissed, however a variety of proteins help to keep your dog healthy so encourage your dog not to be picky with the proteins it consumes (for example, to only consume lamb based foods and thereby gain only lamb originated proteins).

Dogs are carnivores

A true carnivore such as a cat requires animal based proteins in order to survive and will die without them, this is not true for dogs who can healthily accept carefully balanced meat substitutes. However, a dog is not an omnivore. The jaw and dental configuration of the dog is carnivorous and the gut will digest meat more easily as it is specialised to do so. This being the case, the dog is categorised as a carnivorous scavenger. Whilst more specialised to operate as a carnivore, a dog can live a healthy lifestyle without meat as long as it gains the required balance and variety proteins.

Mixing different dog food brands will benefit my dog's diet

People often say that by mixing kibbles from different manufacturers you can gain a more balanced diet for your dog. Contrary to this belief, commercial dog foods are formulated to provide specific nutritional balances. By mixing different dog foods, you dilute the benefits which they offer and this in extreme cases could cause health problems for your dog.

A solid diet of dry dog food will benefit your dog's teeth

Oh really? Then we should all eat cookies and assume our teeth won't suffer from the flakes of biscuit which become lodged between gaps and build up dental plaque? This myth is completely false. The reason that wet dog food is produced by manufacturers such as Burns dog food and Royal Canin is because dry dog food has not made it obsolete or extensively unhealthy by comparison. A dog biscuit diet cannot fully mimic the effect wet meat has upon dog teeth as would be natural in the dog's natural carnivorous-scavenger environment role. Dog biscuits do have benefits for a dog's jaw, but there is no benefit to an entirely dry diet in this particular way.

Raw eggs are bad for dogs

Raw eggs do contain elements which interfere with a dogs ability to assimilate biotin into their body mass. However, since eggs are so nutritious, this very minor detail can be safely ignored as long as your dog isn't fed a solid raw-egg diet.

Feeding your dog fatty foods is bad and can cause health problems

The ways in which humans and canines process fat are vastly different. Whilst humans process many carbohydrate foods in order to gain energy, dogs can gain much energy from fat. If you have a working or very physically active dog, depriving them of fat will cause their body to suffer (sometimes extensively).

Older dogs should be fed less protein to meet their declining requirements

In actual fact, older dogs require much more protein since their digestive system converts it in a less efficient manner than that of a young dog. Animal proteins are higher quality and should be fed to older dogs to help compensate for their lack of an efficient digestive system.

Ask Us your Questions!!!

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Which Dog food should you use?? How much exercise should your dog be having?? Why does he behave like that??? Whatever your question we can probably answer it. We've been in the pet business providing specialist dog foods, nutritional advice and a whole lot more for over 20 years. So put us to the test - ask us any question you like .... about dogs anyway!!!

Keeping Coldwater Aquarium Fish: Fancy Goldfish

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Perhaps no aquarium fish is more recognisable than the inimitable fancy goldfish. Fancy goldfish, like dogs or pigeons, have been bred by artificial selection into a huge variety of shapes, sizes, colours and markings. This variety has ensured the enduring popularity of these amazing goldfish. However, their ubiquity often leads to the assumption that fancy goldfish are easy to care for and make a good choice for the beginner aquarium. In fact, fancy goldfish are amongst the most challenging fishes to keep, even for experts. In order to keep fancy goldfish successfully, there are some important things to know.

In this article, We Are Fish give you the lowdown on fancy goldfish...

One of the unfortunately results of the close interbreeding of goldfish to produce amazing body shapes and colours is that it has enabled the propagation of disabling genetic health problems would normally be suppressed when fish breed normally in the wild. Swim bladder problems are almost universal in ornamental goldfish. The swim bladder is an organ that allows fish to alter their buoyancy and remain upright when swimming. Normal swimbladder water treatments may not be effective with fancy goldfish, as the organ is affected by their unnatural body shape rather than bacterial disease, as is often the case in tropical fish.

Whilst it's difficult to prevent the possibility of encountering swim bladder problems altogether, providing a balanced diet of live foods in addition to flakes will help greatly. Choosing the right fish in the first place can also help. Selective breeding has produced extremely squashed, shortened body shapes in ornamental goldfish, contributing to compressed swim-bladder problems. Selecting a longer, more typically shaped looking goldfish will mean the fish will be less likely to have an abnormal swimbladder.

One of the biggest mistakes to make with fancy goldfish is to keep them in a tank that's too small. Fancy goldfish will readily grow to 6" not including fins and so need space to grow and move. The experts at respected publication Practical Fishkeeping have suggested going by the rule of thumb that states a fish tank should be six times the body length of the fish; fancy goldfish should be kept in a tank no smaller than 36". This goes against the common assumption that goldfish can be kept in bowls comfortably.

If you are already a fancy goldfish keeper you will be familiar with the term swimbladder disorder. If one of your fish starts to float upside down at the surface you will probably be told that the swimbladder is the cause. This diagnosis is right in part, as the shortened body of a fancy goldfish results in the swimbladder being bent out of shape.

Treatments are designed for swimbladder disease, though in my opinion the real cause of 99% of buoyancy problems in aquarium fancy goldfish is dietary and compression of the swimbladder, as opposed to it being an actual disease. Another way to avoid it is to stay clear of the really fat, really short-bodied varieties, as these are most prone. The more elongate the body, the more normal the swimbladder shape will be and the less prone to buoyancy problems the fish will be.

So now we've looked at some of the points to bear in mind when keeping fancy goldfish. If you keep these tips in mind when caring for your fish, you should be able to keep this amazing coldwater fish happy and healthy!

We Are Cats Launches for Business!

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to We Are Cats, now launching for business!
'We Are Cats' is a comprehensive online store where you can buy anything and everything your cat could possibly desire. We aim to provide quality cat care products at competitive prices for all our customers.
At We Are Cats, we like to show that we have a bit of knowledge on the cuddly little cats we provide our products for. This being the case, we will be following this news post with a series of informational moggy musings, aimed at helping new and veteran cat owners to take care of their pets.
There will be five initial blogs to help our user-base, and there will (hopefully) be many more to come after the first five! The blogs will cover the following topics:

• Exercising Your Cat
• Diet
• Treats & Toxins
• Generic Cat-Care
• Health & Hazards

So stay tuned for more feline-friendly blogs from

We Are Cats

Exercising Your Cat

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The amount of exercise your cat requires will depend upon its breed and individual condition (also its age). It's best to ask your vet exactly how much exercise your cat should be getting!

There are multiple fun activities you can try with your cat, but all cats are different. Some will hop onto specially designed cat-treadmills for a few minutes at a time to exercise and some just won't. Get to know your cat and find out what types of exercise stimulate it. If you have an indoor cat, an expansive and well built cat 'climbing tree' is well worth investing in. Cats can give it a good scratch and climb along and through it for exercise. A scratching post is sufficient for an outdoor cat since they can do all their climbing and exploring (cats have a curious nature) outside.

It doesn't matter if your cat is an indoor or an outdoor cat. You should make time to play with your cat using a toy (even if it's only some string!) so that they can maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. It is important to note that a cat will have a much more productive play session if it has not been de-clawed. A cats' claws help them to climb so they are less likely to get as much exercise outside if they have been de-clawed.

You can usually get adequate cat toys at local supermarkets like Morrisons. Try to make sure that if you get a chaser (something a cat will chase after) that the toy on the end of the rod or string isn't too large. If it's too large or flashy then it can put a cat off. Some people play with their cats using laser pens or intense torches. It's best to avoid using these if you can since cats have such sensitive eyes. It could only take one slip of the had to accidentally blind your cat! If you can get a toy with, for example, a feather on the end, cats love those. You can also buy cat toys laced with catnip.

It is best, if at all possible, to raise an outdoor rather than an indoor cat. Cats will gain so much more experience and physical stimulation if they are allowed to explore a little. Still, if you live in a rough area where people might mistreat your cat - or if there are very busy and dangerous roads nearby, it's fully understood that you would keep your cat indoors.

Cats and Diet

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A cat should consume a proper diet with the correct number of calories (even cats should count them!) not based entirely on meat. Though domesticated cats are indeed carnivores, the biscuits which have been scientifically designed for them are much better for their health. Different breeds of cat may consume less or more of varying types of cat food - it's best to ask your vet what your cat should be eating!

Diet is the single largest contributor to cat obesity. Many people mistakenly believe that cats only become too large if they do not get enough exercise. Whilst exercise does contribute to this, incorrect diet has to be the main offender. Sugar can cause a cat to fatten quickly - also keep in mind that cats shouldn't really enjoy sugary treats since they have no perception of base sugars at all. A cat will usually prefer salty or bitter foods. Since a cat has a more powerful sense of smell than a human does, the smell of the food you present to your cat may influence the food it chooses to consume. This will ultimately influence the diet of your cat to some degree.

Generally, since cats are carnivores, they should consume at least some meat which will give them valuable proteins and vitamins. As mentioned earlier though, the biscuits developed for cats are usually better for them in the long run. Depending on the life-phase of a cat, it will have different protein requirements (and so will be able to consume differing amounts of fresh or cooked meat).

Keep up-to-date with the latest cat foods and cat food formulas, and try to consult your vet before you make any large decisions based upon your cats' diet. We tell you to ask the vet a lot, we know, but there really is no substitute for the experience of a medically trained expert!

Lastly, having read about the different vitamins or proteins a cat needs, it may seem logical to insert vitamin or protein supplements into your cats' diet where you feel that they could benefit from them. Before doing anything like this, consult your vet. Supplements can actually do a large amount of harm to a cat if used incorrectly. Cats rely pretty heavily on a balanced or well constructed diet and if they have too much or too little of the various nutritions they require you will end up with a sick cat.

Treats & Toxins

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Treats are fine every once in a while, pieces of raw (fresh) or cooked meat are fine for a cat every now and then. But don't feed your cat treats when they are asking for them, this teaches a cat to beg. Instead, give your cat treats after putting them through unpleasant events such as a trip to the vets for jabs. This can help to calm a cat and may make it more accepting of treatment in the future.

You can easily make your own organic cat treats which are usually better for them than anything bought from a can. Using ingredients such as ground meat and sprinklings of catnip you can concoct wonderful cat treats cheaply and safely. But before you set out to create your own cat treats make sure you are not including any ingredients which could be toxic to a cats' digestive system.

There are many food items which whilst being perfectly consumable by a human are entirely toxic to cats (this is due to our different digestion systems). Alcoholic beverages can kill a cat though they hardly affect us at all (except when we drink too much!) Other than that, there are many simple fruits and vegetables (or other household consumables) which a cats' stomach will strongly disagree with.

Mushrooms, Onions, grapes (followed obviously by raisins), anything citric (oranges, lemons, limes etc.) chocolate, coffee, tea, macadamia nuts and raw eggs are just a selection of the most common household food-products a cat could have problems with. Those are just the foodstuffs which could cause direct reactions or disease, many other household food items should not be fed to cats for other reasons (they could get caught in a cats throat or cause cat-obesity). As always, if there's anything you are unsure of feeding your cat, ask your vet! And remember; some cats can be lactose intolerant so even stereotypical cat dishes such as a saucer of milk might be an issue.

A lactose intolerant cat which digests a dairy product may unpleasantly develop diarrhea. This is obviously unsanitary, especially if it comes on when you are out of the house and you don't immediately know where every instance has occurred. For this reason, do not leave dairy products lying around in reach of a lactose intolerant animal of any kind.

We would advise you to get a more comprehensive list complete with symptoms and effects from your local veterinary practitioners.

Health & Hazards

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

If something is wrong with a cat, you will often be able to tell. If your cat starts sneezing a lot and becomes less active your cat may well have cat-flu; don't worry, it's nothing you can catch. Equally don't worry that your own cold or flu was somehow transmitted to your pet. Generally speaking, diseases or illnesses are not zoonotic between cats and humans (with the rare exceptions of a disease like rabies).

Cat flu itself is a concern, and can be fatal. Take your cat straight to your vet no matter the time or cost if you feel it may have cat-flu. If caught fairly early on, cat-flu is not too hard to treat. It is infectious, so keep your infected cat away from any other cats in the local vicinity. There are a variety of treatments for cat flu and if treatment is conducted in the proper fashion there should be little to worry about. Other cat symptoms include constant wheezing or chronic coughing. If your cat is telling you that it's not well, don't ignore it!

Disease and illness aren't the only factors affecting your cats' health; you also have to watch out for hazards! Here's an interesting story:

Once my father was up on the garage roof tarring it. This was to help with weatherproofing, since the garage was leaking. He left the ladder up for his own convenience, and a friendly cat came to say hello, running all through the tar. After this we had two problems. Firstly we had cat paw marks on our garage roof, but secondly (and more importantly) we had a cat with tar on his paws! In the end we were unable to clean it off, so we quickly took our cat to the vets and they were able to de-clog the pads of our unfortunate moggy.

See the unforeseen! You might not perceive certain things as cat-hazards but think before you act.

Be prepared to pay for pet insurance. Sometimes medically treating your pet cat (especially if you have more than one) can be costly. Before you even buy a cat you should be well aware of the financial implication should it become ill. It's a good idea to take out some pet-insurance if you have multiple cats because the chances are one of them will require it. You may be able to go without insurance for one or even two cats depending on your financial situation, but be aware that the medical bills for an animal can be very expensive (and recurring if your cat has a health condition).

Closing Cat Care Tips

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

There are some general tips to keeping your feline friends happy; these do not fall under specific guidance topics such as illness or diet. Here are our general tips on how to keep your cat in tip-top shape.

Unless you are planning to breed your cat (this is usually a pedigree practice for owners who want to show their cats) it's best to spay or neuter your cat. Regardless of what other people say, a cat will end up healthier and happier if you take the proper steps! In addition to this, tom-cats love to mark their territory with urine - not a habit you want your cat to develop in your own home; especially if you have children.

Cats go through many life phases from birth to death at which points factors such as the amount you should play with or feed your cat vary. These life phases also affect whether you should let your cat go outside, whether you should get them jabbed (to stop them catching diseases) or whether you should have them neutered/spayed. Always ask your vet about these life phases and how they will affect your individual animal. A veterinary practice will often stock diagrams of the life-phases for different animals or have leaflets with relevant information. You would do well to get some of this information on paper from a professional. No one could keep all that information in their head!

Always take the time to groom your cat with a fine comb. Combing techniques vary from breed to breed, again you might want to ask your vet how long your cat will require for grooming and how often it will need to be groomed. Some cats such as Persians should only be owned by people who have lots of free time since their coats are very demanding indeed. An un-combed cat coat may result in knotted fur which is very difficult to keep clean. The moment hygiene slips your cat may become vulnerable to a plethora of cat-diseases! Groom your cat.

You can also use grooming to strike a closer bond with your cat. Cats usually love being groomed, so if your cat is on your knee and expecting attention you might want to take some time to comb its coat.

Other than all the information above, just love your cat. Take time to get to know its habits and the kinds of grooming it enjoys. Never hit or otherwise mistreat your cat or anyone else's. Punishing animals in such a fashion is futile since they lack the intelligence to interpret why it is that they are being attacked. Instead, simply try to 'grow' your cat towards positive habits. A pet is what the owner makes it!

Differences Between Coldwater & Tropical Aquarium Fishkeeping

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

When you're first bitten by the fish keeping bug, it's easy to get confused by all the new terminology and types of equipment. Aquarium fish keeping comes in three main types: coldwater, tropical and marine. These areas relate to the specific water conditions, equipment and types of fish you can keep in an aquarium.

Coldwater is probably the most popular and familiar kind of fish keeping, and many of us will have kept goldfish at some point! It's a common misconception that goldfish can be kept in a tank without the filtration necessary in a tropical aquarium. Filtration is a must in any aquarium for removing waste, breaking down harmful chemicals and for aeration. Getting a good filter will keep your fish healthy and happy as well as making your aquarium much easier to maintain. We recommend the Fluval range for if you want a really efficient, reliable system.

If you'd like to try your hand at tropical fish keeping, then you'll need a heater to recreate the warm lakes and rivers these fish evolved to thrive in. Modern aquarium heaters use an adjustable thermostat to maintain a specified water temperature. To ensure that your water is the correct temperature you'll also need a thermometer, which must be submerged fully. Most tropical fish will be content at around 25 degrees Centigrade (75 Fahrenheit). However, different tropical fish species will have their own temperature preferences, so you should always check whether different species can share a tank comfortably.

Aquarium heaters are not designed to be turned on without being fully submerged in water as they will overheat. While changing the water in your fish tank, ensure your heater is off to prevent damage or malfunction. It's important to check the water temperature at least every day as aquarium heater thermostats can occasionally malfunction and stick in the ‘On' position, heating water to a lethal temperature. Check your thermometer as often as possible to catch any problems early. For heaters you can rely on, we always recommend the Visitherm and Fluval models; they're tried and tested designs.

With some careful planning and research, anyone can keep fish and find the hobby truly rewarding.

Growing Aquarium Plants

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Aquarium plant ornaments are available in a huge range of styles and colours, and they look great. However, many aquarists decide to go for a more natural look with real aquarium plants. Unfortunately, some fish shops give sparse or unhelpful advice when you buy aquarium plants which can result in disappointment when they don't grow as planned and subsequently die. This can put many keen potential fishkeepers off the rewarding hobby of aquascaping.

Perhaps the most fundamental mistake that aquarists make when planting an aquarium for the first time is that they don't change the substrate. The most common aquarium substrate is pea gravel, which is useless for growing plants because stone contains no nutrients! Most gravel is also very coarse which makes it nearly impossible to establish the necessary root growth. There are specialist, clay-based substrates that slowly release nutrients for growing plants. Although expensive, these substrates are definitely the best if your plan to grow aquarium plants.

In addition to the nutrients released by a good clay-based substrate, plants like as much CO2 as they can get. Most varieties will do just fine with your existing water, as long it's not overly-disturbed with too many bubbles from an airstone. Over-filtration may reduce the amount of CO2 present in the water.

If you really want to get serious, you might consider a CO2 injection system to increase the amount of CO2 available to your plants. However, remember that if you add a CO2 injection system to a small tank and reduce the aeration, you may not be able to stock as many fish.

Many think that super bright, high intensity lighting is required 24 hours a day to grow aquarium plants. However, a good quality fluorescent setup will be adequate. Aim to keep your lighting on for around 6-8 hours a day. This is also good for your fish, which don’t really need the lights on at all (think African lake bed)!

If you'd like to delve further into the exciting world of aquascaping, don't hesitate to ask the We Are Fish team!

Water Changes: How to Change Your Aquarium Water

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

One of the most overlooked and misunderstood aspects of fishkeeping is the infamous water change. How often should you change your aquarium water, and how much each time? In this guide, We Are Fish present some great tips for fish tank water changes...

To understand why water changes are important, you must understand the Nitrogen cycle in an aquarium. The Nitrogen cycle is perpetuated by beneficial bacteria in the water and enables the transformation of harmful Ammonia created by rotting food and fish waste into Nitrites and finally the less harmful Nitrates. Nitrates aren't as bad for your tropical aquarium as Nitrites or Ammonia, but are still harmful at high levels. Therefore, Nitrates must be removed by replacing some of the old water with new water.

For a long time, small water changes were thought to be the best way of maintaining a healthy environment for your fish. The rationale was that water that had been in the tank for some time was more beneficial for fish as it was more acidic. Unfortunately, old tank water contains a harmful build-up of Nitrates which many fish simply won’t tolerate.

When changing your tank water, think big. Change at least 25% weekly to keep harmful Nitrates and Nitrates to a minimum. These regular, large water changes will keep prevent the build up of toxic chemicals from the Nitrogen cycle in your aquarium water and will provide a fresh, clean environment for your fish. Remember that algae growth can be a sign that you’re not changing enough water.

However, don’t forget that you can’t use untreated water straight from the tap in your aquarium. Tap water contains trace amounts of metals, Chlorine, Ammonia and Chlormine that can be lethal for your fish. You should use a dechlorinator to remove these harmful chemicals from tap water to make it safe for your aquarium. We recommend Bioactive Tapsafe. Make sure you mix it thoroughly into the new water!

When removing the old water, it’s best to use a gravel cleaner or siphon to dislodge and clean sunken dirt and debris in the gravel. We recommend the Interpet Prime Gravel Cleaner as the nozzle is the perfect shape for getting into difficult-to-reach areas of the aquarium and it’s a good size, perfect for aquariums up to 60 litres.

Stirring-up sunken debris also allows it to be removed by your filter system. When cleaning your filter pads, always clean them in a bowl of aquarium water. Washing them using the tap will wash away the beneficial bacteria that promote the Nitrogen cycle in your aquarium, potentially leading to a toxic Nitrate and Nitrite build up. The same problem will also arise when swapping an old filter pad for a brand new one. If your filtration system has more than one pad, only change one at a time. If it only has a single pad, you should use half an old pad and half a new for a week until the bacteria have propagated the new pad.

If you have any questions about water changes or fish keeping in general, don't hesitate to contact the We Are Fish team!

Do Goldfish Have a 3 Second Memory?

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

We've all heard the one about goldfish having a three second memory. Is it really true? Just how much can fish remember? Does this mean that goldfish can be kept in small tanks?

The real answer is that it's a big, fat myth.

The idea has been around for a long time, despite the fact that anyone can set up a simple experiment to dispel the myth. Fifteen year-old Australian student Rory Stokes did just that last year using a simple Pavlovian conditioning experiment.

In his experiment, he used a blinking beacon and food to condition the fish to associate the beacon with food. After a short period, the fish became quicker at finding the beacon, knowing that food would follow. To prove that goldfish have an extended memory capacity, he took the beacon away and then reintroduced it after a week. The fish retained their memory of the beacon and still rushed towards it, expecting food.

These kind of experiments elegantly debunk the 3 second memory idea, so why is the myth so persistent? Perhaps it’s because it offers a justification for keeping fish in cruel conditions. If a fish can’t remember anything for more than three seconds, then it won’t mind being in this tiny, unfiltrated bowl, right? The myth is really used to prevent our own guilt in these cases.

In light of this, next time you hear that fish have tiny memories, make sure you point out the truth. Fish deserve good homes, too! Buy a real fish aquarium, not one of those tiny plastic tanks you get at fun fairs. Your fish will know the difference, and thank you for it! They do recognise you after all...

Stunning Algarde Aqua-Optic 30 Aquarium Now In Stock

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

We're delighted to now offer the beautiful new Algarde Aqua-Optic 30 aquarium and stand for delivery.

This nano aquarium is a compact 34 x 32 x 39cm and has a water capacity of 22 litres. The tank is lit by an 11w compact fluourescent light and a heater can easily be added to create a tropical setup.

In addition to the can't-live-without features like hinged hood and feeding flap, the Aqua-Optic fish tank has a stunning curved front reminiscent of the Juwel Vision range (at a fraction of the cost!) However, it's the Aqua-Optic's stand that really impresses. It's sweeping legs are sure to make a designer statement in contemporary living spaces.

We're now stocking these wonderful nano aquariums at £39.99 for the tank and £30.00 for the beautiful stand (optional.) You can see these new Algarde tanks for yourself in the coldwater aquarium section of the store...

Fluval EDGE - The Future of Aquarium Fishkeeping?

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

If you're a fishkeeper and you've not heard about the new Fluval EDGE aquarium, or even if you're not a fishkeeper - where have you been?! The We Are Fish team are extremely excited about the Fluval EDGE and we think it offers a worthy and stylish alternative to the round biOrb designs. But what makes the Fluval EDGE so special and is the hype justified?

The Fluval EDGE is Rolf C Hagen's latest foray into the tropical aquarium market, and they've really pulled out all the stops this time. As you can see, the Fluval EDGE exudes style with the elegant, minimalist lines that give the aquarium its name.

The standout feature of the Fluval EDGE is its unique, enclosed design. Rather than utilising a traditional, opaque lid, the Fluval EDGE is more like an enclosed glass cuboid, with the fish visible from the top. The glass tank is designed to be fully filled to the top glass and appears to be suspended within a solid plinth. The aquarium is available in three cutting-EDGE colours; matt black, pewter and burnt orange. Those who can't decide among the three finishes really can't go wrong. We love them all, so it really depends on your decor.

This new aquarium is a sublime piece of modernist architecture for your fish. However, the features and benefits of the Fluval EDGE don't stop at its sumptuous visuals. These fish tanks also pack some serious horsepower under the hood in the form of an 'equipment module', which houses a three-stage filtration system. This filtration system comprises of a powerful internal filter with mechanical, chemical and biological section. Lighting is taken care of with two low-powered halogen lights and trailing cables are thing of the past with it's deft cable management.

We Are Fish have the best UK prices on these fantastic tanks and we're offering the coldwater Fluval EDGE for £89.94 - over £40 off the recommended retail price of £129.99. You can also buy the tropical Fluval EDGE for just £104.93.

Have a Question About Fishkeeping? Ask Our Experts!

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Fishkeeping can be a daunting hobby when you first start, but it needn't be. We Are Fish are here to help beginners and enthusiasts alike.

With up to 30 years experience in the aquatics industry our staff are dedicated to providing you with the best fish keeping advice and aquatics know-how. Why not ask us your most pressing question here (we're better at answering fish related questions!) and we'll do our best to answer you.

So if you have a question about tropical, coldwater, marine or pond fishkeeping, add a comment here. Your question might help others, too!

Blanket Weed Remover for Your Pond - Part II

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Blanket weed seems to be becoming more of a problem for pond owners and fish keepers each year. One of the reasons for this increase in blanket weed is that fish keepers and Koi owners are now increasingly using UV sterilisers (UV filters) to control their green water algae. These UV lights do a great job of removing the green water algae problem, but this in itself can lead to other problems such as the dreaded blanket weed.

UV steriliser filters do a fantastic job of removing green water algae problems. Such a good job, in fact, that there are no plant organisms using the natural nitrate and phosphate 'fertiliser' created as a byproduct of fish waste. This sudden bounty of natural plant fertiliser in the bond creates an ecological environment for new aquatic plant species such as blanket weed to thrive. Blanket weed can be a serious problem for pond owners and fish keepers, and can run riot in a pond if left unchecked. Thankfully, however, there is now an easy and effective solution at hand. Amazingly, this treatment came about by quite by accident.

Aquatic treatment manufacturer Söll were testing a new product that was developed to oxidise the water. During trials, the testers noticed something quite remarkable as soon as the new treatment was added to the water. The blanket weed that was latent in the pond was actually dying right before their eyes! This product is called Söll Blanket Weed Remover, and it is really quite amazing sight for a pond owner to see blanket weed dying right before your eyes!

This really is an amazing product and we heartily recommend it to all pond owners with blanket weed problems. With Söll Blanket Weed Remover you get visual effects within minutes and complete eradication within a week. Blanket weed terminated! With a presigious manifacturer like Söll, you're safe in the knowledge that the treatment has been exhaustively trialled, tested and is safe for your fish, whether they be Koi or catfish.

So do your fish pond a favour and kill that blanket weed!

Removing Blanket Weed and Green Water From Your Pond - Part I

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

How great it is to sit next to your pond during the summer month evenings, relaxing and enjoying a drink, listening to the sound of the waterfall. It would be so much better if you could see your fish!

We speak to many people who have UV filters and still get green water or have UV filters which clear the pond of algae only to get plagued with blanket weed and need a blanket weed remover. Manufacturers guarantee that their UV filter will clear the pond of algae but the instructions should be followed closely for the system to work.

Often customers do not change the tube in their UV system as the light is still working. However, even though the light still shines it won't emit UV rays after 6 months it wont emit any UV rays, rendering it useless. We advise that tubes are changed in the spring so that they last the whole summer. As algae doesn't proliferate as much when there is less sunlight, we can usually turn the lights off during the winter.

When changing your tube, don't forget to give the quartz sleeve that surrounds the tube a thorough clean otherwise the light wont penetrate, resulting in a useless filter. The other thing to check is that your pond pump flow can be too strong, pushing the water through so quick that the light doesn’t have enough time to filter the water. In light of this problem, you should always match your pump to the filter and pond size. If you're unsure about this, we can help.

We recommend a Laguna pond filter that incorporates a UV light as well as a filter. This is a very neat filter that has a divert switch to let you redirect the water out of the pond onto the garden. This feature is very useful for water changing, with the added bonus that there is a cleaning mechanism that allows you to clean the filter without the need to move it or get your hands wet.

By performing regular water changes you will reduce the Nitrate which encourages the blanket weed to grow. Normally the algae uses the Nitrates up but because your UV is doing its job the excess nitrate encourages the blanket weed.

If you already have a UV filter and are suffering from blanket weed, Soll have launched an amazing new blanket weed remover to help. You can actually see the blanket weed dying! The product was initially added to water for oxygenating purposes but the effect of helping you remove blanket weed was a bonus for pond owners.

Welcome to We Are Fish News

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the new We Are Fish news page! We're now up and running, so keep your eyes peeled for the best informative articles, guides and news from We Are Fish...