Approved Pet Operators and Procedures for Flying with Your Pet

Flying with your pet requires more effort than just buying a plane ticket, checking his luggage, and placing it comfortably in his seat. For animals, special protocols must be obeyed, and such protocols differ from one airline to another. Some airline companies have strict requirements especially for the size of the pet carrier that is to be brought onto the plane. An airline-approved pet carrier would be the safest to bring, and to know this, you as a pet owner should take the full initiative in gathering the information needed to smoothen your traveling experience with your pet.

Flying with allows animals

Before purchasing a carrier, make sure that the airline you are flying with allows animals to be onboard their aircraft. For most airlines, you will also need a reservation for your pet. Once you have your reservation, it is important that you should measure your pet carrier based on the size of your dog and on the airline-approved pet carrier size as well. Remember, if you are a 16 “dog from head to base, you will need a carrier that is longer than 16” so that your pet has room to move and change position.

The pet must be in good health

Also, before your scheduled flight, make sure your pet is in good health to avoid questions from airline staff. In general, when a pet is in very good condition, it will behave properly and hence there will be no problem carrying it.

Usually, smaller dogs such … Read More >>>

Airline Approved Car Carriers – How to Choose the Right One

Airline Approved Car Carriers - How to Choose the Right One

If you plan to take your dog with you on a plane, you will need a pet airline that is approved by the airline … and you must do your homework before buying it. The term “pet carrier” is rather generic so let’s start by breaking things down a little.

If you have a very small dog (such as one of the teacup breeds) then you can easily use a soft-sided carrier which is often just called a pet bag and you will be able to keep your dog with you in the cabin. If your dog is large (such as a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever) then you will actually need a hard-sided dog crate or dog cage and your pet will need to travel in the cargo section.

Between sized dogs or large-breed young puppies

For the in-between sized dogs or large-breed young puppies, things get a bit more tricky. You’ll need to be sure to measure the carrier, measure your dog, and check with the airline you will be using to see what their requirements are.

While airlines may vary slightly, here are some general guidelines for the sizes that will likely be accepted for in-cabin pet carriers.

  • Small – 16″ long x 10″ wide x 8.5″ in height – suitable for pets up to 8 lbs            
  • Medium – 18″ long x 11″ wide x 10.5″ in height – suitable for pets up to 16 lbs            
  • Large – 20″ long x 11.75″ W x 11.5″ in height
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Designer Dog Accessories

Designer Dog Accessories

Thanks to designer dog accessories there is now no limit as to how much money you can spend on your dog. From diamond dog collars and posh dog beds, if you want it for your dog, odds are someone is selling it.

Thanks to many people treating their pets more and more like children, people don’t see any reason not to splurge on them and give them the best that money can buy.

While designer dog accessories were originally just made by pet suppliers, now even large fashionable boutique stores are getting in on the act.

One company sells a collar ornament that has 1,600 diamonds, which totals 52 carats, with one stone alone being 7 carats. While another one sells dog leashes handcrafted from exotics skins that start around $1,800. Or how about a 4 post handcrafted dog bed with canopy for $19,000.

While these are extreme examples you can pamper your pouch for much less than that. Some lower cost ways to splurge on your pouch include taking them to the groomers or how about a doggy massage.

These days you can even buy insurance for your dog to help keep them healthy and happy. Some more inclusive dog policies can cost well over $100 a month and include coverage for everything, from exams and vaccinations, to spays and neuters.

Even dog food has undergone a major upgrade with gourmet versions available for kibble as well as for dog treats. So no matter what you want for your … Read More >>>

Million Dollar Dog – Ten of the World’s Most Expensive Pet Accessories

Venture away from an average pet supply store into the land of the designer pooch and you will find a very different standard of living. Here are ten of the most expensive items ever sold exclusively for dogs.

1. In 2008, a female surgeon from Gloucestershire invested A?250,000 in an architect designed dog house for her pet Great Danes. The house came complete with sheepskin-lined, temperature-controlled dog beds, an 18in-deep spa bath, a A?150,000 sound system and 52-inch plasma TV as well as automatic dog food and filtered water dispensers.

2. A Thai jewellery designer shocked the world when he designed a $4.2 million dog tiara for his pet Maltese terrier. The tiara was created from titanium and decorated with more than 100 karats diamonds and 153 karats of emeralds. Riwin Jirapolsek also has plans for a jewelled hair slide for his dog.

3. Alternatively if you can’t quite stretch to that why not go for a $3,000 22 karat gold thread mattress, based on an adult $30,000 version.

4. The ‘I love Dogs’ designers from New York have come up with a series of diamond encrusted collars that are the most expensive dog collars in the world. The collars range from the relatively cheap ‘La Jeune Tulipe’ collar which costs $150,000 through to the 52 karat $3.2 million ‘Amour, Amour’ collar adorned with over 1600 hand-set diamonds set on 18-karat white gold. You wouldn’t want that to get lost in the garden!

5. To go with the … Read More >>>

Having Fun With Your Dog Using Pet Toys

The primary reason that people get dogs is because they want a companion, and part of companionship is having fun with your new friend. For many people, simply going on a walk is fun enough, but others want more exciting activities to participate in. How do you find a great activity? It is as easy as buying a pet toy, many of which have become quite sophisticated in this technological world of ours.

There are many classic toys that can be picked up at any pet shop. These includes materials for playing catch and other things that your dog can chase. Just seeing your pet run around trying to get something can be funny, and since most dogs can be easily trained to bring the toy back to you, enabling you to easily throw it again, means you do not even have to do much physical work to have fun. Of course, it is good to find active things to do so you yourself can become healthy as well, as you would not be doing your pet any favors by dying prematurely.

Dogs always like to grab on to and shake things, and that is why there is a variety of rubber and plush dog toys that can be easily picked up. It truly is fun to have your dog latch on to the toy and then have a mini tug-of-war with it. Even when you are not there, dogs sometimes like to just pick up things, and … Read More >>>