Posts from — December 2009

Breeding Betta fish can be somewhat difficult if you have never done it before, or if you do not have a lot of patience. However, if you can get past the particular things that can make Betta fish a little more difficult to breed, then you should be able to turn a pretty good profit, and have fun along the way.

These include things such as keeping the water temperature a comfortable 80-82 degrees, and making sure you remove the female and male Bettas at the right times.

You will also be the proud caretaker of up to 1000 baby fish! Not all the fry will live, but there will most likely be several hundred and you will be able to sell them within a few weeks.

You will need to decide whether you are going to provide a nice habitat to go along with the fish, or if you are going to just have them in a glass or plastic fish cup until they get home with their new owners. You may be able to get a larger profit if you add a bowl and plant fixture; that has been popular in years past.

If you have the option for a plant/bowl aquarium, some people are willing to pay extra for those features. With several hundred fish out of each breeding, you should be able to turn out a fair profit from breeding your Betta fish. Just be sure to pay close attention to the adult fish through the process and you’ll have fun too!

Chris Kerr runs bettafishpage.com The Betta Fish Page providing in-depth information on breeding Betta fish for fun and profits.

The Black clown fish is also known as the Yellow tail clown fish, and can be obtained in several colour variations. The most common form of Black clown fish is black and yellow with white vertical stripes. Just like the other clown fishes, Black clown fishes form a symbiotic relationship with anemones and are therefore also known as Black anemone fishes.

The Black clown fish is one of the most frequently kept clown fish species and you can find these fishes in numerous saltwater aquariums all over the world. The native region for the Black clown fish is the warm West Pacific Ocean. Populations of Black clown fish are found from the Persian Gulf to the Western coast of Australia. They inhabit the Australian archipelago, the many reefs of Melanesia and Micronesia, and you can also find Black Clown fish up to north Taiwan and south Japan.

The vibrant coloration of the Black clown fish makes it very easy to spot for predators, and it would not survive long in the wild if it was not protected by the tentacles of the stinging anemone. The Black clown fish will keep the anemone clean by eating left over food. When a Black clown fish is kept in an aquarium without any natural enemies and is provided with food by its keeper, it does not need an anemone to survive. You should however make sure that the aquarium set up provides the Black clown fish with suitable hiding spots, since it can be very stressed in a barren aquarium, especially when no anemone can be found.

In the wild, the Black clown fish is known to co-habit with a wide range of different anemone species. If you keep your Black clown fish with an anemone species that it has not encountered before, the Black clown fish must gradually acclimatize itself to the anemone to avoid begin injured.

The Black clown fish can be kept in a comparatively small aquarium since it grows no bigger than 5 inches (13 centimetres) and claims a very small territory. A 20 gallon (75 litres) aquarium will be enough. You should however keep in mind that the Black clown fish requires supreme water quality and keeping the levels of soluble waste down will be much easier in a bigger aquarium. In the wild, the territory of a Black clown fish group is limited to the immediate area around an anemone. The Black clown fish is however known to occasionally leave its host anemone to attack nearby fish. This habit makes it more aggressive than the other clown fish species. Since the Black clown fish is native to warm, tropical parts of the world it can only be kept in tropical aquariums. The temperature must be in the 75-82° F (24-28° C) range for the Black clown fish to do well. The pH should be around 8.3-8.4. Your Black clown fish should be provided with a meaty diet in the aquarium, since it is used to feeding on the scraps left by the predatory anemone. Chopped fish and shellfish is usually appreciated. The Black clown fish will also require some vegetables and algae to stay healthy. You can usually get a Black clown fish to accept flake food, but keeping it on nothing but flakes is not recommended.

Allen Jesson writes for several sites including two sites that specialize in
saltwaterfreshwateraquarium.com salt
water and fresh water aquariums and

The favoured choice of many people who wish to own a dog is a Golden Retriever. They are a proud, obedient dog, but their main trait is as excellent pets, especially where children are concerned, which makes them a favourite choice for families. You will not end up disappointed if you resolve to own a Golden Retriever regardless of what your intention was for making that decision.

Golden Retrievers enjoy the company of people and so make loyal friends, are calm, well mannered, easy to train and extremely affectionate due to their intent to please.

They have many positive traits including loyalty, affection and ideal children’s pets, but they also have a loud bark whenever they are disturbed by abnormal situations making them excellent watchdogs.

Golden Retrievers shed their hair constantly right through the year and more in the spring, so regular brushing is essential. The quality and condition of the coat is important in assessing the health of a golden retriever puppy. Daily brushing with a bristle brush is essential and special attention should be given to the dense undercoat

Getting wet is a favourite pursuit of Golden Retrievers, similar to Labradors, as they love the water and take every opportunity to get sodden. In the beginning this will be a novel source of amusement. But when they constantly finish up either wet or muddy, it could eventually cause frustration.

Like most breeds of dog once you own a Golden Retriever you have certain obligations to tend to his welfare. A most important requirement is his emotional well being that comes from being with his owner and family and being treated as an essential part of the family group. Neglecting the fact that he requires regular active exercise could lead to problems with his behaviour.

Leaving a Golden Retriever on his own for long periods of time is not ideal and this should be considered when making an initial choice of dog. Surroundings are important and a family atmosphere is ideal, especially if the family includes children who will give him all the attention he needs.

It is easier to school a Golden Retriever puppy than a full-grown dog, which is something to take into consideration when it’s time to acquire your new pet. It can be a satisfying past time although frustration will surface at times and it will take up a lot of your spare time initially. An older dog would be a better option than a puppy if spare time is not readily available. A more suitable alternative would be a Golden Retriever that is already house broken.

The positive characteristics of Golden Retrievers, like companionship and loyalty, make them a superb option. They will want to be included in all activities that you or your family will be involved in. They love being outdoors and doing things with the family, and the more they are included the more they will become loyal and affectionate.

More information can be gathered about

When you are out riding on trails, there is a right way-and a wrong way-to go down hills. As with many skills in riding, the key to successfully and safely navigating hills is good balance.

A horse going down a hill has a hard enough time balancing on his own, let alone with a rider on his back. To that end, it’s important that you do what you can to help him out. If your horse is having a hard time riding down hills he’ll let you know. If he rushes, tosses his head, or even bucks, it means that he’s is having a hard time balancing.

First of all, if you ride your horse down hills frequently, it’s important that his saddle fit correctly. A shifting saddle will cause pain, and even a horse in good balance may speed up going downhill in an attempt to get away from the pain the saddle is causing. Second of all, be sure that you are knowledgeable when it comes to riding down hills. That’s right! It’s not just up to the horse. You have something to do with it as well!

What is the most common mistake riders make when going down hills? For some reason, novice riders often feel safer asking their horses to “zigzag” down hills. But if you are going down a hill without switchbacks or a trail, this isn’t a good idea. Why? Well, if you ask a horse to angle down a hill, he won’t be able to balance himself over his hindquarters. A horse’s hindquarters should be aligned with his body, otherwise he can actually fall over. As you can imagine, this isn’t a good thing for either horse or rider!

It’s tempting to play with your position when riding down hill, but avoid the temptation. Instead, just stay in your basic position, with your body balanced over your feet and your weight in your heels. Be sure to look up and ahead, not down.

Many riders instinctively lean backward going down hills, thinking that this will help the horse. It won’t. Your horse really needs his hindquarters to navigate a hill, and by leaning back you are just getting in the way. Instead, lean forward ever so slightly and keep your balance over your feet.

The less you interfere, the better things will go. While novice riders may feel more secure going down hills with an iron grip of the reins, it’s best to give your horse lots of rein so that he can use his head and neck. If you restrict the reins, you’ll be restricting his movement, pulling him off balance, and making things difficult for him in general.

If you are a beginning rider, it’s best to practice going down some small hills before you tackle the big ones. Find a short hill with a gentle slope, and take care to stay in balance and keep your position. As you master the smaller hills, you can move up to progressively larger ones. Soon you’ll be taking them all on!

Ron Petracek – Director of Articles & Equine Classifieds
Educate yourself on the how to’s of equine here ::
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Hovawart in the German language means “guardian of the home”. The Hovawart dog is quite similar in appearance and size to the Golden Retriever, however the Hovawart can also be black or black and gold in color. The similarity of the two breeds ends with the coat color, for the Hovawart, although not aggressive, is considered very definitely to be a guardian and protector and is often a one person dog, while the Golden Retriever is a gun dog and hunting companion and quite outgoing and friendly by nature.

As early as the 17th century there were paintings that depicted a similar breed, always this dog was shown in a household or farm setting as a watchdog. It is said that these dogs were closely attuned to living within the household or on the farm property and never strayed far from home. They had weatherproof coats and were “guardians” of the home by nature. The man responsible for researching this breed and trying to resurrect this dog was a man by the name of Kurt Konig. He introduced various “shepherding” bloodlines and the Leonberger into the local dogs which he found in the Odenwald region of Germany in an attempt to re-establish the breed. He bred his first litter in 1922 and by 1937 the breed was well established and was recognized as a separate German breed.

As was the case with many of the European breeds, the development of the dog suffered serious setbacks during World War II but directly after the war a Hovawart club was formed and now there are many fanciers. The breed was imported into England in 1980 and the first Hovawart Breed club was established in Great Britain in 1982. The Hovawart has not made strides in the American Kennel Club at this time.

The Hovawart has some health issues with hyperthyroidism and also with hip dysplasia. Both of these problems can be debilitating but are not life threatening and both are problems which can be corrected by careful breeding and genetic testing before breeding.

The Hovawart is an impressive and thoughtful dog, often a “one person dog” with outstanding qualities for it is easy to train, eager to please and yet with an aristocratic bearing and calm manner that demonstrates great intelligence. This is definitely a “thinking” dog. It is a breed that is noted for being protective and easily lives up to its name of “guardian of the home”, for it is considered an excellent watch dog with a deep bark. It is a breed that has slowly gained enthusiastic followers but will most likely never be considered an “all around” family dog for this is a dog that can be dominant and strong willed and needs early training. However it is a dog that strives to please and with a good trainer this breed makes a good search and rescue dog and can be outstanding in police work or as a watchdog.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to dog-guides.com/ Dogs

The Clown Loach is a popular fish in tropical aquariums since it is very beautiful and not too difficult to keep. Its scientific name is Botia macracanthus and it is therefore also known as Botia fish. When you buy a loach it will typically need at least a 100 liter / 20 gallon aquarium to do well. They are usually sold when quite young and will therefore grow larger and larger as they mature. A fully grown Clown Loach will need a 540 liter / 125 gallon aquarium or larger.

Wild Clown Loaches inhabit densely grown waters in Indonesia and will therefore appreciate a planted aquarium or an aquarium with plenty of rocks and caves which the Clown Loach can hide among. A combination of both plants and caves are ideal. Adult Clown Loaches like to nibble on plants and you should therefore ideally choose tough and fast growing plants like Java Fern and Anubias. Juvenile Clown Loaches can usually be kept with all types of plants as long as they appreciate the same water conditions as the fish.

The Clown Loach loves to squeeze it self into caves, rocky formations and other tiny places that can barely fit it. To put it simple: the more decorations the better. The aquarium must be decorated when you bring your Clown Loach home from the fish store, since it is most likely quite stressed from the long journey from Indonesia. A majority of the Clown Loaches available in the aquarium trade is caught in the waters of Sumatra and Borneo. If you place your Clown Loach in a barren aquarium, it will not have a chance to recuperate. It will instead become more and more stressed. Stressed Clown Loaches are very susceptible to a parasite called Ich (White Spot Disease).

Don’t be afraid if you notice that your Clown Loach has squeezed itself behind a piece of aquarium equipment, chances are that it is not at all stuck, it just likes to feel safe. The Clown Loach is also found of digging itself into tiny places. It is therefore important to use a substrate without any sharp edges in the aquarium. In the substrate your can place a wide range of different things for your Clown Loach to explore and hide among. You do not have to limit your self to plants and rocks; PVC pipes, flower pots, roots and ceramic and plastic aquarium ornaments will also be highly appreciated. It is important that the decorations have no sharp edges, since the Clown Loach will like to squeeze itself into the smallest places possible. If you place floating plants in the water they will dim the light and make your Clown Loach less shy and more active during the day.

Vigorous filtration is necessary since Clown Loaches are sensitive to poor water conditions. A combination of mechanical, chemical and biological filtration is recommended. Change 25 percent of the water at least once a week. Smaller and more frequent water changes are even better. Even a slight disturbance in the water quality can harm you Clown Loach and in a community aquarium the Clown Loach is usually the first fish that falls ill or die when the water quality drops. Since your will find the live Clown Loaches in streams and rivers, the aquarium should ideally also have strong water circulation. The aquarium must have a will fitted lid since Clown Loaches are vigorous jumpers.

Read more about clown loaches, clownloach.info/breeding.php clown loach breeding and clownloach.info/other.php other loaches

A happy dog makes a superb companion. And by making your dog happy it can not only help strengthen the bond you have with your dog but can also be of benefit to you both. Here are five ways that can help to make your dog happy.

1 Special Playing Time. Just as we enjoy our own recreational treats, dogs enjoy them too. Dogs like play and, by playing and having fun with your dog, it will not only help the rapport and understanding you have but can also benefit your dog physically and mentally. Much depends on the type of dog you have as to what you play but discover games and activities you both enjoy and set time aside for sharing and enjoying. Possible games could include hide and seek, fetch or playing ball. Also, you can add to the fun by combining a playing session with a trip out. Dogs do enjoy going and getting out and again a change of scene can do you both good.

2 Treats. Dogs like treats and you could find it helpful to have some dog toys that are just brought out as a treat and special occasions. These could be toys you feel your dog would particularly value and, by bringing them out occasionally, your dog will appreciate their specialness. However, at the end of a playing session, do make sure these toys go away. This not only reinforces in your dog’s mind that you are in control but emphasizes the value of these particular toys and with your dog appreciating the chance to use and enjoy them. Playing with special toys helps your dog feel special too.

3 Acknowledge and reward good behavior. Dogs enjoy praise and when your dog has done well, such as responding to training instructions, helped you in some way or behaving well when you are talking to someone, show your pleasure perhaps by giving your dog a few dog biscuits you have handy. However by indicating to your dog you are pleased and rewarding your dog accordingly you will be encouraging your dog to behave in like manner again and, when your dog knows it has done well, it too will be all the happier.

4 Give your dog attention. In addition to spending and enjoying time with your dog, show you care by grooming and giving your dog attention. Dogs not only enjoy the added attention and pleasures – and sometimes cuddles – that come with grooming but it has other benefits too. Grooming allows you to check your dog’s general condition as well as help with your dog’s general hygiene and well-being. Brushing your dog’s coat can, for instance, help prevent skin disease, allow you to sort out tangles and make your dog more presentable. Similarly brushing your dog’s teeth can help prevent gum disease, tooth loss as well as help combat bad breath. Also, do keep your dog’s eating area clean, giving good food and particularly replenishing your dog’s water bowl. Just as it is essential for us to drink often, it too is important for your dog – and with fresh water. Show you care – and your time and attention will be rewarded with a healthier and happier dog.

5 Dogs like to be active and valued and so give your dog a purpose. Train your dog to get the post, to carry something or give your dog new tricks to master. By giving your dog something to do it will help to give your dog a sense of achievement and worth. And when your dog has done what you want, give praise and appreciation and perhaps a treat. Also, if your dog is left alone for any length of time, leave out something to keep your dog occupied. In this an activity toy filled with something tasty could be especially appreciated. Boredom can lead to problems so do give your dog something to do or chew on. We all like to be valued and dogs are no exception. Value your dog and you will help make your dog feel special – and happy.

By Neil Whiteland. For some great dog training and caring advice visit GreatDogTips.com GreatDogTips.com For more dog tips visit Neil’s blog at Great-Dog-Tips.blogspot.com Great-Dog-Tips.blogspot.com

As pet owners, the recent pet food recall should have us more concerned than ever about the quality of food we provide for our precious animals. The recent recall was reported to be linked to contamination with melamine, a chemical used to make plastic kitchenware, countertops, fertilizers and flame retardants. This contaminate is responsible for the death of 16 cats and dogs per the FDA reports. Others were reported by the FDA to have suffered kidney failure and other serious symptoms. Other sites such as www.petconnection.com indicate that people have reported well over 3,000 pets have died and over 12,000 have fallen ill. Although these reports are not to be considered an official count, it does indicate that the numbers of pets that have suffered due to this contamination problem far exceeds the government report.

Because of our new-found awareness concerning quality control it is imperative that we take a closer look at other quality control issues and nutritional deficits in the pet food industry. Without consideration to contaminates that require recalls, we need to check out what is in the food that is considered “safe.” It is widespread practice within the industry to include amounts of the following ingredients in most pet food formulas.

• Bones, intestines, heads, feet, tendons, ligaments and other undesirable body parts known as by-products. These are the leftovers after choice meat has been processed for human consumption. Besides sounding disgusting, by-products are inferior sources of protein and can be difficult to digest.

• Soy, corn, corn gluten and wheat gluten are often used as protein sources. Again, they are of inferior quality and difficult to digest. Dogs can also be allergic to gluten based products.

• Preservatives, including BHT, BHA, Ethoxyquin, and artificial colors. These additives can be very harmful to pets. Ethoxyquin is listed and identified as a hazardous chemical under the criteria of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. Ethoxyquin is used as a pesticide and as a preservative in the manufacture of rubber. It is actually used in some human foods and spices. So what’s the big deal you say? Amounts allowed in the manufacture of dog food are up to 300 times (pound for pound) what is allowed for humans. This can cause kidney and liver cancer and stomach ulcers.

• Many large manufacturers make pet food in huge amounts that end up being stored in warehouses, trucks, etc. for six months to a year without proper climate control.
What should you do? We recommend that you take a careful look at a premium dog food such as Life’s Abundance Premium Dog Food. This brand is made using only fresh ingredients. It is chocked full of nutrients and high quality meat proteins. There are NO by-products, corn, wheat, gluten or soy. There are NO artificial flavors, colors, sugars or chemical preservatives.

Life’s Abundance is formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks, a highly respected and nationally recognized holistic veterinarian and can be found at www.healthydoghouse.com. The company is meticulous about quality and safety, using only fresh, premium ingredients with strict quality controls standards to ensure product safety.

Why is Life’s Abundance Premium Dog Food Better?
Here’s why:
• Life’s Abundance is always made with fresh ingredients. They use an exclusive “fast-cook” process to preserve the fresh taste of natural foods. Batches are made more frequently assuring that Life’s Abundance will be delivered to your door within approximately 6 weeks of preparation.

• Premium all natural chicken meal, catfish meal, and eggs provide high quality easily digested animal protein sources to support strong muscles, healthy organs, and overall health.

• Chicken fat, catfish meal, flaxseed meal, and eggs provide a natural balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and shiny coat.

• Whole brown rice provides an excellent source of highly digestible carbohydrates for short-term energy and dietary fiber that is gentle on the stomach.

• Fresh vegetables and fruit provide natural plant sources of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and potent bioflavonoids that help support an active immune system.

• Grape seed extract provides a natural source of concentrated antioxidant nutrients.

• Beet fiber, brewers yeast, and natural bacteria cultures help the digestive system work at peak efficiency, allowing your pet to get even more nutrition from this wholesome food.

• Enhanced with natural DHA and EPA support good vision, a strong heart and healthy central nervous system.

• It is free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. It contains a blend of natural antioxidants that helps maintain a healthy immune system and keeps it fresh longer.
If you have always thought that dog food was dog food, and you always bought was cheapest, you need to think about what you are really getting for your money. To compare your brand with Life’s Abundance, click here then make your own decision: www.healthydoghouse.com/compare-dog-foods.html
Be sure to click here for more information: www.healthydoghouse.com

Laurie Ritchey writes articles about all natural dog care. She is usually busy spoiling her wheaten terrier, Niko, but loves doing research on pet health that might be able to help others. Her favorite dog toys, treats and supplements can be found on her website at healthydoghouse.com healthydoghouse.com

Ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper, I have had a fascination for birds and cage and aviary birds in particular. Although each breed has its own particular attraction, breeding and exhibiting budgerigars has provided me with many challenges, not to mention satisfaction and enjoyment.

Even though spare time was at a premium during my University days and earning a living as a practising psychologist and nutritional therapist, I always found an hour or so each evening to look after my birds. Indeed, I found it provided me with a restful and much needed release from my daytime work attending to my patients.

As a rule, budgerigars are healthy and highly intelligent little creatures providing a great deal of colour and interest in the birdroom. After nearly sixty years breeding and showing virtually all of the colours, they still give me a buzz every time I see a new family emerging from the nest and maturing into adult birds, each with their own character and physical attributes.

Breeding good, line-bred stock is certainly a challenge. Indeed, it could be said that it is not for the faint-hearted. Yet, it can be very rewarding – not in a financial sense, but in pitting your knowledge and experience against the fickleness of Mother Nature, for no matter how well you plan your matings, you can be certain that she will throw a spanner in the works from time to time – just to make certain you keep your feet firmly on the ground.

Like all things in life, you only get out of the birdkeeping hobby what you put into it – nothing more or less. The secret of being a successful birdkeeper is always be willing to learn, for none of us can ever know it all.

Over the years, many informative and interesting books have been written on the fancy, from highly technical breeding and exhibiting manuals to more simple and basic publications for those who wish to learn about how to care for their pet.

For the beginner, it can be a real nightmare finding and choosing the right book. Some books intended for beginners provide the merest of details, often missing out on many basic, but nevertheless important items. Books for the more advanced fancier also share this problem to some degree. But that is the way of things, each author including content that he feels is important. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, for to include every aspect of the fancy would probably take volumes and even then, it’s a fair bet that something will be left out – after all, no one can think of everything. Indeed, if authors tried to cover every aspect of birdkeeping or anything else for that matter, books would never be completed!

At the end of the day it all boils down to what we want to learn from a book. Is it a general book about the fancy, dietary information, husbandry, ailments, breeding, birdroom design, colours, genetics, etc., etc.? If it’s any of these and a whole lot more, it’s a fair bet we won’t be disappointed – all we have to do is find it!

Personally, I have found that the most instructive and illuminating books are those based on the author’s personal experience, gained over many years of successfully breeding, showing, and keeping budgerigars in general. The best of these publications are usually written in a down-to-earth manner, and relatively free from technical theorem and jargon.

A word of advice, the problem with most beginners is that they fall into the trap of reading everything they can find on the subject before they have even dipped their feet into the practicalities of general birdkeeping. As a result, they become confused and dismayed by all the information they are trying to absorb in a short space of time.

Because almost every fancier has developed his own methods for caring for his birds, etc., it follows that one author may contradict the views and methods of another, leading to further confusion in the mind of the raw novice. To help avoid this, it is wise to find an author you like and stick to his advice. By so doing, a great deal of confusion will be avoided and progress made.

To find out more please visit.

natcure.co.uk/gpage.html www.natcure.co.uk/gpage.html

James Keith. LMPA. MRNT. Is a practising psychologist and Nutritional Therapist who was introduced to budgerigars by his father at an early age. After almost 50 years successfully breeding and showing the birds, he is now recognised as an expert in the fancy and writes regular columns in the cage and aviary bird press.

James is also in demand by bird club’s throughout the United Kingdom and now finds that a great deal of his spare time is taken up by lecturing to bird clubs up and down the country

According to a report published by research group Mintel, one in three pets needs an unforeseen visit to the vet each year. This implies you’re more likely to make a claim on your pet insurance than on your car insurance or even your home & contents policy.

The word “unforeseen” is key here. If you’re looking for pet insurance to provide cover for routine treatments such as teeth cleaning, vaccinations or nail trimming, forget it – policies which provide that are as rare as hens’ teeth! Neither will you find cover for elective treatments, such as neutering and identity chipping. This means that the most common grounds for visit the vet are uninsurable.

But it’s those unexpected visits that tend to be the high-priced ones! Developments in vet nary care mean that new and more complex conditions can be effectively treated. But the cost of emergency care can be horrendous. A cat that failed to cross the road could easily cost £700, even more, to treat. After all, a series of X-rays could cost £400 complete with anaesthetic, and you’ll have no change from £1,000 for a MRI scan. If Lassie the Labrador tore a ligament that can now be treated – but the cost? Wait for it – around £1,500! This is serious money!

Having appreciated that most reasons for an appointment at the vet are uninsurable, what do we get for our premiums?

Pet insurance policies basically fall into three categories. The first limits the value of the claim for each condition or event; the second places a maximum value on the total annual payout and the third and cheapest option, limits the payout per condition and ends cover after 12 months of treatment. And with all policies you will have to pay an excess on any claim, usually between £50 and £100. The majority of these plans payout a fixed sum if you pet dies.

And the cost? Well, that depends on which type of policy you select, the excess you want to pay, the kind of pet you have, its breed, its age and even your post-code (apparently vets are more expensive in Kensington!). But as a guide, an industry expert estimates costs between £50 to £500 for Lassie and £30 and £200 per year for puss.

The best advice is take out a policy when your pet is young. Most pets can be insured after they’re 8 weeks old and then you keep the insurance in place for the rest of its life. If you’re looking for a policy for a pet that’s in it’s middle age, say eight or nine for a dog, then it may be difficult to get worthwhile cover. That’s because starting a new policy in your pet’s middle age will be expensive and in any case you’ll be unable to claim for treatments for any existing health conditions.

So how can you reduce the premiums? Sometime you can get a discount if you pet has been identity chipped and quantity discounts are usually available for second and subsequent pets. Beyond that you simply have to shop around. Thank goodness for the Internet!

The Internet is taking an increasing share of the insurance market and no wonder – it makes shopping simple, quick and easy. What’s more it’s probably the cheapest starting place for all your insurance whether it be for your car, home, or pet. Let your keyboard take the strain.

Michael writes for Brokers Online who offer most UK financial services including life-assurance-bureau.co.uk/pet-insurance/ pet insurance