You’d be amazed at the amount of dog owners who fill their houses with dog beds for their pampered pooches - me being one of them!!  I think it’s because there are so many great designs out there that we can’t make up our minds which one to go for.   

My dog has got a gorgeous circular faux suede dog bed in the office, an igloo-type dog bed in the bedroom, a tunnel-type one in the sitting room which she loves because she’s a tiny terrier who loves to burrow and she’s also got numerous dog cushions, dog blankets and dog throws all over the house and the car!!

The great thing is that you can usually find a dog bed to suit every shape and size of dog all your requirements.  They come in a variety of sizes - large, medium and small and they come in different shapes - circular, oval, triangular to fit in a corner, igloo-types and some really different designs like those which look just like a dog kennel !!  There are raised dog beds made from willow and metal and some which are a replica of our own sofas. 

They are made from fabulous fabrics like faux suede, faux leather, real leather, cool cotton, soft fleece, lambswool etc. and can also be waterproof which is great if you have a dog that loves the wet weather or is kept in an outside dog kennel.

The fabric colours vary from earthy brown, black, sand and taupe colours through the creamy beiges to the soft pink and blues and there are also some really quirky fabric designs like the Wallace & Grommit Range we have recently added to the ideas-4-pets website.  Whatever your style or your decor, there is bound to be one that you and your dog just can’t live without!!

If you have a pet that has undergone surgery or suffers from arthritis or other joint problems, then an orthopaedic dog bed or dog mattress which have either a memory foam top mattress, are made completely from a memory foam block or are made with crumbed memory foam which has the advantage of air circulation which can prevent overheating.  We know the benefits of the memory foam mattresses on our own beds and the benefits are just the same for our canine companions.  The foam moulds itself to your dog’s shape and thus give your dog full body support.  These are also great for elderly dogs and some of them have the option of a waterproof cover for incontinent dogs.

If you want a cool, sophisticated dog bed for your dog, then look at our basket designs that are made from willow - they have a removeable and reversible cushion inside and are on small legs so prevent rising cold.

So as I previously mentioned, whatever the needs and requirements of you and your dog are, there will be something on our site that will fit the bill !!

The parrot makes an interesting and delightful pet and is fairly easy to feed and maintain.  Most parrot owners would agree that wherever possible, it is better to purchase a captive-bred parrot from a reputable source so that if you have questions regarding the parrot or the parrot becomes sick, you know who to contact and where.

Larger parrots can live for a very long time so you are committing yourself to long-term care of the parrot.  If you intend to put your parrot in an outside aviary during the colder months, you should ask the breeder how acclimatised the bird is and if you are already the owner of parrots, it is also advisable to quarantine the new one for approx. 35 days before allowing it into the same area of your existing parrots in case it is carrying any form of disease.

Check to see if your new parrot is fluffing up his feathers, resting with his head in his wing, is standing on two legs rather than one leg or is breathing heavily with discharge from his nostrils, as these are sure signs of illness and you need to keep him warm and quiet.  The best temperature is around 80 to 90 degrees F (27 to 32 degrees C) and make sure that he’s provided with easily digestable food like baby food that is easily reached from his perch.  We would advise that you then contact a vet with avian expertise immediately. As these Vets are not common, it would be sensible to locate one before you buy the parrot as it’s often in the very early days of ownership that you might need one.  If you contact The Parrot Society, they will assist you in finding a vet with avian expertise who is the most local to you.

Feed your parrot a wide variety of foods such as canary seed, mixed millets, hemp, wheat, maize, safflower, sunflower (in moderation as it is an oily seed and can cause your parrot to become overweight), oats, buckwheat, paddy rice, niger, linseed and groats. Also let him have fruits such as oranges, sweet apples, grapes, pears, cherries and bananas. If possible try to include some exotic fruits such as papaya, mango and kiwi.

Never give your parrot avocados as these are toxic to birds.  You can however offer him  carrots, celery, spinach, beetroot, peas, beans and lightly cooked corn on the cob. They also enjoy sprouted seeds and soaked biscuit but don’t feed him scraps from the table.

Larger parrots like macaws should be given nuts in their diet throughout the year and these can include walnuts, brazil nuts, pecans, macadamia, cashews and hazelnuts. He will also enjoy a few cob-nuts when they are in season.

Don’t forget to wash all fruit and vegetables that you give your parrot and make sure that the bowls inside his parrot cage are washed thoroughly before use.  It’s best not to place any food bowls directly underneath the perches in his parrot cage as they will soon become soiled.

Of course, the usual proprietary foods in pellet form are available from pet shops, but a lot of experienced aviculturists believe that this doesn’t provide foraging experience for the parrot and so has little therapeutic value. However they are very convenient and will provide adequate nutrition so can be used extensively or in part. Your avian vet will be able to advise you further on this.

As with all pets, the larger the home you can provide him with the better.  A large parrot cage is acceptable so long as your parrot is allowed out of his cage every day.  Don’t however, leave him on his own, unsupervised as he may chew electric cables, damage your furniture and fittings or escape.  Provide him with a bird play stand and some parrot toys so that he can amuse himself as well as fly around when he is out of his cage.

Large macaws are better kept in large outdoor aviaries and ideas-4-pets have some quality aviaries to choose from - both timber and metal.

The floor of his parrot cage should be covered with peat, shavings, sand or newspaper and changed daily to make sure it is clean, fresh and hygienic. Garden aviaries should have a draught-proof, weather proof indoor section to protect your parrot from extremes of weather. Because parrots are intelligent and inquisitive, provide your parrot with an interesting, stimulating environment with plenty of climbing opportunities.  These could include cotton rope, ladders and wooden climbing frames. Packs of suitable toys can be bought from ideas-4-pets. If you are keeping your parrot in an outside aviary, make sure he has penty of perches and cotton climbing ropes but remember to leave him enough room in there to fly around. 

All bird cages and aviaries are better if they are fitted with natural perches (fruit tree or sycamore branches are ideal) as these provide different diameters for your parrot’s feet to move to.  This allows him to flex the bones in his feet. It is also important to change the perches on a regular basis.

As with all pets, fresh, clean water should be provided daily. In the case of parrots, multi-vitamin drops can be added to the water and should have access to grit cuttlefish which will provide him with calcium.

If you provide your parrot with the correct housing, the correct food, things to play with and time to spend with him, he will provide you with amusement and wonderful companionship for many years.

Even people that are not animal lovers would agree that you always want the best for your best friend. If you have a dog, even one which spends the majority of its time indoors with the family, there may be times when it is safer or better for the dog to be in the garden or yard for a while. This is the reason why most dog owners require a kennel for their dogs.

When choosing a kennel for your dog, there are a couple of things to consider. When looking for at dog kennels you always want to go for the ones that you know you dog will be comfortable in size-wise and materials-wise. Durability is another aspect of kennels.

Your dog will need to be in a safe environment if it will be outside. The kennel must be able to withstand all kinds of weather conditions, should be in as shady a spot as possible and should be an place of refuge for your dog.

Searching for practicality

You will always have to be practical while shopping for dog kennels. Seeing that the comfort of your dog is important you will have to get the right shape and size for you dog and its needs.

Remember that your dog does not care about the colour or what the dog kennel looks like in your back yard. It will be most happy if its needs as a dog are catered for so make sure that’s your first priority.  Choose from our range of cost effective and stylish dog kennels at Ideas 4 Pets.

Having a designated place for your dog in your house is a good idea. That way, the dog will always have its own place to lounge and be comfortable. Ideas 4 Pets have a huge variety of dog beds on offer, and the right dog beds for your needs depend on a number of factors.

Obviously, you know the number of dogs you own and their sizes already, although if you have a pup then you’ll get more use out of a dog bed if you purchase one big enough for the fully grown dog you pup will soon be. There are other characteristics of your dog that you will use when you pick out the prefect dog bed for your pet.

You will choose according to whether your pet is an indoor dog or spends most time in an outdoor kennel. Then you will also be looking at the comfort level you want for your pet. You will also put into consideration the location you will be placing to the dog bed. No drafty places or spots in direct sunlight should be chosen - otherwise your dog is likely just to choose somewhere else to sleep.

Choose from our Ideas 4 Pets Range

Our wide range of dog beds include some which offer extra support and comfort for your pet, useful for aging dogs with join problems or convalescing dogs. Lighter dog beds are available if you take your dog away with you regularly or you may prefer hard plastic beds with a cushion or blanket for comfort, allowing for easy cleaning. Heated dog begs are also a nice idea if you want something extra special and comforting or orthopaedic dog beds for older dogs. The choice is all yours with Ideas 4 Pets.

Space in most houses is an issue, but many people feel that a house isn’t a home unless they have pets as part of the family.  This can cause a dilemma as far as choosing a pet goes. Large pets need lots of space and you might not have all that much to spare.

Rabbits are therefore a popular option. You can keep them indoors or outdoors. They can make cute, cuddly and friendly pets that can bring you endless hours of pleasure and companionship. However, you cannot just get a bunny and hope for the best. Getting any pet needs to be a well thought out operation, no less so with rabbits than another kind of pet.

Bringing home the bunny

Having rabbit hutches is a given for a rabbit owner. You need a place to keep your pet safe, secure and happy. Choosing the right one out of the many rabbit hutches available is another story. You need to decide on a budget of how much you can spend on your rabbit hutch. You can’t compromise on the size of hutch though because your pet’s health and happiness depends on having enough space.

Rabbit hutches cannot be tiny - even if your rabbit is to start off with. Baby rabbits soon grow up and so you need a hutch which will easily house a large adult rabbit. Rabbit hutches need to be roomy enough for them to be comfortable and have separate areas for feeding, drinking, sleeping and toileting. Just like you wouldn’t like living in a small cubicle, your rabbit won’t either.

Rabbit hutches should be designed to require the least effort for cleaning and make the most use of available space.

With a wide range to choose from at Ideas 4 Pets, working out which dog kennel and run are the best for your needs can be tricky and there are several factors to take into account.

The size of dog obviously plays a part because trying house a Great Dane in a dog kennel and run designed for a Cocker Spaniel is never going to work.  Our expert sales and advice team can be contacted 7 days a week by phone and email to help you find the right products to suit you, your pets, and your pocket.

Another factor is how the kennel and run are to be used.  If your dog will live outdoors all year round in its kennel and run, then the housing part needs to be very robust and able to protect your pet from the elements and keep him warm in the winter, yet cool in the summer. No matter which run you choose, even the largest is no substitute for proper walks and exercise, but can be a handy way to restrict the dog’s access to your garden when you are not home to supervise.

Our range of kennels and combined runs at Ideas 4 Pets have the benefit of roofing over the run as well as the sleeping area and we also offer runs separately so you can partition off your garden.  Whatever you decide to go for, we can offer great dog housing solutions at Ideas 4 Pets.

Ferrets are endearing little creatures and are becoming increasingly popular pets in the UK.  Some owners like to keep them in ferret cages in the home and others prefer to keep them outside.  We at ideas-4-pets have noted that a number of ferret owners have purchased our outdoor cat kennels and have had them modified to suit the requirements of a ferret.  Just put plenty of bedding into the kennel area and provide lots of toys to keep the ferret amused and out of mischief and he will love the freedom and the smell of the fresh air.

They usually spend around 14-18 hours per day sleeping and this is split into three 6 hour sections. Ferrets do sleep more than most other pets but they are very active when they are awake and will need lots of exercise to satisfy their energy and curiosity on a daily basis.

Their curiosity very often exceeds common sense in domestic environments and ferrets are good at getting stuck in drains and holes in walls, doors, cupboards or even in and behind household appliances such as ovens, dishwashers and washing machines where they can be injured or killed by drowning and electric shocks. Serious and sometimes fatal injuries have resulted from ferrets chewing on electrical cords. and dryer vents often become escape routes to the outdoors. Because ferrets also like to chew items made of soft rubber, foam or sponge, which put them at risk of intestinal blockage and death if ingested, make sure that any items of this nature are out of reach in a closed cupboard.

For these reasons, owners usually do “ferret-proof” their home, removing items dangerous to ferrets and covering over any holes or potential escape routes. Ferrets are quite clever and can open cupboards or doors that haven’t been closed properly by rolling over and clawing at the bottom edge.  Putting childproof latches on doors is a good idea and keeping your cleaning products in high, out-of-reach places also helps to prevent accidents happening.

Ferrets are very energetic and take a great interested in their environment.  They will actively choose to play with their owners and have both endearing and difficult behaviours for their owners to contend with.  Ferrets love to play hide-and-seek games and predator and prey games involving their owner attempting to catch the ferret or the ferret trying to catch the human. Ferrets also have a strong nesting instinct and can be seen repeatedly carrying small items or food to secret hiding places. They can also form strong attachments to certain objects and will repeatedly try to find and steal those objects to bring to their hiding place.

When ferrets get excited, they sometimes perform a strange little dance which is a frenzied series of sideways hops. This can often be accompanied by a gentle clucking type of noise and has been identified as an invitation to play or a way of showing you he is happy.  Despite how it looks, this behaviour is not at all threatening. His posture tends to become quite rigid and he opens his jaws wide, fixes his eyes on you and then starts thrashing or turning his head vigourously from side to side, arching his back and hopping side to side or backwards.  You might also hear him panting or hissing and this will likely then turn into a chasing game where he will also start to pounce and wrestle with you.

Ferrets can nip you when they are very young babies, but this nipping is done in a playful way and represents mock fighting and sparring.  as they get older, they tend to chew when teething and can have a tendency to start to bite a bit harder. If you’re on the receiving end of a play bite, a ferret will sometimes let out a high-pitched squeal or hiss to let you know of his annoyance or submission. As they get older, ferrets lessen their chewing and if you train them correctly, will almost never nip a human hand or if they do, will only do so very gently. Just be warned though, that some ferrets who have been abused or are in extreme pain may bite you and they are capable of strong bites which will break through your skin.

Ferrets can be trained to use a litter box, just like cats but they aren’t always completely litter box trainable. They instinctively spread their waste to scent mark a wider foraging territory for themselves so it’s sometimes a good idea to provide them with multiple litter boxes.  As with cats, their litter boxes will need to cleaned out on a very regular basis.

Unlike dogs and cats, many ferrets display little homing instinct and don’t thrive as strays so some ferret owners train their ferrets at a young age to respond to clicker toys, squeaky toys or to the sound of their own food being shaken as a means of tempting the ferret to come back. This is a good way of keeping your ferret under some type of control as wandering ferrets can easily be injured or killed by other animals, local wildlife or passing cars.

The ferret’s small size and speedy nature makes it easy for them to be stepped on so it is adviseable to walk slowly and not shuffle your feet off the floor higher than the height of your ferret so that you don’t tread on him. A ferret’s long spine is very delicate and can be severely damaged if stepped on and care must also be taken when handling him to avoid injury.

Some owners may prefer to house their pets outdoors in sheds, and not indoors. This is becoming more popular, and we at ideas-4-pets have sold many outdoor cat kennels which have been slightly altered to suit the needs of the ferret.  If your ferret is to be kept outdoors, the outside kennel is ideal as it keeps them contained and stops them from placing themselves in dangerous situations or escape situations.

Ferrets can make good pets for some children, but usually don’t make good pets for the very young. As mentioned before, ferrets are capable of delivering a strong bite which can be almost as strong as a domestic cat, so should never be left unsupervised near small children.  Children have been known to accidently hurt a ferret due to rough handling and the ferret will see this as an attack and fight back, so you must make sure that your child learns how to handle the ferret correctly and safely to prevent this from happening.

Once you have decided whether to keep your ferret indoors in a ferret cage or outdoors in a kennel of some sort, then you must consider what to feed him on.  A ferret’s natural diet used to consist of whole small prey, including any feathers and fur and some ferret owners feed their ferret with a meat-based diet consisting of small animals like mice and rabbits along with raw chicken or beef. However, there are some good quality commercial ferret food on the market and your vet would be able to advise you on the best type to purchase. 

Ideally, ferret food should contain a minimum of 32% meat based protein and 18% fat with a maximum of 3% fibre.  Ferrets also particularly enjoy raisins, bananas, peanut butter and certain breakfast cereals but the the high sugar content of these types of treats has been linked to ferret insulinoma and other diseases. Vets tend to recommend that you don’t feed these types of foods to ferrets at all.

As with all pets, make sure that you ferret has easy access to clean, fresh water and keep his kennel or cage scrupulously clean at all times to ensure that your pet remains fit and healthy.

Today’s busy lifestyles mean that cats, with their independent natures, are winning the hearts and affections of millions of families in the UK.Whereas a dog relies on its owner for both emotional and social support, a cat will think of its owner as a friend and won’t suffer from having no-one to dictate its behaviour.Before looking at cats it’s worth considering what the initial outlay will cost you. You will require a quality cat bed, maybe a cat carrier to transport your cat to the vet, the kennels, etc. Cat bowls will also be required and maybe a cat blanket or throw to protect your furniture if you choose a cat that sheds its hair frequently. Cats need to sharpen their claws and to prevent them from doing this on your furniture it is recommended that you purchase your cat a cat activity centre or cat scratcher for this purpose. Any other cat toys will be much appreciated by your cat and will help to keep her amused and out of mischief when you are not with her.The next question to ask yourself is what breed of cat is right for you and your family. There are huge numbers of different cat breeds to choose from and most of these breeds are easily adaptable to home living and will make excellent pets for you and your children.

Read up on the different breeds of cats available and talk to other cat owners and breeders.

Some breeds of cat can be very loud and noisy - if you don‘t mind the noise the choose a Siamese or a Burmese or even the Korat. If you prefer to have a quiet cat then look towards a Scottish Fold, Somali or American Curl.

Do you prefer an independent, aloof cat or one that is more affectionate and loves to be cuddled and petted. Before choosing, bear in mind the amount of time you will have with your cat. If you have lots of time available then a cuddly cat who craves attention would be a great choice.  Likewise, if you have children who want a pet they can play with, then an affectionate cuddly cat would be a good choice.

If you have to go out to work and your cat will be left for long periods of time alone, then you might want to consider a cat kennel so that you cat can smell the outdoors and have some fresh air.  Ideas-4-pets have a selection of cat kennels for you to choose from ranging from a small kennel for one or two cats to much larger ones for those of you who own several cats.

The friendliest cat breeds tend to be the Maine Coon, Abyssinian, Snowshoe, Ragdoll, Tonkinese and Himalayan Persian. Less sociable and more aloof breeds include the Nebelung, Russian Shorthair and the Norwegian Forest cat.

If you a cat that won’t get into constant mischief, and is happy amusing herself, then don’t choose a Siamese, Rex, Sphynx, Balinese or British Angora because these cats have bundles of energy and are very curious. These breeds are best left for someone who has lots of free time to spend with their cat and doesn’t go out to work. These breeds can be a great source of entertainment and in fact the Rex can be enjoyable and silly to watch as he attempts to amuse those around him.

And don’t forget the standard “moggie” who we all love and who come in all shapes, sizes and colours.  If you can, take a look at the mother cat or both parents if possible, so that you will have an idea of your cat’s size and temperament, etc.

Another important feature to consider when choosing your cat is whether you want to own a long haired or short haired breed. If you go out to work or have a hectic social life then choose a short haired breed because the long haired cats do need to be groomed regularly in order to keep them happy and healthy and to prevent matting and knots. ideas-4-pets have grooming tables to make this job easier for you and your cat.

Once you’ve read up on the many different cat breeds and their unique features, you should be in a position to be able to start choosing your new cat.  However, you should also decide whether to go for a kitten or an adult cat. There are pros and cons for both and the homing centres very often have lots of older cats who have been abandoned and these are often hard to place, so worth considering giving a lifetime home to.

The next time you take a look at parrot cages just keep in mind that it’s not only a metal frame that keeps your bird from flying away. Parrot cages are built to designs that are based on extensive knowledge of the bird and their needs.

These cages are made specifically to ensure that the parrots are comfortable.  One should remember that the bird cage will be your pets’ home for most of its life.

Good quality parrot cages are usually made of strong, powder coated metal. Then for safety they are finished with non toxic paint. It is likely that your parrot will have a good chew on the cage so it needs to be safe to do so.

When all is done perfectly it all results in a good quality long lasting cage that will ensure a safe environment for your parrot.

Ideas 4 Pets parrot cages differ in sizes and shapes depending on the parrot they will house. Depending on the size or quantity of your parrots, we can help you get the perfect housing for your parrot and our prices are very competitive.

Depending on where it will be placed you will also see if you need any another accessories for the cage like a cage cover.

If you are thinking of purchasing a dog then you will be in a spin as to what breed will best suit your needs.

If you want a little dog that loves to sit on your knee, cuddle up in bed beside you and is generally cute, intelligent, loveable and mischievous then perhaps a Yorkshire Terrier is for you.

The Yorkie is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world but I don’t think they’ve ever looked in a mirror because most of them seem to think they are the same size as a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler !!  They are full of energy and adore adventure, love and attention.  They are inquisitive, will often get into mischief and have a brave and stubborn nature but will make wonderful, devoted companions and a great watchdog.

Just purchase a cosy little dog bed for him to curl up in when he’s tired and a few little toys for him to play with when he needs some attention and he will give you lots of fun and enchantment every day.

Because of their many wonderful traits, the Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular dog breeds today.  He stands about 9 inches high at the shoulders and only weighs about 5 -7  pounds and have a lifespan of around 14-16 years. 

Due to him being so small and possessing many of the Toy breed characteristics like his alert, active and inquisitive nature, the Yorkie is classed as part of the Toy breed group rather than the Terrier.  Yorkies are sociable and outgoing, bold and unafraid of anything.  They love their family dearly and will bark incessantly if they sense any danger.  Yorkies do love to bark and this trait makes them great watch dogs but can be very annoying if you’re not prepared for it.

Yorkies like children if they have grown up with them but if you have a child, he needs to show the little dog some respect and learn how to play properly with the dog  as a Yorkie won’t think twice about snapping at a child if the child is unintentionally rough or is teasing the dog.

Most Yorkies don’t get along too well with other animals (including dogs) unless they grow up with them, but there are always exceptions to the rule.  If you do have other pets in the house, make sure you socialize the dogs well and remember that Yorkies, regardless of how well they are socialized with dogs, are not usually compatible with cats and are never compatible with rodents of any kind.  As mentioned before, the Yorkie was originally bred to hunt rodents and this is part of their natural instinct and can’t be trained out of them.

Training Yorkies is reasonably easy as they are very intelligent little dog and learn quickly.  They do well with basic obedience and should be trained early on so that they can grow up a credit to their breed.  A dog cage is a good purchase as your new Yorkie will feel safe from clumsy feet if he can hide away in his own little “den”.  Learn how to use a dog training cage properly and your dog will feel safe and secure and will also prevent him from escaping through open doors.  A puppy play pen will also serve the same purpose.

As with all dogs, to maintain a healthy life, a Yorkie must have the exercise he requires.  Yorkies love to run and should be taken for a walk for at least 15-20 minutes a day and some will walk for an hour or more if they get the chance !  However, if you aren’t always able to take your dog out for long walks, he can be equally active indoors and will find ways to amuse himself - fetching a toy, a ball etc.   A Yorkshire Terrier will live happily in both the town and country provided he is given the love, time and attention he deserves. 

ideas-4-pets also advise that you take your Yorkie to visit your Vet for regular checkups so that he can be tested and watched for common illnesses and specific health problems that affect the breed such as knee, eye and liver problems.

Although your Yorkie will not shed its hair, it will need grooming daily as they have long, silky hair that needs to be brushed and combed to prevent matting and knots.  A dog grooming table can make this activity easier for both you and your dog.  Some owners keep the hair on the top of the Yorkie’s head long and tie it up with a rubber band or ribbon to keep it out of his eyes.  If the long hair is too much effort, the dog will need his hair clipped every few months but will still benefit from daily grooming.

Look after your Yorkie in the way he deserves and he will love you back tenfold !!