Pet Abbey

Pet Carriers for Air Travel

Airline approved pet carriers are a must for getting precious cargo from one place to another in safety. There are many different choices to consider in pet transportation systems. It is important to make sure that the unit you choose meets the standards of air travel regulations for animals.

Different airlines may have individual requirements that vary from one air travel organization to another. Make some considerations when investing in a pet carrier approved for airline flight. It is wise to adopt a unit that is standard for a number of different travel companies.

Size is a crucial factor in choosing pet carriers that are airline approved. You definitely want your pet to travel in comfort. The ideal animal transporter should be nice and cozy while providing adequate space for your pet to travel comfortably.

Some airline approved pet carriers can be checked in as carry-on items. This is the ideal situation for most animal lovers who don’t like the idea of having to be separated from their travel companions. These pet transporters are typically designed for the smaller dogs and cats.

The standard pet shipper that can be used as a carry on item will be able to fit comfortably under the seat right in front of you. Of course, sizes will vary according to the size of the dog and the size of airline approved pet carriers for carry on travel. Check out the details before packing.

Style and design is another factor to consider in portable carriers for pets. There are a number of different looks that you may want to consider for your furry travel companion. The ideal unit is designed to keep the animal comfortable and safe while on the move. It should suit the airline requirements for carry on pet transporters. It should suit the size of the animal and it should suit your taste.

The types of airlines approved pet carriers include everything from totes to kennel-style designs. Personal preference is the deciding factor with many of these items. If they are approved for flight travel then they are probably safe and well-tested. The freedom to choose from different varieties of pet transportation devices is very appealing.

One design that stands out offers a softer alternative to the plastic-and-metal versions. These airline approved pet carriers are soft and have a lot of movement. They resemble duffle bags and they are made of mesh material that allows the pet to see well.

Travel with a furry companion doesn’t have to be a burden. If you have the right airline approved pet carriers at your disposal you will have a great experience.

Here are some airline approved pet carriers that fit most airline’s carry on requirements. Be sure to check the sizes against your specific flight’s requirements.

Teafco Petascope
Teafco Aero-Pet Carrier
The Pet Carry Den
Pet Pilot Urban Transport
Classic Backpak-o-Pet Carrier
Classic Pak-o-Pet Carrier

If you’re someone who is always on the go, the chances are good that there are times when you want to take your pet with you. Indeed, more people than ever before are bringing their furry and feathered friends along on car trips, camping trips, and even airplane trips. When you do, though, you want to make sure your lovable pet travels safely and in style. To help you find a pet carrier that fits your and your pet’s needs, here is an overview of what’s available:

Bicycle Pet Carriers
Bicycling is fun and great exercise. Whether you’re going to a nearby park or riding along a boardwalk, your pet will want to go along for a ride! Bicycle pet carriers come in two main styles: baskets and trailers. The best baskets weigh in a less than five pounds, and can comfortably accommodate pets weighing up to 13 pounds and standing up to 13 inches tall at the shoulders. Designed to sit on a bicycle’s handlebars, rip stop polyester baskets typically have sturdy carrying handles and a shoulder strap that can double as a leash. Baskets often have several cargo pockets to store your gear, and come with an adjustable safety harness and a high visibility reflector stripe.

It’s simply not safe to leash your pet to a bike, so a bicycle pet trailer is the perfect solution for taking your larger dog with you on your next ride. This type of pet travel carrier typically comes in two sizes, one for pets up to 45 pounds and another for pets up to 115 pounds. Pet trailers usually have zippered mesh “windows” and removable vinyl panels that you can adjust for the current weather conditions. With a wheel on each side, a pet trailer hooks to the rear wheel of the bicycle for a safe and fun trip.

Wheeled Pet Carriers
Whether you’re going for a neighborhood stroll or walking through an airport, you need a wheeled pet carrier or pet stroller. The main difference between a wheeled pet carrier and a pet stroller is that the carrier more closely resembles a mesh suitcase on wheels and the stroller resembles a baby stroller. Many carriers and strollers come in two or three sizes, with weight limits ranging from 8 pounds to 60 pounds. Some wheeled pet carriers are multi-purpose, and convert to car seats, backpacks, and pet beds. Others are suitable for carrying more than one pet at a time, which you might do for trips to the vet or to pet shows. These usually have two removable carriers that stack on top of one another in a stroller assembly.

Small Pet Carriers
Pet carriers for small animals like cats, rabbits, and ferrets allow you to keep your furry family member close to you. Best of all, small pet carriers come in a variety of styles, such as purses, backpacks and front packs.

Bird Travel Carriers
You no longer have to leave your feathered friend at home while you enjoy the great outdoors. With a bird travel carrier, you have an adventure pack that is easy to clean, comfortable to wear, and a snap to store.

With all of the terrific pet carriers on the market, there’s no reason to leave your best friend at home. Take him or her with you and create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime!

There’s no question that our cats are full-fledged family members. Their loyalty, their love, and their ability to comfort us are unparalleled. Sometimes, though, their hair or odors can leave an unwelcome footprint in our homes. Just as we clean up the spills made by our kids (or our spouses!), it’s up to us to clean up after our cats. Luckily, there are any number of products that make pet care a breeze.

Cat Litter Boxes
Cats are generally low maintenance pets, but their litter boxes often contribute little to you home decor, and can become a smelly nuisance. Today’s litter boxes, though, can bring a touch of whimsy to your interior design, while their functionality can put an end to messes and odors.

One line of litter boxes comes in an assortment of patterns and colors, from solid silver and solid black, to polka dot, leopard print and wood grain. The litter tray door pulls out, and a metal sifter rake pulls and lifts litter out of the tray for easy cleaning. Another ingenious design has a triangular shape so that you can easily place it otherwise used corner space.

If you want to make cat care even easier, self-cleaning litter boxes are the answer. One style has an internal grill that traps used litter. You simply roll the enclosed litter box on its side and remove the waste tray. Another type takes self-cleaning to the next level by having a slowly but rotating system that quietly but continuously scoops used cat litter into a receptacle. The ultimate litter box is one that automatically flushes cat waste down your toilet. Instead of cat litter, this box uses permanent granules that are washable. After your cat uses the box, the granules are automatically washed, disinfected, and dried. Liquid and any solid waste are flushed down the toilet with fresh water.

Kitty Litter
When it comes to kitty litter, many cats have a preference for one brand over another. But if you start with the right litter or are persistent, you can find kitty litter that can help eliminate odors while keep your cat healthy. One brand of kitty litter on the market not only neutralizes litter box odors, but also changes color if your cat has a urinary tract infection. Given that urinary tract infections can quickly become life threatening, early detection is key. It’s also helpful to have information about a potential infection to give to your veterinarian.

Shedding Tools
Many people who love cats are troubled by allergies, or by the cat hair that clings to furniture and clothes. Products that help with shedding take one of two approaches: either they work at the source of the problem (your furry feline) or they make it a snap to clean up hair off of furniture.

Cats typically shed their undercoat (rather than the hair you see), so a product that helps you remove hair from your pet - a “furminator” of sorts - means you’ll never see it on your couch. These products brush out the dead hair from the undercoat (but don’t cut it), while bringing your cat’s natural oils to the surface. Because this type of product also helps stops over zealous self-cleaning, your cat may be less likely to be bothered by hairballs.

Cat care isn’t difficult, and the great litter boxes, kitty litter, and shedding tools make it even easier!

Finding unique gifts for your friends and family can present a challenge, and most people never consider giving pet-related gifts. Since the chances are good that more than one person on your holiday gift list has a pet that he or she adores, why not give a distinctive gift that your recipient will treasure? Here are five great gift ideas to get you started:

1. Fine Art Animal Prints
Dogs may come in many shapes and sizes, but each has a personality all its own. One of the most delightful gifts you can give to a pet lover is a fine art print of his or her breed. One of the most notable artists offering fine art animal prints is Lorena Pugh. Her print, “Princess,” for example, depicts a white toy poodle laying atop a stack of twelve colorful pillows, while “Angel Face” showcases a gorgeous pug who has just snagged a cluster of grapes off of a dining room table. In “Chocolate Craving,” she realistically captures the yearning of a chocolate lab as he reaches for a tennis ball against a beautiful background of blue sky. These limited edition animal prints are sure to be treasured, as each comes with a consecutively numbered dog tag to match the tag in the print.

2. Crystal Animal Statues
Whether your gift recipient has a dog, cat, horse, or rabbit, he or she is sure to enjoy an elegant crystal animal statue. Typically made from 24 percent lead crystal, hand-finished animal statues are beautiful yet whimsical. Crystal animal statues can depict a wide variety of pets, from a sitting cat to a dog with a bone; from a turtle to a frog; from a horse to a mouse; and from a duck to a dove.

3. Stone Animal Statues
Who wouldn’t love a playful stone animal statue depicting their beloved pet? Animal garden statues are perfect gifts, as are stone animal statues for the home and office. While some statues - like a sleeping spaniel puppy or an eager dachshund - make you feel warm inside, others - like a cat holding a pair of binoculars up to his eyes, ever watchful for a bird - make you chuckle. Stone animal statues are available for virtually any type of pet, and are certain to be cherished.

4. Animal Posters
If you’ve ever owned a pet, you know how funny they can be. Animal posters depict pets in a variety of outlandish situations (remember the cat in “Hang in There”?), and are eminently affordable. An animal poster is sure to bring a smile to your recipient’s face.

5. Entertainment
When it comes to gifts for pet lovers, there’s nothing more unique that pet-related entertainment. There is actually a music company that creates music for animals, so consider giving a gift of music about and for cats, dogs, or birds. Another great gift idea is to buy a DVD or video that is designed to entertain your recipient’s dog or cat. Your friend or loved one can play the DVD or video while he or she is at work or out running errands - guilt free!

It’s both original and thoughtful to give a gift that acknowledges your recipient’s pet as a central part of his or her life. Pet lovers will appreciate and treasure your gift, whether it’s a fine art animal print or an entertaining DVD.

Cats have been raised as human companions for more than 6,000 years. Cats can be happily kept inside all the time, and an indoor cat is much healthier and safer than an unprotected outdoor cat. Cats like to see what’s going on outside.

Most cats will want to go out side no matter what, but cats are not a natural part of our ecosystem. The domestic cat is a descendant of the wild cat of Africa and southwestern Asia. Cats were introduced to North America by the Europeans who brought in large numbers in the nineteenth century in an attempt to control the rodent population. Cats who are allowed to roam freely outside are at risk for getting injured or killed by a car. Cats left roaming in rural areas have a fairly high incidence of FIV.

Outdoor cats have become a problem. Cats pose a threat to birds and other small animals, including endangered species. They kill between 4 and 5 million birds in the US each year, and they compete with native predators. Many people assume that a cat can provide a benefit by killing certain animals such as field mice, but these native small mammals are important to maintaining a biological diverse ecosystem.

Cats are also prolific breeders and female cats can have up to three litters of four to six kittens per litter per year. That’s up to 18 kittens every year for a single un-spayed cat. Cats want to climb trees, pounce on insects and do what cats are meant to do, but they need to be controlled. Cats make wonderful companions, but owners must prevent their cat from being a nuisance to neighbors.

If you want your cat to experience the great outdoors, an outdoor cat house and enclosure are good investments in time and money. Outdoor cat enclosures provide you with a way to allow your cat to roam in the outdoors safely and securely. Outdoor cat enclosures give kitties safe access to outdoor sights, sounds, and smells. Today’s outdoor cat enclosure doesn’t need to be just a cat cage, it can be a piece of art work to be proud of. Outdoor fun for cats and other small pets. Outdoor Cat Enclosures provide you with a way to allow your cat to roam in the outdoors safely and securely.

To pick the right outdoor cat enclosure you will want to make sure that the material that the enclosure is made out of has a small mesh grade, that it is entirely enclosed, and that it provides the cat with enough space to walk around and climb freely. One big difference between an outdoor cat enclosure and an outdoor dog run is that you must ensure the top is entirely closed for cats.

The award winning classic Kittywalk® outdoor cat enclosures stake quickly and easily into your lawn and allows your cat to relax in the fresh air, watch the birds, exercise and enjoy the sunshine without the risks of escape or injury. Kittywalk® makes their high quality outdoor cat enclosures out of sturdy industrial strength fishnet, weaved to a steel hoop shaped wicket that easily stakes firmly into the ground. The basic Kittywalk® unit can be attached to a cat door or left free-standing, and it is portable. Kittywalk® Outdoor Pet Enclosure Systems will endure rain or shine — from summer to winter. The material they use is weather resistant and will not rust, rot or mildew. Kittywalk® Systems are sturdy and help protect your pet friend from injury and attack from other animals. Kittywalk® has received numerous industry awards for innovative design as well as being featured on radio, television, newspapers and magazines all across the US. Their outdoor cat enclosures are designed to be connected together to form different configurations so your indoor cat can have plenty of room to roam outside and many different things to do. Kittywalk® Curves consists of  two or four 45 degree arcs that connect to Kittywalk® Systems enclosures allowing you to navigate your cat enclosure design around common backyard obstacles. Kittywalk® outdoor cat enclosures are fun outdoor containment systems that let your indoor cat safely enjoy the great outdoors.

GPS Pet Tracking devices consist of a GPS receiver and a GSM modem. GPS stands for Global Positioning System. GSM stands for Global System for Mobile communication. GPS pet tracking is used a large variety of applications, like determining where you are out hiking or in your car. It is also used for locating cats and dogs that get lost. GPS pet tracking is the most reliable pet tracking available and therefore is the most expensive. If you have a dog or cat that is an escape artist with cross-country travel on its mind, you might want to consider a GPS pet tracking device.

GPS is a satellite based positioning system that consists of a network of 24 orbiting satellites. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that are picked up and identified by GPS receivers. It provides accurate location and time information for an unlimited number of people in all weather, day and night, anywhere in the world. GPS has become a mainstay of transportation systems worldwide, providing navigation for aviation, ground, and maritime operations. GPS is rapidly becoming an integral component of the emerging Global Information Infrastructure, with applications ranging from mapping and surveying to international air traffic management and global change research.

More details: GPS consists of three segments: space, control, and user. The Space Segment includes the 24 satellites in 6 orbits 10,900 nautical miles above earth. They are placed so that there is always a minimum of 6 satellites in view at any time anywhere in the world. These satellites continuously broadcast position and time to users all over the world. The Control Segment is made up of a master control station in Colorado Springs, five monitor stations, and three ground antennas. The monitor stations track the GPS satellites that are in view and collect data, and they send that data back to the master control station. That data is then formatted and resent back to each of the satellites. The User Segment is made up of the receivers that allow operators everywhere to receive the GPS broadcasts to compute their precise position.

That’s how it works. Now back to those roaming pets of ours. There are several models of GPS pet tracking systems. All but one of them come with continual monthly fees, along with their steep initial cost. RoamEO is currently the only GPS pet tracking system that has just a one time cost. Zoombak, PetSafe GPS Locator, and Global Pet Finder all have monthly fees.

RoamEO is easy to setup to create a virtual fence anywhere you need it. You set it up just by walking the perimeter of your fence line, and it commits the coordinates to memory. Your pet wears a special collar, and you always know where your pet is. RoamEO’s pet tracking device can pinpoint your dog’s location and show you where he’s headed. RoamEO is designed to constantly track your pet, whether he is inside or outside the perimeter of your established GPS Fence. It is designed to track up to 3 pets at one time.

The bicycle — what a wonderful, freeing mode of transportation. The first bicycle was invented in Europe in the nineteenth century, and today it is the world’s most popular vehicle. The bicycle allowed travel that is 3 times more energy efficient than walking, and 3-4 times as fast as walking. Bicycles and horse buggies were the two mainstays of private transportation just prior to the invention of the automobile, and the grading of smooth roads in the late 19th century was stimulated by the wide use of these devices. Bicycles are a pragmatic, functional, and efficient component of a healthy urban transportation system. They are simple and elegant machines that attract just about every kid of all ages, from 2 to 92. Bicycling has many health benefits and does not directly contribute to global warming or environmental pollution. It is a wonderful sport that brings health and joy to millions of people everywhere.

Have you wanted to travel with your dog but find the whole thing too overwhelming? There are several ways of enjoying your bike and your pet at the same time — some are more safe than others.  You don’t have to train your dog to ride a bike himself:

With large dogs, you could do a fast version of walking the dog — you on your bicycle and your dog on a leash. Yes, this method gives both you and your dog exercise, but at what risk? You’ve increased the width that automobile drivers need to avoid, which may be fine on low speed, less travelled roads. But this is not advised on busier streets. Also your safety is now in your hands as well as the paws of your dog. Are you prepared for your dog quickly veering off track after a stray cat? What about your dog’s safety? Be careful not to run your pet too long on a hard surface. This can not only cause joint problems, but also bleeding of the paws. There is a lot at stake and a lot of uncertainties when you bike-jog with your pet.

You could take even more risks by allowing your dog to run ahead of you without a leash. This would eliminate the problem of your safety being in the paws of your pet, but it brings up all sorts of other issues, like laws. It is unlawful in most areas to allow your dog to run freely without a leash, no matter how well trained he is.

For small to medium dogs, there is a much safer method of bicycling with your pet — pet bicycle trailer. Actually, some pet bicycle trailers can accommodate pets up to 115 pounds. With one of these attached to the back of your bicycle, you can maintain your active lifestyle and get your pet out in the fresh air. Going to the park to give your pet a little fun and exercise? Why not get some exercise yourself on the trip there and back, without tiring them out along the way? You can put any small to medium pet in a pet bicycle trailer. Of course, it might take some getting used to and training, especially for the more high strung pets. Here are two high quality pet bicycle trailers: Track’r™ Pet Bicycle Trailer and Burley Tail Wagon.

Please, note these precautions when using a pet bicycle trailer: When riding, your dog should always be secured with the safety leash adjusted to the correct length. Do not exceed the recommended weight capacity of your pet bicycle trailer. Check tire inflation before every ride. Carefully check the connection of the trailer to your bicycle before riding. Be aware that riding with the trailer increases your braking distance and may affect your ability to control the bicycle. Thoroughly practice in a safe area before riding with the trailer in high-traffic areas. Always wear a helmet when riding.

There is one more way to enjoy your bike rides and your pets, too — a pet carrier that fits on your bicycle’s handle bars. This is only recommended for small pets up to around 15 pounds — your pet bike carrier will specify the exact weight limit. Now you can have your dog share in the fun of a bike ride. Bike ride with your pet in front of you with a center-mounted bicycle pet carrier. You’re closer to your pet and can better enjoy his company with a bicycle pet carrier, like the Pet Cruiser Sport Carrier and the Pet Cruiser Wicker Cruiser.

As with every mode of travel, there are precautions when using handlebar mounted pet carriers:. Never leave your pet unattended or alone in the basket while yiour bike is resting on a kickstand. Never leave animals confined and unattended in direct sunlight or where there is a risk of overheating. Be sure to secure your pet with the harness. Do NOT speed. The rider must wear an approved helmet. Do not ride when it is wet outside. Do not ride at night. Conduct a pre-ride check before riding. Do not exceed weight capacity limit specified for your carrier. Do not install safety straps in any way that will interfere with brake cables, brake levers, or gear control shifters of your bicycle.

Burley’s newest Burley Pet Trailer designed specifically for pets, the Burley Tail Wagon is the perfect way to transport your animal companions. Lightweight and built for durability, vented sides and a large front screen.

The Burley Pet Trailer is made from lightweight aluminum tubing and covered with a stain, mildew resistant, and water repelling polyester, high quality fabric. The geometry of each trailer is specifically tuned to reduce the weight on the connecting hitch, while at the same time providing an even balance point over the trailer wheels. This minimizes the load on the bicycle to maximize handling and ensure an extremely stable and secure ride.