If you have a dog or a cat, there will always come a time when he or she decides to go for a walk about without you. They love to explore, it’s in their blood, and if you don’t have your eyes on them all the time they can go wondering. This is why it’s important to make sure your dog or cat has a microchip fitted. These are unique identifiers that give authorities clear information on who the owners of the pet are and where they can find them. Contrary to what some people believe, they are not used for tracking cats or dogs, but they certainly will help find them. Microchips are extremely small as the name suggests they’re actually quite cheap to add and also quite easy to add too thanks to a small injection. The microchip will not harm the animal but it will serve a purpose throughout their life and as the famous saying goes “it’s better to be safe than sorry”.

Not every photographer is equipped to photograph pets as it’s completely different to photographing humans. With a dog or a cat, you have to be patient enough to get the animal into position, and even with dog treats in your pocket you may find that he or she is simply not willing to listen.

If you’d lie to get some professional shots taken of your pet, you may want the photographer to come to you. Events photographers are skilled in capturing moments as they unfold naturally, and you’ll get much better photos on a walk with the dog than you would in a photography studio. Animals are more natural and happy when they’re in their comfort zone, so always try to get the photographer to come to you if you want  the best possible results.

Some dog owners are surprised by the amount of affection received from their dog during the early stages of their relationship. You may spend hours and hours each day with them to begin with but of course over time when the dog is more comfortable in his or her surroundings, they’ll be able to spend time on their own. That’s not the case for all dogs though, and some dog owners let their dog rule them completely. They’ll only leave them for 1 hour max and even then they’re itching to return home. A clingy dog comes from clingy owners, and if you’re firm to start with, your dog will pick up on that. If his sad puppy dog eyes still work, he’ll continue to do so If he gets what he needs from you, meaning he’ll never leave your side. And that can be quite frustrating.

I recently had to look after my friend’s dog and though I was a little frustrated that I’d have to get to know this animal all weekend rather than doing the things I love, it turned out to be three days of fun. Usually doggy sitting can be a bit of a pain, depending on the dog you’re looking after, but the little Jack Russell was better behaved than I expected. When I walked through the woods not far from my house she never barked at another dog, she never walked to far in front and she barely stopped to sniff. Even in the house she settled in well and only barked a little. Usually I think dog sitting is a bit of a chore but this was so easy, and it really has to be the easiest money I’ve made. Perhaps I’ll become a dog walker now.

Exotic pets include snakes, terrapins, scorpions, lizards and frogs. Although these pets are popular, it is important that potential owners find out as much as they can about looking after these animals when bringing them home. These are pets which have a variety of challenging needs.

Some things to consider are:

· Life span of the animal, and how much it is likely to grow

· The food it needs to eat (how much and how frequently)

· Does it need a carefully controlled environment – reptiles particularly may become very ill or even die without the right environment

· Size of the enclosure – allowing for growth!

· Does the animal need to be alone or with others?

· Is the animal likely to be active in the day time or night time?

· Do you have a vet nearby who can treat your exotic pet if it becomes ill?

· Do you need a license or any special papers to keep this pet?

It is worth researching thoroughly prior to bringing your exotic pet home!

Pet insurance may be something you have never thought of. It is a very useful insurance to have! Should your pet fall ill or require unexpected vetinary assistance, insurance against these things can really save the financial day. What are the key factors determining the cost of a pet insurance policy?

Breed of pet: some breeds are more likely to suffer with illnesses or injuries compared to others.

Age: the same as humans, pets become more likely to need medical help as they get older.

Location: The pricing policy of the vet varies depending on where you live.

Types of fees covered: there are different levels of cover, as with most types of insurance.

Whatever you decide to do, always insure your pet as early as possible – just because your pet is healthy and happy right now, insuring your pet reduces the chance of your pet becoming ill or injured before taking out the insurance.