Before you go cage shopping, it’s a good idea to decide what you are able to spend on a cage. It is important to remember that an appropriately sized cage of good quality is going to be more expensive than a smaller cage of questionable manufacture. You truly do “get what you pay for” when you purchase a cage. Expect to pay about $100-$200 for a good quality cage for a small bird, $300-$500 for a medium bird, and over $600 for a large bird. You may be able to find good-quality used cages for less through bird clubs, associations, or classified ads. However, used cages should be well disinfected. Like any other important purchase, beware of deals that are too good to be true: they probably are.

The size and shape of the cage you chose is very important. Round cages are never appropriate for any bird; they minimize liveable space and do not offer a corner to retreat to. Birds living in round cages often suffer from chronic low-grade stress, which can affect both their behaviour and their health. All cages should have at least one corner for the bird to retreat to. Birds generally use the top 1/3 to ½ of the cage; because of this, longer cages offer more flight space than tall cages. Dome-top cages offer more space than flat tops. However, cages with fancy scroll-work should be inspected for any areas a toe or beak could get stuck. Play-top cages can be an excellent choice for parrots, but a second play area should be purchased as well, as having alternate territories can help ease possessiveness. Be aware of the bar spacing- the bars should not be so far apart that the bird could possibly get their head through them, and not so small that a toe or foot might get stuck.

There are many cage materials to choose from. Brass or bass-looking cages, while often inexpensive, should only be used after being tested for the presence of lead, as a large portion of brass is manufactured with enough lead in it to seriously compromise a bird’s health. It’s important to match the material to the strength of the bird. Plastic cages are lighter and often less money than powder coated or stainless steel cages, but generally need replacing every 12 to 18 months. Plastic cages are inappropriate for all but the lightest of chewers, but are acceptable for most finches. Powder coated cages are a good middle-of-the-road choice, but bar-chewers may strip and eat the coating, exposing the difficult-to-clean and possibly zinc-laden metal underneath. All powder coating and/or paint should be certified to have safe levels of lead and zinc. No metal cage can be free of lead or zinc (the metal in metal cages have lead and zinc in them), but levels less than 90ppm is considered safe. Stainless steel cages are fabulous- difficult to break and easy to disinfect- but come with a significant price tag and are incredibly heavy and difficult to move. These cages are usually reserved for extra-large parrots, such as the large macaws and cockatoos.

There are many choices available when it comes to features. When inspecting a cage, check to see what kind of doors the it has, and what kind of locking mechanisms come with it. Doors should be large and offer easy access to every part of the cage. Locks should be easy for people to manipulate, but difficult for birds. Beware of spring-loaded locks; they often break or snap, rendering the lock useless or worse, exposing the small springs which a bird could possibly swallow. Decide what kind of feeders you want, as well; outside access is preferred by most bird owners. However, be aware that “guillotine” style feeder doors have injured, even killed birds attempting escape. If you have a cage with these kinds of doors, you may way to lock them shut when you are away. Many cages now come with seed guards. While these do help keep the mess down, metal guards can give you a good cut if you stumble into them, and they do give you another thing to clean! Larger metal cages may come with removable seed guards, but most plastic guards are permanent. Some cages come with stands, either built-in or separate, which often have storage space for extra toys, treats or food. Castors or wheels are a very helpful feature for moving large, heavy metal cages.

There are hundreds of possible conformations for a cage. It’s best to decide in advance what you want, and then look for a cage that meets those needs. By choosing the right cage, your bird can be guaranteed years of comfortable, safe housing.

Reproduced from bellaonline.

In spite of the ongoing recession, global sales of pet products continue to increase, with worldwide spending reaching 56.8 billion euros (about $81 billion), according to market research firm Euromonitor International. For the first time, as stated in report by Euromonitor, European expenditures exceeded those in North American with 21.7 billion euros (about $31.1 billion) spent on pet supplies in 2009, compared to 21.3 billion (about $30.5 billion). That growth should continue.

“For the next years, you can’t call anything recession-proof anymore, but within that context, pet food is,” said Euromonitor global research manager Lee Linthicum.

Euromonitor has revised its 2009-2014 growth forecasts for pet food and care downward slightly, he noted–from nearly 3 percent to 2.3 percent year-on-year growth, adjusted for inflation.

Still, “the human industry would kill for that growth,” Linthicum said.

In Britain, a relatively mature market, the growth rate for that period will be slightly below average at 0.9 percent. That is according to a February 2010 Euromonitor report titled, “Pets at Home sale underlines potential for pet superstore growth in UK.”

Products that offer convenience have been selling well, and premium products and discretionary items such as treats, clothing and high-tech gadgets remain surprisingly popular. A big reason for that, according to Euromonitor, is the trend toward humanization of animals, especially in Western Europe. People increasingly see their pets as members of the family, and spend money on them accordingly, said Linthicum. That trend is especially pronounced in the United Kingdom.

”Britain is an anomaly in the context of Europe. They’re more like America in terms of humanization of pets,” said Linthicum.

“The international pet industry is trying to overcome the present economic crisis with new products and innovations,” said Klaus Oechsner, committee chairman of the German industry.

Examples include products aimed at keeping pets fit and well: relaxing music for pets, special dog beds and toys. Another trend is convenience.

“While consumers place considerable value on the companionship that pets can provide, most want to minimize the time and effort they expend on pet-related chores,” said Linthicum.

“There is also a lifestyle trend, with really lovely accessories like collars, leads or bowls in fashionable colors,” Oechsner said

Pet Food Trends
Nevertheless, Linthicum said that Britons and other Europeans are not as likely as U.S. consumers to spend on whimsical items such as pet yoga and clothing. European owners are more apt to spend on health-related purchases, such as food for a specific breed, age or health condition, or food that is fortified with ingredients such as probiotics or omega 3.

“The same functional ingredients you’d find in human food,” Linthicum said. “They’re buying premium pet foods–Eukanuba, Iams, Hill, Purina One. With few exceptions, you’re not going to change your brand of pet food, particularly if you’re a premium pet food customer.”

Oechsner reported that pet owners also are interested in foods that are free of preservatives, coloring agents and other possibly unhealthful ingredients.

Despite the addition of human-type ingredients, an emerging trend is pet food that is “based as closely as possible on the animal’s natural nutrition,” said Hans-Jochen Büngener, chairman of the Interzoo exhibition committee, in a March press release. Alexandre Saiz Verdaguer, CEO of the European Pet Product Wholesaler Association, predicted that grain-free, 100-percent meat pet foods, “will be new mass sellers of next decade.”

Büngener also said he sees a trend toward more products in the food-supplement segment and expects to see many new products in the health and fitness segment introduced at the Interzoo trade fair in May.

Despite a willingness to spend on premium foods, Linthicum noted, “People are trading down within premium brands” — that is, they are still buying those brands, but choosing less-expensive lines. Pet-food companies may offer consumers some relief, though. Antje Schreiber, spokeswoman for the Interzoo pet-products trade fair, said that some pet food companies would reduce their prices.

Competition from Pet Superstores
Pet superstores such as Pets at Home, Fressnapf and Petco, may profit the most from consumer attitudes.

“People are shopping smarter, so that tends to favor pet superstores because they can still get brands like Hill’s and Eukanuba, but cheaper,” Lee Linthicum said.

Linthicum also pointed out that the superstores are adding more services, such as grooming and boarding and even veterinary services in some cases, making themselves into one-stop shops.

“It’s a retail format that seems to be working very well,” he said, pointing to the expansion of such chains as proof.

Though in some markets, such as Italy, Spain and Portugal, there is a bias toward smaller pet shops, “It’s only a matter of time till [pet superstores] are there as well,” he predicted. In those countries, the bias is mainly a result of the current, fragmented nature of retail, he said.

He noted that in France, by contrast, competition from superstores is held in check by zoning laws.

Linthicum said independent pet shop owners could best deal with the competitive threat in two ways: First, independent shops could “remake themselves into a destination in their own right,” offering their own grooming, training and boarding services. In addition, they can continue to do what they have always done well: Provide expertise customers cannot necessarily get at a superstore.

Aquatics
Customers’ willingness to spend on pets may not be as strong when it comes to fish. John Dawes, who reports on aquatic pets for Pet Product News International and other publications, said that some European fish importers and wholesalers are reporting increased interest in the modestly priced “bread-and-butter species” in preference to some of the more specialized–often more expensive -types of fish.

Small “nano aquaria” are becoming more popular in Europe and worldwide. They are attractive to consumers since they can be set up at a relatively low cost, and because they fit in small spaces. They are often sold in packages that include all the necessary equipment — aquarium, lights, filters, and stand — which makes it easy for people to get started in the hobby. Dawes noted that larger models are being introduced that stretch the meaning of “nano.”

Heightened awareness of the negative economic and ecological consequences of invasive species is starting to take hold in the aquatic industry and among consumers. In the Netherlands, several parties, including the pet trade organization Dibevo, recently signed an agreement to voluntarily refrain from selling and producing five pond plant species. In the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, the governments support an awareness campaign. The U.K. government launched the Be Plant Wise website to educate the public about the problem of invasive pond plants. It includes a video showing how to identify invasive species. In Holland, the campaign is now also supported by the aquatic industry, according to Dr. Alex Ploeg, secretary general of the group Ornamental Fish International.

“Increasingly, the industry is becoming involved in the consultation process regarding invasives with government agencies and is being seen more and more as being part of the solution rather than being blamed as part of the problem,” said Dawes

Herps
In the United Kingdom, reptiles have surpassed cats and dogs as the most popular pets.

“There has been a trend towards keeping some of the smaller Asiatic monitors over recent years, and crested geckos have soared in popularity,” said David Alderton, editor of Britain’s Practical Reptile Keeping (PRK). “People are predicting big things for hog-nose snakes, with the number of color morphs expanding rapidly.”

Bearded dragons are the most popular species, according to a recent PRK survey. Mediterranean-type tortoises are also favorites.

As for herp product trends, Alderton said, “Vivariums are definitely out for tortoises, especially Mediterranean ones.”

Most breeders now recommend tortoise tables as being the best environment. They are usually made of wood and often are available from companies that make rabbit and guinea pig runs, he added.

In other herp-product news, the PRK survey found that readers favored Exo-Terra brand terrariums — not a big surprise, according to Alderton. He said the appeal is likely the range’s adaptability and the wide selection of related equipment available. Alderton also mentioned that hobbyists are becoming more interested in providing the proper lighting — both to protect their herps’ health and to help encourage breeding.

Celia Amores has joined All Pet Supply USA as Sales Manager for the South Florida Market.  Celia will be responsible for expanding the business in the south Florida market.  Celia comes with several years of industry experience, primarily in the dog and cat segments.

Dianelys Amor has joined All Pet Supply USA as our Customer Service Manager.  Dianelys will be responsible for managing all of our customers’ accounts, logistics, and will oversee our Drop-Ship division.  Dianelys comes with several years of customer service experience working for companies such as DHL, Airborne Express and ADP.

Founded in 1990, All Pet Supply USA has proudly served the pet industry by offering the highest quality pet products to retailers in the southeastern US.  By offering some of the best quality product lines such as HQ cages, Marvelous Pet Supplies, FM Brown’s Sons seed and others, All Pet Supply USA has built a reputation for great quality at great prices while providing great customer service.  For a free catalog, please contact our office at Toll Free #866-702-5992 or via e-mail at sales@allpetsupplyusa.com.

Aside from the annoying itch caused by biting and crawling fleas – tiny insects that will gladly take up
residence in a pet owners’ own bedding or carpet – health concerns such as tapeworms can also
be attributed to these little bugs.

Fleas are an intermediate host for tapeworms. The cycle begins
when – during grooming or biting -
a pet ingests a flea carrying tapeworms. The tapeworm matures within the pet, and as an adult releases mature, egg-filled segments. The pet passes egg-filled tapeworm segments in its feces, and the segments rupture, releasing eggs that are eaten by flea larvae. When the fleas mature and select a pet “host,” the cycle begins anew. Skin irritation and allergies are also common side-effects of flea infestation. Fleas are most prevalent during warmer months,
but in some climates may be present year-round.

Pest deterrent is the best method to combat fleas, but it is important to note that effectively eliminating fleas means eliminating the insect at all life stages. Simply getting rid of adult fleas will not have the same lasting effect as also killing flea eggs and larvae.

TICKS

Whether the size of a pinhead or a dime, ticks are
bothersome pests that should not be ignored. Beyond
leaving bites that may become infected, ticks transmit diseases, including Lyme disease. Although there are about 200 species of ticks, black-legged ticks (also called deer ticks) are most commonly associated with Lyme disease.

The bacteria that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) normally lives in small animals such as mice and squirrels, and is transmitted to domestic animals and humans through tick bites. Animals that have contracted Lyme disease may exhibit symptoms such as pain, lameness, fever and lymph node swelling in the affected limb. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

Consistent pest management and promptly removing any
ticks that do appear are keys to minimizing the risk of tick-borne illness.

However, pet owners should exercise special caution when removing ticks, or seek assistance from a qualified veterinarian. Improperly removing a tick may leave its head imbedded, increasing irritation and the potential for infection.

MOSQUITOS

While mosquito bites are aggravating to
humans, they can pose much more serious health threats to dogs and  cats.
That’s because mosquitoes transmit heartworms, a dangerous and potentially
life-threatening disease. Just one bite
from an infected mosquito is all it
takes to transmit heartworms, and
even indoor pets are at risk from
the tiny female mosquitoes that
can slip through cracks around doors, windows and screens.

A veterinarian-administered exam is the only way to know for sure whether your pet has contracted heartworms. Once you confirm a clean bill of health, it’s important to keep your pet on a
preventive program, including
ongoing pest control.

Mosquitoes are also known vectors of West Nile virus. Although more common in humans and horses, the disease also can infect dogs and cats, resulting in swelling of the brain and other life-threatening symptoms.

Risk from mosquito-borne illness is highest during the warmer  spring and summer months, but depending on your location and climate, mosquitoes may be present year-round.

TriForce Flea, Tick & Mosquito repellent is now available at ALL PET SUPPLY USA.

As it is with humans, good oral hygiene is essential for the health of dogs and cats, says Bud Groth, president of Spring Park, Minn.-based PetzLife Products, Inc. The problem is that the need for pet oral care doesn’t yet have the same high recognition factor among consumers and even among some pet retailers, he explains. The result is a lot of unnecessarily neglected mouths.

Category Gaining Teeth
Educating consumers about the importance of pet oral care is simply good business for pet retailers. “This is a growing category, and a strong one for us,” says Nadine Joli-Coeur, co-owner of Natural Pawz, a retailer with six locations across Houston. “Vets are suggesting more teeth cleaning, so there is more general awareness and more concern.”

Natural Pawz carries products for cats and dogs, and focuses on natural foods and products, holistic health and pet accessories. Joli-Coeur carries dental care products in all six locations, and her inventory features an array of items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, liquids added to water to reduce plaque and tartar, dental chews and more.

“We’re seeing growing demand from dog owners, and also seeing a slight growth trend with cat owners,” she says. “We don’t usually have cat owners brushing their cat’s teeth; they’re usually looking for something to put into water or a hard treat.”

Dental-care products provide retailers with a chance to offer more value to their customers. Joli-Coeur says people will often come in with problems or questions related to their pet’s oral health, giving her an opportunity to connect with them in a meaningful way and to provide assistance.

These products also offer customer education opportunities. Take the seemingly simple chew, for example. Vetradent Inc. manufactures Bluechews, a dental health bar for canines, says Pam Alexander, president and CEO of the Ft. Lauderdale-based company. Because Bluechews must be chewed a certain amount of time in order to work, they’re sized to the dog, she explains. However, since there are more small chews per bag, compared to the larger chews, customers often economize by purchasing the smaller bag, making the chew ineffective.

“Customer education, in this respect, is essential,” says Alexander.

In addition to providing real value to pet owners, dental care products provide attractive profit margins for retailers, says Jorge Zarur, general manager of Houston-based Benedent Corporation, manufacturers of the Triple Pet Triple Head Toothbrush. “The markup [on the company’s toothbrush] is good and solid,” he says, adding that the product’s smaller size, relative to other inventory like beds, makes the category an even more profitable use of shelf space.

Promoting Awareness
As awareness about the importance of dental health in pets has grown, so has the range of products on the market. Joli-Coeur says she’s noticed, when attending industry shows, that there’s more of a focus on this category.

Groth agrees. “Oral care is becoming the most talked about issue in the health arena for dogs and cats,” he says.

The economy is playing a huge part in this phenomenon, fueling consumer interest in less-expensive alternatives to costly veterinarian-delivered dental care, says Groth. This has sparked no small amount of product innovation from manufacturers.

For example, there’s PetzLife Oral Care Gel (good for cats) and Spray, both designed to remove plaque and tarter, freshen breath and heal infected gums, says Groth.

From Ark Naturals Products for Pets come Breath-LESS Chewable Brushless Toothpaste and Breath-LESS Fizzy Plaque Zapper. The “toothpaste” is actually a bone that comes in narrow and wider diameters. The odorless, colorless and tasteless plaque zapper is added to water, making it cat friendly, says Susan Weiss, president of the Naples-Fla.-based company.

Then there is PlaqClnz from Phoenix-based SmartPractice. Consisting of three items–a pre-treat spray solution, an oral gel and an oral irrigator–the PlaqClnz kit is currently directed to groomers, explains Bruce Muller, the company’s director of marketing and sales. However, the gel is intended for sale to clients, affording an additional retailing opportunity.

As more dental care products become available and as more retailers stock these items, consumer awareness will increase, further fueling category growth. Manufacturers are determined to assist. Consider Vetradent. This year the company is focusing attention on in-store demos, signage, and developing an educational DVD they’ll send to retailers and also post on their website.

But retailers must do their part through innovative displays, moving the items to prominent locations in the store, samplings and demos, promotions, and staff/customer education, says Weiss, who also suggests taking and posting photos of satisfied customers and their pets.

“The market is still too green for people to be walking into the store looking for [these items]” says Zarur. “They just don’t realize this opportunity exists, and that the opportunity exists to save money.”

Originally published at www.petbusiness.com

The addition of Marvelous Pet Supplies adds a luxury wrought-iron bird cage line to All Pet Supply USA’s existing line of HQ Economy bird cages.  Marvelous Pet Supplies also offers wrought-iron cages for small animals such as rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs.

Continuing its expansion into the dog category beyond standard crates and carriers, All Pet Supply USA is proud to offer Tradewinds’ line of flea, tick and mosquito squeeze-on applicators.  Sold under the Tri Force brand, Tradwinds’ products help customers protect dogs and cats from major pet pets and diseases.  Bergan’s line of fine pet carriers and dog beds offers a great complement to All Pet Supply USA’s existing line of hard goods.  Nootie’s revolutionary shampoo & daily spritz in a single bottle offers customers two luxury products in a space-saving and functional package.

Founded in 1990, All Pet Supply USA has proudly served the pet industry by offering the highest quality pet products to retailers in the southeastern US.  By offering some of the best quality product lines such as HQ cages, Avian Adventures, FM Brown’s Sons seed and others, All Pet Supply USA has built a reputation for great quality at great prices while providing great customer service.  For a free catalog, please contact our office at Toll Free #866-702-5992 or via e-mail at sales@allpetsupplyusa.com.

Openings in the front and top allow easy access for puppy and owner. Screen meshes surrounding the puppy provide excellent ventilation. Measuring 24x16x16”, the BD24 is the perfect size for puppies, mini and toy breeds.
The #BD24 comes packaged in a single box measuring 24x18x4” and is available in Wine/Black and Blue/Gray.

With a solid customer base built on quality and superior customer service, All Pet Supply USA looks to continue the tradition of taking care of pet stores and their customers. All Pet Supply USA proudly distributes HQ cages, FM Brown’s Bird Seed, Blue Dog Pet Products and many other popular pet product lines. For a free catalog, please contact our office at Toll Free #8667025992 or via email at sales@allpetsupplyusa.com.