Year: 2009

Tips for Giving Your Dog Medication

For a dog owner and lover, nothing is worse than when your dog gets sick and requires medication.  Giving your dog medication can be a challenge, but if you follow these simple tips, it won’t be as difficult for you or your dog.  The type of technique that you use depends on the type of medication that your dog needs and you will learn quickly what works and what does not work for you.

  • Giving your dog a pill can be tricky.  You can start off by trying to giving it to your dog without the help of a treat or food.  To do this, place the pill in your dog’s mouth in the back of your dog’s mouth and massage the neck to help the pill down.  If you are having problems getting your dog to swallow the pill, place the pill inside your dog’s favorite treat and watch him to make sure the pill is swallowed.  If a treat does not work, you can try putting the pill in a hot dog and your dog is sure to take the pill.
  • If your dog requires liquid medication, a medicine syringe like the Easy Feeder Syringe for Pets by Four Paws works great.  Just load up the syringe with the correct dosage and insert it into your dog’s mouth.  This method is quick, simple and ensures that your dog gets the correct amount of medicine.
  • To administer ear medication to your dog, have your dog lay on the floor with his head on your lap.  Make sure that you can see the ear canal clearly, so that you can be sure of how many drops you are putting in your dog’s ear.  Once you have put in the correct number of drops, gently massage the ear base.

Remember to always speak gently when giving your dog medication.  Reward your dog with a tasty treat afterward for being a good dog!

Nugget Bird Feeders Make Bird Feeding Easy

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

Add a nugget bird feeder to your yard anytime of the year and you will be happy with the results.  Nugget bird feeders are easy to maintain and fill with bird seed nuggets.  Use a nugget bird feeder year round in your yard to help provide birds with a source of food throughout the year.  Nugget bird feeders are made of a wire mesh that allows the air to flow freely and helps to keep the bird seed nuggets fresh.  Your backyard birds will love to peck at the wire cage to get to the bird seed nuggets and you will attract woodpeckers, robins, and more with this type of bird feeder.

  • A stylish nugget feeder for your yard is the Deluxe Nugget Feeder 15 oz.  This nugget bird feeder is made of beautiful copper and looks great placed anywhere in your yard.  It is designed to hold approximately 15 oz. of C and S bird seed nuggets and requires no assembly. 
  • The Mini Wire Nugget Feeder is an ideal feeder to place in several locations around your yard.  This smaller nugget bird feeder is perfect for a deck or porch area and has a green plastic coating that blends in well with nature and helps to prevent the bird feeder from rusting. 
  • To fill up your nugget bird feeder use nuggets like the C and S Nuggets.  These nuggets consist of bird seed suet in a nugget shape that is easy to use and is available in a variety of tasty flavors that birds love to eat.  Nuggets are great for winter bird feeding and may also be mixed in with bird seed.   You will see less seed mess and less wasted bird seed.

Using a nugget bird feeder throughout the year is an easy and convenient way to feed the birds in your yard.  For a great selection of bird feeders, check out Rachel’s Robin.

Happy Christmas from RachelsRobin Wild Bird Supplies

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

It is with great warmth and kindness that the staff at RachelsRobin.com would like to extend holiday wishes to all our customers and wild bird lovers in the world!

In many parts of the US, the winter months prove very hard on our beautiful chirping friends and we are proud to be part of a family that not only enjoys wild birds, but also takes strides to ensure thier safety year round.

Remember to provide Suet Cakes for energy during the winter months.

Stock up from now until the end of the year on all wild bird feeders, suet, seed and bird baths with coupon: christbday.  Save $10 on all orders >$75 on ALREADY REDUCED wild bird stock.

Merry Christmas to all – we appreciate your patronage, without you … the world would be a little bit less of a beautiful song!

Picture above right is Pine Tree Farms Hi-Energy Suet Cake – perfect for this time of year!

Winter Fun for Your Dog

Keeping your dog active in the winter can be a challenge when the weather gets cold and messy.  It is important for your dog’s mental and physical well-being to exercise your dog all year long.  When taking your dog outside for a walk, it is a good idea to choose a day that is sunny and not bitter cold.  It is also a good idea to use winter gear for your dog for those cold winter days.  Here are some fun activities that you can do with your dog on a winter day:

  • Take your dog for a brisk walk.  When you are your dog are moving at a steady pace, you can keep your body temperature up and won’t feel the cold as much.  Use a retractable leash to keep a tight rein on your dog and prevent him or her from stopping to sniff every minute.  A great retractable leash to use is the Flexi Elegance Retractable Dog Leash by Flexi USA.
  • Play a game of catch.  If your dog loves to play ball, take your game outdoors for lots of fun.  Use a bright colored ball that is easy to see and one that is made of a soft, waterproof material that is easy on your dog’s mouth.  One of my favorite dog balls is the Zoink Throw N Glow Ball.  This fun, colorful ball is easy to spot in the grass or snow and even glows in the dark for nighttime fun with your dog.
  • Don’t forget to snuggle.  After having some fun with your dog outdoors, spend some quality time snuggling together on the couch.  The Snuggie For Dogs is the perfect blanket for your dog to wear and stay warm in.  This wearable dog blanket is made of soft cozy fleece and coordinates with the adult snuggie.  Perfect for any winter night!

Ready-to-Hang Bird Feeders are Perfect for Winter Bird Feeding

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

When it is cold and snowy outside, it can be difficult to get outside to fill up your bird feeder for birding feeding.  A ready-to-use bird feeder makes feeding the birds simple, easy, and quick.  Just hang up the ready-to-use bird feeder in your yard and watch the birds feed from the bird feeder all season long.  This type of feeder requires no extra work and is easy to hang on a tree branch or a post in your yard.

A great ready-to-use bird feeder for a variety of birds is the Peanut Delight Log by C and S Products.  This ready-to-use bird feeder is made of peanut butter suet that is sure to attract all kinds of birds to your yard this winter.  Log may be hung or mounted to a pole and requires no maintenance. 

The Ready to Use Nyjer Sack is ideal for feeding finches and other types of songbirds in warmer, winter climates.  The sack is pre-filled and only requires installation on a pole or tree branch.  Stay warm and watch the finches come to your yard for a great snack. 

To give the birds an extra boost of high energy during the winter to help them get warm, try feeding the birds the Hi-Energy Hanging Suet Feeder.  This suet is made of a variety of high protein seed and high fat beef suet that is great for winter bird feeding and may be given to any bird during the winter.  Just hang in a tree branch or on a post for the birds.

A fun ready-to-use bird feeder is the Birdie Chalet Suet Cake by Pine Tree Farms.  This ready-to-use bird feeder contains all kinds of wholesome ingredients that are healthy for the birds in a cute chalet shape.  Your birds will love the peanuts, blueberries, and more.  Great for year round bird feeding!

Powerview Compact Binoculars for BirdWatching

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

Bushnell Powerview 10×25 Porro Prism Binoculars 139025 belong to well-known Bushnell Powerview Binoculars series.

These make a great gift for the bird lover on your list!

At prices that don’t make owing one of each out of the question. The porro-prism Powerview binocular is a combination of precision optics, durability and styling that will make the most of your time outdoors.

All binoculars are labeled with numbers delineating their size and magnification. These numbers might look like 10×25 (read as 10 by 25). The 10 in this example is the power or magnification. The 25 is the diameter (in millimeters) of the objective lens, the end through which light enters the binoculars. These numbers define only magnification and size and not any other aspects of the image or optics quality.

Full-size binoculars generally range from 7 to 12 power. The objective lenses range from about 30 to 50 millimeters in diameter. Of these sizes the most popular are powers from 8-10.5 with 40-50 millimeter objective lenses. The objective lens diameters for scopes are larger and the most popular top out at about 85 millimeters.

Product Specifications

Power x Obj. Dia. 10×25
Field of View 262 ft. @ 1000 yds.
Exit Pupil 2.5 mm
Eye Relief 11 mm
Dimensions N/A
Close Focus 9 ft.
Weight 9.1 oz.
Weatherproofing None
Prism Material BK-7
Coatings Fully Coated
Armoring Rubber
Eye Cups Rubber Fold-down
Design Type Reverse Porro Prism

Using Natures Miracle in the Washer?

Yes you can!

Natures Miracle can be used for laundry. For general cleaning and deodorizing, use two cups of Natures Miracle in place of laundry detergent in cold water only, on delicate setting. Do not use a dryer or hang outdoors in the sun to dry, as heat can weaken the enzymes in Natures Miracle and render them ineffective.

If you have clothing with a strong urine odor, it is advisable to soak the garment in full strength Natures Miracle for 10-15 minutes, and then hang indoors to dry naturally. Natures Miracle can also be used as a pre-wash to freshen your regular laundry. Using the best odor eliminator, can really help get rid of the urine odor.

Natures Miracle can be used for a variety of different purposes, too.  Some include cleaning bird cages, pet living areas, litter boxes, and other areas that animals frequent. It is also very effective in removing any organic stain, such as food, blood, dirt, grass, grease, lipstick, coffee, wine, smoke, perspiration, etc.

Since 1981 Nature’s Miracle has continued to develop innovative products for use with pets. They have expanded beyond the original Stain & Odor formula, branching out to training aids, cat litter and other products.

What started out as dumb luck has evolved to a line of safe and effective products with pets and pet parents’ needs in mind.

Warm, Winter Jackets Perfect for Your Dog

If you haven’t gotten your dog a warm jacket yet, now is the perfect time to get one.  Dog jackets are ideal for keeping your dog warm when she needs the extra warmth and also make a great gift for your dog during the holidays.  When choosing a dog jacket, pick one that is long enough to cover your dog’s body and preferably one that has a hood with sleeves for the front legs to help keep your dog even warmer on really colds days.  Here are a few really great dog jackets that are sure to keep your dog warmer when outside.

  • The Snow Angel Heated Parka for Dogs is great for dogs who live in really cold areas.  This dog jacket has a heater inside to help maintain a comfortable temperature for your dog when outside on a really cold day.  It is perfect for dogs that need the extra warmth because their fur coat is thin or really short. Your dog not only be warm in this coat, but also very cute!  It also features a hood and sleeves to give your dog even more warmth.
  • The Square Quilted Zip Pockets Dog Parka is another great dog jacket.  This jacket has a thick filling with a fleece lining to help keep your dog warm on the coldest of winter days.  The attached hood is perfect for keeping your dog’s head warm and comfortable.  The exterior is made of water-proof nylon that helps protect your dog from getting wet.
  • The Alps Hooded Dog Vest is great for days that are a little warmer in the winter or day who don’t need as much protection from the cold air.  This vest also has an attachable hood that will help keep your dog warmer and more comfortable when outside.  It is available in a fun boy or girl style to keep your dog looking his or her best!

Take Care of Your Backyard Birds in the Winter

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

Taking care ofyour backyard birds in the winter is easy and helps to keep attracting birds to your yard all year long.  By doing a few simple things for your backyard birds, you will help them to survive throughout the winter.  And don’t forget to maintain their habitat throughout the winter to keep them healthy and happy.  Here are a few tips for keeping up your bird habitat all winter long:

  • It’s cold outside!  Don’t let your birds get too cold outside by providing them with shelter in the winter.  While you shouldn’t have too much maintenance throughout the winter, it is a good idea to make sure your birdhouses have been cleaned out if they are no longer being used.  Also, choose birdhouses that can accommodate different types of birds, like the Starfish Retro Chic Birdhouse, which comes with an adaptor to change the size of the hole to suit a variety of birds.  You can provide the birds with nesting material, such as Nester Refill, when it is harder to find nesting material.
  •  Feed us!  Keep your bird feeders filled with lots of bird seed. It is a great idea to use larger feeders that can accommodate several birds at one time.  Also, choose a bird seed that is high in oil, which helps to keep the birds warm and toasty all winter long by increasing their amount of body fat.  A great bird seed to use is the Birdlovers Thrive RX Stress / Survival Blend, which is high in oil and protein.
  • Something to drink?  You may forget this basic need, but don’t because birds need a fresh supply of clean water all winter long.  If you have a birdbath, keep it clean and filled with fresh water.  To help keep the water from freezing over, use a birdbath heater such as the Economical Birdbath Deicer.  This heater just sits in the birdbath and all you need to do is plug it in. 

Fun Squirrel Feeders that Provide Entertainment in the Winter

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

Winter is a great time to observe the squirrels in your yard by offering them food to eat.  When most of the birds have gone south for the winter, the squirrels are still around looking for your yard for food and can be enjoyable to watch.  Watching the squirrels eat food is entertaining when you have a variety of squirrel and wildlife feeders set up in your yard.

A great squirrel feeder that is entertaining to watch the squirrels feed from is the Cobs-A-Twirl Squirrel Feeder.  This fun feeder holds four corn cobs and makes the squirrels work to get to the corn for a bite.  The squirrels have fun trying to maneuver around the feeder to get to the corn.  Hang this feeder on a tree branch near your home for a great show any time during the winter.

Another fun feeder for the squirrels to eat from is the Squirrel Corn Spinner by Aubudon Woodlink.  This feeder is made of wood and other durable materials and is made to last for years.  It holds three ears of corn and turns in a circle when the squirrels put their weight on the feeder.  This feeder may be hung in a tree branch or on a post near your home for a close-up view of the squirrels.

A simple squirrel feeder that is fun to watch the squirrels eat corn from and very economical is the Spring-N-Cob Squirrel Feeder  by Gardner Equipment.  Add an ear of corn to this feeder and watch the squirrel bounce up and down trying to eat the corn.  The spring coil is very sturdy, weather resistant, and will last for a long time.  Hang up a few of these squirrels feeders around your yard to feed several squirrels at one time.

Hanging up a squirrel feeder in the winter is great for feeding the squirrels, but will also provide you some entertainment when the birds are gone.  Check out Rachel’s Robin for a great selection of squirrel feeder and squirrel food.

And remember that if this winter you have a reptile as a pet to take care of your friend in cold times, remember that being cold-blooded they require some help when it is cold that is why you should find the best turtle basking platform this will keep your pet healthy and safe in winter.