Congratulations! The decision has been made to have your own backyard chicken coop.  While the trend to have a backyard chicken coop is growing, let’s make sure that even after some research has been conducted that we touch on a few more pros and cons.

PRO:

I DEFINITELY WANT MY OWN BACKYARD CHICKEN COOP!

But Why? Don’t they poop everywhere?

Yes they do. They Poop. Everywhere. But this is a Pro.

Chicken poop is full of nitrogen. If your backyard chicken coop is for the hens to sleep in and the whole yard allows for the chickens to be free range, then when the chickens do their business the lush ingredient makes for wonderful fertilizer.  The lawn will be a fuller green and foliage around the yard will grow stronger.

Now, if there’s a patio or a Pet Gazebo in the backyard, be warned that they’re both destined for poop coverage. Also, allowing the free range practice of chickens in the yard they become one of the best pest controllers out there. Imagine never finding a spider in the backyard again. Do you suffer from arachnophobia?

It’s Just a spider, Jarred.                                                          I’m not going to apologize, Carl.

If you do fear spiders, then you can count on your chickens pecking away and eating them.  From centipedes, snails, ticks, flies and anything else one may consider a pest, they will prowl and be on foot patrol all hours. Chickens also have a taste for scorpions. This allows for the fear of dark corners and what’s possibly in your shoes to be lessened.

Don’t have bad mojo.

Then they’ll eat more, poop even more and scratch the fowl feces into the lawn. Seriously, it’s all good stuff.  Just make sure you clean your shoes before going back into the house.  Poop prints on the floor isn’t the most desirable.

Seriously Though, Chickens are hilarious!

They call me Frank

They will most likely associate their owners with food and come running across the yard in anticipation of the eats. Remember that this is not attack mode. A chicken running to you at full speed may induce fear, but they just want to be loved, and fed, a lot.  Plus, the care for them is pretty basic. All chickens really need are food, water and a little exercise.

The blue brings out your eyes, Stefan.

EGGS! FRESH EGGS!

Chances are if you’re about to get a backyard chicken coop you aren’t vegan and enjoy eating eggs.  There are many great benefits to eating eggs. This link provides in depth information about the nutrition gained from eating an egg. The control of what food is provided to the chickens is obviously up to the owners, but remember whatever they are fed will go directly into their eggs. So if they get the left over veggies from the house that circulates back to us, that’s a secret way to get additional nutrients. Fresh eggs have a thicker egg white and the yolk is more vibrantly orange. Having three to four hens should provide a small family with enough eggs to go around.

CON:

I DEFINITELY WANT MY OWN BACKYARD CHICKEN COOP!

But Why? Don’t they poop everywhere?

Yes they do. They Poop. Everywhere. This is a Pro Con.

It is stated above that it is a pro, but let’s face it. It’s poop. A lot of poop.

Let’s have fun with poop!

They’re also terrible drivers.

Is my blind spot clear, Felicia?

There really ins’t a ton of downsides to getting your own backyard chicken coop. Of all the research that was conducted for this entry, the majority of cons was about cleanup, noise and the fact that the backyard essentially becomes the chickens home (if free range) and lost is other backyard activities, like house party barbecues.  Clearly there’s always sacrifices that need to be made when taking on chickens.  Knowing this information upfront always clarifies the decision. Care needs to be taken to ensure the safety of your new chicken family. Predators are a risk that need to be addressed, especially if you have a dog. The biggest threat may be your own.

Don’t think those that live in urban areas are out of the woods.  This article from National Geographic regarding coyotes living in Downtown Chicago is a fascinating read. Don’t think that only rural areas are threatened by predators.

Now after discussing some of the pros and cons about having a backyard chicken coop let’s get back to the title of the article, “Does my neighborhood allow a backyard chicken coop?” One quick internet search gave all the information that we need to find out if we in fact can have a backyard chicken coop in the neighborhood. This website was the most specific to almost every county and town that was found. It even offers interesting facts like, there’s a town in Wyoming that doesn’t allow a backyard chicken coop but does allow a person to keep a maximum of twelve pigeons as pets.

The Pigeon Pageant

Good luck! And we hope chickens are legal in your neighborhood. Enjoy the fresh eggs, hilarity, poop and pest protection!

As December rolls around, the temperature is dropping and fireplaces laced with stockings are heating up. Depending on where you live, snow may be falling or it may just be way too cold in the morning for you at 40 degrees. Whatever your situation may be, we all know one thing: It’s getting cold. Just because your dog has a fur coat, doesn’t mean he can’t feel it too. We may not be able to tell you how to keep yourself warm, but here are some outdoor pet safety tips for the upcoming winter months.

Image courtesy of Jon Wick

Let Your Dog Keep His Coat

If you’ve been shaving your dog’s coat down to the skin during the summer, it’s a good idea to let it grow out for the winter months. The best thing to do is keep it trimmed so snowballs and ice don’t get caught up in the fur. However, letting your dog keep his coat is one of the most important outdoor pet safety tips for winter we can pass on to you.

Tip: If you’ve just shaved your dog, or if he has a short coat, buy a sweater for them to wear when it’s coldest out! It’s a good excuse for a fun and festive Instagram photo as well.

Image courtesy of Michael Gil

Preventing Itchy and Flaking Skin

During the winter months, the air tends to get drier and going to and from the cold of the outside and the heat of the house can cause damage to your dog’s skin. In order to prevent itchy and flaking skin, it’s a good idea to be waiting by the door with a towel to dry off your dog in wet weather as soon as he comes in. This will also protect your floors and furniture from becoming wet and ruined! Additionally, getting a humidifier will not only help keep your dog’s skin soft, but yours as well!

Image courtesy of David Nagy

Adjusting Your Dog’s Walking Time

Different dogs have varied limits based on their size, the thickness of their coat, and activity level. You should know your dog’s limits so you can adjust accordingly, especially when it comes to taking them for a walk. Your dog may get cold easily and may not want to be outside for longer than a few minutes at a time. Instead of fewer longer walks, it may be a good idea to take your dog on more shorter walks. This way, your dog still gets the exercise he needs without freezing his paws off.

Image courtesy of Martin Pettitt

Cold Cars Are Not Much Better Than Hot Ones

You know how in the summer social media is filled with warnings of keeping your dogs in hot cars? Well, same goes for cold cars. Just don’t do it.

Image courtesy of Camera Eye Photography

Playing Inside

Finally, your dog may get a bit restless from being inside more often in the winter. It might be a good idea to have a set aside, dog-proof (no sharp coffee table corners, for example) area to play with your dog. Whether it’s a game of tug-of-war or a ball that drops treats, give your dog something mentally and physically stimulating so he doesn’t take out his extra energy on your or your furniture.

Have any additional outdoor pet safety tips to share with us? Find us on Facebook and leave us a post with what YOU do to keep your pets safe in the cold months!

Another good way to keep your dog warm outside is to get him an insulated wooden dog house. Check out our selection of dog houses here, and keep your eye out for new ones coming out soon!

As the grey skies hide their summer blue and the winds from the south turn to arrive from the north, winter arrives bringing its eventual snow.  The leaves dance to the ground and blanket the lawn to hibernate for the season.  The world becomes barren with a desolate feel of quiet, yet still forming a striking beauty in the current landscape. Gone are the days of keeping dogs cool by sitting beneath our favorite tree at the park or escaping inside to air conditioning from the backyard after playing.

But wait! Did I read that correctly? The topic is keeping dogs cool inside during the winter????

Yes.

You read it correctly.

Now you may ask,  “Why would this be a topic? Why are we keeping dogs cool in the winter and not warm? OR!  Here’s a thought… maybe cool in the summer?”

I’m glad you asked. There are two reasons for this.

Think of Keeping Dogs Cool as in The Fonz.

Sup?

Yes, keeping dogs cool might be a subjective statement. But we can trust the Internet? Right? This link gives great information on what it is to be cool. The picture below, however, is not keeping dogs cool.

How Dare You

There are two types of people in this world. First are people that love to dress up their pets. The other type is people that think it’s utterly ridiculous to dress their pets.  Now, the one element that should be shared by all is the safety of our pets. Keeping dogs cool becomes mute when the care of our pets is necessary.  As an example… Those of us that live in climates where winter really takes control and streets accumulate ice and snow the salt that is spread on the streets can be very hazardous to our pets. Those little crystals are very hard and sharp. It could puncture the padding on the paw of our pets. This needs to be protected against while we go on our winter walks.

Here’s a link to an internet search for dog boots. Our dogs will absolutely be cool wearing these.

January 14 happens to be dress up your pet day. Yes yes, there’s a day for everything. But when done right this is a great day for keeping dogs cool.  PetMD has this article about the positive reasons for dressing up our pets. And not only are they keeping dogs cool in their slideshow, they’re keeping other pets cool too.

On the front of it being absolutely ridiculous, and we shudder at the thought of dressing up our pets and think that this no way near keeping dogs cool, this article offers a great argument for not dressing up our pets.

Safety is all about Keeping Dogs Cool.

We’ve touched upon the safety aspect up above. Remember that our pets are temperature reliant too. On those bitterly cold days when the thermostat is turned up to its maximum setting, keep in mind that the winter coats of our pets can’t just be unzipped and taken off. Keeping dogs cool inside is something that requires serious consideration if it’s too cold to go outside. We remember all too well the polar vortex way back in the winter of 2013-2014, and there were days that the radiator clinked and bounced and spat out a lot of heat. But during those days where the high temperatures were below zero we had to play indoors. Running around the house not only fogged up the windows but made us sweat. The heavy fur didn’t help keeping dogs cool, but we had to make sure that pets stay hydrated and cool down appropriately.

Yes, we can have hot dogs during the winter.

I relish the chance to play inside on this cold day.

This is a very informative list about all things safety related in winter. This list also helps translate to keeping dogs cool inside.  Keeping dogs cool is all about safety. We love our pets as much as you do and as pet parents keeping them cool is one thing, but keeping them safe, healthy and happy is our first priority.

I’m Cool and I’m Inside

The popularity of owning chicken coops in one’s own backyard is still growing.  Clearly we all want the best chicken coop possible but there may be times when amenities will be cost prohibitive. The best chicken coop doesn’t have to equate to being the most expensive.  Owning the best chicken coop for the yard can be attained in many ways. Here we will discuss a few avenues to get the best chicken coop possible.

ARE YOU GOOD AT BUILDING STUFF?

YES! I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NAIL HAMMER AND A TACK HAMMER TO USE TO BUILD THE BEST CHICKEN COOP.

Awesome! You are handy and fix all things throughout the house. An instruction manual is a reference and not a step by step guide. Being a Do It Yourself person is a great way to have the best chicken coop. Building something from pieces of practically nothing may bring a greater sense of satisfaction and care when it comes to the health of the chickens. A Simple Google Images Search reveals tons of blueprints, diagrams and plans that a crafty person can work with to make their own best chicken coop after visiting the hardware store for the materials. Don’t forget that the internet is not the only place to see out references for ideas. Your local library and/or bookstore may have plans as well.  As a person good at building stuff… a lot of materials may already be in your possession. Check the garage, attic, basement or that one side of the house that most people use for storage.

For those of us that like to be green, the ideas can be endless when it comes to utilizing recycled materials or items.

These chickens didn’t just cross the road… They OWN the road.

It’s not uncommon anymore to see rooftop gardens on the top of tall buildings in cities large and small. This idea isn’t limited to skyscrapers. If you go a traditional best chicken coop route or build your own with a roof, build it to sustain an herb garden and solar panels.

One can never have enough rosemary.

There’s no real reusable chicken coops available without the need to completely refurbish. But that doesn’t mean garage sales and local flea markets should be avoided. Those locations may very well contain an item that can be re-imagined into the best chicken coop.

If this vans a rockin… The chickens are probably having a party.

NOT AT ALL. I CAN’T EVEN CHANGE A LIGHT BULB AND I DON’T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BALL PEEN HAMMER AND A SHEET METAL HAMMER. DOES THIS MEAN I CAN’T HAVE THE BEST CHICKEN COOP?

Okay, so you can’t build anything at all. Not to worry. There are many options out there to purchase a chicken coop. Advantek has many products to have the best chicken coop in your yard including the Pet Gazebo that with added roosting bars instantly turns into the best chicken coop.

To begin your research…

Start Simple.

Where do you live? Is it urban, suburban or out in the country? Yes, you can have chickens in urban environments. How much room do you have for the best chicken coop?  How many chickens would you like to care for? Are there laws you need to abide by?

Don’t be egged on.

The last item that needs to be considered is security for your chickens from predators. Strict measures need to be taken to ensure the chickens are safe inside the best chicken coop and unavailable for predators.  Just to name a few to be cautious of..

• Hawk
• Coyote/Dog
• Raccoon
• Opossum
• Weasel

This list shows how chicken predators take many forms and there is a lot that needs to be considered for protection.

Don’t Even Think About it…

Whether you can build or you are only able to watch things being built there’s always options to not overspend and find the best chicken coop possible.

You may have seen on our Facebook page how we like to bring our pets to work. Well, that’s an understatement. Our four-legged friends are part of our every day activities, in and out of work, and they have inspired many of our product designs. Whether they’re testing our products or de-stressing us just by being in the same room, the Advantek dogs are one of our favorite parts about what we do. So, without further adieu, let us introduce you to our Advantek dogs.

Advantek Dog “Lily”

At 2 years old, Lily is the old lady of the Advantek dogs. She loves coming to work to play with the other pups and the people. She also loves playing with her new human baby, Carter. She also enjoys chasing her tennis ball and going for walks. She has learned about 6 different euphemisms for “walk” and starts bouncing off the walls whenever she hears them.

-Dave Pomerantz – CFO, Advantek Marketing

Advantek Dog “Molly”

Meet Moorpark’s Princess Molly Mae. Molly Mae is an 8 1/2 month old brindle boxer. She is originally from Fallbrook, CA and joined our family when she was 8 weeks old. She was born on Valentine’s Day and she is truly a sweetheart! Molly comes to work every day with her mom and some of her favorite toys. In between meeting, greeting and playing, Molly loves to nap…and she snores loudly! Molly makes our hearts happy!

-Beth Anderson – Director of Operations, Advantek Marketing

Advantek Dog “Willow”

Willow is a 5 month old Mini Australian Shepherd. She is a local girl, born here in Moorpark, CA. Holly and her husband adopted her in August at 8wks and she has been a ton of fun since. She’s as quick as can be and has been referenced to “being on springs.” She takes great joy in slipping out of Holly’s office several times a day and running down the raceway to visit her Advantek humans. She’s little, she’s sassy and plays hard.

-Holly Martinez – Director of Human Resources, Advantek Marketing

Advantek Dogs “Alli and Laci”

Laci (left) and Alli (right) prepping for Alli’s knee surgery.

Alli and Laci are sisters and are the senior ladies at the office. They are 6 years old. We put them to work at Advantek, they are our models. They are together constantly. When they lay down they are mirror images of each other. We have open space behind our home and they love to bark at coyotes, rabbits and squirrels. Both are very needy and just want to be loved and petted.  They love playing with the other Advantek dogs.

Coming up on Monday November 16 Alli is getting her knee ‘scoped so your positive thoughts and vibes are appreciated!

-Sandy & Joe Pomerantz – Owners & President, Advantek Marketing

Advantek Dog “Gemma”

CJ met Gemma when he was working at an event in Simi Valley for Theresa’s and had a booth next to a rescue group called Change of Heart. They loaned him Gemma to make the Pet Gazebo look better, and by the end of the day he had adopted her. He now brings her to work a few days a week.

-CJ Pomerantz – VP of Marketing, Advantek Marketing

Advantek Dog “Mylo”

Mylo is 8 mos old. He’s had a very exciting life. He was born in South Korea, and when he got too big to live in the city (about Yorkie size) his only options were to go to the country, where he would be kept as food stock, or to get saved by a rescue group here in the states. Luckily for CJ and his wife, Mylo was able to get a ride out to Los Angeles, where they met him and were able to adopt him about 2 months ago. He’s become a great little brother to Gemma, and they are so happy to have him.

-CJ Pomerantz – VP of Marketing, Advantek Marketing

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Needless to say, the Advantek dogs are a huge part of our lives and our work here at our company. Is your pet a large part of your life as well? Feel free to share your photo and story of your best friend on our Facebook page and we may feature it!

When doing research to find the best outdoor dog kennel for your climate the first thing that comes to mind is winter. Yes, we will discuss all things winter, but first let’s not forget that the other three seasons offer elements of surprise and potential danger to our pets.

BEST OUTDOOR DOG KENNEL FOR SUMMER

The heat this summer, I be like…

If you live in a summer like climate the majority of the year or experience summer for an all too short period of time there are many things to consider. Heat and excessive drought have plagued much of the west and parts of the  southwest this year leading to drying conditions and water rationing. Staying cool in the heat is a necessary element to keep our pets safe.

Please turn on the air conditioning.

Shade is a huge priority during peak heat conditions. Ensure that a roof is in place or a reflective cover much like the one Advantek has created. This Pet Gazebo is one of the best outdoor dog kennels available. The reversible tarp roof reflects heat in summer and when turned over keeps heat trapped inside during winter. Keeping our pets hydrated is a necessity. We aren’t all that different when it comes to basic needs. Having water available and in the shade will allow our pets to consistently have access and stay hydrated. Remember that unlike us, dogs can’t sweat, but just like us, they can sunburn if their skin is exposed or their coat is too short or fine during the summer. A box fan only circulates the hot air around, and since our dogs can’t sweat, it doesn’t help to cool them off. In extremely warm climates, an insulated dog house might be the best option for our pets. The best outdoor dog kennel for your climate might add a little to the electric bill but ensuring the safety of our pets is priceless. Connecting a cooling mechanism to a dog house will keep our pets safe during the heat and even the…

Wait for it…

Wait for it…

dog days of summer.

THE BEST OUTDOOR DOG KENNEL FOR SPRING AND FALL

Fall and Spring are essentially the same, but in opposite directions. These seasons are transitions and some days it may feel like summer and other days it may feel like winter but, at the very least, temperature conditions aren’t the biggest concern here. With transitional seasons violent weather may arrive. Hurricane season peaks in September and October for those of us that live along the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean, whereas Tornado weather accelerates in Spring in the Plains and Midwest. With such severe storm possibilities, hail, dangerous cloud to ground lightning and damaging winds can occur. Make sure to follow your local forecasts and weather service to ensure your pets do not have to battle Mother Nature when she is this angry.  As the onset of winter approaches the first frost or hard freeze is usually observed September through November.

Average first frost

If your pet is primarily an outdoor pet there are some things that should be done to winterize your kennel. Gravel is the preferred ground for pets. It drains precipitation better and is easier to sweep. Cement or other flat ground accumulates ice and snow much faster than gravel and once our pets start to run around on the snow it will compact, become ice and be much more difficult to remove. Spring and Fall have a lot of nights that freeze and then thaw during the day. Don’t forget that urine can freeze. If a frozen puddle occurs our pets could do damage to the pads of their paws if they get stuck on the ice. Installing wind barriers is a great benefit to ensure you have the best outdoor dog kennel for your your climate and your pet. Pictured below is a kennel with a clear plastic tarp encased around it. Preventing wind chill is a big way to keep our pets warm. Fall is also the perfect time to remember that with winter on its way, it’s time to stock up on food and treats so that if the power goes out or a storm traps us in our homes we can sustain living until a thaw or help arrives.

Plastic wrap around the prevents wind from coming in.

THE BEST OUTDOOR DOG KENNEL FOR WINTER

Look, winter isn’t all that bad, even with the polar vortexes and massive snowfall amounts the last few years, truth is, our pets like to play around in the snow. Exercise is still needed in the colder months, but just like with ourselves and our children we need to be careful .

Expect the Unexpected

Inclement weather in winter is nothing to take for granted. Subzero wind chills, temperatures and snowstorms can be of major concern to our pets. Within the kennel itself, four walls and a roof is needed. If one side is open, close it off with a tarp. Any doors that can be open and lead to drafts and drifts coming in need to be shut. Just like a leaky window with a draft in our home, the best outdoor dog kennel will be able to prevent those pesky winter winds from sneaking in. Our pets can be exposed to frostbite with out proper precautionary measures. It’s much better to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the dog kennel. Blankets on the floor help preserve some heat. If possible, one of the solutions to make yours the best outdoor dog kennel would be to heat the floors. It would be common to see pets resting on the floor instead of in their beds as they fell the warmth from the heating elements. A few ideas to have the best outdoor dog kennel for your climate would be to convert an area of the garage or patio so it feeds off heat from the house. Plastic is not the best material for any season as it offers no insulation.

I’m not smiling because the clothes keep me warm. I’m smiling because I look silly and am plotting my revenge.

We always want to ensure our pets are safe from all the elements that occur. We’re all concerned about the health and safety of all our family members and by learning about the climates we live in can only help us stay cool or warm and happy.

Now. I am adorable.

Unique Chicken Coops We’d Die For

A quick search on Google or Pinterest will show you that there’s a large amount of unique chicken coops that are being made for stylish chickens these days. With access to so many resources, people have become more creative with the way they are housing their chickens. From tree-hugging hutches to hobbit-style homes, there are so many creative and unique chicken coops that it can get easily overwhelming. Here’s five of our favorite:

1. Tree-Hugger Hutch

Image via Living the Country Life

Living green has never been so stylish. This hutch features 3 separate floors for your chickens to roam on. The best part – they will always have a tree to hug!

2. Cooped Up, Up and Away

Image via Pioneer Settler

Your beloved chickens are bound to have a crazy adventure in space in this rocket-ship-inspired hutch. This coop will fit up to 9 chickens, so you’ll have the entire team you’ll ever need able to go to Mars, where we heard they have water! Fresh eggs in space? Yes please!

3. Chicken Glamping

Image via Pioneer Settler

Ever heard of camping in your backyard? Well with this stylish glamper, your chickens will be able to every day! The benefits of this hutch are that it’s made out recycled pallet wood and it keeps your chickens save by being elevated from the ground. It can’t get much better than that in the world of unique chicken coops!

4. Hobbit Hutch

Image via Inventor Spot

Give your chickens a fabulous lifestyle in The Shire. Perfect for any Lord of The Rings fan, this hobbit hutch will transform a backyard into a magical land where hopefully the Eye of Sauron isn’t watching. Warning: This coop may make your chickens want to eat two breakfasts.

5. Modern Chicken Box

Image via One Hundred Dollars a Month

This modern chicken coop is perfect for any urban gardener out there. Not only does it provide your chickens with a colorful and attractive space to live, but it also doubles as a rooftop garden. This way, you’ll get to have fresh spinach omelettes every day!

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Which one of these is your favorite? While they are all very attractive, and some of the most unique chicken coops out there, it makes them very hard to come by and probably pretty difficult to build. For those of you who aren’t so good with hammers and nails, we have a variety of chicken coops that are very attractive and will provide your backyard chickens with a beautiful and functional place to live. Keep an eye out for new styles coming out in 2016 as well!

When it comes to providing for our pets we will go to any length to ensure their comfort and happiness. However, there are times when amenities may be cost prohibitive. But owning your own cool dog house doesn’t have to mean it will be an expensive dog house. Here we will discuss ways to get that cool dog house that will be the talk of the neighborhood and keep your pet cozy while not over spending.  

ARE YOU CRAFTY?

YEP! I can totally build my own cool dog house.

Fantastic! You’re a DIY person or one that knows their way around a toolbox. This method will be the most effective way to not break the bank. A simple internet search for designs or plans for cool dog houses (or the old fashioned way and seek out ideas at your local bookstore) revealed a lot of ideas and instructions on how to build a cool dog house using parts that are easily accessible from your neighborhood hardware store. The pieces you need may very well already be in your possession from previous projects. You never know what might be hiding in your garage.

If you’re a green driven person, utilizing recycled materials can create unique and cool dog houses too.  Here is one made from recycled glass bottles.

You can also be innovative and add solar panels or a small herb rooftop garden to your cool dog house.

While there is no real advantage or market for a used dog house, you don’t have to avoid visiting garage sales or flea markets to find the idea for your cool dog house. Many items can be hollowed out or re-imagined to cater to you and and your pet’s personality.

That old wood encased televsion or armoire that someone wants to get rid of could be the perfect base to structure your very own DIY cool dog house.

NOPE. I have no artistic ability or time. Does that mean I can’t get a Cool Dog House?

Okay, so you don’t know which side of a hammer is which. That’s fine.  There are many options out there ranging from plastic to wood to the durable cypress fir that Advantek utilizes in our dog houses.

Shopping for the cool dog house that is the perfect match will take a little research. You want to make sure it is ideal for your pet. Since we all love our pets, we may tend to overthink the process. This is normal and nothing to worry about. We all want to provide the best quality that we can.

Start simple.

Where do you live? Is it urban, suburban or country? If you have a balcony of only 20 square feet on the 25th floor of a high rise apartment building in Chicago you need to think about… wind… cold? (More on climate choices next week.) But if you live in Florida where the grass stays green all year and space may not be limited, your options are much more vast.  What is the size of your pet? Just because we love a design doesn’t make it the right choice.

Satchel may look happy in his cool dog house but we’d hate for him to bump his head.

Do you need to worry about predators? While we never want to think about it, we do need to be proactive and not reactive when it comes to protecting our pets.  Do you live in coyote or snake country? Don’t forget about the safety of your pet when searching for your cool dog house.  One option is to include your cool dog house inside of an enclosed structure. Advantek’s Pavilion Pet Gazebo is one such idea.  Inserting your cool dog house will provide your pet with additional protection.

There’s also the old fashioned way.  Go to your local retail locations and compare. While we may spend most of the time on the internet doing the research there’s still something about going out there and taking your pet with you (many pet stores welcome our furry family members inside) and letting them sniff out what cool dog house is for them.

Autumn is finally here and with it comes cooler weather, color-changing leaves, and our favorite: pumpkin spice lattes. The changing of the seasons is cause for much celebration, however it’s also a good time to evaluate your pet’s safety in the changing climate. So before you take a sip of that PSL, here’s a few pet safety tips to consider for Fall.

Keeping Warm Without Burning Your Pooch

Photo courtesy of Michel Filion

This is the time of year when fireplaces are crackling and space heaters are getting plugged in again.  Your pet will most likely get curious about the dancing flames and suddenly warmer-than-usual area.  Just be sure you keep an eye on your pet around heating devices at all times when they are in the same area.

Feed Your Pet More Food

Photo courtesy of Jörg Schubert

You may not be the only one eating more for Thanksgiving this year. Now that it’s much cooler, your pet will need to start generating more body heat than he did throughout the Summer. Not only that, but the cooler air may mean more energetic animals and more walks for your dog. The mix of a more active lifestyle and the need to create more body heat will mean that you may want to consider feeding your pet more food during this time of year.

Outdoor Dangers to Consider for Pet Safety

Photo courtesy of Aleksey Gnilenkov

Now that the sun isn’t scorching the hot asphalt and making the air hot and sticky, it’s more tempting to take your dog for impromtu walks. While this is good for your dog’s health, there are just some dangers you may want to consider for pet safety concerns. For one, snakes are preparing for hibernation and may be in a more aggressive mood. Secondly, October is a big hunting season, so be careful while out in the woods.

Trick-or-Treating

Photo courtesy of Petful

Halloween is right around the corner! While it’s fun to dress up you, your children, and your pets, it may be smart  in terms of pet safety to just take super cute pictures of your pet all dressed up and leave them at home while trick-or-treating. Unfortunately, Halloween is a time for both tricks and treats as pranksters may think it fun to scare you and your family which may frighten your pet and cause them to get loose and run away, among many other potential dangers. Don’t worry though, if you want people to see your adorable pet all dressed up as the Little Mermaid or Thor, post your pictures on our Facebook page and we’ll be sure to share them for our followers to see!

Watch Out for Pests – And Ways to Get Rid of Them

Photo courtesy of michieru

Ticks and fleas are coming back out and they are hungry little pests. Whenever your pet comes back in from playing outside, be sure to give them a thorough pat-down to make sure they haven’t contracted any ticks or fleas. Additionally, Autumn is the time for rats and mice, and with that comes the chemicals used to get rid of them. Check your property to be sure no chemicals are within reach and easy to get into. You won’t regret it!

So what’s the best way to consider pet safety? Do research for what to look for in the outdoors in your area. You may also want to consider some sort of containment for your pet whether you’re camping or just sitting on your patio enjoying the cooler weather. Whatever you’re doing, you don’t have to worry about your pet outdoors as long as they are safe inside of one of our Pet Gazebos. That way you can enjoy that pumpkin spice latte without thinking, “Oh, what did he get into THIS time?”