Due to their ability to kill agressive and poisonous snakes like cobras, the cat was considered to be a symbol of grace and poise.  There was originally a cult surrounding the lion-headed goddess Mafdet, but Bastet’s image later replaced this, becoming the deity of protection, fertility and motherhood. Due to their revered status, some cats were even mummified after death and given to Bastet as a sacrifice.  In the late 19th century one farmer even discovered a large tomb containing the mummified bodies of cats and kittens.

The Egyptians were in fact so protective of their cats that should there be a fire, it was guarded so as cats would not run into the flames. Even worse, if one should accidentally kill a cat, this would incurr the death penalty! According to Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, the chariot of a Roman soldier once accidentally ran over an Egyptian cat, enraging onlookers, who formed a mob, surrounded him and, despite pleas from Pharoah Ptolemy XII, murdered the soldier out of revenge!

Though cats are still popular pets today, we’re sensible about the treatment of our animals. All of our pets deserve to be cared for, so if you have a pampered puss in need of some cat treats, a new cat bed or cat toy, take a look at adflyer’s huge selection of cat and kitten accessories.

1. Labrador Retriever – aside from this being a very pretty pup, the Labrador retriever is one of the most loyal, most loving, caring and affectionate dog breeds out there! Their good nature make them wonderful family pets. They do require training from an early age like most dogs and can be wayward, but if given the right amount of love and attention, they make friends for life.

2. English Springer Spaniel – this dog is very gentle and even-tempered. Not only that, but they are incredibly intelligent animals capable of learning very quickly. Their tails never seem to stop wagging, making them one of the most cheerful, life-loving dogs out there!

3. German Shepherd – a lot of people might think ill of this misunderstood pup, but German Shepherds make excellent companions. They are very active dogs, are keen, courageous and also very strong. If owners make it clear who is in charge, they make for excellent family pets and will guard and protect their loved ones with their lives.

4. Boxer – these are exceptionally loving and friendly dogs, despite their slightly intimidating appearance. They are very curious and energetic and will keep their owner as fit as they are! They bond with their family and are very affectionate and sociable.  They are also very well known for getting along with children, making them the perfect family pet!

These are just a few of the UK’s most popular dog breeds, but if you’re interested in finding out about more, visit the UK KC website.

That doesn’t mean you can’t get a piggy of your own, of course, but there are a few things to consider before you decide to commit:

1. What do you want a pig for? If you just think it’s a little bit of a novelty and that you will eventually get bored of it, just don’t do it. Like any other pet, they need love, care and attention and it isn’t fair on the animal if you’re not willing to provide it with everything it needs for the rest of its life. On the other hand, you might want to eventually eat Little Piggy, which is entirely up to you, just don’t tell the children about it.

2. Do you have the space for a pig? They can grow to quite substantial sizes and much like large dogs, they need a lot of space to move around. Ideally, they will need a pen to keep them safe. They like to cause a bit of havoc digging things up, so don’t expect your trimmed garden to stay neat and tidy for very long!

3. Where are you getting your pig from? Always use a trusted breeder because that way you can guarantee the health and quality of the animal. If you plan on breeding them yourself, ensure you see proof of pedigree documents before making any purchases.

4. Can you afford it? Not only will you have to buy the pig first, but then you have to consider the fencing you need to put up, the food it needs, the shelter and any vets bills you might incur. Just like dogs and cat, pigs can suffer from any manner of illnesses, and you need to be prepared for unexpected costs.

1. Purring – now, you may think that purring can only be a good sign when it comes to cats and kittens, but contrary to popular belief, cats will also purr when they are in pain or feel unwell. It can be taken as a sign that they are in distress and need our help, however, it usually signals the cat is happy and relaxed.

2. Furniture scratching - most cats tend to do this to help renew their claws. They are probably using the furniture because they haven’t been trained to use a scratching post.

3. Tail wagging - unlike when dogs wag their tails, a cat wagging its tail may well be showing signs of anger or aggression. It can also suggest a cat is busy deciding or thinking about what it wants to do next, akin to us tapping our feet!

4. Kneading – kneading is a throwback from kittenhood. Kittens tend to knead their mother’s teats in order to  encourage milk and owners who experience a kneading cat while sitting on their lap are usually seen as a surrogate parent! It’s a sign that your cat feels very safe, secure and happy.

5. Face  and leg rubbing – this is actually really rather sweet. Cats tend to greet one another by rubbing faces with eachother and they imitate this behaviour when they’re saying hello to us, too. When they wind around our legs, this is also a show of greeting and they may well be scenting at the same time.

6. Grass eating - similarly to dogs, cats will eat grass when they feel the urge to vomit, usually to help get rid of and dislodge hairballs.

7. Freezing and crouching – more often than not, this is a signal a cat is stressed or frightened. They sit very still and make themselves very small to avoid being spotted, perhaps because they feel they are in danger.

8. Hissing and spitting – this is a sign of defensive aggression. A cat that is unhappy with a situation may well hiss, spit and even try to bite and scratch because they are frightened or feel threatened.

The most obvious way to alleviate some of the aggression is to have your rabbit spayed or neutered. Doing this may solve the problem of an angry rabbit straight away, though sometimes, it doesn’t happen quite that easily. It might not just be hormones causing erratic behaviour and even if hormones are the primary reason, there is no guarantee that your rabbit will suddenly want to be stroked and held. Gaining the trust of your rabbit will still require a little more effort on your part.

When you pin down precisely what action triggers aggressive behaviour in your rabbit, you can successfully attempt to deal with it. There is a good possibility that, when your rabbit bites you when you move to stroke her, or when she lunges at you every time you walk into the room, she is simply exhibiting fear or annoyance. This is something that can take time to overcome, but the important thing to note is that it can be. Many experts suggest you simply ignore the aggressive behaviour and treat your rabbit like the best thing in the world. Always use a confident, excited tone and – wearing a glove that amply protects your fleshy fingers – continue to pat her head, even if she tries to bite you. If you do this every day, your rabbit will eventually realise you have no intention of hurting her and you can move on to gently and carefully stroking her head instead. When bun-buns is used to this, stroke her ears too, and on and on until she’s happy with the attention and even craves it.

Believe it or not, there is a big difference between a rabbit that bites and a rabbit that nips. Most often, the former is a show of aggression, whereas the latter may simply be a way of communicating something to you. Some rabbits will nip when they want attention, and some will nip when they want you to put them down. It isn’t necessarily an act of aggression. It’s likely that, when your rabbit bites you, she’s merely being defensive, maybe over food or over territory. Remember to always move slowly and cautiously. Fast, jerky movements may be a sign of aggression towards bun-buns and she may mistake your actions as threatening. Whenever you have to clean out the cage, give bun-buns the opportunity to leave before you drag her out. When you have to feed her, distract her by gently petting her while placing the food bowl in the cage.

Your rabbit may never end up the cuddle-monster you so desperately want her to be, but you can definitely take steps to encourage her to be loving and affection. Though it’s rare, unfortunately some rabbits never manage to overcome incredibly aggressive behaviour and though it may seem cruel, the best thing to do is to have your rabbit put to sleep. Rabbits have the ability to cause some very serious injuries and if she is so stressed and unhappy in her environment that she resorts to viciously biting and scratching , it is sometimes for the best.

• You probably weren’t aware you can get prozac for your pooch to help perk them up if they spend a long time alone while owners are out or at work. The drug, called Reconcile, apparently works the same way as the human version, increasing the level or serotonin produced in the brain to improve mood. If you ask us, this is taking things a little too far. If your dog is suffering from some kind of mental disorder caused by separation from their beloved owner, you have to wonder if they should have gotten a dog in the first place. Not everything should be solved with pills, least of all where animals are concerned.

• This next product is actually a pretty nifty little gadget. The Litter Robot is for those people who squirm at the thought of cleaning up after their moggy. This handy, spacecraft-esq machine does the job for you. Not only does it quickly hide away the cat’s undesirables, it also prevents odours. The inventors also claim it will save you 50% of the cost of buying litter and the only other thing you need is a regular old binbag to line the tray. You will, however, have to get off your lazy backside to empty that.

• So, this isn’t exactly a product for your pet. This is, in fact, a product made out of your pet – no animal cruelty here, of course. Or at least, we hope not. The Fur-Ever Keepsake can be anything from a glove to a coat made entirely out of – you guessed it – the fur of your pet. So if being apart from your darling little chihuahua Tootsie is just too much for you to handle, have a pair of gloves knitted from her fur and take her with you everywhere you go. You can even get that fresh, wet dog smell when you get caught in the rain.

• One of the most pointless inventions out of all of these products is probably the Goldfish Walker. Basically a fish tank on wheels that allows you to show your marine critters the sights. Like we said, pointless.

• Now, despite being yet another utterly useless item, if you’re a big beer drinker it is actually kind of quaint. Beer….for your dog. Happy Tail Ale, it’s called. Luckily it contains no alcohol, is non-carbonated and, unlike beer for human consumption, is actually pretty healthy. It’s also flavoured with drippings to make it taste like a dog’s favourite food, given the choice. Beef. Mmm…yum…

• So, we’ve saved the best for last. This is also the most risque of our featured products and it goes by the name of the Hotdoll, a doggy shaped doll that keeps your rather affectionate dog away from your leg. We’re sure you have vivid imaginations. You can work out the rest for yourselves.

Can pet rats be trained?

You might not be aware of this, but many of our fluffy rodent friends can actually be trained to do a lot of tricks. A lot of them are highly intelligent and not only that, but they deeply enjoy learning to do new and exciting things. Pet rats are especially good at learning tricks and depending on each individual rat, can be very fast learners that can accomplish very complicated tricks astonishingly quickly. You can train them to know their name, to put a ball through a hoop, to fetch, to dance. Pretty much anything you might teach a dog!

When should I start training my pet rat?

The age at which you should start training them can vary. Some younger rats tend to be quite wilful and far too interested in their environment to pay any attention to you or the treats you’ve got stashed in your pocket, though this isn’t always the case! The basic idea is to start simple, be patient, be consistent and don’t train any rats for longer than 10 minutes each day. They get just as frustrated as you do when they don’t quite master something and if they start to get stressed then they’re not going to learn a thing! They will also get bored, so it’s best to keep training sessions short and sweet.

What should I teach my pet rat first?

Most rat trainers will tell you that the first thing to do when starting to train your rat is to teach them to associate a noise (either a click or a whistle or anything else you can think of so long as you choose only one noise) with something positive – like giving treats, a fuss or a cuddle. Most domestic rats love affection and attention. The best reward at the beginning is a treat, so every time they do something good, click and reward with a treat! This will help them to associate a specific action with a reward. It may take a few sessions for them to grasp the idea, but don’t worry, they will get it. Once they have this basic idea under their belts, anything else you teach them will become exceptionally less difficult!

One of the easiest things to teach your rats is to come to the door of the cage. Rats are naturally curious creatures and most of them do this whenever someone comes in the room anyway, so every time they jump up to the door of their own accord click (or make whichever noise you prefer) and reward with a treat. Once they have associated the open doorway with something good, they will be even more eager to come and say hello to you. If they are particularly nervous rats, this will help them to overcome that. Over a few sessions, you can gradually coax your rat further and further out of the cage by clicking and rewarding every time they venture a little further than before.

What else can pet rats learn to do?

Rats are very clever and can learn a massive range of different things. Another simple trick for them to learn is to stand on command. The first thing to do is have a treat ready your rat enjoys. When your rat moves to investigate the item, move it slightly higher whilst saying in a cheerful voice, ’stand!’ When your rat reaches for it, let him/her have it. Move a greater distance each time, ensure you say ’stand’ and eventually your rat will be standing on its back legs stretching to get to the treat! Your rat should learn to stand when you ask it too. Remember to be persistent, though. Some rats will take longer than others to grasp something.

After they learn to stand, you can then try teaching them to walk. This time, while your rat is standing you move the treat forwards and say ‘walk!’ Even if your rat takes the tiniest step, make sure you click and reward them! If you keep doing this, your rat will learn to take one step, then two, then three and maybe even more than that until they’re walking around on two legs like pros!

What else should I know?

Bear in mind that some rat varieties will enjoy doing some things more than others. You should never under any circumstances reward any behaviour you consider ‘bad’, simply ignore it and continue to reward any time your rat does something you want it to do. Always take the training one step at a time. If you miss anything important or if you don’t give your rat enough chance to learn something, they may get confused and lose interest altogether.

One of the most important things to do is ensure that anything you don’t want to be chewed to teeny tiny pieces is well out of harm’s way. Dogs, young or old, love to tear things apart no matter how many hundreds of pounds it cost you. Puppies have no concept of value. You have to establish the boundaries and most importantly you have to stick to them, otherwise the poor thing is going to get confused and you’re going to get angry when he or she doesn’t understand what they’re doing wrong.

Give your puppy plenty of toys to chew, a warm bed and of course, food and water. It’s also a good idea to place newspaper or any old paper on the floor until the puppy is well potty trained. Make it feel safe and secure. For the first few nights it’s probably going to whine and cry, but it will get used to the idea of being alone and learn that this is not something to be frightened about.

Patience and understanding are the most important things. Your pup might not get things straight away, but remember to keep trying. It will get it eventually!

There are also plenty of puppy books and accessories to make puppy training just a little bit easier.

You might have just welcomed a puppy or dog into your home for Christmas, or you may have a dog that’s been a part of the family for some time, but either way you will know how important it is that your best and favourite fluffy friend has got plenty of toys to keep them stimulated and occupied. Whether it’s something to chew to pieces, something to keep their teeth healthy or whether it’s something that provides plenty of exercise, any dog will be thrilled with their brand new toy because it’s from you and little Patch or Peach or Princess lubs you! Here are a few top dog toys hot off the press for 2010 so get your paws on them while you can!

Something that makes a popular toy is the tumblin’ treat ball which drops tasty tid-bits as your dog frantically rolls it around. It may make a bit of a mess of your carpet, but it will keep him or her happy and fed for quite a while, not to mention giving your dog plenty of exercise while batting the thing from one side of the room to the other.

It’s not just people that have to worry about the health of their teeth, either. Doggy gnashers need to be well taken care of too, which is why the Dog Dental Toy Bone for puppies makes an excellent accessory, helping to stop the build up of tartar and plaque and prevent and sooth the soreness of new, needle sharp puppy teeth. Nothing like the healthy gleam of pristine white fangs sinking into your toes.

Then of course, there is the doggy’s favourite; the chew toy. Even though the Cudleez Dishy Hot Dog has somewhat cannibalistic undertones, there is no doubting it will go down better than a cheese shop in mouse town.

Are dogs in designer clothes a step too far?

Type ‘clothing for pets’ into any search engine and you will certainly find myriad websites positively brimming with fashion tips for terriers and furstyles for ferrets, but does the mention of this unusual hobby make you roll your eyes in despair or snatch up your Shih-Tzu for measurements? With big name celebrities like Paris Hilton opening a line of pup clothing, it’s no surprise that dressing up our animals in the latest gear is catching on the world over. It’s not just dogs getting the five-star treatment either with special little doggy raincoats to keep them dry. You can get designer clothes for cats, stylish footwear for rabbits, and there is even a site or two dedicated to apparel for your rodent buddies. No animal is safe from the devious world of the designer, so are you pro-puppy- dress-up or anti-animal-fashion-establishment?