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They come in thousands of sizes, shapes, colors and widths and it can be overwhelming at first.

To make life easier, first measure your dog’s neck, then go with a collar that’s a few inches longer than that. You should be able to fit two fingers under the collar once it’s on. You don’t want him to be able to slip out of it.

If you’re buying a collar for a puppy, you’ll want to check on the fit rather often because those cute little puppies grow very fast!

Standard Collar

The collar should really sit a little higher on the dog’s neck. That also helps with being able to control him more if he tends to pull on the leash when walking.

You’ll want to buy a collar and lead that will be in proportion to your dog’s size. You don’t want a thin little lead if you’re walking a mastiff, and you wouldn’t want to put a huge thick lead and collar around the neck of a Yorkie.

Select a collar and lead that matches the weight of your dog.

Don’t forget the name tag!

If your dog should run away or become lost, the name tag, with the dog’s name and your name and address on it, will help bring him home safely once he’s found.

Choke Collars

Choke collars should only be used if you’re training your dog. They aren’t to be used for walking a dog! I wouldn’t recommend using them on smaller dogs.

Halter collars

These allow you to have more control over your dog, especially if he likes to take you for a walk! They give you more control because these types of collars go around the back of the head and around the nose.

When your dog pulls, his head his pulled to one side, which stops the “forward” thought of the dog. Good for larger dogs that tend to pull on the lead.

Harnesses

Let’s talk about dog harnesses

Unlike collars, harnesses fit around the shoulders and neck and behind the front legs of the dog. These are best for dogs that tend to pull on a traditional leash and choke themselves. My dog loves to pull then starts gagging from the pressure of the collar.

Harnesses are great but they don’t fit comfortably on certain dogs.

Dogs with shorter legs and broader chests may find it a little uncomfortable when wearing a harness. My Corgie can’t wear one because her legs are so short and her chest is wide.

An example are: Corgis, bulldogs, dachshunds, etc.

If you have a “low-rider” dog like mine, consider using a collar and lead instead.

Prong Collars

These collars have prongs that sick against the dog’s neck. They’re mainly used if your dog tends to pull a lot or as a training collar.

Choosing a Lead

Selecting a lead is easier than choosing a collar. Simple get one that closely matches the weight of your dog. It doesn’t matter whether it’s leather or nylon, that’s simply a personal choice. I prefer nylon because it’s lightweight and can be washed if it gets dirty.

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You have a bed of your own, so why shouldn’t your cat? It’s true to say that if you buy a bed or even several beds for your cat, he will probably still use your three piece suite, your own bed or indeed anywhere he wants, but you’ll feel better able to move him on if he has his own special place to sleep.

There are all sorts of cat beds, ranging from the very basic to the positively opulent. You can try to fit one in with your décor but frankly, unless your wallpaper has colourful mice or paw prints all over it, you are probably on a loser there! The best you can hope for really is a colour that doesn’t actually clash with that of the room that the bed will be kept in. However, you should really be more concerned about how the bed will be for your cat.

Some of these cat beds are similar to dog beds but smaller, i.e. an oval foam filled cotton cover with a fairly rigid base and sides with a lowered part of the side for the cat to walk in (as if they couldn’t jump over the sides anyway). These can be good as there is usually room for a bit of fleece or blanket inside, which is not only cozy for the cat, but keeps the cover of the bed a bit cleaner that it might otherwise be.

Another foam filled type of cat bed is similar to that described above but a little more like a traditional dog kennel in shape being completely covered over with a door shape for entry. Cats have a nesting instinct so some like this arrangement. Equally, if there are other animals or small children in the house, your cat may feel more secure with his own little “house” to retire to for peace and quiet. These beds can actually be heated but unless your cat is very old, this really shouldn’t be necessary.

Most cats moult on and off throughout the year, so some sort of mat or blanket to put on their favourite chair can be useful. You can whip it off and hide it if visitors come and the furniture shouldn’t be too hairy.

If your cat is a real heat junky, you can buy a sheepskin hammock type arrangement, which you can hang on a radiator. However, this won’t be suitable for an old cat as agility is the key when getting in and out of these things.

Cats often like bean bags. This are an inner lining filled with small polystyrene balls with an outer cover that can be removed for washing. Placed in a corner or other warm spot, your cat will soon get to like this arrangement.

Unless you introduce your chosen cat bed into the house when your cat is very small, your cat will probably pay it no attention at all for some time. If he ignores it completely, try picking him up and putting him on the bed while you stroke him for a while. If this approach fails, try inducing him with catnip toys or treats. Make sure that the bed isn’t in a thoroughfare and is somewhere away from draughts, maybe raised a short way off the floor.

If you have more than one cat, make sure that each one has its own bed. If they choose to swap around between themselves, then that’s their business, but never expect them to share a bed, although they may want to, particularly sibling kittens.

If you want to make the cat bed multi-functional, buy one of those beds cum activity centres with a scratching post but be sure that you have plenty of room for it!

Liz Canham is the owner (or perhaps servant) of four cats currently and has had cats in the family all her life. To take advantage of her wide experience in the care and training of cats and kittens, click here to visit her website, The Cat Lover.