Dog Calendars And Other Accessories Spice Up Life For Your Best Friend

What can you do for a dog? It's rough being a dog; man's best friends do not get appreciated as they deserve. For guarding your home, licking your face, coming every time you call, and chasing away stray cats, all they get is dog food to eat and an place to sleep in the dog house. And they don't like the dog house any better than their best friends do. But there are any number of things you can get to make your canine friends feel honored and appreciated. A little time on the internet will show you precisely how to make your dog feel like one of the family.

There are blankets, leash-hooks, mugs, magnets, paper pads, treat jars, towel holders, toys and tote bags; and calendars. You can find greeting cards, ornaments, playing cards and decals. Each one features an image, icon or photo of your favorite dog breed. Just for Yellow Labradors there are nearly 100 items, not including items for Labs in general, or Black or Chocolate. There is no longer any need to leave out the dog at Christmas, birthdays or special occasions. And dog lovers are your easiest person to regale.

Think how your Labrador feels when you wear a hat with some business logo on it, compared to how he feels when you wear a hat sporting a fine member of his breed. The business probably charges you $10 for the hat and still robs you blind every time you go there. Your Lab gives you honor and affection even when you feed him dog food! He deserves to be honored on your hat. Plus, it makes for a classy hat!

Then there is that generic doormat greeting visitors at your front door. Dogs like guarding the door but probably don't want to do it full time. You can get a very functional doormat with a picture of your dog breed on it. Then your dog can greet all visitors and not try to lick them or jump up to greet them. And if your dog likes to sleep on the door mat it will have a good friend for company.

Imagine going out with a common collar and leash hook. Upscale canines sport a leash hook and colar set decorated for their own breed. It can make all the difference in the world to your dog's confidence and turn that exercise into a pleasant stroll in the park.

Don't forget to get a calendar dog. It's an easy addition to your kennel. There are now hundreds of calendars dedicated to individual dog breeds. (If you have a mutt, get a calendar with several breeds.) If you home is wall-to-wall Chihuahuas, you should have a Chihuahuas. If your mother-in-law has a Chihuahua you already know what gift to give her next time she requires a gift: a calendar full of her favorite breed or a soft blanket to snooze under. Then she will love you at least as much as her dog, (and that could be a significant improvement.)

Calendars come in various shapes and sizes, just like dogs. Besides the traditional 11" x 17" size there are 6" x 12" mini calendars and 6" square desk or boxed calendars. These last ones feature over 360 different photographs, one a day of your favorite canine breed. They can be torn off and used to wall paper an upscale dog dwelling or to keep notes or send them. There are also engagement style calendars which have a different dog photo for every week of the year and pocket-sized planners with a picture on each page.

There are many advantages to calendar dogs. They don't bark or have fleas. They don't lick your face and they already know how to sit, roll over, and stay. You don't need a scooper if you take them to the park, and they never attack the mail person. Of course, they don't fetch very well and they can't keep you warm on a cold night. But they add a nice touch to you home or office and are a happy reminder of how great your dog friend is to have around.

Where do you find all this marvelous merchandise? Do a search on the internet including your breed and what you are looking for; get as specific as possible, and you will be surprised what you will find.

Article written by Bob Cole who loves dogs and publishes 2008 Calendar Central. This site features a section for 2008 Dog Calendars and Accessories with a Dog Calendar Index. It includes a number of with pictures and indexes of breed-specific items. His site attempts to make choosing a calendar or gift via the internet more convenient. If you can't find it on his site he will link to where you can.

Bath Salts For Pets - Natural Flea And Tick Remedy!

Carefully blended for your pet's sensitive skin, bath salts can be relaxing, aid in promoting circulation and help to soothe aching muscles and joints. Think of how therapeutic you find bath salts and imagine that same relief for your pet.

As our pets mature they may become afflicted with arthritis, painful joints or muscle swelling. Relaxing in a soothing bath made from dead sea salt, clay, Eucalyptus and Tea Tree Oil can provide some relief for our furry friends.

• Eucalyptus and Tea Tree Oil are recognized as being effective against fleas and ticks and much safer than chemicals. Consider this when mixing your next batch of bath salts. Rather than adding fragrance oils, opt for the essential oils of eucalyptus and tea tree and, following the manufacturer's instructions, mix these into the bath salts. Eucalyptus and Tea Tree Oil are also recognized for relieving itching and minor skin irritations.
• Dead Sea Salts are beneficial in many ways to both people and their pets. The correct combination of ingredients is essential.
• Tea Tree oil and Eucalyptus are nature's natural remedy against irritated skin, itching, fleas and ticks. In fact, they are much safer than chemicals found in many leading flea and tick controls that you can purchase over the counter.
• Clay: Found to be beneficial in soothing skin, condition hair and trapping moisture, clay can provide some relief from heat spots and dry skin.

Combine therapeutic sea salts with a wonderful clay base to hold moisture to your pet's skin while the eucalyptus and tea tree work their gentle magic in soothing skin irritations and warding off fleas and ticks. The marvel of sea salts will ease muscle and joint aches even as the clay conditions the skin and hair. For mature pets, this can be especially rewarding.

CJ Palmer is the founder of CJ Skin Care. For more helpful tips and techniques and a full listing of CJ Skin Care Products visit http://www.cjskincare.com

Dealing With Arthritis In Your Dog

By Beverly Maniago

Arthritis is a condition that affects not only the physical condition of your dog. It is a disease with several sub-classifications, depending on the causes. Apart from trauma or accident, arthritis can also be brought on by infection, aging, or as result of wear or tear. Scientists have identified two of risk factors for arthritis in dogs: genetics and environment. Several large breed dogs are more prone to develop several forms of arthritis compared to smaller breeds. When your pet is also obese, due to sedentary lifestyle and improper nutrition, the extra weight carried also adversely affects the joints.

Symptoms of arthritis in your dog include limping, inability to do activities that they normally love to do, like running and jumping, whimpering, preference to stay in one place for a long time. When dogs are in pain, they may also experience fever, shortness of breath, and dilation of the pupils.

Take your dog to your trusted veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis. You veterinarian can also advice you on the proper way to manage arthritis in your pet, as well as determine whether your dog needs surgery or not. Surgical procedures are sometimes performed on newly developed arthritis in dogs, to halt its progression. Surgery is also done as the last resort, to prevent your dog from going completely lame.

You dog might need to take several drugs to relieve the pain. Most veterinarians recommend the intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These types of medications help bring down inflammation of the joint, reduce the swelling, and alleviate pain. NSAIDs work against secretion of prostaglandins, the primary culprit for inflammation. Though not without some side effects, efficacy can still be achieved in dealing with arthritis in your dog, especially if dosage instructions are properly followed. Be sure to give your dog the medication specifically prescribed by your veterinarian, as there are other types of NSAIDs that may cause more harm than good to your beloved pet. Other products that promise pain relief and some degree of relief on the affected joints are the dietary supplements containing chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, or glucosamine HCL. These substances have the capability to repair the damages done on the cartilage, the substance cushioning the friction made by bones in joints. These supplements are available in capsule and liquid forms. One of the better known and trusted formulas is Syn-flex for Pets. Synflex is a liquid glucosamine supplement that provides ten other synergistic arthritis fighting ingredients like chondroitin, boswellin, bromelain, yucca, and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to name a few. Synflex has 2 formulas, both of which provide amazing results. Syn-flex for Pets in Beef Flavor is their newest product for animals and provides even greater amounts of glucosamine per dose.

Along with medications, you as the owner need to implement some lifestyle modifications on your pet in order to reduce the flare up of arthritis as often as possible. Reduce your pet's extra pounds by doing some low-intensity exercise regimens, like walking on leash and swimming. These activities not only help in weight reduction, it also maintains the flexibility and mobility of affected joints. Provide ramps when your pet needs to get on high places, and keep them in warm environments at all time. Know that just like humans, cold weather also brings a lot of discomfort and pain among dogs with arthritis. Refrain from giving your pet sugary treats all throughout the day, and offer him just the right amount of food during feeding time. Studies have shown that leaner dogs have better chances of avoiding arthritis.

Arthritis in your dog can also be dealt by providing warm sleeping mattress. Do not allow your dog to sleep on newspapers, as they are slippery and provide no traction when they try to get up after sleeping. There are several orthopedic mattresses available specifically for pets, though a basket with an old sweater or towels would also be sufficient.

Though there is no question that arthritis in your dog can be quite debilitating, it can also be easily dealt with, especially with a lot of management options available and a little dedication on your part. If you would like more information on the safe and effective Syn-flex (Synflex) products mentioned you can find it at...

http://www.syn-flex-usa.com

Cat Arthritis - Symptoms And Treatments

Cat arthritis is a progressive disease characterized by the inflammation of the joints. It tends to be a chronic condition and its symptoms recur, becoming more severe over time. Cat arthritis usually appears in older or geriatric cats but it can also develop in younger pets. It's not very common, but it can be a very uncomfortable, even debilitating disease among our feline friends.

There are several types of cat arthritis that your pet might develop. These include:

Osteoarthritis

This is the degenerative form of cat arthritis, a chronic condition that results from joint fatigue or wear and tear of the cartilage that protects the surface of the joint. When this happens, bones grind against each other and later becomes damaged from the friction. This usually appears on the shoulders and elbows.

Traumatic Arthritis

This usually results from a sprain or joint injury. Trauma or damaged sustained from accidents, falls, even fights can injure the joint and promote the development of cat arthritis.

Progressive Polyarthritis

This type of cat arthritis affects several joints at once and symptoms tend to worsen as the disease progresses. This results from the erosion of the protective cartilage, exposing the bones.

Another factor that may lead to cat arthritis is a congenital joint problem, something that your cat was born with and will suffer from by virtue of his genes. Obesity may also contribute to the wear and tear of the joints due to excessive weight.

Symptoms of Cat Arthritis

Cats usually exhibit the signs and symptoms of cat arthritis when the disease has already progressed, which makes it difficult for us to detect the condition in its early stages. However, it's good to note any changes in your cat's behavior especially if he or she is advancing in age. Cats with arthritis also show limping or joint stiffness. They will be reluctant to move or play and will often resist touch especially if it involves the affected area. Since the condition is quite painful, cats often show signs of irritability.

Is Prevention of Cat Arthritis Possible?

It's difficult to prevent cat arthritis caused by age or at least to predict whether a cat's breed or size will contribute to the development of this disease. What is important is that the cat is treated when signs appear. Do not try unproven treatments or supplements without first consulting the veterinarian. Prompt diagnosis and proper care are best.

Treatment for Cat Arthritis

It is unclear whether cat arthritis may be prevented but it may be prudent to ensure that your cat is not overweight. Try to keep a balanced diet to ensure that your cat is well-nourished but that he does not gain too much weight. Proper exercise is also key to help cats maintain their weight so make sure your pet has enough opportunities to participate in physical activities.

An early diagnosis of cat arthritis will be an important factor in helping minimize symptoms and prevent further damage. Regular medication may also be prescribed to relieve pain and inflammation. Some of the most common include painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, which are strictly available through prescription only. Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin, which show promise in helping in the development and repair of cartilage, may also be used.

Certain medications, such as Adequan, may be injected into the affected area in order to bring about relief in severe cases. Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids which are used to reduce inflammation and minimize pain, are used sparingly. The limited use is due to their side effects, especially to cats with liver, kidney or heart disease.

Consult Your Veterinarian

Once your cat has been diagnosed with arthritis, never, under any circumstances, try to treat the condition on your own using common painkillers. Aspirin, for example, may be tolerated in small doses, but cats lack the natural enzyme with which to process aspirin in their bodies and may not be able to excrete the drug efficiently. Other painkillers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen may even be fatal to cats.

For severe cases of cat arthritis where joint malformation is already evident, surgery may sometimes be recommended. If the pain is untreatable, some owners may even choose to euthanize their pet in order to prevent further suffering.

Cat arthritis tends to be a life-long condition and it is often best to seek the help of a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment if only to help prolong your cat's life. Try to keep your cat as comfortable as possible and be aware of any symptoms or side effects that treatments may produce. No one else can come to your cat's rescue except for you, so it's best to be fully aware.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Arthritis-Education.com. She provides more information on topics such as cat arthritis, canine rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis medicine for dogs which you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

Dog Illnesses - Find Out If Your Dog Has a Slipped Kneecap

By Kwame Ofori-Atta

Dog illnesses are not what any dog owner wants for their dog. Every dog owner wants a healthy dog, fun and energetic to play with. One dog illnesses is Slipped Kneecap disease. In the beginning this illness will not seem to be serious and if immediate action is not taken, it can be very uncomfortable for your dog.

Slipped kneecapped illness can show symptoms in a dog as early as 6 months old or in some when they grow up.

1. One can identify this dog illness when you notice that your young dog limps when running.

2. When there is occasional and sharp lameness on the back legs.

3. When your dog cannot squat or find it difficult to squat.

4. When there is a usual short cry of pain from your dog when walking, running and climbing high rise objects. This makes it difficult for the dog to exercise and limits their freedom.

The above symptoms are really uncomfortable and painful and no dog owner will want his or her do to go through any of the above. We have no excuse to let any dog go through common dog illnesses which can be cured or minimized through common knowledge or regular vet. visits.

The good news is that dog illnesses such as slipped kneecapped can be corrected or healed if detected in the infancy of the dog. If not detect as earl as possible then we can categorized them into the 5 categories. To find out more about slipped kneecapped and the 5 categories visit Dog Illnesses lens.

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Weaning Puppies Is Only Natural

We hope that you finish this article having learned at least a little bit of new information. If so, then we have done our job. Weaning puppies is a wholly natural manner. Mama dogs have been burdening it successfully for ages, so how hard can it be, right? But humans, not being dogs, can sometimes overlook the natural part, and get bemused about it. Detail is, weaning puppies is an calm, rational manner.

During the second part, we must switch to a more serious side to fully communicate the subject matter in a way for all to understand. When you're leaning to commence weaning your new puppies, keep in opinion that this should be done leisurely, in small walks. You cant gust it, and you definitely don't want to commence when the puppies are too babies.

Sometimes people get hurried and try to commence weaning puppies before they're three weeks old. That's too early. Their bodies require expounding the ability to lever frozen food, and that takes time. remain the three weeks -- it's not truly so long.

The first walk in the weaning manner is to take the mother away from the puppies at slightest an hour before its time for them to eat. This gives the puppies a luck to get good and hungry. They'll be more leaning to try the new, alternative food you proposal them.

consider, when its time for the puppies to eat, the mother should be nowhere around.

The alternative food you proposal them should be liquid or partly-liquid so it's calm for them to swallow and digest. stable food won't work for them yet. You can make a gruel of commercial dog food varied with water or baby muesli weak with water. Another selection when weaning puppies is to use watery worried baby food.

Put any of these mixtures in a small, shallow dish. Some of the puppies will have no tricky intake. They'll grab on immediately. But there may be a few that just don't get it. So they'll require some encouragement. The easiest way is to put a little of the mixture on the tip of their nose or on their tongue.

When weaning puppies you'll also require to shrinkage the quantity of food you're generous the mother. This causes her to generate excluding milk. At the same time, you can leisurely commence increasing the quantity of food you give the puppies, and over the next numerous time make it excluding soupy. As they grow and their digestion matures, their food should leisurely become more frozen, day by day.

Weaning puppies at this meaning becomes easier because, as the frozen food grows more regular to them, they learn to have it more. Let them eat as greatly as they want as long as they don't become puffy.

If you attempt weaning puppies like this, the manner should be minimal, pain excluding and calm. presume to see them completely weaned by the time they're six to eight weeks old. Having this information handy will help you a great deal the next time you find yourself in need of it.

Jacky Hayme writes for http://www.pet4doors.com where you can find out more about Pet Doors and other topics

Attract Wild Birds All Year Around With A Solar Powered Bird Bath

Do you want wild birds in your yard all year around? If you do, you should try using a solar powered bird bath. Water is as important as food and shelter, when attracting wild birds to your yard. You will find that there are many different solar powered bird baths available. Most of them combine a conventional bird bath with a fountain. The solar powered pump keeps water running through the bird bath. Adding movement to the water in a bird bath is a great idea. Keeping the water in motion not only attracts more wild birds it also eliminates stagnation. Stagnate water may attract mosquitoes and other uninvited pests into your yard.

Another type of solar bird bath uses solar power to operate a light that goes on when it is dark. This creates a wonderful garden accent.

There are basically two ways to set up a solar powered bird bath. One option has solar panels incorporated into the bird bath itself. Others have solar panels that are separate from the bath, but connected to it. Where you put your solar powered bird bath depends on the type of bird bath you choose. A bird bath with integrated solar panels will have to be placed in the sun. A bird bath with separate panels may be placed in shade, as long as the panels are located in the sun.

If you are unable to locate a solar powered bird bath heater, simply add an electric bird bath heater to your bird bath. Electric bird bath heaters attach to your home's power in order to keep the water in the bird bath from freezing. There are a few drawbacks to using electric heat to warm your bird bath. First, you have to place the heated bird bath close enough to your house so it can reach an electric outlet. Second, there will be an unsightly and maybe even unsafe cord running through your yard. Using electric power is also more expensive than solar power, and using a cord may not be the best option around animals and your family.

Taking the time to find a solar powered solution will pay off for you in the end. You will have an attractive bird bath without ugly cords and local wild birds will have a fresh water source all year around. A reliable water source for wild birds increases their chance for survival to produce even more lovely birds for the next year. Choosing a solar powered bird bath, to attract wild birds, is a great way to teach your children about environmental responsibility, and when you don't need an electrical cord you have more choices as to where you put your bird bath will in your yard.

Rob Huff and his family have enjoyed backyard bird watching for many years. We have used a a solar powered bird bath for many years. I was suprised at how many varities of wild birds were attracted by the moving water.

Iguana Care - Ensuring Your Iguana Is Happy, Healthy And Safe

By Roxanne Manning

Individuals who choose to have an iguana as a pet, may not be fully of aware of how to properly take care of it. Because these reptiles are not your typical pet, like a cat or dog, people are simply unaware of the basics. It is good to know that iguana care is not as high maintenance as that required for a cat or dog. However, there are some pretty basic rules that one should follow to make sure that their pet is happy, healthy and has as long a life as possible.

Here are a few iguana care basics. It is important to know that in some aspects they are similar to human beings. They awake in the morning and require darkness at nighttime in order to properly sleep and rest. However, because iguanas are cold blooded, their internal temperatures are dependent upon their surrounding conditions. Therefore, having a heat source is important. This is vital in order for them to maintain their body temperatures. To that end, one should consider purchasing a cage with a bulb. If you don't, you may find that during the night your pet may find a dark, corner in order to stay warm.

You also want to make sure that you have aid available in case your iguana starts showing signs of skin disease or sickness. Antiseptic and iodine are important to have around. If you fear that your pet may have an infection as evidenced by dark spots or scratches on their skin that had not been there before, and the problem seems to persist or get worse, then it is very important for you to make a visit with an iguana veterinarian. They will be able to give you proper advice on how to remedy the problem and nurse your beloved pet back to health.

To learn how to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy and to receive vital information for effectively taking care of your new pet, click here: Iguana Care Basics

Electronic Dog Training Collars: Harmful or Helpful?

By Jason Montag

Electronic dog training collars are a hot topic of debate amongst many dog lovers and dog trainers. Tons of people ask if they are useful and if they are a tool that a dog owner should use. The answer seems to be yes in most circles. The one thing that everyone can agree on is that if you are to employ an electronic dog training collar you should follow a few guidelines and we have listed them here.

An electronic dog training collar should not be used as a first line of defense. If you have never attempted to train your dog before then traditional training methods should be used first. The shock collar is only meant for dogs that have behavioral problems which have not been able to be curbed with normal non-electronic training methods.

Use the electronic dog collars sparingly. This is not to say that you should not correct your dog every time it makes a mistake, you should, but if they are making lots of mistakes cease activity for the session or the day so that they are not getting zapped too many times.

Do not ever use the electronic dog collar to punish your dog. The purpose of the electronic dog training collar is to teach the dog not to punish.

Lastly speak to a certified trainer and your veterinarian to see if your dog would benefit from the use of an electronic dog collar. You may find that the answer surprises you a lot.

Learn about dog obedience training or house training.

Can You Really Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

It's pretty obvious where the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" came from. In reality, this saying is probably more accurate for people than it is for dogs. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks, but good luck with teaching grandpa.

"Old" is a relative word. What's old to some dogs is not old to other dogs. Generally speaking, you can train a dog of any age. Sure, dog training might be a little tougher with a dog that's 8 years old than it is with a dog that's 3 years old, but it's probably more of a challenge for the dog's trainer than it is for the dog.

The fact is, most people get rid of dogs because of dog obedience problems. Every dog needs basic obedience training[/tag], and if you're not spending time training your dog, even your older dog, your neglecting your responsibility as a pet owner.

So how can you teach an old dog new tricks? With patience and persistence. Without getting into actual dog training techniques, let me tell you a story...

A man in North Carolina had a dog for 7 years. The dog had NEVER been inside the man's house. Never! It just lived outside, roaming the property, sleeping in his dog house for 7 years.

One day, the man died, so the his niece decided to take care of the dog. The dog was a mutt, by the way. She took the dog into her house and after 6 weeks of consistent training the dog was completely housebroken and had learned to sit on command.

So, yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Alex Page has been a happy pet owner for nearly 30 years. He enjoys helping pets and pet owners have the best relationship possible. He is currently a key article contributer to 123-pet.com, a site dedicated to discussing all things about pets such as dog training techniques, correcting dog behavior problems, and cat and dog products.

Soft Dog Carriers & Soft Dog Crates

Soft dog carriers, and soft dog crates are are great way to transport your small dog. A soft sided dog crate will give your dog a sense of comfort and home. Soft sided dog carriers allow the dog to feel comfortable when they brush or lean against the wall.

Fabric carriers allow for you and your pet to be more comfortable. Fabric carriers can be used on small dogs and on cats. A fabric dog carrier can be as unique as you are, and match what style you have. A fabric dog carrier may also be a designer dog carrier, as many companies now cater to pet owners. A dog purse, or a carrier bag for small dogs is a great way to tote your dog with you, and not have to worry about the awkwardness of a hard dog carrier. A dog purse or a dog tote can also be unique. Soft dog carriers will make carrying your small dog or cat easy.

When looking for a soft dog carrier, you need to keep in mind that the size of your dog does matter, especially if you are looking at a carrier bag. You also have to keep in mind how heavy your dog is. If you have a small dog, but it is a heavy dog, then make sure that your soft dog crate, or soft sided dog carrier has a secure bottom, so that your dog receives the support that it needs. Keep in mind these great questions about dog crates.

What ever you decide is the best method for toting your dog, and carrying your dog, be sure that you train your dog on how to use the soft dog crate.

Pam Caouette is the lead author for http://www.a-plus-pet-supplies.com Visit http://www.a-plus-pet-supplies.com for all your online pet needs. http://www.a-plus-pet-supplies.com/Articles/pet_accessories/soft_dog_carrier.htm

Glucosamine For Dog Arthritis - Does It Really Work?

Some say dogs are the best companion anyone could have while others say they are family. That's the kind of feeling people share with dogs and this is one relationship that does not take into considerations any geographical boundaries, race or creed. German dogs like the German Shepherd and Doberman Pinchers are some of the best guard dogs while the Labrador and the Golden Retriever are treated as the best family dogs.

But a dog comes for a price. He/she is as much susceptible to diseases and other physical ailments or problems as we are. One of the most concerning dog health problems is arthritis in dog. Dog arthritis occurs due to inflammation in the joints and can be divided into two categories: degenerative arthritis and inflammatory arthritis.

The degenerative arthritis or joint disease is also known as osteoarthritis and occurs in dogs when the cartilage starts to degenerate at a rapid pace. The inflammatory joint disease occurs when there is an infection in the joints or there is an immune-mediated disease called as like dog rheumatoid arthritis. This type of immune arthritis in dog can affect multiple joints and is accompanied by anorexia and fever.

There are various dog arthritis treatments available, but the best treatment for dog arthritis is glucosamine. Basically, there are two types of Glucosamine supplements. They are Glucosamine HCL and sulfate. The amount of glucosamine that can be given to your dog depends on the physical condition of your dog.

After many researches about dog arthritis medication, recent studies suggest that liquid glucosamine is better than glucosamine tablets. The reasons include: 1) Liquid glucosamine has many higher absorption rates than solid glucosamine; 2) Liquid glucosamine has much better effectiveness to treat arthritis in dog than glucosamine tablets. If your dog is suffering from dog arthritis like dog rheumatoid arthritis, it is highly recommend to get liquid glucosamine for your lovely dogs. Don't delay.

Niva Gordoe is a chief editor for pet care website that help you to find best pet services and pet products with low price. You can find details how to use liquid glucosamine to cure dog arthritis effectively and quickly.

Michigan Dog Bite Lawyers

By Jimmy Sturo

Dog bites are a very serious public health menace. It is a traumatic event for the dog attack victim and the victim's family. All dog bites require medical attention to rule out infection. Dog-bite lawyers can help dog bite victims, to seek compensation or conduct legal proceedings against the dog owners, if necessary.

Michigan's Dog Bite Statute, states that the dog owner is responsible for any damage caused by a dog bite. For the owner of a dog to be liable to the injured person, it is necessary for the dog bite victim to prove that, the dog was vicious or had a natural inclination to be dangerous, and that the owner had knowledge thereof. In most dog bite cases, the circumstances can be established with photographs, medical records, witness statements, or other evidence that the dog caused substantial physical harm. It is better to contact a competent dog bite lawyer as soon as possible after a person is bitten. This will enable the lawyer to collect all the necessary evidence and records and successfully handle the case on behalf of the victim.

The Michigan dog bite law stipulates that a Michigan state resident victim of a dog bite incident can take legal action against a Michigan dog owner, within three years from the date of the dog bite incident. In many cases it may be difficult to identify the dog owner. The case becomes complicated if the dog was not given timely vaccinations. The dog bite lawyer can help to collect the relevant licensing and vaccination records, as well as the testimony of witnesses, if any people were present when the incident occurred.

If contacted immediately after the dog bite incident, a proficient dog bite lawyer will be able to provide the victim, proper claim presentations for insurance company settlement, or for placing before a judge at the trial if necessary.

Michigan Lawyers provides detailed information on Michigan Auto Accident Lawyers, Michigan Divorce Lawyers, Michigan Lawyers, Michigan Medical Malpractice Lawyers and more. Michigan Lawyers is affiliated with Michigan Personal Injury Lawyers Info.

Discount Pet Stores

By Kent Pinkerton

Most human beings are animal lovers. They like to keep animals as pets for companionship and happiness. These pets deserve the best care just as anyone else in the family. Because of their love for pets, they are always looking for little things for their favorite animals.

The pet service and merchandise industry has grown dramatically in this age of pampered pets. Thus a large number of pet stores have come up all over. There are a number of pet products and supplies available in the market today. Pet lovers can buy these products from discount pet stores.

Low priced items available for pets from discount pet stores or shops are endless. Most of the discount pet stores have a fairly decent size and they carry everyday pet items and also special items. These stores stock more items than regular department stores or retail stores that sell pet products.

There are a wide range of discount pet stores to choose from. Both online and regular discount pet stores offer a range of items for the pets that you love. The online pet discount stores carry a wide range of product for your type of pet. These discount pet stores are very useful for checking out a wide range of pet items. Online stores are handy as they are easy to order from these stores

Most of the discount pet stores are pet friendly. They are all designed to provide comfort to the pet owner while he is buying things for his pet. Some pet discount stores offer countless services in addition to their regular services. They include grooming services, veterinary services and pet photography. Community service such as obedience classes, pet adoption clinics and lectures on pet care techniques are also offered.

Discount Pet Supplies provides detailed information on Discount Pet Supplies, Wholesale Discount Pet Supplies, Discount Pet Drug Supplies, Discount Pet Food and more. Discount Pet Supplies is affiliated with Custom Dog Tags.

Puppy Nutrition - Why Mother's Milk Is Crucial For The Survival Of Newborn Puppies

Puppies go through great changes in their bodies from the time of birth to the time that they are weaned from their mother. These changes are so tremendous that they can be seen taking place on a day-to-day basis. During this period of growth the type of food that they receive should be changing to keep up with the needs of their growing body.

A puppy's first stage of eating takes place in their mother's womb. This food comes in a form of nutrients that are found through the mother's blood and are carried over to the puppy's blood without him having to do anything. After their birth, a puppy's fragile digestive tract are only able to absorb nutrients that are easily digested. These well absorbed nutrients are provided by their mother in the form of milk.

During the following weeks of nursing the puppies, ingredients found in the mother's milk is also changing. During the first 24 hours after the birth of the puppies (whelping), the mother's milk is largely made of a substance called colostrum. This substance is very high in proteins, vitamins, and calories, and provide the puppies with protective anti-bodies that help to build up their immune system. A healthy immune system protects their delicate and susceptible bodies from a number of infections and illnesses. This type of milk also provides them with the energy that they need for the first 24 hours of their lives.

After the initial burst of nutrients from the colostrum is transferred to the puppies, the mother then stops producing the substance from her milk. During the following days, the mother's milk changes in concentration. It becomes more mature, more concentrated, and has more nutrients to accommodate the puppies' changing bodies. As they approach the weaning stage, the milk changes again and becomes more diluted as the puppies diet changes and eats more solid foods.

The first two to five days after birth is considered to be the most crucial period that occurs in a dog's life. The other critical period happens at weaning and two to three weeks following that. This is the time when the puppy's digestive tract changes in order to adapt from their mother's milk to their new diet of solid foods.

The transition from mother's milk to solid food should take place gradually, and automatically. Forcing this process to happen in a shorter amount of time causes more stress and more difficulty for the puppies. Puppies' sensitive digestive tract should be trained to handle different types of food by slowly decreasing the amount of milk and at the same time increasing the amount of solid food.

May Meggan loves dogs and loves to write. A combination made for the internet. Her most recent project is http://www.dogtrainingideas.net where she helps dog-owners to find smart ways to learn to train their dog and have great fun doing so. Most of the ideas found on http://www.dogtrainingideas.net come from her own 22 years of experience.

Understanding Cat Arthritis Symptoms - Caring For An Arthritic Cat

The increasing amount of cat owners feeding highly processed commercial cat food is reported by many veterinary experts to be a contributing factor in the increasing amount of cat arthritis happening in cats.

It is certainly not coincidence that owners who feed their cats homemade and raw food see lower occurrence of degenerative arthritis in their cats.

Today, although there are no concrete proof to show that commercial cat food contribute to arthritis development in cats, it is widely believe that they play a big part, From there, we understand that your cat's diet would play a major effect in preventing this stressful cat disease.

Apart from diet, overweight older cats are also more likely to develop arthritis because of the extra pressure they put on their joints causing the cartilage and bones to wear off faster. Naturally, a cat who enjoys a healthy diet and who exercise regularly will be less likely to suffer from the same condition.

The symptoms of arthritis in cats would be that he will find it difficult to walk around and run. Moving around stiffly, he will not make jumps that he use to make and will have difficulty in climbing up stairs. Showing signs of depression, your cat would hide away and appear listless and even bad tempered. Not allowing you to touch and stroke him in areas where he is painful, he might cry out if you touch him on a painful joint.

To diagnose arthritis in cats, veterinary will observe, use blood test and most importantly the x-ray examination. The X-ray will show joint degeneration in areas of worn, irregular bone position and possible distortion of the joint and see if the bone is causing pain and forcing the cat to stand in an awkward position to compensate for the discomfort.

Arthritis treatment will include medication to help your cat ease the pain on his joints, to aid the regeneration process of cartilage and bone, to build up the fluid within the capsular joints to provide a cushion for the joint itself. Your veterinary will prepare dose of glucosamine and chondroitin that are use for the same purpose in humans for your cat.

You can help your cat to recover by encouraging him to walk whenever possible to prevent the joints from stiffening further. You should try to create a warmer environment for him to rest. A warm water bottle place under his bed might do the trick. The warmth will help your cat to ease pain and loosen his muscles which might be tense because of the constant pain that he is suffering.

Recovery from arthritis is possible with the right treatment and care. Although a hundred percent recovery is not possible, your cat will still be able to enjoy a high quality of life.

Moses Wright is a webmaster and he provides more information on Cat Health, Cat Veterinary Diseases and Cat Illnesses Symptoms on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

Pet Doors: Giving Your Pet Freedom to Come and Go as They Please Helps Solve Behavior Problems

By Byron Pappageorge

Pet Doors

Are you considering installing a pet door for your pet? If so, you are in luck. Pet doors are becoming more common and more available. In fact, installing a pet door is a great way to treat your pet. Pet doors come in all sorts of styles to fit just about any need. Taking some time to research what type of pet door you are looking for and finding one that fits your budget will help ease your decision. Pet doors are found throughout the Internet as well as in many pet supply stores.

Purchasing a pet door is a big step in your animal's freedom. Allowing your little guy to leave and enter at his will is a bonus for you as well. But, where do you look for a pet door? What choices do you have? To start, there is much to consider. Take a few minutes to find some information out.

For example, do you want a door mounted pet door or a wall mounted pet door? Both have advantages and both will depend on what structure your home is in. Are you thinking about a pet door that is a simple flap or one that is electric? Will you want to install the pet door into a glass sliding door? Yes, you can do many things with the pet door you choose! You may consider adding a patio pet door to your home in which your sliding door is adjusted to allow for the animals entrance without creating a hole in your home or door.

If you've decided on something and are looking for a retailer, you may want to check out your local pet supply store. Often they carry some basic pet doors. But, your true selection will lie on the Internet. By doing a simple search, you will be able to find many retailers who are able to assist you in your pet door selection! Have fun with it and find just the right pet door for your little guy or girl!

http://www.dogtrainingcollars.net

Byron Pappageorge

Electric Dog Fences

By Ross Bainbridge

Electric dog fences are a new option to keep your pets safe. Of all dog-fencing systems, the most flexible is the electric dog fence. Electric dog fences are popular among pet owners and dog trainers. A wide selection is available including the Ultra Deluxe with a comfort fit receiver,

The installation of electric dog fences is very simple. The components required include insulators, a pet-collar with a receiver, charger, heavy wire and fence wire. The boundary wire is buried approximately 1-2 inches below the surface. Ifs the pet comes too close to the boundary, the boundary wire sends out a signal. The pet-collar worn by the dog produces a beep sound, and the dog receives a mild electric shock.

Most of the authorized online dealers of dog fences offer free shipping services to their customers. When choosing a dog fence, it is good to check whether the retailer offers a money-back guarantee and warranty. Electric dog fences need routine maintenance, so pet owners who have electric dog fences must check it regularly in order to avoid accidents.

Electric dog fences must be "broken in" for the dog. Even the the fence does provide an electric shock, telling the dog not to go there, it can still run across the boundary if not trained properly. Once your fence is installed and your dog is wearing the receiver, take it on a leash and slowly show it the boundaries. The extra time and care spent will ensure your dog never wanders too far.

Dog Fences provides detailed information on Dog Fences, Electric Dog Fences, Invisible Dog Fences, Wireless Dog Fences and more. Dog Fences is affiliated with Wire Dog Containment Systems.

Canine Rheumatoid Arthritis - Valuable Tips For Protecting Your Dog

Canine rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects dogs of all ages, unlike osteoarthritis that usually affects older dogs. Since it is an autoimmune disease, this type of canine arthritis comprises the body's initial reaction to fight off canine distemper virus affecting other tissues as well, such as joints and cartilages.

Although it is just one way of the dog's body to fight off viruses, in some cases the tendency of the immune system is that even the healthy joints are affected. This process eventually causes inflammation which eventually leads to joint damage.

Preventing canine rheumatoid arthritis is not an exact science, but veterinarians have discovered a few methods to lower your pet's risk. Here's how:

Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin C

Just like humans, dogs also need the right nutrients to maintain the normal processes of their bodies. Vets say that providing dogs with Omega 3-enriched foods will help lower the risk of developing canine rheumatoid arthritis.

Experts suggest that if Omega 3 fatty acids has great impact in humans particularly in lowering their risks in developing rheumatoid arthritis, dogs can exhibit the same effect. Hence, it is best to include foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids in your dog's diet, such as fish. You can also use fish oils and add them into your dog's meals.

Also, try to find dog foods that are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C may not be able to cure canine rheumatoid arthritis but it can help prevent the rapid deterioration or destruction of the joints as caused by the body's autoimmune response against certain viruses.

Stop Weight Gain

Some dog owners are fond of seeing their dogs fat or overweight. As much as you would want them to stay adorable, obesity in dogs can trigger the progression of canine rheumatoid arthritis.

The idea is that even if this particular type of canine arthritis is commonly caused by the over-reaction of the immune system, destruction of the joints are still evident. Hence, excess weight can cause the pain and discomfort brought about by the disease.

Extra weight will always put added stress on your dog's joints. Such pressure can wear down the joints in your dog's knees leading to arthritis.

Regular walking and playing with your dog will provide him the best exercise he needs.

Use Dietary Supplements

Just like in humans, supplements can promote better health in dogs, especially when it comes to their bones' health. Try to enhance your dog's diet with Chondroitin Sulphate and Glucosamine Sulphate. These supplements help in inhibiting the weakening and destruction of joints and cartilages in a dog's skeletal system. These supplements increase the lubrication at the cartilages through liquid extraction to the joint.

Also, try to improve your dog's diet by adding up some nutrients to their usual food. Cut up some vegetables or blend in some fruits in your dog's meal for added supplements. Just keep in mind not to add up onions or mushrooms as these can be very deadly for dogs.

Treat the Pain

It is a well-known fact that canine rheumatoid arthritis can not totally be prevented. However, if the disease is already present, the main treatment you should administer is to control the pain or relieve your dog from such discomfort.

Pain relievers are the most common types of medications administered in dogs with rheumatoid arthritis. However, dog owners should be wary of using such medications because of the possible adverse effects on their pets. Just like in humans, medicines can also aggravate or trigger some effects, such as stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, or may even cause liver and kidney problems.

Cooperating with your veterinarian to come up with the appropriate medication or treatment for your dog can ease the pain that your pet is going through. Keep in mind as well that the extra little thing that you can do for your dog, such as providing him nice, comfy quarters can help the discomfort he is experiencing with canine rheumatoid arthritis.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Arthritis-Education.com. She provides more information on topics such as canine rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis medicine for dogs and the American Arthritis Foundation which you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

Pet Urns - Honoring Your Pet With A Pet Urn (Dog And Cat)

The loss of a pet is a hard time for any pet lover, and dealing with the pain of the loss can be extremely difficult. Pet's friendship is irreplaceable and unmatched.

If you are looking for a great way to pay honor to your pet and keep their memory alive in your heart, you may consider a pet urn. They are a wonderful way to keep a loving memorial of your pet, and pet urns come in a wide selection. You can choose between wood, photo, vase, marble, and many other types of urns. I personally like the photo urn because with this urn you are able to place a picture of your pet on the urn, and it is a true reminder of the love shared between the pet owner and the pet.

They now have Life-size pet urns that are the actually size, look, and shape of your pet. Whatever type of urn you choose, you can rest assured that you will be able to honor your pet with a lasting memory, and every time you look at the urn will be reminded for of the special moments that you shared with your pet. So, no matter what type of pet you own you have to choice to have a pet urn in their honor.

I have a bull mastiff that is like a family member in our home, and I know that if something were to happy to our precious dog that I would want to do something for my family to help them through this hard time.

By: Chad Wiley www.peturns-online.com Peturns-online has a large selection of pet urns. If you are looking at purchasing a pet urn please come visit our website for more information.

Pet Grooming Training Resources

With the evolution of the internet and the world wide web, pet grooming training resources are very easy to find. In fact, there is so much information available that one can become confused. When looking for ideas about pet grooming training, consider the sources. The pet owner might want to begin their search by going to a local pet supply store. Stores such as Petco and Petsmart can be an excellent source for the pet owner. Both of these stores have seminar classes on pet obedience as well as grooming.

There are a lot of people who learn best by doing. Why not take the time to take classes with your pet. The pet owner will have a beautiful looking pet and have the confidence to continually groom the pet for years to come. Another pet grooming training resource is private animal clubs where people share techniques and exchange ideas. Call the breeder of your pet and get connected.

The internet will have forums for just about every pet available. This can be a wealth of information. Also, enter a chat room for pet owners. This is a real time place where pet owners are talking to each other about many subjects.

Things To Watch Out For

Along with all of the good advice the customer will find, there are some bad ideas and suggestions that the pet owner will want to stay clear of. Some groomers will actually abuse a pet in order to groom them. Let it be known that most pet groomers love animals and would never even consider abusing one. For whatever reason though, maybe from bad pet grooming training, there are a few bad apples in the group.

Most groomers will let you watch how they do it. Stay away from those who will not let you observe their techniques. If one uses a website or a chat room, use common sense. There are many people that will have great pet grooming training ideas, but some ideas will be terrible. One great thing about website forums is that most people who are on these sites are good and will immediately come down on someone who gives bad advice. Pet grooming training is not rocket science and with a little advice, can be accomplished fairly easy.

Remember this; One's pet depends on its owner for all of their care. Take the time to take care of ones pet and they will pay the pet owner back with unconditional love.

About the Author:

John Mailer has written many articles about dogs and puppies and how to train them. His main business is as an internet marketer Pet Grooming Dog Food

 

What Is Affordable Pet Health Insurance?

By Elizabeth Katz

If we are honest nothing is ever more dear to your heart than your pet! Doesn't matter if it is a cat, dog, rabbit or a python everyone loves their pets and they become part of the family. However there are a number of occasions where people will come up against a financial issue when it comes to paying for your loving friends care should they fall ill. This is the time when affordable pet health insurance comes in really helpful.

I have a friend who is a vet and over a drink one evening I was talking about pet insurance and what she would class as affordable pet health insurance, her reply was "It depends what you call affordable? Is affordable what you can afford to pay if something goes wrong or is affordable pet health insurance what you pay for your pet on a yearly insurance?"

This was a valid point! If I took the cost of my dog (for example) and she had a bad accident, god forbid but lets say for arguments sake that she got hit by a car. The vet costs could be in the thousands for the initial care and then the after care and attention that my faithful hound would need. The thought of having to pay that out would have taken a serious dent from my savings, and in many cases people would have to borrow the money in order to afford the cost of getting my beloved dog back to full health.

Then there is the other option where I take out a monthly subscription to a yearly affordable pet health insurance and I pay one simple payment of about $20 a month and my animal is covered in case anything should happen to it. Of course there are extreme cases where not everything might be covered but basically it is much cheaper to have the second option.

So this is why we feel that affordable pet health insurance is worth every penny rather than take the risk that your pooch is safe make sure it is safe.

Find more valuable information and the best places to get your insurance quotes from at Online Insurance Advice

 

Could Boredom Be Causing Your Cat's Behavior Problems? 10 Quality Play Tips For Your Cat

When a cat is displaying major behavior problems it usually comes from a lack of things to do. That's right old fashion boredom. Boredom can lead to neurotic chewing, compulsive grooming, over eating, and in some cases aggression.

If you take a short amount of playtime with your cat, it will improve your cats mental health and physical well-being. This could all happen in as little as 15 minutes. Not only does it help your cats health but can also create a stronger bond between you and your beloved family pet.

Here are some fun ideas to add a bit of excitement to your cat's every day routine.

PAPER BAG (without handles)

Cats love to hide out so something as simple as a paper bag can be a new toy. Take out a paper bag and watch them enjoy. If you want to make it extra fun cut some holes into it and put their favorite toy inside. That'll sure keep them busy!

BURIED TREASURE

Cats enjoy a good hunting game so get one of their toys and place it right in between the cushions of your couch or even simply under a pillow. Then once your cat finds it and takes it out. Find another hiding place. The fun will just keep on going.

SWAT GAME

If you don't already have a dangling cat toy you can make one. Get a string. Tie one end to the tip of a chopstick and the other to one of their toys or even a feather if you have one. Then let them chase or "hunt" it.

Cats love this game!

TOILET PAPER ROLE

When giving your cat a toilet paper role make sure there is no paper on it. Just the simple roll will do.. If you want to make it twice as fun you could wedge a ball on one end and tape it there giving the roll a wobble that will drive your cat crazy.

TISSUE IN A BOX

This game is a bit messy but takes little time from you and worth it just to watch your cat take out every tissue one by one.

LASER LIGHT

(When playing laser light make sure the laser never shines in their eyes!!! If that worries you a flash light can be substituted for the laser.).

Move the light across the floor and along the walls. This chase game is great fun for your cat and is also a good exercise for them as well.

BOUNCY BALLS

This is an old fashion and self explanatory game. You throw the ball. It bounces. This is a simple way to get rid of unwanted cat behavior and it's big fun for kitty!

SOCKS

Yes your cat can even be entertained with a sock. Stuff it with cotton balls and catnip. Your cat will have a blast!

ICE CUBES

Slide an ice cube back and forth across your kitchen floor. You now have a game of feline ice hockey that he is guaranteed to win!

PING PONG BALLS

Simply place a few ping pong balls in an empty tub.

These are games your cat and you can enjoy together. Two or three play sessions a day, preferably at times when he tends to be most active will keep him happy and fit.

Have fun!

About the Author

Have a cat behavior problem that needs solving? If so, you'll want to visit www.secretsofcats.com today to get expert information on how to train your cat and eliminate cat problems quickly.

 

A Guide To The Beagle Dog Breed

By Darren Lintern

The Beagle is one of those breeds that will thrive off human affection. An extremely amiable creature that was initially bred as a pack hunter, the Beagle is an eager exploration searcher. The perfect fun time for this pet would be exploring and rummaging through wooded areas and forests. She utterly adores her owner and can make the ideal social home dog.

Training and Housebreaking Beagle Tips:

Learning how to train a Beagle doesn't take that long to get to grips with as this breed is a first-class house pet that remains calm and placid, particularly close to its family members. Although the Beagle will need a daily exercise routine to keep her active, content and calm, it doesn't take much, maybe 15 to 25 minutes of gentle exercise every day.

Take them for a long walk or a swift run through a safe spot in the forest. She especially enjoys scouting paths and other small trails. However, be certain not to take this breed of dog off her leash if she's has been confined inside for a long period. If she catches the sense of small animals along a trail, she is liable to scamper off and chase around for a while, typically if her energy reserves have built up from lack of activity.

An ideal option if you have a small child in the house, having a Beagle as a pet will make you happy and will never stop searching for means to delight you.

Beagle Health Problem Concerns:

Most Beagles can expect a lifespan of between 9 and 16 years but on occasion have minor health dilemma's to watch out for, such as hypothyroidism, chondrodysplasia, KCS, patellar luxation, glaucoma, epilepsy, and cherry eye.

If you're interested in getting a more detailed look at dog ownership, including a huge variety of detailed information on canine problem behaviors, dog psychology, and the most effective ways to train your dog, take a look at http://www.dogs-for-all.com/

 

Dogs On Bonfire Night

By John M Williams

This time of year can be a worrying and confusing one for your dog, occurrences like bonfire night don't happen very often and that's what makes it a lot scarier for your dog or puppy.

Dogs do not like unfamiliarity's and all the flashes and sudden bangs can make your dog extremely scared and afraid of what is happening. Unfortunately there have been many cases of deaths on bonfire night over the last ten years so it's a must to keep an eye on your pet at this time of the year and any other similar time such as New Years Eve.

Accidents and injuries happen on bonfire night because of dogs or puppies being loose outside and the unfamiliar sounds and flashes causing them to go into a panic and running away from home, running into roads, or getting stuck in tight spaces trying to hide from the noises.

Fortunately, there are rules and advice that can be followed to prevent times like these and keep your dog in safe hands. To begin you will need to stop your pet being out at night and keep them reassured indoors and away from their outdoor home if they have one. This should be done from one week before the event to one week after the event so no fireworks before or after will scare them into trouble.

Make sure all the doors are locked and shut, if your dog sees an opening they will go for it if they become scared. Try to make a small sheltered area for your dog where they feel protected and in control, and cuddles and calmly playing with your pet may help your dog be less nervous and take their mind off the situation.

If it does escape, be calm and positive with them wile trying to get them back inside as quickly as possible, if all these rules are followed then everything should go to plan and you will be able to relax on bonfire night and not have to worry about your pet.

For more information on Dog Behavior Training take a look at Dog-Behavior-Training.co.uk

 

Dogs and Gardens - Enjoy Them Both!

By Joy Cagil

Our Newfoundland lived to be eighteen and was never a problem for our plants even though we gardened intensively; therefore, it was shocking to see a friend's garden wrecked by her tiny basset hound. We practiced organic gardening and our dog was innately sensitive to what was approved of him, but not all gardening practices are the same and neither are the behavior patterns of the pets.

Despite the beauty of the gardens and the docility of our dogs, we may sometimes find them to clash and make our lives bitter. Dogs have certain needs, their own personalities, and their instinctive curiosity for exploring and experiencing the things their owners do.

An unruly dog may need a fenced area away from a tended garden, whereas a tame dog will fit in the garden very well, not only enjoying it with his owners but also protecting it from harm. If the garden is not large enough for a separate playground for the dog, then the plant beds could be fenced off.

Raised beds for flowers also work well for curious dogs who like to become familiar with plants by chewing them. Quite a few plants are harmful to pets. If you have ever caught your dog chewing a plant, then do not plant harmful plants like crocus, yew, castor beans, hellebore, oleander, lily-of-the-valley or foxglove, and dig and eliminate the wild mushrooms if they appear.

Preferring trees and large bushes and pet-friendly plants is an option. In addition, staying away from thorny plants is a good idea, because they can cause eye injuries to the dogs. Before planting anything, you might consider referring to ASPCA's list of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Even with an obedient dog, you have to consider the dog's instinctual needs and take precautions accordingly. If you use mulch, choose mulch with pieces large enough that will not cling to the dog's hair. If you have a small yard, find and design a separate space with a marking post as a spot for the dog to relieve himself. Give the dog some space like a deck, an open porch, or a piece of lawn to sunbathe on and a shelter or some room in the shade to rest.

If your dog likes to dig, he needs his own digging area with soft uncovered sand or soil. If you find it difficult to restrain your dog's digging to his space, then mulch heavily around your prized plants and do not leave any open soil.

An important point to remember is to avoid leaving toxic chemicals and fertilizers around in places where your dog can gain entry easily. Put the toxic chemicals and sharp garden tools in a shed with a locked door or a container impossible for the dog to open. A healthy choice can be to practice organic gardening, which is beneficial to people and pets alike.

Not only the gardens can be made fit for dogs, but also, the dogs can be trained to fit the gardens. Spending time to train your dog will enhance your enjoyment of your garden and will strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Learn the difference between unwanted behavior and instinct, so you can have a splendid garden and a happy dog.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets. Joy Cagil is an author in http://www.writing.com

How To Choose The Right Professional Pet Grooming Supplies

You like to groom your own cat or dog, and as such you need to purchase your own professional pet grooming supplies. However, with so many professional pet grooming supplies that are available, how do you find the one that's right for your pet? Luckily, when it comes to finding the right professional pet grooming supplies, there are a few things that you can look for.

Professional Pet Grooming Supply #1: Nail Clippers

If you have a cat that has not been declawed, or if you have a small dog that you do not take on walks very often, you will need to have a good pair of nail clippers. Get nail clippers that will not rust, and be sure that it comes with a cover. The size of the nail clippers can be small if they are small pets, but will have to be a bit larger for larger dogs.

Professional Pet Grooming Supply #2: Grooming Scissors

Now, you can't just use any kind of grooming scissors on your pet, because regular scissors can cause the coat to fray. Thus, it is important to select the grooming scissors in accordance with whatever kind of coat your pet has. Be sure to check the label so that you get the right pair.

Professional Pet Grooming Supply #3: The Brush

Now, many groomers might just think that a brush is a brush, and any kind of brush will suffice. However, this is not true, because several things need to be taken into account when it comes to selecting the right grooming brush.

First of all, what kind of coat does your cat or dog have? Choose the kind of brush that is best for the kind of coat that your pet has. For example, you would not want to use a paddle brush on an a curly coat if you want o keep those curls! Also, keep in mind that some pets, especially those that do not have a lot fur, are more sensitive to some kinds of brushes than others, so it is important that you choose a brush the is good for both the kind of skin as well as the kind of hair that your pet has.

For More Information

If you would like more information about the kind of professional pet grooming supplies there are to choose from, go to your local pet supply store and ask for assistance. Or, you can search the internet. With the proper research, you are sure to find the right professional pet grooming supplies.

About the Author:

John Mailer has written many articles about dogs and puppies and how to train them. His main business is as an internet marketer Pet Grooming Dog Food

Incoming - Discovering Nature With Bird Houses and Feeders

It is very important to have a bit of nature in your life every day, and putting bird houses, bird baths, and bird feeders is a great way to bring nature to you. Birds are naturally attracted to the colorful flowers that provide them with food and shelter. By adding additional food, water, and housing, the birds will truly love your garden and return to the garden for years, making it a permanent residence for some. The birds will especially flock to the extra food and shelter in the wintertime.

Water is very important to birds, and moving water sources and water features, bird bath are especially attractive to them. The simple act of laying a hose out in your yard and turning on a small stream of water will attract a variety of birds to your yard right away.

A great way to provide a source of non-moving water for the birds is to have a bird bath. Make sure you use a non-reflective surface because birds can be scared away by shiny objects. If you have a stone bird bath and your neighbor has one made of metal, you will quickly notice that all of the birds will be in your yard and not your neighbor's.

The combination of moving water and a bird bath is an even better way to attract birds. Specialty bird baths are made that slowly bubble water up in the center of the bath like a fountain. The water does not spray out from the bath, which would scare the birds, but it moves enough that the birds notice and are attracted to it. Many birds will be attracted to drink and play.

Pay close attention to the birds playing in the water. Watching them splash around can be a hilarious sight!

With all of the fun that the birds are having, they are going to want to move to your garden so that they can live by the water source. Providing several birdhouses over time will create housing for plenty of birds, no matter what their species or size. It is better to have too many houses so all of the birds that want to live there can, then to have just one or 2 houses for a large number of birds. This low supply and high demand condition will cause territory battles between the birds.

With water and housing in your garden, the last thing the birds need is a consistent source of food, which you can provide through plenty of bird feeders with several types of food. Different types of food will attract different types of birds. It is most important to have the feeders in the winter, since flowers in your garden in the spring and summer provide a natural food source. In the winter, your feeders can help keep the birds alive through the rough conditions.

It is natural for birds to come back to the same living and feeding areas each year. You'll notice the same birds year after year, with the addition of new birds all the time as well.

All of these birds eating can create a mess of bird droppings in your yard and garden. The best way to deal with this is to put the bath, feeders, flowers, and houses in the same area, so that the birds will mostly stay in that one section. By doing that, you can still watch them easily, but you won't have to clean up your entire yard or deck.

Keith Markensen explores the world of backyard landscape ideas and he shares his decades of landscape experience at www.Plant-Care.com where practical professional plant and landscaping advice is always online.

 

Beta Fish Care Basics

By Julie Jones

The Beta Fish, also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish, is a popular, beautiful and inexpensive pet. It's hard to resist these stunning little jewels!

Beta fish are considered to be a relatively easy pet to own, but keep in mind that beta fish do have specific requirements to keep them comfortable, safe and healthy. Here are some beta fish basics to get you started.

The Beta fish's official name is Betta splendens. The Beta fish's natural coloring was originally much more drab than the intense colors that we see in pet shops today. Also in the wild the original beta fish sported much shorter fins.

The Beta fish originated in the hot, humid rice paddies of Asia. The Beta Fish developed a way to breathe oxygen directly from the air, using a lung-like "labyrinth" organ to survive as the rice paddies experienced drought.This way the bettas could still get air, while living in muddy, shrinking water holes and could survive until the rains returned.

Beta fish do not actually enjoy existing in tiny containers. Even though it's possible for Beta fish to survive in these harsh conditions, this ability was developed by the Beta fish as a means of survival rather than choice. It's much kinder to house your Beta fish in a 2.5 gallon tank or larger.

While it's not necessary to house your Beta fish in a 10 gallon fish tank, it is much more comfortable and your Beta fish will appreciate it. A larger fish tank, such as a ten gallon tank, will also provide you with a fun way to display your prized Beta by adding plantings and other appropriate touches to your fish tank.

Because the Beta originated in a warm climate, Betas do not enjoy being cold. Your Beta will most likely consider your home's room temperature too cold. We suggest investing in an inexpensive aquarium thermometer. A stick-on thermometer will do. You may want to consider placing a small heater in your Beta tank or placing your Beta's bowl in a warm area of your home. Your beta will sit clamped and lifeless in a huddle near the bottom of his tank when he is too cold. Beta's enjoy a water temperature in the mid 70 degrees.

The beta fish is commonly called the Samurai Fighting Fish because male Beta fish will attack each other and fight to the death. Never house male beta fish together. We also do not recommend placing a female Beta fish with your male Beta fish. It is very likely that your male beta will attack the female Beta as well, or possibly harass her to death.

Be aware that Beta fish are not recommended for community tanks. In a community tank the other fish will most likely nip at your Beta fish's long beautiful fins and injure them. If you do decide that you want some companion fish with your Beta, be sure to research which species will coexist peacefully before placing the other fish with your Beta.

Your Beta fish needs only 3 or 4 grains of food each day. It's best to feed your betta one grain of food at a time, several times a day. A Betas stomach is about the size of their eyeball. Too much food will give your Beta bloating pains, constipation, and possibly swim bladder issues (which is often deadly). Feed your Beta fish only special fish food made for bettas.

Betta fish are beautiful and interesting fish to own. Beta fish are intelligent and will quickly learn who their caregiver is. You will notice that your Beta fish will soon learn when you approach and become very excited! If you give your Beta fish the attention and care that he deserves, you will be rewarded with a stunning and interesting pet that is a pleasure to own.

For lots of free pet tips, Pet ideas and healthy pet recipes visit LittlePawsPetClub.blogspot.com

 

Selecting An Appropriate Pet Insurance Quote

By Wade Robins

The pet insurance is an offer made by the insurance companies to those people who own a pet and to those who plan to adopt a pet. The right insurance cover is the one that fits in financially and covers all the potential risks that might pertain to the rearing of your pet. To select an appropriate pet insurance that too of the right kind can be a tiresome job as there many insurance covers on offer these days. The acknowledgment of the need of insurance for your pet is the first step in the direction but be sure the next step is even harder as you go through the quote of pet insurance from different insurance companies, you tend to get lost and confused as each cover will appeal you in a different way. The things to keep in mind while going through the insurance quote are, first the affordability and second the provisions which takes cares of maximum possible risks for your pet. The pet insurance not only covers the medicals for the treatment of any ailment to your pets but also the accidents. There are insurance covers which cover life of the pets as well.

Apparent and Hidden Conditions in a Quote

The discounts are on offer on various types of pet insurance. The best insurance plan for your pet is the one that not only covers the medical intricacies of any ailments but also covers the hospitalization and medical expenses if the pet meets an accident. The insurance policy for the pet may also cover the third party type cover wherein the pet owner is not liable in case of any accident involves any stranger or any attack by the pet on someone's pet or someone in person. The lawsuits and penalties in such case may be very severe and heavy. There have been cases where the pet owners have been found guilty of carelessness and penalized with damages running into several thousand dollars.

Disparity and the differences in the insurance cover offered by different companies, needs to be scrutinized closely. One should read between the lines to get a clear picture and to understand the implications and provisions set about by the insurance companies in the cover. The exclusions are to be seen into more closely. There may be diseases which may not even get entertained in the scope of the insurance. There are other types of insurance covers as well, like the travel insurance for pets which allows you to insure your pet while traveling. The pets are seldom good travelers on artificial traveling modes; hence they are prone to getting sick. The sickness and their remedies can be covered under the insurance. The death during the traveling their getting lost in transit is also covered by the insurance cover. The insurance cover also provides provision for surgery and medication in case of accidents. The pet insurance is not an accessory but a necessity these days. You should cover all the pets under the pet insurance

You can also find more info on Pet Sitter Insurance and Travel Pet Insurance. knowpetinsurance.com is a comprehensive resource to know about pet insurance.

 

Pet Supply – More Than Food Bowls

By: Ken Snoddy

Your pet supply may consist of a variety of items for a variety of pets. There are many different kinds of pets, and they all have unique needs and personalities. You may have more than one kind of pet, or unusual pets. Then you have an even bigger array of pet supply items.

The basics in pet supply needs are pretty obvious. No matter what kind of pet you have, you have to meet its basic needs. You have to have feed, and something to feed and water your pet out of. For dogs and cats, this chore has been made easier by pet supply manufacturers. You can now purchase large canisters with bowls attached to the bottoms. It is the same principal that made silos work, but on a smaller scale. But it cuts the work down for you so that you don't have to feed as often.

There are many places that you can get all of your pet supply needs. There are even stores that are dedicated solely to this purpose. These are great places to get items that you never even knew you needed. You know – those things that you've never heard of, but once you see them you buy them.

Farm supply stores can be a great place for your pet supply needs. Because these stores are usually based on wholesaling, they are often cheaper than other places. The downside is that you may have to buy larger quantities than you intended. But if you plan on keeping your pet, it may be worth it in the long run.

Online auction sites can be great places to buy some pet supply needs. For those items that you don't have to buy over and over and are higher priced items, this is a great way to get a bargain. As with other items on auction sites, these items may be a great deal if not many people bid on them. One thing that you need to remember is to check shipping prices. It may seem like a great deal until you add in shipping. Find all costs before buying.

Some of your pet supply needs can be found at any of your general retailers. Food, dishes, shampoos, and toys are a few of many items to be found. One thing that you need to make sure you buy with dogs or cats is a collar. Make sure that you keep current tags on your pets. These are your best chance for recovering a lost pet, and therefore one of the most important things on your pet supply list.

About the Author:

To get your questions answered about Pet Supply visit http://www.great-pet-supply.info

 

Choosing A Dog Food Or Cat Food

By Elyse Grau

Feeding a high quality dog or cat food will add years to your pet's life and reduce the chances of developing many common health problems. This article will help you identify and choose the best diet for your furry companion.

How do you know what dog/cat food is right? For many the choice is a homemade diet. If you have the time and the resources, I agree that this is the preferred way to go. This is usually the best, and occasionally the only choice for animals with multiple food allergies. The choice is yours whether to go cooked or raw, with bones or without.

Basically, a homemade diet should consist of 40-60% meat for dogs, 60%-90% for cats, 20-50% vegetables (dogs, or 10%-40% for cats), and the rest, optionally, grains. The choice within each category is vast, and depends on your budget, availability, and what the dog or cat prefers. Often allergies to certain foods will determine the diet.

Each dog and cat is unique and what is best for one may not work well for another. Feeding a variety of foods is the best way to provide all or most of the nutrients that your pet needs.

A good quality multi-vitamin and calcium supplements will help make sure the diet is complete. Because it can be tricky to get the right balance of calcium and phosphorus when making your own pet food, you will need to add a calcium supplement.

If you like the idea of homemade pet food, but lack the time, there are pre-mixes available, or complete ready-to-serve meals. Pre-mixes come freeze-dried, dehydrated or frozen. Usually they are grain and vegetable mixes, along with some supplements such as calcium, to which you add the meat. Ground meats, sometimes with bone, are also available where pet foods are sold. You can then add your own vegetables and/or grains if you so desire.

Complete raw-foods diets are also sold as frozen, dry or freeze-dried. Some areas may have local entrepreneurs who make and sell these diets fresh. They may also custom make meals to your pets specifications.

If you prefer to feed a commercial product, choose one of the many premium dog foods now available. though the cost may be higher than grocery store brands, what you save in vet bills will more than make up for the difference.

Whether to feed canned or dry pet food will depend on you and your dog or cat. Canned food is usually more expensive, kibble is more convenient. Pets usually prefer canned foods and some need the softer, wetter consistency. Canned pet foods generally contain higher quality proteins than dry pet food, and a higher percentage of protein and fat. The higher moisture content of canned foods can be beneficial to dogs and cats with kidney or urinary tract problems. Dry pet foods contain more preservatives. Some people choose to use both.

The most important criteria in choosing a pet food is the list of ingredients. Whole meats are always better then meat meals, and meat meals are preferable to by-products. Single source meals, such as "beef meal" or "chicken meal" are more wholesome than those marked simple "meat" or "poultry" meals. Single source meals contain the muscle meat from that animal, along with accompanying tissues, such as nerves, blood vessels and skin. Generic meals may contain other organ tissues and fatty tissue. By-product meal is a catch-all term for anything that doesn't fit the other meal definitions - avoid these at all costs!

Look for the meat source (or sources) to be listed first on the label. If grains are included (which they always are in kibbles), they should be whole grains, rather than fractions, such as wheat bran, brewer's rice, etc. Watch out for multiple listings of grains, they may add up to be more than the meat portion!

Avoid foods containing artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Colors are added for your benefit, not to appeal to dogs. Artificial flavors are added to enhance palatability or cover up off tastes of poorer quality ingredients. Premium dog foods can be found in most natural or health food stores and pet supply stores. If you are unable to find a satisfactory dog food in stores near you, many of them can be found on the internet.

Elyse is the founder of The Original Dog Biscuit Company. She has extended knowledge of pet nutrition and feeding, as well as practical experience in the raising of cats, dogs and other animals. She is a herbalist, specializing in animals. Read more of her articles at: http://www.pethealthresource.com

Pet Insurance May Save Your Dog's Life

By Valerie Goettsch

Our dogs are a treasured part of our family. They give us unconditional love and companionship and we give them affection, attention and the best of care. But what do we do when our beloved pet gets sick or hurt and we're hit with a $5,000 vet bill? We want the best veterinary care for them, but the average person cannot afford to cover huge vet bills. That's where pet health insurance can help.

As pet owners, we know vet bills can add up dramatically. My dog's broken toe cost nearly $600! It would be nice to have peace of mind that in the event your dog becomes ill or injured you can pay for its care. Pet insurance can a helpful way to budget vet expenses. It can allow you to make medical decisions for your dog based on its health care needs, not money.

More and more people are turning to pet insurance policies to help protect them from unexpected vet costs. Technically, pet insurance is property insurance. Usually plans have premiums with deductibles and co-payments, and most have benefit limits. Policies can vary in whether they cover preventive care and pre-existing conditions. Yearly premiums can vary widely, from around $200 a year to over $400, depending on the breed and age of the dog and where the owner lives.

What Does Pet Health Insurance Cover? The purpose of pet insurance is to cover major medical bills. Pet insurance plans typically cover first-time illnesses, foreign body ingestion or poison ingestion, auto accident, bone fractures, lacerations, burns, allergic reactions to insect bites or stings, and sometimes recovery costs in the event your dog gets lost.

According to the Veterinary Pet Insurance Company, the top insurance claims for dogs are skin allergies, ear infections, upset stomachs, bladder infections, benign tumors, arthritis, sprains, eye infections, enteritis (inflammation of the intestinal tract), and hypothyroidism.

In the past, pet owners were forced to make difficult decisions about their ill or injured pets; some felt they had no choice but to put their dog to sleep because they couldn't afford expensive surgery. Today we have alternatives like pet health insurance plans—and advances in veterinary medicine—to help us save or extend the lives of our four legged friends.

Learn more about dog health and pet insurance at http://www.my-favorite-dog.com

Dog Food - Teaching Your Dog Better 'Tricks'

By: Rebecca Prescott

 

There is much to recommend feeding your dog homemade dog food if you have the time to prepare it, and make sure you have recipes that give the correct ratio of nutrients, as well as the vitamins and supplements you'll need to add. These can be mixed up in a bag, stored, and sprinkled in every meal.

Dogs should have a minimum of 18% protein for maintenance when they are adults, and 22% for reproduction and growth. Fat should be a minimum of 5% for adult dogs, and 8% for reproduction and growth. But the more fat that is in the diet, the more protein there should be. Fat makes dogs, as well as people, eat less by making them feel fuller. If they eat less, and there are less of other essential nutrients like protein and vitamins and minerals, the dog will not get the nourishment it needs.

Generally, commercial pet food is made according to the appropriate guidelines, but care should be taken if significant amounts of other food is added to the diet, and it is high in fat.

But whether you're feeding your dog commercial dog food, or home made dog food, there are a few things to keep in mind so you don't end up with a fussy dog:

* dogs should be fed once a day once they are no longer puppies, or two small meals, no more. Feeding your dog too frequently when he is older can turn him appear like a fussy eater, when he is actually full.

* feeding your dog too regularly can get him into the routine of expecting to eat at those times, too, and may lead to weight gain. Letting him get hungry, and feeding sensibly, will not harm him. In the wild, dogs would eat for once a day until they were completely full.

* Don't stand and stare at your dog waiting for him to eat. He will likely think something is wrong, or something else is coming, and won't eat.

* Don't give into your dog and give him something else straight away if he refuses his meal, as he's effectively training you and not the other way around!

* There's nothing wrong with feeding your dog a varied diet, but don't keep changing the food because he seems fussy and won't eat it. Make sure nothing is wrong with him physically first, then if he is healthy, take charge of the situation. Put his food down, leave him to it, and then 30 minutes later go and check to see whether it's been eaten. If it hasn't, take it away, then at the end of the day put down some fresh food. Repeat the process, and take it away 30 minutes later if it still isn't eaten. This way you'll train your dog to eat his food, and not reinforce his behaviour.

Brian Kilcommons has a very interesting method for teaching dogs to eat their food. When the above fails, he prepared the dog food in front of the dog, making lots of 'yummy' noises whilst he did it. He made it slowly, and when the dog still wasn't interested, he put it down in front of his face, then took it straight away and threw it out. He did this first at breakfast, then at dinner. At dinner, the dog in question was more interested, but he still threw it out after putting it in front of him. The next morning, the dog was jumping up and down whilst the food was being prepared. He put it down, pulled it away, then looked at him for about a minute, then left it for him to eat. That dog now eats anything put down for him.

* If your dog suddenly goes off his food, it could be because he has dental problems, or a stomach problem. Get him checked out by the vet.

* Some dogs do actually prefer a certain type of food, just as people do. Try your dog with a variety of foods, and if he only eats one type, and will starve himself if he doesn't get it, the best solution can simply be to feed him that type of food.

* Don't feed your dog a high fat diet, or junk food, including chocolate. It's not good for them.

References: Brian Kilcommons, Good Owners, Great Dogs

 

About the Author:

For more information on feeding your dog a natural dog food diet, see this article: http://www.thedogsbone.com/articles/36/1/Guide-To-Feeding-Your-Dog-A-Natural-Dog-Food-Diet For information on commercial v's non commercial dog food that might shock you, see this article: http://www.thedogsbone.com/articles/35/1/Commercial-Versus-Non-Commercial-Dog-Foods Rebecca Prescott runs the website, http://www.thedogsbone.com/

   

Diabetes in Dogs is More Common Than You Think

Just like humans, dogs can develop or be born with diabetes; in fact, about one in four hundred dogs develop the condition, and it's getting more common. Dog diabetes is similar in symptoms and action to the human variety.

Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect your dog may have this problem:

• Excessive consumption of water under normal conditions
• Excessive urination
• Increased appetite
• Weight loss or gain for no apparent reason
• An intolerance to exercise
• Recurrent infections
• Thinning skin and fragility (this is very serious)
• Cataracts

Symptoms have a gradual onset, so you may not notice it right away. If you want to quick test your pet for diabetes, you can use urine keto/glucose strips (which are sold for use in the Atkins diet). A glucose-positive test indicates likely canine diabetes; if it shows ketones, you need to get him to the veterinarian right away.

Never try to treat diabetes in dogs yourself. You must have him under a veterinarian's care for the best results. Learn everything you can about canine diabetes once he has been diagnosed. This will enable you to give him the best possible care.

It is critical that diabetes in dogs be treated as quickly as possible. Though they are unlikely to die in the early stages of the disease, a dog's eyes are very sensitive to elevated blood sugar and can be blinded after only a few days of untreated diabetes.

Treatments for Dog Diabetes

The primary component in treating your dog's diabetes is his diet. A high-fiber, moderate-carb diet can put dog diabetes into remission, for instance. This means it's time to quit the table scraps and talk to your vet about the best dog food. Especially watch for foods that are advertised as "light," as they tend to be higher in carbs than you want. Some veterinarians will also prescribe insulin bolus supplements for mealtimes, or a restricted-fat diet for dogs that also have pancreatitis. Rarely, he may prescribe oral medications; get a second opinion if he does.

After diet has been regulated, you may have to give your dog regular insulin injections. There are many animal and synthetic insulin brands used to treat diabetes in dogs. The most common is probably Caninsulin or Vetsulin, but don't be surprised if your veterinarian prescribes a human insulin instead.

Treatment for diabetes in dogs should start slowly and conservatively, largely because an overdose of insulin can kill your dog in just minutes. You should buy a blood glucose meter for your dog and test him yourself, as urine strips aren't accurate enough to monitor glucose levels. Follow your vet's directions; he will probably tell you that your pet's glucose should remain between 100-180 mg/dL, preferably toward the lower end. Readings over 250 should be called in to the veterinarian, as that is where canine diabetes can cause serious damage. It takes experience to get a good feel for how your dog's glucose levels should look.

Hypoglycemic reactions, marked by lethargy, confusion, loss of bladder and bowel control, vomiting, and seizures, can be treated by rubbing honey or corn syrup on your pet's gums and rushing him to the vet. Continue rubbing the sweets on his gums on the way; this could be a lifesaving treatment. Low blood glucose (40 mg/dL) without symptoms should be treated by giving your pet treats right away. Do allow your dog to drink as much water as he wants at all times; don't worry that he's drinking too much.

Remember, with proper care, your diabetic dog can have a normal and healthy lifespan.

Scott LeRoy is the owner of several dogs and an animal lover and researcher. He is a regular contributor to Natural Pet Care, a section of Dog Health Problems & Care, a site focusing on conventional and natural treatments of canine health concerns.

 

Tips On Starting A Pet Grooming Business

With the ever-growing demand for pet grooming services, if you are a pet lover, it is time that you may want to start thinking about starting a pet grooming business. A pet grooming business does not just wash the pet. It also provides other value-added services such as trimming the pet's nails, cleaning their teeth, and shaving their coat. These value-added services call for your expertise and creativity in the work and thus they can fetch you a higher profit.

If you are interested in starting a pet grooming business, below are some tips that you can take away.

1) You should find out if there are any other pet grooming services near your shop location.

2) Purchasing pet grooming equipment can be expensive. You should buy them just before your business opens, just in case you back up. You should buy the equipment from people who have knowledge about grooming supplies so as to get the best price.

3) As a professional pet groomer, you should not only give your clients advice on how to groom their pets but also how to care for their pets. This will make your service unique so that they will come back to you again.

4) To increase your credential, you should obtain a pet grooming license. But be prepared to go through intensive hands-on grooming training before you can receive the license. But once you got it, it's going to benefit you for your entire career course.

5) Constantly attending pet grooming course and seminars to keep yourself ahead of your competitors. Upgrade your equipment regularly and more importantly, consciously convey the benefits of your new equipment to your clients. Let them know that they are getting the most up-to-date service and technology from you.

6) As a professional pet groomer, you should always take your time when grooming each pet. You should make sure you do your best, because this is what it takes to keep your business.

7) Initially, you may want to start your business out of your home until you build up your client base. The time to move out of your home to a shop is when your income in enough to cover the shop rental and other basic recurring expenses.

Businesses do not grow overnight. The law of germination applies. Take your time to build up a reputation for your service, always over deliver your service and soon, your business will spread by word of mouth. When that happens, success is inevitable and no one will be able to stop you.

About the Author:

Gloria Fanz is a professional writer. For more information on pet grooming business, visit http://www.pet-grooming-tub.info.

 

Canine Dental Care: Make Dog Tooth Cleaning Part of Your Regular Routine

We brush our own teeth daily, but sometimes we forget our dogs need regular tooth cleaning too. Just like humans, poor dental hygiene can lead to health problems and tooth decay in our furry friends.

According to research, by the time your dog is three years old there is already an 80% chance that he already has some gum problems due to plaque and tartar buildup. Typical signs are redness or bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth. Even annual or semi-annual professional cleanings at your vet's office may not be enough to prevent tooth problems in your dog. Regular tooth cleaning at home needs to be part of your dog's grooming program. (It's not as hard as you think, honestly!)

Dog Tooth Cleaning at Home

You can prevent some gum or tooth problems by regularly brushing your dog's teeth at home. Dog toothpaste comes in great flavors like beef and poultry. Once you get your dog accustomed to feel of the toothbrush and having his mouth handled, he may actually learn to enjoy the brushing process.

My dog LOVES to have her teeth brushed-—no kidding! Our friends, especially their kids, are quite entertained when they watch the process. As soon as she sees me pull her toothbrush and dog toothpaste out of the cupboard, she gets excited. I sit on the couch, she gets "in position" between my knees and puts her head on my knee.

She loves the taste of both the beef and poultry-flavored dog toothpastes. Unlike human toothpaste, dog toothpaste is meant to be swallowed. She likes it so much that we go through a lot of toothpaste. She licks it as I brush, so I need a dollop for each side of her mouth. It still beats the cost of remedial care if she had tooth and gum disease from lack of canine dental care.

OK, So How Do You Get a Reluctant Dog to Accept Tooth Brushing?

We were lucky in that we started getting our dog accustomed to tooth cleaning when she was a puppy. Here are some tips on how we got her used to tooth cleaning. It is not difficult; it just takes a little time and patience. It will work with adult dogs as well as puppies.

Supplies needed:

• Dog toothpaste (beef or poultry flavored works best)
• Dog toothbrush (Be sure to get one specially for dogs with soft bristles. We like the kind with a curved handle; it is easier to reach the back teeth)
• Dental pads (if desired)
• Lots of treats to start

  1. Get your dog used to having his mouth handled. Gently hold his muzzle with one hand and stroke it with the other hand. Lift his upper lip to expose his teeth. Give him a tasty treat as a reward. Repeat this procedure for several days until your dog feels comfortable with your hands near his mouth.

  2. Get your dog used to the toothpaste. Try putting a dab on your finger and touching it to your dog's teeth and gums. If your dog balks at this, try dipping your finger in peanut butter or something else yummy to dogs like beef or chicken broth, for the first few tries. Then switch to the dog toothpaste once he seems comfortable. I recommend the beef or poultry flavor toothpaste versus mint flavored. Dogs seem to like them better than mint. Praise your dog, telling him what a good boy he is. Repeat daily for the next two or three days.

  3. Get your dog used to tooth cleaning. Using plain gauze or a piece of soft cloth wrapped around your finger, or a dental pad or sponge, dab on some dog toothpaste and gently wipe your dog's teeth and gums using a circular motion. Praise your dog for being good. Repeat this process for the next few days.

  4. Ready for real tooth brushing. Put some toothpaste on your dog's toothbrush. Hold his muzzle gently and with a finger lift his lip on one side. Gently brush his teeth using a circular motion, and go all the way to the gum line. Be sure to get his back teeth too, then add a little more toothpaste if needed and go on to the other side.

  Try to make your dog's tooth cleaning a daily habit. If you can't manage to do it daily, try every other day. It only takes a couple of minutes, you just have to get in the habit of doing it.

  Last, REMEMBER TO MAKE IT FUN and REWARD YOUR DOG. With a little time and patience, you will soon find your dog, if not exactly anticipating the tooth cleaning, at least cooperating. His clean teeth and fresher breath will be worth the effort.

Valerie Goettsch is web master of My Favorite Dog, a website featuring dozens of articles and information on where to find the best of everything for your dog, from flea meds to beds, training and designer dog clothes.

What Dog Training Schools Might Suit Me?

Proper dog training schools should contain a history of modern dog training, animal learning in general and dog behaviour in particular, how to design your own dog behaviour classes once you graduated. The education should be well balanced between theory lessons and hands on practice. Business management is another important fact, because that is what you are going to do; run a business with all of the responsibility and work that comes with it. The length of the education vary from some weeks up to 40 weeks. At some courses you have the opportunity to study in your own pace, so if you are faster you can start your career earlier. The cost vary a lot, you can get more information on that at the Association of Pet Dog Trainers site, an excellent informational site for you if you are thinking about a career as a dog trainer. They have a very good newsletter, experts on the site to get advice from etc.

You also have to be sure that the school you pick, contains courses in the area you want to specialize in, there are many forms of training and you can pick one or several for your business. Puppy training, problem behaviour, agility, teach tracking or hunting and so on.

So those are the hard facts and the things that will require proper research and information seeking on your part. Then to the more philosophical aspects of choosing a profession or changing your line of career. I believe, if you pick a job that you love and enjoy, and are prepared to work hard, the rest will come along with it! Money, opportunities, all of those things we need from a profession as well. So , go for it, not without being prepared for a dog's life for a while, but none the less, live your dreams!

Want To Know More About A Dog Training Career? Please visit www.dogtraining.efven.com Beatrice Stephenson is a freelance writer on pets, recreation and health.

 

Keeping Your Dog Healthy

Taking care of your dog's health is not something everyone thinks about on a regular basis, but it is vitally important to ensure a long, happy life for your Dog.

All our pets ask of us is to be well-fed and well-cared-for. We owe them at least that for the love, companionship and protection they give us freely every day. Here are some useful Tips about dog food, when deciding the best way to care for your dog.

Daily Food

There's dog food, and then there's dog food. There is a big difference in a low-grade, cheap dog food and a high-quality, healthy food. High-quality food can do a lot of good things for your dog. These is some obvious benefits of High-quality food:

• It can help keep your dog's weight at a safe level.
• keeps your dogs heart healthy.
• It keeps your dogs lifespan longer.
• It keeps your dogs breath in better shape, and will usually cause your dog to have smaller, firmer, and less odorous stools.

High-quality food will also contribute to a shinier, healthy coat and all-around energy levels. There are numerous comparison charts available, so you can see for yourself what the differences are in regards to by-products, fillers, and main ingredients in multiple types of foods. Investigate supermarket-brand foods versus premium-brand foods available at Pet supply stores.

It is important to understand that a typical dog's diet consists of 40% protein, 30% fiber and 30% starch. Choose pet food with this ingredient ratio. Read the guaranteed analysis to be certain. If you really want to know what's in your dog's food, try making your own dog food. There are plenty of recipes and meal plans available online. Consult with your veterinarian to make sure the diet is well-balanced.

A good way to see if your dog's diet is suitable is to check how it comes out the other end. You don't have to get too close to it, but as you pick it up in your poop scoop or baggie, check it for consistency and general appearance. A healthy dog's output should be firm and without any traces of blood or mucus.

Chocolate

We all know never to feed chocolate to any type of animal. Chocolate contains bromine, which is very toxic to both dogs and cats. Unsweet chocolate is by far the worst to feed to your dog, as it contains a large amount of bromine. Bromine is a very harmful chemical, one that normally leads to death of your animal should he be fed any type of chocolate.

This acts in the canine about the same way caffeine acts in the human. A little will make the doggie hyperactive, but a huge dose may be fatal. If your dog has gotten into chocolate, you need to look for vomiting, shallow breathing, and irregular heartbeat. A visit to the emergency vet unusually results.

Bones

It seems that it is the right of every dog to be able to crunch on a real bone from time to time. Dogs love bones of all types. However, some bones can be dangerous. Both chicken and turkey bones are especially dangerous because they are brittle. When your dog chews on the, they can easily splinter and cause choking. Some pork and beef bones can also cause the same problem.

Veterinarians agree that the one of the safest bones you can give your dog is a shinbone. If you must give your dog a bone, make sure you supervise your pooch and if he or she shows signs of bleeding, then you should call your vet immediately for some advice.

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As long as you feed your dog with a proper diet and let your dog get plenty of exercise, he will stay strong and healthy. Dogs that grow to be strong and healthy make great pets, as they can join you in exercise and provide plenty of fun for your entire family.

About the Author

Morten Hansen has been focused on the Dog area for several years and is mainly writing about subjects, that make it easier for people to understand the different issues about Dogs. For more details about Dogs visit our website http://www.dogtips4you.com/

 

Obedience Dog Training - How to Housebreak Your New Pup

Training should begin the moment you bring the pup into your home. Not serious training of course, but basic training in what you consider to be acceptable good manners. With gentle but firm handling your pup will soon learn what is expected of him.

It is important to remember, when you reprimand your pup, the correction must be associated with the unacceptable act. In housebreaking him, for example, it is essential to correct him immediately you find him misbehaving. It is pointless taking him to a spot you find later, pointing to it and reprimanding him in a loud disapproving voice. Or even worse, rubbing his nose in it. Of course he is going to look "guilty". You may gain the impression that he understands what he has done but this is certainly not so.

If you intend your dog to be a house dog, when you bring the pup into your home for the first time it is essential for him to have a place that he can consider "his home". Find a suitable place in the house. Provide suitable bedding of some sort - an old blanket, or towel - and let him know that this is where you expect him to lie.

Housebreaking your pup

A young animal's control of his functions is going to be weak. You cannot expect too much with regard to bladder control from a very young pup. If you live in a home where there is an outside garden, training will be very much easier. A soon as you see any evidence of him wanting to relieve himself, which will be very obvious by his behavior, pick him, without grabbing him. Make disapproving sounds without being too harsh - "No my dog! No my dog! Outside!" Carry him outside and watch him while he does his business. Then praise him enthusiastically. "That's a good dog!"

By watching the pup carefully, especially after he has eaten, the indication that he wants to relieve himself, will be more and more obvious to you. For the first week of two it might be necessary to be very attentive and watch him carefully. But housebreaking is usually not a lengthy process and it certainly should not continue for more than two weeks.

Of course the process can be helped considerably if you feed him at regular times, regular intervals and in specific place. He should also be allowed to drink water at specific times. About an hour after he has finished eating give him his bowl of water.

After he has had enough to drink it will not take long before the water starts to start taking effect. Within a half an hour after he has had sufficient water he will want to relieve himself. With regard to water not being freely available, it should be noted that restricting water applies only to a pup. Adult dogs should have water available for them at all times

If you are still in the initial stages of housebreaking, you can take wait for your pup to show the telltale signs of wanting to relieve himself. Then continue with the process of picking him up before he has a chance to do so. Take him quickly outside.

Alternatively if you have passed this early stage, you can take him directly outside; wait for him to perform, then praise extravagantly. The procedure is slightly different if you live in an apartment and it is difficult to take the pup quickly outside. You can put down several layers of newspapers over a fairly wide area in a certain place in the house - preferably near the back door.

Wait for him to show signs of wanting to relieve himself. Then pick him and place him on the newspapers. Use the same process of praising him when he has finished Place the papers near the door so that he will learn to associate this as the place where is required to go. At a later stage you can even place some of the papers half under the door and half outside. He will soon get used to the idea of going to the door when he wants to relieve himself, even when there are no papers.

Obviously the idea of newspapers on the floor can be very convenient at night. A very young pup will want to relieve himself frequently during the night. It is also a good idea to restrict the pup at night to a certain area in your home, preferably the kitchen or bathroom, rather than let him have the run of the house.

At a later stage, when he has the run of the entire house, he will soon get the idea of going to his own special area or will whine to go outside.

Dennis Fisher has been involved with many breeds of dogs every since his schooldays. Although he specializes in the breeding, obedience training and showing of top quality German Shephers, he has owned a great variety of different breeds. He was Director of training for an all-breed training School and is still active in competitive obedience training. You will find a great deal of other useful information about the basic training of dogs on the author's website http://www.freedogadvice.com

 

Working Dogs

By Kay Stevens

he term 'work like a dog' is true. Dogs can work in many different jobs. Their most common job is to bring joy to lonely people, families and children. In most cases, these working dogs are paid in love. Here are a few examples of working dogs.

Farm Dogs

When you hear the phrase 'working dogs' you think of farm dogs. These are the original working dogs. They have a natural instinct for working livestock and herding sheep. My Corgi loved rounding up the lawnmower and vacuum cleaner.

Dog breeds that are associated with this type of working dog are:

Welsh Collie, Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The Australian Kelpie originated from the old British working Collie. The Australian Cattledog is also known as Blue Heeler, Red Heeler and Queensland Heeler.

The use of motorcycles instead of working dogs on a property has become more popular but nothing can replace a trained working dog.

Guard Dogs

People think that their dog is a guard dog because he barks (refer my article 'To Bark or Not to Bark - That is the Question'). These dogs are working dogs but are really watch dogs. They bark to warn. A guard dog is a working dog who is trained and employed to retrain or attack an intruder.

Most common dog breeds used for this kind of working dog are:

Doberman, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Bullmastiff and American Bulldog.

Police Dogs

These working dogs are trained specifically to assist Police in various areas.

Public Order Enforcement - trained to chase and detain suspects.

Illicit Substances Dogs - (sniffer dogs) detect illicit substances e.g. drugs, explosives. These working dogs are also used by Customs to sniff out illegal importation of wildlife, plants etc. These working dogs are mainly Beagles.

Cadaver dogs - Because dogs have an acute sense of smell they can detect the odour of decomposing bodies.

Tracking - Locate suspects or find missing people. Bloodhounds are mainly used.

Guide Dogs - Companion Dogs

These working dogs aren't trained just to assist the blind. They can be used as companions to children and adults who are disabled, old, vision and hearing impaired, isolated.

It takes nearly 2 years to train a pup to become a working dog and includes 5 months of intensive dog training. After about 14 months with a Puppy Raiser, the pup goes to the Guide Dog Centre where he is assessed. If he doesn't qualify to become a working dog for the Guide Dogs, he is again assessed to become a Pets for Therapy working dog for disadvantaged people. If the pup fails he is then offered to the Puppy Raiser as a pet.

The only dog breeds used are purebred Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Labrador/Golden Retriever crosses because they are calm, loyal and intelligent.

Working dogs are used in a greater capacity today as man realises the benefits of having a canine friend in the workplace.

My website, http://www.corgidogworld.com was designed to give information about the Corgi breed of dog. If you are wishing to add a dog to your family, then this site will help you to decide which breed would be most suitable to your lifestyle. I also offer a comprehensive range of quality products to assist in the wellbeing of your dog.

 

Which Wild Bird Feeder Is Right For You?

Wild bird feeding is a very stimulating and educational pastime that millions of people already enjoy, with thousands more joining them every year. Bird feeders are available in so many varieties that it can be difficult for a new birdwatcher to decide which type is best. Are tube style bird feeders better than platform bird feeders? Or do the bird feeders with big seed hoppers take the cake? Let's explore the topic.

The first thing to consider when choosing a wild bird feeder is what type of birds you would like to attract. Different styles of bird feeders bring different birds.

Tube Style Bird Feeders

You have probably noticed this type of bird feeder hanging from trees in the neighborhood, or in the backyards of friends and family. They are quite common; nonetheless, they are very effective at attracting small songbirds, and are therefore very enjoyable. They consist of a plastic or glass tube with two, four, or sometimes more holes in it. Usually a small perch is attached just below each hole, which is called a seed port. Both ends are fitted with a metal or plastic cap. The top cap opens by flipping, sliding, or unscrewing, depending on the brand and model of the wild bird feeder. This makes it easy to refill with seed or to clean.

Many people call the American goldfinch their favorite bird, which makes the decision to buy a tube style bird feeder an easy one. They will attract many other small birds like sparrows and grosbeaks.

Platform Bird Feeders

These wild bird feeders are just trays of seed on a pedestal. They may be placed as low as a foot above the ground up to several feet. Keep in mind that the whole point is to be able to watch the birds, so placing a platform feeder fifteen feet high might be a bit absurd. Please also note that platform bird feeders are designed with the intention of attracting birds that normally feed on the ground, so one to four feet is the optimum height. A platform bird feeder attracts birds by making food more visible to them, and at the same time providing them with a good vantage point to help them keep an eye out for pesky predators. (By the way, try to keep your pets away from wild bird feeders so they don't fall into that category!) Among the many birds that will visit a platform bird feeder are robins, grackles, and occasionally cardinals.

Hopper Bird Feeders

A hopper style wild bird feeder has a large reservoir that dispenses seed onto a tray or into a feeding slot. This type of bird feeder is popular because it attracts a very wide variety of birds. They are often aesthetically pleasing as well, complementing virtually any yard or garden. They are not the hands-down winners of the Battle of the Bird Feeders; they are not as selective towards particular birds, and they can sometimes be a bit more difficult to keep clean (though that is not always the case).

In the end, the best wild bird feeder is the one that most appeals to you. Remember to keep them clean and filled with seed. Birds need the most help in the cold winter months, but it is okay to keep bird feeders stocked year-round. Pick a bird feeder, fill it, and enjoy the birds. Be prepared, because there is a very high probability that you will end up purchasing another wild bird feeder before long!

Michael Rasco is the owner of UtopiaBirdHouses.com, a website committed to providing high quality birdhouses, bird feeders, and wild bird information.

 

Don't Think Just Because Your Dog Has Fur That You Can Leave Him Out In The Cold

A common misconception among dog owners is that just because their dogs have a coat of fur; it's ok to let them spend the winter outside. While it is OK to let your dogs out in the winter, there are important precautions to take.

Be aware of exactly how cold it is, including the wind chill factor. A dog house is good to have but may not protect them from frostbite on their extremities. Be sure to bring your pet in out of the cold. Put down a warm blanket for them to sleep on, since tiles can be cold. You can also purchase beds made for dogs at your local pet store

Another misconception is that snow is a substitute for fresh water. Make sure that your pet always has fresh water available to drink, regardless of the weather conditions.

Fur can provide a measure of warmth for your pet, but fur that is long can also pick up clumps of snow and ice, making it uncomfortable for them. Trim the areas around the paws to keep this from happening. Dogs with short hair don't get the same level of warmth as dogs with long hair. Buy them doggie sweaters or knit one yourself. They will keep your dog warm and make them look even more adorable.

Many areas salt icy streets to provide traction. This salt or deicer can be painful to dogs, if they get into cracks in their paws. By rubbing a thin film of petroleum jelly on the bottom of their paws, it will lessen the amount of salt that sticks to them. When you get back home, be sure to clean their feet so that they will always be able to walk comfortably.

Damp fur can be uncomfortable for your pet. When coming back from a walk in rainy or snowy conditions, be sure to dry them off, preferably with a blow dryer.

There are other winter hazards for your pet that you should take care to avoid. When adding antifreeze to your car, be sure that there is no spillage that can be lapped up by your pet. It is poisonous to them and could cost them their lives. It is especially dangerous because they enjoy the taste, so make sure that you keep the bottles where they can't get to them.

The winter holidays also can pose dangers for your pets. Chocolate is bad for your dog, so keep the Halloween candy where they can't reach it. Be sure to put the poinsettia up on a table or a shelf, since they are poisonous to a dog and be careful of the tinsel that you use to decorate your Christmas tree. This can also be harmful, so opt for bright ornaments instead of tinsel. Your tree will still be bright and attractive and your dog will be safe.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Dog Houses at http://www.dog-houses-online.com

 

Is Dog And Cat Health Insurance Really As Stupid As It Sounds?

You can insure your house, your car, your boat, and your life, and now, thanks to dog and cat health insurance, Fluffy and Fido can have their own protection, too. But what exactly is it, and is it really as stupid as it sounds? Maybe not. In fact, it could be quite sensible; read on.

This form of insurance isn't about paying you money if the pet dies; it's about giving the pet (or, more realistically, the person taking care of the animal) some money should you die. This option is particularly favored among the elderly, people who are fond of their pets, and know that there is a good chance that their animal will outlive them.

In essence, you pay a certain amount of money monthly to a trust, and, should you die before your animal does, the trust will then pay a certain amount of money monthly to the person designated your pet's guardian in your will. This is an especially desirable option if you already know who you want to look after your pet should you die--someone both you and your pet like--but you're concerned that they not be saddled with the cost of caring for your pet. This can be a wise investment choice for both you and Fluffy or Fido.

But dog and cat health insurance must be handled carefully. Don't purchase it and then start looking for someone to manage the money and care for your pet when you're gone; greed may cause your animal to get the rotten end of the stick. Instead, find someone you trust. Discuss the possibility of their taking care of your pet when you die. If it's someone you feel comfortable with, and someone your pet seems to genuinely like, then you may wish to let them know that you've purchased pet insurance to help with the costs of pet care after you're gone. Before that, however, it's never a good idea.

A similar idea, with similar problems, is a pet trust, where a certain amount of money is put into a special savings account, with the interest going to help pay for pet care after your death. The same problems exist here as with insurance--namely, finding someone you can trust to care for the pet--but there are some significant differences. For instance, with a trust, a large lump sum is generally required to start the trust, with the option of adding to it later on; with insurance, you make monthly payments.

Over time they can add up to more than the trust would cost, but the money is spread out. Plus, depending on the interest rate you've gone with, you can have to come up with quite a large sum of money to begin with, just to make those cat food payments. With insurance, you're guaranteed the amount you signed up for, no matter what.

But, in the end, it isn't as much about trust funds versus dog and cat health insurance as it is setting aside a little something ensure that your best friend isn't forgotten after you're gone.

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on pet insurance and pet medical insurance at http://www.petinsurancegroup.com

 

Keep Your Dog or Puppy Safe During The Winter Holidays

It's the most wonderful time of the year for people, but not dogs. Thousands of our furry friends end up lost, injured or sick during the winter holidays. Take a few moments to learn how you can easily make this holiday season a safe and happy one for dogs and puppies.

The best way to keep pets safe over the holidays is to think of them as children. Like children, the dangers to your pet depend largely on their age, training and ability to follow simple commands. A new puppy is more at risk because they lack the training and experience to deal with increased holiday activity in a household.

Untrained pups tend to 'bolt' out of an open door or gate and may not be missed for hours. Pups can easily be stepped on while trying to navigate their way through all the extra feet. Children can accidentally injure a puppy during rough play if adults are too busy to monitor them. Prevent injury to your pup by setting up a playpen or using a child safety gate to create a safe place for your pet to access food, water and a potty area away from all the activity.

Dogs of all ages tend to be overfed during the holidays. It's natural for dogs to 'beg' for food. With all the extra cooking and eating, people feel guilty and give their pets lots of human food. This can make them sick and will add to the problem of obesity in older dogs. Never give chicken or turkey bones to dogs. They can splinter causing serious throat or internal damage.

Holiday plants such as mistletoe, poinsettias, lilies and holly can poison or make your dog very sick. These should be placed in areas that cannot be reached by dogs or younger children. Most kids instinctively pluck at plants, taste leaves and petals or offer them to pets.

Dogs that like to chew will try and make a meal of extension cords and electrical wires. Help your pet avoid a shocking experience by purchasing wire and cord protectors. Use pre-assembled Christmas Tree Light Sets. These easily wrap around the tree, tuck just inside branches and allow for connection to electrical sources near the top. This helps eliminate the danger of dangling light wires or loose extension cords under the tree.

Pet Owners that prefer traditional light sets should string their lights from the bottom of the tree up. Connect them to power sources near the middle or top of the tree. Dogs love to lay under or behind Christmas Trees. It's easy for them to become entangled in loose wires causing strangulation, injury to extremities or worse as they try to get loose. If they pull hard enough, the tree will probably fall on top of them.

If you decide on a real tree instead of an artificial one, you will have to pet-proof the area around it. Dogs tend to chew on or eat pine needles and drink tree water. The needles can cause internal damage. Freshness treatments contain chemicals or fertilizer and stale water is a breeding ground for bacteria. Artificial trees pose a risk because of the decorations we place on them. Broken Christmas ornaments and light bulbs can get stuck in a dog's paw or mouth if they are chewed. If eaten, the sharp pieces will probably cause internal damage. Tinsel can cause an intestinal blockage.

Creating a safety zone between your dog and a Christmas tree can be accomplished in several ways. You can cut a real tree down to fit on a tabletop. Artificial trees assemble in sections and can be sized to fit on top of a table. Use gifts to fill in the space below. If you prefer the traditional floor to ceiling tree, screens or portable fencing can be used to keep pets and children away from the tree and gifts.

Most holiday pet problems involve strangers. If holiday visitors are unfamiliar with your pet situation, you cannot blame them when dogs are accidentally let out, given unhealthy treats or allowed to do things they shouldn't. If you're going to allow your dog to mingle, let holiday guests know what is and isn't allowed when it comes to your pet.

Now let's discuss the B word. Despite the best training in the world, it's almost impossible to predict how a dog will react to someone new. A dog BITE can cost you a lot of money and end up being a death sentence for your pet. Think twice before you allow your dog or puppy to roam freely in an area filled with strangers. Apart from biting, young children can be mangled or clawed by larger dogs that are suddenly frightened.

The holiday season is the time for wishful thinking when it comes to gifts, not pets. If you're not sure how your dog will react to seasonal changes in the home, take steps to protect your pet. As every parent or experienced pet owner knows, you only get one chance to protect and care for those you love.

Visit http://www.azpuppies.com for free dog health and care tips, toy dog breed information and puppies ready to be adopted.

Author: Bill Knell Author's Email: billknell@cox.net Author's Website: http://www.billknell.com Terms To Use Article: Permission is granted to use this article for free online or in print. Please add a link to or print my website address: http://www.billknell.com

 

Great Ideas For Hamster Cages

It is really great to have a hamster as your pet. They are very cute and they like to chew different things but especially cloth. While cats and dogs are allowed to walk freely around your home, you don't let your hamster out of its cage. You do need to have a hamster cage in case you own one of these lovable pets. The cages come in many different shapes and sizes and have a variety of features for your hamster.

The most popular shape for hamster cages is rectangular. Because of this particular shape the hamster cages are usually put in a corner, so that they wouldn't stand in the center of the room and be on your way. When you feel like playing with your pet, you can easily take the hamster out but when you have stopped playing with it and are leaving the room it is good to make sure you have put it in its cage.

You should pay attention to your hamster's security because if it escapes from its cage, it might become a prey for animals. Many neighbours have cats and they can hurt your adorable little pet, so you should protect it from them. Consequently, if there are any cats around you should always lock your hamster in its hamster cage, so that it would be safe.

Just as any other mammal hamsters need a daily supply of water. Most of the hamster cages have a water bottle system. In cages made of wire there is a little ball at the end of the nozzle so that the water doesn't flow free but comes out when the hamster is thirsty. You can also buy little bows which can be used for feeding. They are put in the hamster cages and the pets can eat from them. There are several types of hamster food.

It is very important to keep your hamster fit as it needs regular exercises. You can help it by purchasing a small wheel that fits inside the hamster cages. This is how you will make sure your lovely pet will get some exercises when it is closed there. There are also such hamster cages which have plastic tubes which go through and around the cage. Their main purpose is to entertain the hamster and let it roam around its home.

Cleaning hamster cages is a very important task and should not be neglected for the well-being of both your little pet and yourself. To make it easy for cleaning, you can put a newspaper on the bottom of the hamster cage and also some wood chips. You just lift the paper and the wood chips out and replace them with new.

When living in a building where having animals is restricted taking a hamster might be just the way to have a pet. It is good for your children to have a pet like hamster as they will easily learn how to take care of a pet while playing and having fun with it.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning pets. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Hamster Cages

Must Have Cage Items For A Happy Hamster

By Adam King

No matter what kind of cage you choose for your hamster, be it a wire cage, plastic cage, or an aquarium, there are certain things that you must put in the cage in order to keep you hamster happy and stress free. Hamsters are extremely susceptible to stress so it's important you do all you can to keep your hamster happy. Simple things like choosing the right kind of bedding and nesting material, adding a hamster wheel, and a few toys will make a huge difference to your hamster's quality of life.

Bedding material serves two purposes: as a soft cushion for your hamster to walk on, but also to soak up urine. Hamsters love to burrow and dig so make sure you place at least two inches of material on the bottom of your hamster cage. The most common material used for bedding material is wood shavings, but it's important that you NEVER use Cedar shavings. Cedar shavings contain a chemical that can cause serious illness in your hamster, so it's best to avoid it altogether. Pine shavings are an option, but have been shown to cause allergic reactions in some hamsters. Your best bet is bedding material made from Aspen shavings or litter made from wood pulp. Also try to avoid any scented products – it may smell great to you but your hamster's sensitive nose will not appreciate it.

You may think that simple cat litter would do, but the dust from the litter can cause respiratory issues for your hamster, and the tiny grains get caught in your hamster's feet causing irritation. Hamsters spend the entire day sleeping, so they like things comfy. They'll construct their nest out of whatever is available, including bedding material, but would prefer something a little softer. Shredded paper towel or bathroom tissue would be ideal, as long as it doesn't have dye and is unscented.

Although you may be tempted to supply your hamster with cotton for his nest this should be avoided at all times. The cotton strands can get wrapped around the hamster's limbs or neck, cutting off blood supply. Stick to bedding material or the shredded paper for nesting material.

Exercise wheels are a must have for your hamster cage. In the wild hamsters roam up to five miles every night in search of food, so whether they're in a cage or out in the desert they're going to feel the need to run! The most common hamster wheel that comes to mind is the wire frame wheel, with rungs laid across the length of the wheel. These can be very dangerous for your hamster, as a missed step can lead to the hamster putting his leg between the spokes while it's turning, thereby breaking his leg. The ideal choice is a hamster wheel with a solid base and entry holes instead of spokes. This greatly reduces the chance of injury for your hamster.

Although you can place a food dish in your hamster cage, it really isn't necessary. Hamsters love to forage for their food, so simply sprinkling their food throughout the bedding material in their cage will suit them just fine. In fact, if you do put food in a food dish they're likely to simply remove it and store it elsewhere anyway! As for water bottles, any water bottle designed for small animals should do just fine as long as the spout has a ball bearing at the end and a screw on top.

Consider adding extra toys to the cage to enrich your hamster's life, such as cardboard tubes, a wood gnaw, a sand box, a hamster house, etc. Your hamster will thank you for it!

Visit the Hamster-Zonewebsite for even more detailed information on hamster care, hamster diet, hamster cages, and much, much more. Learn important tips on how to keep your hamster healthy and happy, including proper diet, care, and cage enrichment. Remember, a happy hamster is a healthy hamster! Also get your FREE handy hamster illness chart when you sign up for the Hamster-Zone newsletter.

 

Step by Step Guide To Toilet Training Your Cat

By Marvin Charles

Toilet training your cat is an attainable feat, made even more famous by Mr. Jinxy in the movie Meet The Parents. Cats make wonderful pets, however dealing with a litter box is never a pleasant experience. Instead of dealing with a foul smelling litter box, here's how to toilet train your cat in a few simple steps.

Preparation

During the training process, it is best to have two toilets in the house. The first toilet will be set up for the cat's use only during the training process and any additional toilets will be used by you. Setting it up this way, makes it far easier for the cat in terms of convenience, conditioning, and practice as different toilets may have different heights and strengths of flush handles. If you only have one toilet, training can still be achieved by following the steps below.

It is important to note that your cat will need to balance on the toilet seat at some point during the training and therefore you should not attempt to train cats that are kittens or too young. It is ideal to wait until your cat is at least six (6) months old, because at this point your cat should have the ability to balance on the toilet seat.

Materials

You will need two aluminum trays: One aluminum tray will fit into the toilet and an additional aluminum tray will replace your cat's litter box. The purpose of this is to condition the cat to use the aluminum tray in the spot where his litter box was kept and then when the transition is made to the toilet, the aluminum tray will seem normal to your cat.

You will also need flushable litter that the cat will become accustomed to. This litter must be flushable because some of it may fall into the toilet during the training process.

The Litter Box

The original litter box must be kept in its original place, however replace the physical litter box with the aluminum tray. Also, use the same litter that the cat is accustomed to. The only difference in the cat's new litter setup is the aluminum litter box replaces the original litter box.

Patience Is Key

Allow your cat a few days to become accustomed to the new aluminum litter box. Once the cat is comfortable, gradually move the litter box closer to the toilet. Depending on your cat's reaction, this may be done daily, weekly or monthly. You must not move the litter box too far or to fast. Also, you must ensure that your cat can locate the litter box, even if it is necessary to physically place your cat's paws in the litter box. Remember, patience is key, training your cat to use a litter box, let alone a toilet is a process that could take some time.

When the cat is finally using the litter box directly next to or against the toilet, raise the litter box about 2-4 inches off of the floor. Ensure that the litter box is on a safe and stable platform and your cat has sufficient room to maneuver around the litter box and use it comfortably. As the cat becomes comfortable with this stage, continue raise the litter box 1-2 inches each time until the box is level with the toilet. As the box gets higher and higher, stability is critical due to the fact that your cat will need to jump onto the box. Should your cat jump onto the box and the box fall, it could scare your cat into not wanting to attempt it again.

When you have successful reached this stage, the litter tray in the toilet should be added. For the aluminum litter try, many common cooking trays wide enough to fit in to the toilet can be used. Gently place the tray in between the ring and the toilet base. Again, stability is critical and make sure that it is held firmly in place. Next, place the same litter you have been using with the cat into the tray.

Using The Toilet

Over the next couple of weeks, leave the litter box level with the tray inside the toilet. Once the cat is accustomed to this, slowly begin reducing the amount of the litter in the box. As the litter gets lower and lower, make a small hole in the aluminum litter box. As the litter gets lower, the hole should get bigger. It is important to take this process very slow as your cat may feel uncomfortable should you go to fast. Eventually, there will be a an aluminum litter box with no litter and a good size hole. Let your cat use this for a couple weeks and then remove the aluminum tray. Your cat will be fully toilet trained.

An important point is that your toilet seat must always remain up, because your cat will not be able to lift the toilet seat itself and consistently leaving the seat down may frustrate your cat.

Remember this toilet training process may take several months and it is important to be patient. The rewards for you and your cat once training is achieved are remarkable. The litter smell and consistent changing of the box are eliminated and the cat will remain toilet trained for many years to come.

Marvin recommends reviewing the Toilet Train My Cat eBook. as well as the accompanying video and pictures to further your understanding of how to toilet train your cat.

 

Choosing a Dog in Your Senior Years

By Andrew Kasch

Many people find that as they get older and they start to lose their friends that they need something such as a new pet to fill a void in their life. If you are faced with the decision of choosing a dog to be by your side and to grow old with you then here are some things to keep in mind.

The first thing that you should consider when choosing a dog to have in your older years is how active you need that dog to be. There are seniors that are extremely active, sometimes more active than people that are 20 years younger than them. These seniors would benefit from having a dog that can be active for things such as walks but also would be happy just to lie around at their feet when necessary. Other seniors will benefit from having a dog that will just be a companion but does not need a lot of activity to keep it healthy.

Another thing that you would want to keep in mind when choosing a dog is if it will be around a lot of children. If you have an active family life and your grandchildren, or great grandchildren are around frequently the you would not want to choose a breed that has a reputation of not liking little children. Some smaller breeds that are perfect for many seniors also are very protective of their owners. While this can be beneficial, as the dog will no doubt be able to hear things that the owner can't, you also need to keep in mind that this kind of dog might not warm up easily to others.

All things considered, here are a few all around good dog breeds for you to choose from. These dogs make good companions that require little exercise and will give you many years of happiness.

The Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a great choice for seniors. It not only requires little exercise but it is very faithful and will be a loyal companion that will stick by your side through thick and thin.

The Poodle

The poodle is one of the most intelligent dogs that there is. They make a fantastic pet, are very loyal to their owners and warm up to people easily. If you have family members visiting on a regular basis then a poodle would be a good choice for a senior dog.

The Papillion

The Papillion is a fantastic breed, although they do have a little bit more energy than other breeds. They will not only make an enjoyable pet but they will also be very faithful and are good around other people. At times they can be a little bit standoffish but all in all they make a fantastic companion.

These are just a few of the many breeds that are well suited for those who are reaching their golden years. It is a personal decision that you will have to make but by owning a dog at this point in your life you will have a constant companion for years to come.

To keep your dog healthy please visit the homemade dog food recipes at http://www.barkbarkimhungry.com/dogdinners.html

The Cruelty Of Claw Removal

Cats use their claws for various purposes. The claws are important to cats, as they are an essential part of balancing. If you've ever noticed a cat jumping and latching on to a high object, you've probably noticed that he uses his claws to pull himself up. When climbing trees, cats tend to use their claws to latch onto the bark and climb towards their destination.

Cats also use their claws for stretching, walking, and running as well. The claws are also a cat's primary source of defense against other animals and humans as well. Most cats keep their claws extremely sharp, as their claws and teeth are basically their only weapons. The claws are also essential for using the bathroom as well, as cats use them to cover up their mess with dirt.

Cats also use their claws to scratch things, which mark their territory. Their claws have glands, which contain a secretion. When they leave their mark on something, the secretion is transferred to the area they scratched. This is detectable to other cats although not to humans. Sometimes, they will also scratch something to remove the older claw which will fall off and give them a brand new claw that resides underneath.

The completion of this article on cats was our prerogative since the past one month. However, we completed it within a matter of fifteen days!

As sad as it is, a lot of pet owners choose to put their own possessions above their cat, such as their expensive furniture or carpets. These cat owners are afraid that they cat will ruin their furniture or carpet, and therefore will choose to get their cat de-clawed. Getting a cat's claws removed is a surgical procedure, one that can only be performed by a veterinarian. The owner will need a good reason though, as a vet won't do the surgery just to keep one's furniture or carpet protected.

If you've been thinking of getting your cat de-clawed, you should know that the process can totally change his personality. Once the cat is de-clawed, he will be in pain and confused. He may not be able to jump in the window or on the couch, and he may not be able to play like he once did. Some cats, after being de-clawed, tend to get aggressive and bite with their teeth. To make a long story short, the cat will be completely miserable - which is a tough thing to bear for those who love their cats.

We do not mean to show some implication that cats have to rule the world or something like that. We only mean to let you know the actual meaning of cats!

Those who decide to own cats should know that a cat can scratch on occasion. If someone isn't prepared to deal with that fact, they shouldn't own a cat in the first place. Cats are great pets, although they do have claws and they will use them on occasion. There are plenty of other great pets out there, if you aren't up for handling a cat. If you're just worried about your furniture or carpet, there are ways that you can keep your cat from scratching on your belongings.

The first thing to do is to get your cat a scratching post and let him know where it is and how to use it. You can also get a rush mat as well, which will help your cat with his instincts to scratch. You may have to demonstrate how to use the mat or the post at first, although your cat should catch onto it quick. Once you have shown him the ropes, he will scratch on the post or the mat - and not your furniture or your carpet.

Although many don't realize it, there are other ways to protect your things other than getting your cat de-clawed. Getting a cat's claws removed is very painful and confusing to the cat, and may totally change his outlook on things. Before you decide to take the inhumane path of getting your cat de-clawed, you should look into your other available options- your cat will like these options much better.

Although there was a lot of fluctuation in the writing styles of we independent writers, we have come up with an end product on cats worth reading!

Sven van Gink is a cat lover, but he is also an expert about how you can train cats. You can see his site here: Cat Training

 

How to Choose the Best German Shepherd Dog Pup in the Litter

If you are interested in getting a dog that will turn out to be a show winner and you have the opportunity of choosing the most promising animal from the entire litter, here are important points to look for.

It is of course not easy to choose the best pup in the litter because pups do change - sometimes quite dramatically. There have been occasions where the runt of the litter has turned out to be far better than his more promising litter mates. But as a rule, when one has the opportunity of examining the entire litter at eight weeks, it is generally possible to choose the best - certainly the best pup at that stage of growth.

Eight weeks is a probably the best time to make the choice. After taking your time to examine all the pups in the litter carefully, make sure that the forelegs of the pup that takes your fancy are straight and sturdy. See that the pup has good bone which is indicated by thick "knuckle".

If it is a male you are looking for, size and masculinity is important. Although one must be aware that in recent years over-size in males is a problem that has become more common in the breed. It is a fault and is something to be guarded against.

The pup should have a good strong and clearly masculine head. This is also of importance because there is a tendency in recent years for heads in males to be finer and less noble than one would like. The movement of the pup can be reasonably well assessed even at this tender age of eight weeks. The well-balanced pup will appear to move with more harmony and more easily than the others in the litter.

Look for a pup with a high wither. This is fairly easy to access, but try and make sure that the high wither is not at the expense of a good shoulder formation. This is rather difficult because excellent shoulder formation is not as common as one would wish.

The high wither that is such an attractive feature of the modern Shepherd is one of the reasons for this. The shoulder should be well laid back with good length of upper arm. Even at this early it is possible to see whether or not the pup has a good shoulder. Of course a good shoulder is not merely an aesthetic requirement, it is essential for good forward reach and sound movement when the pup grows into a mature dog.

If you have to choose between a pup that is slightly long in body length and one that is somewhat shorter in body length, if other factors are equal, give preference to the slightly shorter pup. Sometimes body length is accompanied by weakness in back and will affect movement severely when the pup matures.

It goes without saying that you should have seen both parents before having to make a decision and have been aware of any deficiencies present in addition to virtues. Examine, if possible, other animals they have produced. It will also be of great benefit if you have background knowledge of the bloodlines. The pup should have strong hindquarters with broad thighs, long stifles and good hocks. The length of stifle is also easily recognizable at the age of eight weeks. But this will change.

When you select a pup with a well angulated, long stifle, make a point of examining the away movement to see if the hocks are fairly firm. Once cannot expect hocks to be too firm at this early age, but you don't want a pup that has wobbly hocks. The coat should be full but definitely not long. A long coat is a serious fault in the show ring. It is quite easy to detect a long coat in a pup because the pup show signs of a collie type coat and there will be tufts of fur coming from the ears.

Unless there are definite signs of color paling, which is a definite fault, color is not supposed to be of primary importance in the show ring. However, there is no doubt that a well-pigmented animal is always far more glamorous in the show ring and attracts more attention.

With regard to ears, this is usually a matter about which you need not concern yourself if both parents have good ear carriage. The ears do not become fully erect until the dogs finishes teething and six months, although many pups do get their ears up much earlier. But if the ears are very long and inclined to be thick there might be a danger of soft ears. Here again it is important to know the bloodlines of the parents. If the pup has a good head, with a deep muzzle, not a long collie type head, the chances are good that the bite will be good and the pup will have the correct scissors bite when he matures. Many pups are over-shot when they are young, which means that the upper teeth protrude far over the lower teeth.

A scissor bite is very important and if there is a definite gap of more than 2mm. between the upper and lower teeth the dog will be heavily penalized in the show ring. What cannot be predicted with any degree of accuracy at this early stage, is whether the pup will grow up to have full dentition - a full complement of teeth. Quite often, when the pup matures and the teething process is over, the owner is very upset to find that an otherwise promising animal has a missing tooth.

This may seem a very minor fault - and in a family pet it is certainly of no real consequence - but in the show ring it is viewed in a serious light as it is regarded as a genetic fault. Even though the breeder is as anxious as you are to have your pup do well in the show ring, there is of course no guarantee that your pup is going to do well, as careful as you have been in your selection.

Bear in mind that the showing of dogs, particularly German Shepherds, in the highly competitive environment that exists today, is very demanding and often very frustrating. Your dog may be a good specimen, but whether he becomes a show winner is entirely dependent on the quality of the competition! If you do happen to win, enjoy your triumph with good grace. Entering Dog Shows should always be regarded as a sport. Be sportsmanlike. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. If you do happen be beaten by what the Judge considers to be a superior animal, be a gracious loser.

If you are interested in learning more about German Shepherd Dogs, especially the bloodlines of top winning show specimens, and training techniques, you'll find a great deal of information on the author's website.

Dennis Fisher is managing director of financial and investment Companies. In addition to his involvement in many different fields of business, his interests include an in-depth study of various schools of practical psychology. His consuming interest however, happens to be German Shepherds. Ever since his schooldays his hobby has been the breeding and training of top quality German Shepherd Dog. To find out more about the fascinating world of German Shepherd Dog, go to his website http://www.freedogadvice.com

Does Your Dog Smell? Discover The Causes And How You Can Combat This Stinky Problem

Most dogs have that "dog smell" to them, especially when the come in out of the rain. However, some dogs tend to stink more than others. This can be due to variety of reasons, some of which may require a veterinarian's attention. Here are some of the causes of dog odors and the best treatments to combat these odor problems.

Some dogs like to roll in the dirt... and any other smelly item that may be near by. If your dog is prone to doing this then regular brushing, grooming and bathing will help to keep your dog smelling clean and fresh.

Getting sprayed by a skunk is one smell we humans recognize immediately and tomato juice is the most common remedy. However, in order for it to work properly, you need to allow the juice to sit on the dog's fur for at least 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing. It is the acid in the tomatoes that cuts the smell. Another very popular solution that dog owners swear by is to mix 1 quart 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, 1/4 cup Baking Soda, and 2 tablespoons dish detergent in a large bowl (do not use a sealed container as this mixture will explode). You must use this immediately while it is still foaming as it is the oxygen in the bubbling mixture that removes the skunk odor. Be careful not to get either solution in your pet's eyes.

Certain dog breeds tend to have naturally oily coats. Unfortunately, the extra oil on the dog's skin can become rancid and cause bad odors. In this case, your canine needs to be regularly groomed and bathed to remove this excess oil; otherwise it can develop into irritating skin conditions. Bacterial skin diseases are another common problem within some breeds. Using a good anti-bacterial shampoo specifically formulated for dogs is your best solution. If the skin condition does not clear up within a reasonable amount of time or if it appears to worsen, be sure to take your dog to the vet.

Dogs with droopy ears tend to develop ear infections quite frequently, although any dog breed can end up with this painful condition. If your dog smells bad even with regular grooming, take the time to check its ears. Look for redness and irritation. You will also notice that your dog will also shake its head often and probably try to scratch to relieve the itchiness. There are several ear infection solutions on the market that can help alleviate this problem.

One last thing that can also lead to dog odor is impacted or infected anal glands. These sacs, located in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, are filled with a fluid that is normally released when a dog has a bowel movement. If you look carefully, you will see that your dog's anal area has become somewhat swollen and the "back end" smells really bad. Take your dog immediately to a veterinarian to have these glands expressed. Be aware that once your dog has had this problem it tends to reoccur, so keep an eye on this. If necessary, you can have the anal glands surgically removed.

Rose Smith owns http://www.CaringForCanines.com Where dog owners can explore the benefits of holistic dog medicines and remedies. Find information on topics such as: dog nutrition, dog health problems, herbal & vitamin supplements, dog grooming, and more. Be sure to visit us today for natural dog care methods and advice.

 

Ear Mites And Your Cat

If you've ever had a cat, chances are that you've had a run-in with ear mites. These tiny parasites are barely visible without a magnifying glass. But the amount of misery they can cause your kitty is out of proportion to their size.

These little critters live in tunnels they make in your kitty's ear canal. If this sounds uncomfortable, it is. The intense itching can cause her to scratch constantly at her ears or shake her head so hard she can rupture the blood vessels in her ear flaps.

In this case, the blood will quickly fill the spaces in the ear flap, causing swelling and intense pain. This is called a hematoma. It requires prompt veterinary attention to drain it and prevent a permanent "cauliflower ear" for your feline friend. These parasites also stimulate the wax-producing glands in your furry friend's ear, which leads to a build-up of dark wax that looks like coffee grounds. This causes more itching and inflammation, which can lead to an ear infection.

Not all cats react to ear mites the same way. Some felines can have a large number of these bugs, but you'd never know it. Others seem to be hypersensitive to mite saliva, so the presence of only a few insects can drive these unfortunate individuals crazy. But eventually all kitties, including the hypersensitive ones, seem to build up an immunity to mites so that they aren't bothered by them so much.

This would explain why kittens react so intensely to these bugs, while their mother isn't bothered by them at all, even though she has them and probably passed them to her babies. Don't underestimate how quickly these bugs can spread from one animal to another. They may be small, but they do get around. They are extremely contagious, so if you live in a household with several pets, be sure to treat your entire kitty family.

There are several home remedies for this problem. Most are oil-based, which smothers the mites. You can try soaking a clove of garlic in a small amount of olive oil for a day or two. Remove the garlic and keep the oil in a cool place.

Wipe out your kitty's ears with a cotton ball dipped in a mixture of half vinegar and half water. Don't reach in there with a cotton swab, as you can damage your pet's ears. Put five or six drops of garlic oil in your furball's ears and rub them at the base to help it run in.

This isn't as easy as it sounds. You may want to securely wrap your feline friend in a towel so she can't bite or scratch you. I used to sneak up behind my kitty and wrap the towel around her quickly with just her head sticking out before she could escape. Then I'd pin her between my knees and put the ear drops in. And be prepared; when you drip the oil in, she'll shake her head vigorously, flinging oil and ear debris all over you! So don't get dressed up to do this.

And the fun part is that you get to repeat this treatment twice a day for seven to ten days. If you stop treatment too soon, the mites may come back. You may need to take your buddy to the vet to have her ears cleaned out. Your vet can show you how to safely clean your cat's ears.

Don't neglect your kitty's ears. She depends on you to take of her.

Darlene L. Norris has been owned by many cats over the years. Now I've combined my love of cats and my life-long interest in herbs at my new website, http://www.your-cat-care-guide.com Here you'll find lots of info on keeping your cat healthy with herbal and homeopathic remedies. Learn how to treat your kitty's ear mites and ear infections WITHOUT pesticides or antibiotics. Visit my page on Ear Mites and Ear Infections NOW to learn how to heal your kitty with natural remedies.

 

Bearded Dragons Cage - Controlling the Temperature

Beardies require a temperature gradient in their enclosures because they can't regulate their body temperatures like. They have to thermo regulate, which means that they have to move between areas of differing temperatures in order to regulate their internal temperature. To produce heat and a basking spot in your enclosure, you can use either a ceramic heat emitter, a reptile basking light (red, blue or white) or just a plain old household light bulb.

The best fixture for any of these choices is a porcelain dome light fixture. This type of fixture is a must with a ceramic heat emitter due to the amount of heat they produce. The temperature for this basking spot you created should be around 110oF for juveniles and can be around 95oF for adults.

Your Beardie will also need an area to cool down if he gets too warm. At the opposite end of the tank, you should try to keep the temp around 75-85oF. A few degrees within this temperature are just fine. Night time temps shouldn't be allowed to drop below 60oF, whereas 70-75oF is more comfortable for them. Don't guess on temps - you could cook or freeze your Beardie! Use a good thermometer, one on the cool side and another near the basking site.

A thermometer on the hot part and another on the cool part of the enclosure will make sure that your temps are in the range they should be in. Do not use hot rocks as they are potentially dangerous! Dragons don't sense heat well with their tummies, and can be lethally scorched without realizing.

A good heat source for night time is a ceramic heating element (CHE). CHE's are non-light emitting heating units. They get very hot but disperse heat over a very narrow (15" in diameter) and shallow area. The range for a 60 watt CHE is 8" down, the range for a 100 watt CHE is 10" down, the range for a 150 watt CHE is 12" down, and the range for 250 watts is 14" down.

CHE's are not effective in heating large enclosures and a rheostat or dimmer switch may be used for small enclosures so it doesn't get too hot. It is very important that CHE's only be used in porcelain/ceramic light sockets as the amount of heat that they produce is enough to melt regular plastic light sockets.

Florian Ross is a small lizard expert and a freelancer who developed comprehensive guides to help people succeed with their bearded dragon pet and have your bearded dragon lizard live two times longer. His guides on Bearded Dragons are considered the definitive guides on raising Bearded Dragons. Find out more tips on raising Bearded Dragons Lizards and having them live 2 times longer, with his popular ebook about Bearded Dragons or get a free sample of Florian's bearded dragons caresheet

Understanding Canine Digestion

Why It Matters

Last time we spoke about the workings of canine digestion. Today I'll tell a little about why it's important and the effects of providing your dog with substandard food typically found in commercial dog food.

Your dog's digestive capabilities are no accident. They are a very carefully construed mechanism of its teeth, stomach and large and small intestines.

Beginning with his sharp, jagged molars, which are designed for gripping, tearing and shredding, and ending with the large intestine, which aids in the elimination of waste, all parts of the system work together to process the consumed food with purpose and deliberation.

With their short and simple digestive tracts, large amounts of vegetation, grains and fiber are difficult for dogs to process. Their systems are much more conducive to the breakdown of animal proteins and fat.

As such, pet foods which boast corn, soy or their corresponding meals as their primary ingredient are of little use to your dog, nutritionally-speaking. The "Crude Protein" analysis on pet food labels is only a measurement of the amount of nitrogen in a food -- not the quality of the protein. Because of this, pet food companies can use the cheaper by-products of human food production, such as soybean meal, to "boost" protein numbers. Animal-based protein is nutritionally superior for dogs. Animal-based protein is better absorbed and retained and is higher in essential amino acids like methionine, arginine, and taurine, all of which are absent in plant-based proteins.

Pancreatitis and Fatty Liver (Hepatic Lipidosis) are diseases that can be caused by a variety of factors such as infection, exposure to toxins, stress and improper diet. Pet food that is very high in saturated fats can certainly be a contributing factor.

Diabetes is a chronic degenerative disease of dogs that can be caused by a variety of factors such as genetics, stress and diet -- specifically, the feeding of excess amounts of simple carbohydrates. Many pet foods are loaded with simple carbohydrates such as white flour, sucrose, glucose and fructose. These are cheap, highly processed carbohydrate sources that can stress the pancreas, leading to diabetes.

In addition, clinical studies suggest that the long term feeding of chemical antioxidants (preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin) have extreme adverse health effects on animals.

As such, for optimal digestive health, it would seem to be a no-brainer to feed your beloved dog a diet rich in animal-based proteins and fats, moderate in carbohydrates, and free of chemical additives and preservatives. When perusing the commercial dog foods available in the grocery store aisles you might find this to be a tricky proposition. It seems most are nutritionally substandard, in at least one respect or another, with many failing in nearly all respects.

This is made even more difficult because dog food manufacturers use deliberately confusing double-talk to make the food appear much more nutritious than it really is. In fact, they lobby against the FDA for their 'right' to keep it confusing.

The ideal solution is to feed your pet freshly prepared food, thereby giving you the power to provide all the nutrients he needs to maintain a healthy body. Combining animal-based proteins with vegetables, pasta, rice, cereals and other foods will furnish all the requisite protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, without all those pesky by-products, fillers and chemical additives and preservatives.

Good home cooking is really the best way to ensure that, "all systems are go."

http://dogsfoodsecret.blogspot.com/2007/05/understanding-canine-digestion.html May your dog have a long and happy life, A Lewis

 

Ten Tips for Caring for Your Betta Fish

Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish are one of the most popular types of fish found in homes across the world. Their vibrant color and active lifestyle seems to draw in fish fanatics as well as those who have never had fish before. Betta's are relatively easy to care for and their low maintenance is particularly appealing to people who would like to have fish but don't have a lot of time to care for them.

Once you bring your Betta's home you should begin to familiarize yourself with their movements and typical behavior patterns. When you look at your fish after you've had them for awhile you'll know if something is wrong, if they are not feeling well, or if the water in their bowl is not in the best condition simply by being observant.

1. Make sure the jar or bowl that you keep your Betta in is big enough so that he can swim around and not bump or tear his fins or scales. Also be sure there is plenty of surface area so that he can get enough oxygen.

2. Your Betta will thrive in the cleanest water that you can provide for him. He does not require a filtration system, but you should change out a third of his water every three days so it stays fresh and clean and keeps your finned friend from getting bacterial or fungal infections. Aged water (water that has set out for twenty four hours) is what should be used to replace the old water.

3. Do not put your Betta fish with other Betta's. They are called Siamese fighting fish because they are, in fact, fighting fish. They will tear at one another, often causing the death of at least one fish before they stop. Betta's can be coupled with algae eaters, guppies, or corydorus catfish safely.

4. Use a turkey baster to clean small particles of uneaten food or debris from the bottom of the bowl or jar. Allowing this debris to sit at the bottom of the jar will cause the water to become cloudy, unsanitary, and to smell awful.

5. The PH of your tank should be at exactly 7.0. You can get a PH testing kit at your pet store along with solutions to minimize or increase the PH of your water.

6. When you clean the plants, rocks, or decorations in the bowl you should never use soap on them. It's very hard to completely rinse all soap from these items and the soap residue can harm or even kill your Betta. Instead, use warm water and an abrasive brush to clean his things.

7. Keep your Betta tank, jar, or bowl covered! Your Beta will jump and you don't want him to end up flopping on the tabletop! Keeping the water level at least two inches from the top of the tank should also cut down on this problem.

8. Your Betta is a meat eater and likes live foods, such as brine shrimp the best. Frozen bloodworms are also a good choice for your meat eater. Most Betta fish will happily eat the Betta pellets sold at most pet stores. For a special treat every now and again you should offer some live food! You'll have fun watching him eat it up!

9. Do not decorate your Betta bowl with rocks or marbles that may cause your Betta to get stuck between or under them. Be sure that they are a flat smooth surface that provides no risk to the health of your fish.

10. Remember that your fish is a living, breathing responsibility. You need to feed, clean, and care for your Betta just like you would any other pet. If he's sick take him to the vet, if he's hungry feed him, if his home is dirty, clean it.

That's it! These ten tips for caring for your Betta fish will have you well on your way to keeping a healthy fish. Internet Betta Groups or library books can be a great source of information should you want to learn more about your finned friend!

Adam Short is the owner of Betta Fish Center and co-wrote the above article with Amanda Fenton. Amanda has been caring for Betta fish for over 25 years. She is a contributing writer to http://www.bettafishcenter.com - site providing information and tips on betta fish care.

 

Tips to Stop Dog Barking in a Gentle Humane Way for a Peaceful Life

Dog barking is an indication that they want to tell their owners something, communicate with other fellow dogs, or express an emotion. All of you must have noticed that the pattern and style of dog barking is different when he wants food or when he is playing with other dogs or when in company of a stranger.

Unfortunately for dog lovers, we can only guess the hidden meaning of their barking behavior. However, with a little observation and patience we can understand the communication and interaction style of a barking dog in case of dealing with humans.

This does not mean that barking at any time and every time is allowed. If a puppy realizes that his barking always gets his master's attention, resulting in getting him the object he barked at, he will soon be barking all time. In fact there are high chances that he will learn to bark intensely and alarmingly to get an instant response. You must train your dog against such indiscriminate barking.

• The first method is to patiently wait till he gets quieted down. Give him what he wants only after he is quiet. This will make him understand that barking won't get him anything.
  

• Stop dog from barking at visitors by proper dog training and ensuring that your guests do not give any attention to the dog till he is quiet. You can also try to make him learn good social skills and how to greet guests nicely.
  

• At times your dog might bark in alarm to inform you about something. In a response, praise him and then ask him to be quiet so that he gets the message that you have understood what he wants to communicate and does not need to continue barking. This will help him to relax and stop dog barking.
  

• You can also use whispering as experts say that whispering is much more effective for dog barking than shouting at him.
  

• You can also try teaching pups to bark only at your command on a particular command word and then reward them. After this you can effortlessly get them to be quiet. The most important thing is that you should be able to control your dogs barking especially at night or in public places.
  

• There are barking dog collars available which have been found to be quite effective, the dog bark collars can be found both in real shops and online shops. It is very convenient to use them.
  

• Lastly, all your efforts to control the dog's barking can only be successful if you are able to determine as to why your dog is barking so much and then improve those circumstances.
  

• Understand if he is barking to protect his terrain or because his surroundings are extremely stimulating, or from long confinement, or because he is getting bored, or maybe even since his barking always gets him what he wants.
  

• There are some situations when barking is necessary. You should teach the dog to discriminate between the desirable and the undesirable circumstances and it will go a long way in curbing the dog barking problem!

Vincent Y is a passionate animal lover and dogs especially infatuate him. His love for dogs has given him a wide experience and practical knowledge regarding their various aspects of rearing. For more useful tips that really work visit his dog's website at http://DogLoverClubs.com

Watch Out For Predators - Secure Bird Houses

Every bird specie has other species that are harmful for it. The natural predators are an inevitable problem and you will have to deal with it. Of course this doesn't mean to kill the predators but to place secure bird houses and take measures for keeping predators out.

The most common predators are other birds, squirrels, snakes, raccoons, cats, yellow jackets, wasps, ants and other insects. They are very harmful especially for the young birds that are growing in the bird house. There are several things to consider if you want to have a secure bird house.

As you probably know perches can help some predators to get into the bird house and damage the eggs or harm the youngsters. Although they add beauty to any bird house, the birds do not actually need them. Remember that the natural nests or wood holes do not have perches, so get a bird house without a perch. If you already have a bird house with a perch you can remove it.

The entrance hole size is also important. It should be big enough only for the nesting bird. If it is too big then predators can get in and kill the baby birds. Moreover you can nail and additional piece of wood that has the same size entrance hole. This will make it harder for any predators to get in. For additional security you can place metal baffles on the pole below the bird house. They will keep away some animals.

Another trick you can use to keep the predators away is to mount the bird houses on metal or plastic poles. It will be much harder for a non flying predator to climb it.

If there are many crows and ravens in your area you will have to think how to keep them away of your nests. An easy way is to provide them with the food they love. Place a feeder in your area and regularly fill it with eggs or meat. This is the food ravens love and it is likely that they will stay away from your bird houses.

Ants and other insects can be very harmful for your birds. You should check your bird houses regularly to see if ant nests have developed under them or near the houses. If you stop an ant nest treat it with products that are not harmful for the birds. Read the labels carefully.

Keith Londrie II is the Webmaster of http://www.about-bird-houses.info/ A website that specializes in providing information on bird houses that you can research on the internet. Visit http://www.about-bird-houses.info/ now!