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Author: John Williams
Dog bathing is a must when living with a dog. Dogs naturally get smelly and are not like cats in being able to wash themselves well and be hygienic, this is why dog owners have to look after their dogs hygiene for them once in a while.
Dog bathing should take place when your dog starts to smell or is very dirty, some breeds of dog find it very hard to keep smelling pretty as you will quickly come to notice. Running around every day rubbing yourself up against trees, bushes, benches and rolling around on grass or getting drenched head to paws in rivers or puddles are all common occurrences in a dogs life and all contribute to dog smelliness.
It is important to make sure you brush your dogs coat and fur through before every bathing session to remove all bits of debris that may have got caught up in your dog’s fur since their last bath along with tangles or matted hair that may have formed. If you ignore this step any tangles and matted hair will get worse after bathing and make it an impossible task to rid of them.
You will need to use special pet shampoo and conditioner to clean your dog; human shampoo uses a different ph level and can be bad for your dog’s skin. Starting off by letting your dog get used to running water, warm water should be used to wash your dog, it is best to use a jug or container to gently pour water on your dog. Be sure not to put water directly on your dogs face to be sure not to frighten them off or scare them.
When your dog is wet, keep reassuring them and rewarding them if the behaviour is good to get the message across that bathing is not a bad thing. Rub the shampoo and conditioner onto your dog gently and being sure to do a proper job of getting all the smells and everything else out.
To finish off, rinse all the soapy water and shampoo of your dog and dry your dog in the same way you would yourself or if your dog has easily matted hair use patting only to dry your dog, when this is all done reward your dog with praise and rewards for being cooperative with you.
Pet Peeves
by Brook Kavanugh
As a child, I never had a pet. Even though we longed for a dog to snuggle up to at night or a bird to chirp to us in the morning, it never happened. My parents did not want the responsibility, the inconvenience, and the added headache of caring for another individual in the house. I guess you could say it was a pet peeve of theirs.
As I grew older and let go of the resentment I held toward my parents, I acquired a fascination for animals and let go of the "no pet" rule. I no longer had to long for a pet - I was an adult and could take on the responsibility, the perceived inconvenience, and the temporary headache of training a puppy or building the vocabulary of a parakeet.
I guess you could say that pets have never been a pet peeve of mine. However, as time goes on, I'm growing an extensive list of pet peeves that have nothing to do with pets. In fact, my pet peeves primarily surround the land that animals used to roam, free from harm, free from pollution, and free from blinding lights and commercialized buildings.
My pet peeve is the lack of nature and the lack of beauty in society. My pet peeve surrounds the lack of effort that big business puts forth when designing buildings, parking lots, and strip mall centers. I have no problem with "big business" and no problem with industrialized cities. However, I just don't understand why nature cannot be a part of it all.
For instance, the expense to add parking lots and concrete walkways is astronomical. It does nothing for curb appeal and eliminates existing nature that could be developed. Imagine if businesses invested more in landscaping, water fountains, colorful plants, and bird baths. Imagine the beauty and curb appeal that would accompany these efforts.
As a consumer, I look for the small efforts that ultimately produce more respect for the businesses I invest with. When I walk into an office and see a tiered indoor fountain or a wall fountain, I am impressed. When I pull up to a commercial business and see a bronze statue that has been installed and maintained, I am impressed.
Ironically, I don't think that I am alone. People want to see natural beauty, not commercialized stone walkways and lifeless retaining walls. Adding a little color, a little life, and a little glamour goes a long way for everyone's pocketbook.
Just as my parents did not want the hassle and the responsibility of caring for a pet, it seems that many business owners do not want the hassle and responsibility of caring for nature. How can we, as consumers, ensure that they want to take care of our needs as well?
Children and teens across the world will undoubtedly resent their parents for one reason or another, just as I did for missing out on the experience of having a childhood pet. However, businesses cannot risk customers resenting their lack of attention to the beauty of nature. If so, the end result may leave many CEOs peeved.
About the Author
Brooke is an avid writer and outdoor enthusiast dedicated to educating consumers about the benefits of landscaping. Looking for more landscaping ideas? Come visit http://PlazaFountains.com for the largest selection of garden fountain.
by Gretchen Norton - Your Hub - Denver
Within a few days, ghosts and goblins will be roaming the neighborhood begging for treats. Halloween is a fun holiday for children, but there are many hazards for your pet.
The most obvious danger is the amount of candy and treats in the house. Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) reports that insurance claims for substance toxicity more than double following Halloween, with a majority of the cases caused by pets eating candy and wrappers. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. In small doses, it causes vomiting and diarrhea. In larger amounts, chocolate can cause seizures, and an overdose can be fatal.
Fortunately most Halloween candy is milk chocolate, which is less dangerous. However, if you are baking treats, be aware that semi-sweet chocolate and baking chocolate are toxic in much smaller doses due to the greater amount of methylxanthines in these forms of chocolate.
Another sweet holiday hazard is xylitol, which is found in sugar free gums and candies. While humans can consume xylitol with no problem, in dogs it produces low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia. Signs are vomiting, weakness, trouble walking and sometimes seizures. In some dogs it can lead to fatal liver failure. Please contact your veterinarian if your pet gets into the Halloween treats.
In the excitement of trick-or treating, it is important to keep your pet safely away from the front door. First, it will keep your pet from darting outside when the door is open. Second, it will reduce the chance of your pet becoming agitated by the noise and costumes that accompany Halloween. Even if your pet is normally very social, he may become protective of his territory when faced with costumed strangers on the porch. Dogs may react aggressively and cats may become frightened and run away. Keep all of your four-legged family members indoors and safe during the trick-or-treating hours.
Halloween decorations can be a hazard to your pet. Fake cobwebs or anything on a string can be very attractive to cats. If a cat chews or swallows some of these decorations, it can cause an obstruction in the stomach or intestines. This often requires surgery to remove the foreign material.
Dressing your pet up can be a fun idea, but keep your pet's comfort in mind. Costumes should not restrict your pet's vision, breathing or movement. They should never be secured with rubber bands or any item that might restrict breathing or potentially tighten and cut off circulation. Pets should only be in costume when they are with their owners. Pets will chew at uncomfortable costumes and can eat inedible items in an attempt to remove them. If your pet appears distressed by a costume, it's probably best to just let him appear in his birthday suit.
If you have a question about your pet, contact your family veterinarian for advice.
Honolulu Advertiser
Do you have the cutest dog on the block? Does your cat make the other kitties purr with envy? Here's your chance to make your pet a star! Hawaii Pet Magazine, Hawaii's local pet resource, is conducting another statewide search for their next cover model.
"We held our first cover model contest in June for the July/August issue and it was a tremendous success," said Mary Long, Publisher of hawaii Pet Magazine. "Due to devoted pet parents and ardent animal lovers, we received 235 submissions and over 9000 votes for that issue. We anticipate a stronger response for the November/December cover model search."
If you think your pet has star quality, go to www.hawaiipetmagazine.com to submit a high resolution picture of your pet. All photos must be submitted by October 19, 2008. The public will be invited to vote for the next pet cover model from October 20-27, 2008 online at www.hawaiipetmagazine.com. The pets that are not selected for the cover will be featured on the local pet page in Hawaii Pet Magazine as space permits.
Hawaii Pet Magazine is a local pet magazine published bimonthly featuring local pet news, events, fashion, recipes and advice. Complimentary copies of Hawaii Pet Magazine are available statewide at local veterinary offices, pet stores, pet events, waiting rooms and select retail locations.
ALL pets are invited to be a part of the cover model search including dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, horses, rabbits, rats, mice, turtles, eels, and any other pet companions that you may have. Grab your camera and make your pet a star!
For more information about the pet cover model search and Hawaii Pet Magazine, visit www.hawaiipetmagazine.com.
Chewing Disorders and Strange Appetites in Cats
By Connie Limon
There are cats, which are universally characterized as finicky eaters, who orally obsess upon objects such as fabric, string and plastic. They can proceed to suck, chew or ingest these materials as well.
Some animal behaviorists believe kittens that are orphaned or weaned too early were never taught by their mother to stop nursing. Consequently, later in life the cat may pick up where it left off using a synthetic mother-substitute. A little chewing or sucking is absolutely normal for inquisitive kittens, however, it can be a problem when the behavior is repeated over and over again or damaging to the cat and/or household that has been thought to be an obsessive-compulsive disorder. The disorder can occur with any cat breed of any age, but wait; animal researchers now believe there appears to be some genetic components to these behaviors.
Some veterinary behaviorists believe that when it comes to chewing disorders, wool sucking and chewing in Oriental breeds (the Siamese and Burmese Cats) are the number one problem seen for diagnosis and treatment on the behaviorist's couch.
Kittens are much like human toddlers, therefore, many of their weird chewing or ingestive behaviors can be related to their natural desire to play and put things in their mouths for exploration purposes.
It is the adult cats that suck, chew, or eat strange things who are more likely afflicted with a compulsive disorder. Some veterinary behaviorists theorize these cats may be simply following the saying of, "if it feels good....do it!" Others theorize that the act of chewing releases endorphins in the brain that gives cats a "meow high." When these cats suck or chew, the happy-hormones are released, and consequently these cats become happy-hormone addicts.
If you are experiencing a cat with a chewing disorder, the experience is certainly a challenge. You may find yourself trying to cat-proof your entire house very much like you would do for young human toddlers. And it may seem, regardless of how good you cat-proof things, the cat still finds something "unusual or abnormal" to chew on or eat.
The most favorite kind of materials for cats seems to be "wool fabric," especially in the winter season. Fabric chewing cats like the crunch of the fabric. This is especially true of cats fed only soft foods. Behaviorists theorize that cats start this bad habit because they are bored, anxious, stressed or inadvertently rewarded for the behavior.
Tips for owners of cat chewing disorders:
• The best preventive for chewing disorders and strange appetites is to provide kittens with proper chew toys and interactive forms of exercise
• You can teach kittens good habits by praising him or her for good chewing and healthy, desirable behaviors.
• Nutritional deficiencies are seldom the reason behind chewing and strange appetites
Cat chewing disorders can be a serious health and medical problem. For example, imagine if your cat chewed and swallowed something such as your daughter's hair crunchy. The cat would probably require a major surgery to remove the foreign object. Eating substances that can cause intestinal blockage are the most dangerous, and can carry a high fatality rate.
Experts recommend:
• Stopping the nasty chewing habits before the cat gains a substantial appetite for them and stops being a cat with regular routines of playing, resting and grooming itself
Treatment might include:
• Keeping household changes to a minimum
• Switching "good chew" objects for bad ones
• Using repellents or other deterrents around taboo areas
• As a last resort, drug therapy
• Remove wool or plastic or any other foreign objects for the cat and give them dry food, lettuce or whole baby carrots
• Provide alternative oral stimulation in the form of rawhide soaked in chicken broth or other dog chew treats
• Create a cat-tractive window box filled with catnip, grass and other items designed to lure your cat away from the offending items
• Bored cats can become destructive cats. Provide plenty of places to climb, crept, leap and race, use cat activity centers and the newer interactive toys to engage kittens mind and body
• Consult with a veterinarian at the earliest signs of a problem as treatment is always easiest in the early stages of any kind of problem
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any kind of health problem in your cat. You should always consult with a trusted veterinarian for all health problems.
Source: The Winn Feline Foundation Online.
Written by: Connie Limon. I raise the beautiful, emerald green-eyed shaded and chinchilla silver Persian cat from champion and grand champion lines. For more information about us and to be added to our contact list, please visit http://www.fairydewsilverpersian.vpweb.com or http://www.fairydewpersiancats.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Limon
Pet First Aid - What You Should Have on Hand
By Jennifer Tanner
Having three dogs and a cat is sometimes a challenge and at one time or another one has gotten hurt. So I learned from experience to keep a pet first aid kit on hand to make sure that I have everything I need in case of an emergency. My husband and I rarely go out of town, but when we do it is nice to know that we have taken an extra precaution for the pets which are a part of our family.
Putting together a pet first aid kit is fairly simple and is similar to what you find in a normal first aid kit. There are also companies on the market that sell pet first aid kits, but for this article we are just going to discuss you putting together a kit yourself.
First and foremost make sure that you have a box to put all of your items in - if you do not have a first aid box on hand make sure that you have a box that is sealable and waterproof so that nothing can get into the box. Also be sure that the box is an in area that is easily accessible during an emergency. We keep our kit under the sink in the bathroom.
The following is the list of items that are essential for your kit:
ITEMS NEEDED
Nonstick Bandages
3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Towels or Cloth for Bleeding
Adhesive Tape
Saline Eye Flush
Syringe or Eyedropper for Medicating
Gauze and Bandage Material
One Pair of Scissors
Cotton Swabs
One Pair of Gloves
One Pair of Plastic Forceps
Paperwork (vet records, etc)
Finally make sure that you have an emergency contact list on hand - the following is a great example of what an emergency contact list should look like and if someone else is staying at your home make sure that they have your emergency contact number:
Important Emergency Numbers
My Veterinarian: _______________________________________________
My 2nd Choice Veterinarian: ______________________________________
Local Emergency Clinic: _________________________________________
National Poison Control: _________________________________________
A pet first aid kit is never a substitute for your veterinarian. You should always check with your veterinarian during and after an emergency to do a thorough checkup of your pet.
If you would like to learn more about your dog or cats health and well being visit: http://www.schnauzeradvice.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Tanner
Franklin Pet Memorials“Remember them with a custom solid bronze memorial.”
Contact: Cynthia Linnon
191 Howard Street Franklin, PA 16323
clinnon@franklinbronzeplaques.com
814-346-7205 ph 814-346-7047 fax
Best Toys for Dogs
Author: John Williams
Dog toys are essential to keep your dog occupied to stop barking problems, boredom issues and through teething times for your dog. Finding a good toy for your dog through these times is essential, leaving your dog with a bad chew toy that they don’t like will leave your dog with no option but to chew something else, there are many chew toys available so the choice is endless.
Dental health for your dog will be greatly improved by chewing toys so it is important to keep your dog interested in the toy choice you give them. Popular toys usually contain something that tastes good, smells good, some light up, and others make noises to keep you dog entertained. If the toy is fun for your dog then you can use it to reward your dog for good behavior or take it from them when they are bad.
Different Dogs enjoy different textures and tastes, you will need to find what your dog likes to chew and try your best to find a similar product but without it being as destructive to your house like their old toy, the table leg, was.
Avoiding tugging toys may be a good idea in some cases, more excited breeds of dog and puppies especially will get the message that tugging is fun for you as well as your dog, thus encouraging him to tug at you trouser legs when they’re in need of attention and curtains when they’re bored. Personally I would avoid theses toys.
When looking for a good toy for your dog, here are some good suggestions:
1. Look for a dog toy with something different like sound, taste, or lights.
2. Pick a dog toy that is tough enough to withstand your dogs chewing and biting
3. Choose dog toys that you think your dog will enjoy, using experience of what he normally chews is a good idea.
Remember that choosing a dog toy all depends on the dog in question, each dog will have different tastes and experiences of what they enjoy, something as cheap and simple as a tennis ball could be enough to keep your dog occupied for hours on end.
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