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Author: David Hensley
Pet lovers always take special care for their pets and spend a lot for pet care products. One of the important pet care products is pet bed. It provides your pet a comfortable place for sleeping. Several kinds of beds are available in the market and most of the beds are bought for pets like dogs and cats. Depending on the type and size of your pet, beds can be chosen. Pet beds are available in varieties like small sized beds, large sized beds, out door beds, indoor beds and luxury beds. Look for important factors such as materials used, comfort, luxury, shape and size of the pet bed.
The pet beds should provide comfort while your pet is sleeping and at the same time the bed material used should create a great look for the bed. Pet beds made of micro velvet nylon gives a luxury look to the pet beds and they can also be easily washed. While buying Pet beds, look for the flexibility so that you can carry your pet and the bed during traveling. Pet beds should be frequently washed and so also the covers. Therefore always check whether the bed covers can be removed and replaced. There are various colors available in pet beds and choose a bed that goes attractive with your pet. The bed material should provide style along with comfort to your pet.
Pet bed sizes vary from small to extra large. The pet bed shapes like round, rectangle etc. can be decided depending upon the size and age of your pet. Round shaped beds are normally suggested for pets as they provide them protection. Polyfiber pet beds are easily washable and detachable. The inner cushion of the pet beds should be thick so that your pet gets total comfort while sleeping. There are reversible pet beds available in the market and you have the advantage of using both sides for your pet alternatively. Another popular pet bed variety is doughnut shaped bed. Some pet beds provide crate pad as additional benefit.
Pet beds for cats should protect them from winter and floor. Many of the pet beds for cats provide heating system in the bed so that the bed temperature is controlled and protects the cat from cold. A pet bed provides your pet its own space and your house will also look in an organized way. You can easily buy pet beds by online means. Usually cats sleep for longer duration in a day to a maximum of 16 hours and a dog sleeps less than a cat.
The extreme changes of weather will not affect your pet if you provide a pet bed for it. By selecting a proper bed you can minimize vulnerable health problems that may affect your pet. Pets are normally subjected to various skin problems and always require a smooth and cool sleeping place. The popular types of beds available are Murphy beds, crib bed, brass bed, orthopedic bed, cooled bed and heated bed. Murphy beds use minimum of space in home and also during traveling. Murphy pet beds are produced using many varieties of wood and stains crib pet beds provide protection to puppies while sleeping and playing. Antique lovers buy brass pet beds with brass carvings for providing elegant look to their houses.
Arthritis in Dogs
by Alison Grimston
Arthritis is a common problem in dogs. It is recognised by symptoms such as the pet going stiff-legged after exercise, showing reluctance in going up or down the stairs or playing, and finding it uncomfortable to wake up in the morning. Before the problem gets out of hand and has a crippling effect on the life of the dog and that of the dog owner, it is important to take proper care of the dog and consult the vet for a thorough diagnosis, if required.
Let's begin by knowing what arthritis is. Arthritis is a condition involving the joints. There are two types of arthritis: Degenerative arthritis and inflammatory arthritis. In the former, the cartilage that protects the bones making the joint wither away due to various factors like overuse from strenuous activities, aging, accidents and other bodily deficiencies. This type of arthritis is also known as osteoarthritis.
Inflammatory arthritis involves inflammation of joints arising mostly from infections due to systemic deficiencies in the dog. Both the forms of arthritis in dogs are accompanied by pain and discomfort in moving the limbs.
There are two approaches to treating arthritis in dogs. However, before beginning any treatment with medicines, it is essential to have a thorough diagnostic assessment done to find out the nature and extent of joint damage and cause of pain.
The first approach involves regulating the diet. If the dog is overweight, the extra weight may be putting more stress on the joints than it can handle. So, weight reduction is an important component of any treatment plan. The dog should be put on a balanced and nutritious diet rich in proteins, minerals and fiber. It should drink plenty of fluids to flush out toxins from the body. Try to avoid dry dog food which contains grains that perpetuates inflammation and may aggravate arthritis pain. Instead, the dog can be given homemade food containing celery, other fresh vegetables such as cucumber, carrot, lettuce and sometimes garlic which has anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties.
The second approach involves giving the dog supplements that reduce arthritis swelling and pain, such as Glucosamine, dietary sulphur sources like Methylsulphonylmethane (MSM), and Omerga-3 fatty acids found abundantly in fish. Side by side, the dog should be given massage of the sore muscles and joints and kept off from damp environs.
If these natural therapies do not work, the dog may require an examination by the vet who can recommend pain killers and other therapeutic procedures to provide relief from arthritis pain and other symptoms.
Copyright (c) 2008 The Naturally Healthy Pet.com
About the Author
Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor and animal healer. If you are a pet owner or therapist, sign up for her free report on keeping your pet healthy naturally, by logging in at http://www.TheNaturallyHealthyPet.com .
Fun Dog Activities
By: Mike Mathews
All dog breeds (www.dog-breed-facts.com/index.html) were developed for a purpose. Some breeds were developed to herd sheep, some to hunt game, and some to pull sleds. Dogs, like humans, enjoy having a purpose in life. Dogs like to lead a structured life and be able to associate with their owners in activities and be given the opportunity to please their owner. The following is a short list of fun activities that you may want to consider for your dog.
Dog Agility is a sport in which a handler must control and direct his dog around an obstacle course within a set period of time. Dogs must be controlled off-leash using only voice and body language commands. The handler runs beside the dog and directs the dog through the obstacle course with precision and speed - trying to accumulate the minimum number of faults (both missed obstacles and time faults). Obstacles include: A-frames, elevated dog walks, teeter-totters, tunnels, jumps (such as hurdles and tires), weave poles (like a slalom), pause tables (where the dog must lie down for a fixed time), and other obstacles. In order to be fair, there are usually classes of competition to group dogs of similar size and experience. Therefore there will be several winners at a competition. Dogs and handlers need to be very well trained and seem to enjoy this sport immensely. There are a number of organizations involved in agility performance around the world who sanction clubs to allow them to host agility competitions. In the US, some of these organizations include: the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC), the United States Dog Agility Association, and the North American Dog Agility Council. Elsewhere in the world: the Kennel Club (in the UK), the Agility Association of Canada and the FCI (World Canine Organization) are all involved.
Obedience is a skill that ranges from mastering everyday commands that all dogs should know to competitive exercises that require significant training and aptitude to excel. You may start out teaching your puppy and young dog the basic obedience commands and find that you and your dog have an aptitude for obedience skills that you would like to take to a higher level. In competitive obedience the dog and handler team must perform prescribed activities off leash and in a carefully defined way. If the dog has the aptitude and training it will gain skills to allow it to advance through the ranks from Novice to Open (intermediate) to Utility (advanced) competitions. At each level the requirements become more difficult and the number of exercises to be performed get longer. Exercises are all done off leash using voice and body language commands and include such activities as: having the dog stay while you walk away; follow the handler in the heel position through complex patterns; come on command; sit and lie down for fixed periods of time while the handler is out of the dog's sight; retrieve items over a high jump; and find a scented object amongst a group of identical non-scented objects. Dogs can earn obedience titles in obedience championships. Purebred dogs can compete in obedience trials sanctioned by the AKC, while the UKC recognizes other purebred dog competitions. As well, there are mixed breed competitions sanctioned by the Mixed Breed Dog Club of America and other organizations. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club sanctions obedience trials and awards titles.
Lure coursing is a sport for sighthounds that involves chasing a manually or mechanically operated artificial lure across a field in a "coursing" pattern. The competition is usually restricted to pure-bred sighthounds including: Afghan Hounds, Basenjis, Borzois, Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, and Whippets. The operator keeps the lure or "prey" just in front of the chasing sighthounds until they have completed the course. The course must have a minimum number of turns and is usually 600 to 1000 yards long. The hounds love to play this sport and puppies can be introduced to the sport through lure coursing practice sessions. Competitions usually consist of two runs for each dog breed for dogs that have been pre-certified or qualified. In the US, the American Sighthound Field Association or the AKC can "certify" that dogs have been trained and are eligible to enter their sanctioned competitions. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club sanctions lure coursing but excludes the Italian Greyhound because they consider it a toy dog.
Tracking can be learned by all dog breeds (www.dog-breed-facts.com/index.html) because all dogs use their noses to identify things and explore the world. Training can be started as early as 10 to 12 weeks of age as all puppies love to use their noses to sniff out a trail. As with all training, positive rewards (treats, praise etc,) and re-enforcement work best. The AKC sanctions tracking tests and events in the US. This vigorous non-competitive outdoor sport allows dogs to demonstrate their ability to recognize and follow human scents. In Canada, the CKC sponsors tracking events and you can check their website for a list of nearby events.
Field Trials are regularly held for Basset Hounds, Beagles and Dachshunds to demonstrate their ability to find and track game. Similarily Field Trials and Hunting Trials are held almost every weekend across the country for: the Pointing Breeds, the Retrievers, and Spaniels to allow them to compete and demonstrate their hunting abilities under a strict set of conditions. If you are an owner of a hunting dog puppy, you will want to look into many of the organized activities designed for your dog. Check out the AKC or CKC websites for a list of contacts and field trials in your area.
Other Fun Activites that you might wish to explore include flyball, frisbee, herding and drafting competitions.
Author Bio
Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: Dog-Breed-Facts.com. He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health, dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his free report on Dog Training
Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content
The 5 Essentials To Pet Supplies
Author: thegermantruth
Often times owners of pets go overboard with the pet supplies they purchase. Obviously you want to show your love and affection for your pet, but you can easily do so without going overboard. It does depend on the type of pet you have, but for most pets there is a border between too much and the essentials. Here are 5 essentials to pet supplies.
1. Food and water bowls - For every dog, cat, bird and so on, having a food and water bowl is absolutely necessary. Dog food and cat food is something that will be given to your pets on a daily basis and will most likely be the object used most, aside from the leash possibly. Because of this, do not be afraid to spend a little more on the bowls than other items. Try and find a stainless steel dish or something that is sturdy and will last awhile.
2. Bed - While not everyone considers a bed an absolute necessity, providing a bed is very much recommended for your pet. If your dog or cat has a bed, they can claim it as their own home. This is a place where they can sleep, go to when they are scared and be a place where they can go to get away for a while.
3. Grooming supplies - Just as with humans, pets fur and toenails grow. It is your job to keep your pet maintained and keep them healthy. By researching and shopping around, you can find the best shampoos for your pet, what types of brushes to use and how big of nail clippers to use. These pet supplies will keep your pet looking clean and lovable.
4. Traveling supplies - If you are not the type of person to travel around or bring your pet when you do travel, go ahead and disregard this note. If you do bring your pet with you, having pet supplies when you travel is essential. Some things you can bring with you that you use at home, such as bowls for the dog food and cat food, the leash and possibly the bed. However, it is worth investing into a kennel, especially if you are flying your pet to a different location. You may want to consider purchasing a bag of some sort as well to keep all of your pets toys and grooming supplies in.
5. Toys - Having a few toys for your pets to amuse themselves with and play with is absolutely essential. However, notice how I said a few. There is no point in buying your pet a hundred toys because this will only clutter your house with objects that will not get used. Giving your pet a few different toys so they have options will be sufficient enough.
As mentioned, the types of pet supplies you purchase will vary depending on the pet you have. If you have a fish, you will need an aquarium and aquarium accessories. If you have a dog or cat, you will want food bowls and toys. Regardless, it is important that you provide your pet with the essentials when it comes to pet supplies.
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Are Vitamins and Supplements Necessary For Cats and Dogs
By Audrey Frederick
We as humans, try to eat fairly well balanced meals. If you are like our family, you gulp a few vitamins and supplement pills every morning in hopes of staying healthy.
Since our pets no longer head for the woods to find their source of food, they too, need additional "health insurance" by means of vitamins and supplements.
Not even the very best canned or dry food made for cats and dogs is perfect. There is not a 100% balanced and complete food to be found anywhere, no matter what the label says. Pet food for the most part is processed by heat and as we know heat destroys vitamins and enzymes. Even frozen and freeze-dried pet foods are not the "100% perfect food" to feed your pet.
What are some of the alternatives you should be looking for to insure your pet's health? I am not suggesting that you give your pet a hand full of pills to swallow. I am aware of how much fun it is to give a cat a pill. Even have the scratches to prove it.
No, I just want you to be aware that there are areas of health to consider when planning your pet's diet and that their food should include certain elements. If the food you are serving does not provide these things, then it is a good idea to consider this list and possibly add these supplements.
Digestive enzymes - Mother Nature in all her glory endowed every vegetable, fruit and animal food source with enzymes that break down food into particles small enough to be processed by the body. Most processed pet food is lacking in these enzymes as they are basically destroyed by heat.
Our pets need these digestive enzymes to aid in their digestion and assimilation of the nutrients in their food. The lack of these enzymes can be responsible for such things as itchy skin, flatulence, body odor and excessive shedding to name a few.
Essential Fatty Acids - Our pets need these fatty acids to help in their cardiovascular functions and for nourishment for their skin and coats. For many years pet owners have given their pets fatty acids for the above reasons, but now veterinarians have found that they play an important role in the control of allergies, inflammation and the function of other body organs in cats and dogs. Granted they can be found in the foods we feed our pets, but once again food processing limits the amounts they are getting.
Multi Vitamins - they are important for us to take and they are just as important for our pets. Look at it as "health insurance" for your cat or dog. Going back to the same old story, much of the vitamins and minerals in our pet's food are once again destroyed by the heat in processing the food. Even if they are added as an after thought later by the pet food companies, the vitamins and minerals slowly dissipate when exposed to air and light. The first bites are the best nutrition wise.
As in all things pertaining to your pet it is best to talk to your Vet regarding what supplements you should add to your pet's diet. Doing a little research on the internet and talking to friends that have animals can also give you a wealth of information.
One very important thing cat caregivers should remember is that cats need the amino acid called "taurine" in their diets. I have found that Hartz makes a vitamin for cats that are not only filled with most things a cat needs, it is a great source of "taurine." Our cats readily eat the vitamin pill, it is rather large, so I break it up and they seem to enjoy it. It can be found in most grocery stores and is reasonably priced.
Since I am on the subject of cats for the moment, I would like to include a recipe that I have used daily for several years and credit it to saving our Smokey's life and making him well and strong. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals; it will do wonders for your cat's coat and its inner well being. A friend lent me the book that this was in and unfortunately we do not know the author or the name of the book. It is well worth the effort it takes to put it together and it will benefit your cat in many ways especially if your cat is a finicky eater like ours is.
It is rather like building a mouse: (a cat's best source of food)
11/2 cups of Brewer's yeast (acts as something living, raises the quality of protein and helps replace some B vitamins and amino acids)
1 cup lecithin (to emulsify fatty wastes and provide a good coat)
¼ cup kelp powder (provides minerals and roughage, the nutrition found in a mouse's hair and contents of its tummy)
2 cups wheat bran (provides minerals and roughage, as does the kelp powder)
2 cups bone meal (helps bone structure)
Mix together and keep in an airtight jar (peanut butter jar works well) and keep in the refrigerator. Mix or sprinkle 1 teaspoon in your cat's food at mealtime, total of 2 teaspoons per day. If you feed your cat several times a time adjust the amount and spread it accordingly. You may have to try a little bit at a time to get your cat used to the taste. You can buy the ingredients at the health food store and it lasts for a long while. Just keep it in the refrigerator. I had trouble finding kelp powder and as a result bought pills and ground them in a small coffee grinder, which I keep to grind up things our cats are finicky about and I then can sneak them in their food, etc.
As our pets grow older, it is important to be observant regarding their behavior. If your dog or cat is approaching 8 or 9 years of age keep an eye on its mobility, watch for stiffness in the joints. This might be a good time to start giving Glucosamine, which is joint supplement. Again check with your Vet before starting any new health regimes.
CoEnzyme Q 10 is another helpful supplement that will help protect your pet's health and gums.
The list of supplements that are good for your cat and dog is long. It can be an overwhelming. Use the Internet as a research tool, talk to your Vet, consult a holistic veterinarian, and talk to friends with healthy pets, read pet food labels and most of all watch your pet.
Take a long look at your pet's coat and skin, are their eyes bright, do they have abundant energy, are their teeth and gums healthy? A good long look will give you an idea of what your pet needs. Keep in mind that what is good for one animal is not necessarily good for another.
Some pets need more of one thing while others may not need it at all. Just like their human caregivers, pets come in all sizes and shapes and they, just like us have certain health needs and requirements. Be mindful of your pet, be observant, talk to your vet and use the tools and services that are available in today's world to make certain your pet has all the health benefits available.
I wish you and your pet a long and healthy life. Good luck.
Keeping our pets healthy is very beneficial not only to the pet, but to our pocketbooks. If the only time you need to visit the veterinarian is for yearly check ups and necessary shots you are saving money. Nutrition is very important in keeping a dog/cat healthy, proper quality food that contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals is a good way to start. If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Frederick
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
Dog Training 101
Author: autoincome101
Although pet dogs are often seen as of members of the family, they can also sometimes be seen as obnoxious members of the family or even downright dangerous.
In order to mitigate the annoying, obnoxious, and sometimes dangerous behavioral characteristics that dogs can display, their owners frequently turn to training programs.
Because there are around 65 million pet dogs in the United States, there is a vast amount of behavioral training options out there. There are manuals, books, schools, seminars, training experts, and classes.
Finding the right program for you and your dog is often a matter of economics coupled with the problems your dog may need corrected. Some training programs specialize in getting rid of a certain problem characteristic of a dog such as aggressiveness while other programs may be more geared towards teaching tricks. Furthermore, some programs may be geared towards puppy instruction while others are geared towards teaching dogs of all ages what behavior is acceptable as well as unacceptable for them to do. And some obedience programs may be geared towards teaching smaller dogs how to act while other courses are geared towards teaching larger dogs to put on their best behavior.
Many people find that enrolling your pet in an obedience course can be very helpful in getting rid of the aggressive behavior some dogs engage in. Training is used to help dogs that bite, nip, jump on people, and get into fights with other dogs.
Some people buy the books that teaches them to do it themselves. Or they may sign up for dog behavior classes because their pets demonstrate destructive behavior like digging holes in the yard or chewing up everything they can. Other owners seek out other courses to learn how to keep their dogs from running after cats, children, cars or even the mailman.
Many people use some form of obedience training to help with dogs that just cannot seem to stop barking. And many other people use other techniques to help canine companions that need to be housebroken.
Besides ending problematic behavior in canines, training is often used to teach dogs commands such as "sit," "fetch," "stay," "come," and "roll over." People also enroll their pets in specialized courses to teach their older pets new tricks and teach the younger ones new tricks.
Some trainers can also offer advice on how to deal with common canine health problems such as worms, fleas and bad breath. And behavioral training is sometimes used to help dogs that may have problems like leash fear, travel anxiety, or depression.
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