Puppy, kitten doesn’t make good gift on Christmas Day
I had planned to write a post on the topic of giving your children a puppy or kitten as a Christmas present, then I read this article written by the Aiken SPCA that covered it all. Enjoy. Happy Holidays! The calls have already begun coming in. “I want to get my kids a puppy for Christmas. Can you hold it until Christmas Eve?” We certainly understand that kids love puppies and kittens, and many would be very happy to see one as a member of the family on Christmas morning. However, if you... [Read more]
Secondhand Smoke Harms Your Pet - Would you stop smoking to save your dog’s health?
Filed under: Cat Stuff, Dog Stuff, Pet Health & Care, Veterinerian
Would you quit smoking for your pet’s health? New survey findings suggest that 28% of adult pet owners would try. The study is from the Henry Ford Health System Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and appears in Tobacco Control. Of interest to me were the cited studies that linked pet health and secondhand smoke. (Sorry, no word on pets who actually smoke.) Dogs: Nasal cancer, lung cancer, allergic reactions Cats: Lymphoma, oral cancer Birds: Eye disease, respiratory problems, dermatitis I... [Read more]
Antioxidants for Your Dog
Don’t look for or put your faith in a “silver bullet” antioxidant. It doesn’t exist. Rather, supplement your dog’s diet with a variety of foods that contain antioxidants, such as blueberries, herbs (basil is great) tomatoes, egg yolks, green tea or spinach. Feed these foods especially in times of increased physical stress for your dog; for example, when it’s fighting cancer or after extreme physical exertion. Don’t overfeed any one antioxidant. Balance and variety... [Read more]
3 Major Health Problems in Dogs
Filed under: Dog Stuff, Mature Pets, Pet Health & Care
Life with your dog can be fun and exciting. There are times when this excitement can take a turn in the wrong direction. This is when your dog gets sick. There will be times in your dog’s life that he will become ill. It is for this reason that it is important that you are aware of some of the common health problems in dogs. There are the big three that you should be aware of when it comes to taking care of your dog. Heart Disease Heart disease is not just a serious health problem for humans. Dogs... [Read more]
Traveling with Your Dog - Six Tips for Success
Nothing is quite as fun as packing up and heading out of town for a weekend or a longer trip. A change of scenery from time to time is important to recharge your battery. This is true for your dog as well. Most dogs love to travel and to be exposed to new places just like you do. But there are a few things that you need to do to make the trip a positive experience for everyone. TIP ONE Make sure that you take with you items that your dog is fond of on the trip. Being ripped away from their routine and... [Read more]
Learning Tricks is Not Just for Dogs – Your Cat can Learn Tricks too!
You may not be able to teach your cat to brush his own teeth, but cats can learn tricks just like dogs ~ they learn and respond in different ways. It has been shown that cats respond better to working for food than for positive reinforcement like many dog trainings methods. SET THE FOUNDATION To lessen the likelihood of upsetting your cat’s diet have moist or dry cat food as a treat on hand. Like dogs, cats also respond to praise, so when your cat performs a task you have asked of her, be sure... [Read more]
The History of Dogs
Canine history is a history of the friendship between us and our pet dog (Canis lupus familiaris). That friendship stems from us needing help with our herding, hunting and safety. In times of famine it would also have been beneficial for the dogs diet and possible survival. Early man also used him to supplement his own diet and even may have raised him for ‘camp meat’. Sometimes as a matter of necessity and other times as a delicacy. In some current societies it is still a practice. It is also... [Read more]
If You Want To Get Healthy, Get Yourself A Four Legged Friend
During the start of every New Year, people from all walks of life make resolutions about losing weight, getting fit and getting healthier. They purchase gym memberships, but can’t get motivated to go. They start the latest fad diet and can’t force themselves to stick with it long enough to get any results. This behavior isn’t just limited to the beginning of the year either. People make failed attempts to get themselves into a better state of health with little success all year long. ... [Read more]
Choosing the Right Crate for Your Dog
By nature, dogs are pack animals that live in dens. They take comfort in having their own secure area. You may have already observed your puppy finding a secure spot under a chair or bed. Offering your dog its own crate meets its instinctive needs and allows you some control in your housebreaking efforts. Crate Selection The first thing to do is decide on a crate. The crate or carrier should be big enough for your puppy to turn around and lay down. Giving your dog too much space allows it the option... [Read more]
Make Your Pet Stand Out with a Unique Name
If you are getting a new pet and don’t want to use a name everyone else has, check out http://www.bowwow.com.au. The maker of pet identification tags which produces tens of thousands of tags annually, has compiled a list of the top 60 names in a variety of countries, including the US. While some of the names won’t surprise you (Buddy, Max, Fluffy, Blackie), some unexpected names make the list as well (Oliver, Taz, Kate) Also, keep in mind that most animals (dogs in particular) learn two-syllable... [Read more]
