Dog Toys: Do’s & Don’ts

The best dog toy is that which is not harmful to the dog, but affords him hours of fun.  Let’s look at some do’s and don’ts when purchasing a dog toy.

Depending on the breed, some dogs prefer a particular toy over others.  In fact, while it may not be a toy at all, some dogs may become attached to an inanimate object much like a child will hang on to a security blanket.

Generally, however, dogs love toys that squeak.  Doesn’t matter what shape or color it is, as long as it squeaks, it becomes a favorite. 

* Do buy a toy that squeaks and is made of durable rubber.
* Don’t, however, purchase a squeaky toy that can easily be torn.  A dog can easily choke on the squeaker.

Taking your dog to the park is an important part of their exercise regimen.  As such, bringing along the Frisbee or tennis ball will give your dog hours of pleasure.

* Do buy a Frisbee and tennis balls.
* Don’t buy any that are made of hard plastic.

Dogs love to chew on just about anything, especially puppies.  While plastic bones are widely available, dogs prefer bones they can readily chew such as rawhide.

* Do buy dog bones made of vegetable material.
* Don’t give your done a bone made of rawhide as they tend to eat it causing digestive problems.

Dogs particular love toys that have a secret compartment wherein you can place food.

* Do buy a rubber toy called the Kong, a heavy duty toy with a hole in the center.
* Don’t buy cheap toys that are made of plastic or that can be easily chewed.  Dogs can break them and choke on or cut their gums on the pieces.

The truth is, you can easily make a toy out of an old sock.  Make some large knots in it and your dog will be perfectly happy.  But when choosing a dog toy, it is important to read the label to ensure it is perfectly safe, does not contain any lead, and is durable.

The best method would be to purchase a variety of toys and let your dog choose the ones which he prefers.  Whether the toys are stuffed, squeakers, or have hidden compartments; your dog will be the best judge as to what is more to his liking. 

Once you have found the right one – stock up on it.  If you are a pet owner, you know from experience that once a dog is given a toy that squeaks, for example, it will take about five minutes before that toy loses its squeaking capability.  Choose one that is durable and will last longer.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 13:58:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Pet Adoption After Losing a Pet

If your family has experienced the loss of a pet, or if your pet is getting older, one thing that often comes to mind is whether or not you are ready for another pet.

Should we wait or get a new pet right away? Should we wait until the older pet dies and first have a pet memorial for the kids? Would getting a new dog traumatize the older pet?
Should we buy or adopt a pet?

The most important thing to do is to access your situation. Often times, when one pet is getting old, it’s a good idea to go ahead and introduce a new pet. It may even help the older pet live longer.

It is often easier to introduce two pets when they are young, but with a little know-how, it is possible to introduce a new pet to your old one. If you have plenty of love for both of them and a lot of patience, you can do it.

You must first be sure that your new pet is disease-free and current on its shots because you don’t want your older pet to get sick. Make sure both pets are neutered, and that you’ll be able to afford your new pet. Here’s a chart for the average first year of expenses for pets:

- Small dog is $780
- Large dog is $1,500
- Cat is $640
- Rabbit is $885
- Small bird is around $185

Adopting a pet is a rewarding and beneficial experience, because there are so many domestic pets available for adoption. There are over four million unwanted pets are in the United States, many of which are up for adoption. Sadly, seven million dogs and cats are killed each year due to overpopulation.

Did you know that 20 to 30 percent of the dogs up for adoption in shelters are purebreds? The other 70 to 75 percent are most often mixed breed animals.

In order to adopt a pet, you might want to start by visiting www.petfinder.com, a site that lists many shelters across the US. You can also search for specific breeds or breed mixes. Also just be aware that if all dogs on a particular shelter’s website are described the same way (sweet, loving, friendly, etc.) then that shelter probably doesn’t know the individual dogs’ personality so you may want to avoid the shelter.

Be sure to contact the shelters in your area and ask about their return policy. Good shelters will accept any dog or cat they have adopted out in the past as a return during any time in his life. Check out the adoption procedures, so you can visit with your new pet outside of the shelter kennel. Good shelters also don’t promote dogs who have a prior history of bad tempers.

Always avoid any preconceptions about what kind of pet including its age, breed, color, sex or size – and be prepared to have an open mind.

Once you have chosen your new pet, the best way to introduce new pets in your family is to put the new pet in his or her own room for a week before allowing the younger pet to be around it. Spend plenty of time with each pet.
Let the new pet out of its room, and let the older pet goes in the room where the new pet was staying, so it can get used to the new pet’s smell without being intimidated.

Be very loving to both pets and always respect them. Then let them see one another but do not allow any physical contact. Or you could separate the animals with a child gate. If you hear some hissing or growling, know that this is normal. Once they seem to be used to seeing one another, let them get together, but make sure that someone supervises them. Provide treats to each animal and feed them in separate bowls at opposite sides of the room so they won’t fight for the food. This should be done at the same time every day until the animals become used to the routine. Over time, move the dishes closer together – slowly. If either animal shows signs of aggression, move their dishes back to the original starting point. Wait a few more days and move the pans closer once again.

Never let your animals be together unsupervised until they are completely comfortable with one another, to avoid fights. This process may take anywhere from one to six weeks. However if done right, in the end, you will have a calm family and happy pets.

And as sad as it may be, when an older pet dies, make sure that you have planned for a pet memorial. Let your children help choose a pet urn for cremation, or a pet casket for their pet’s burial, along with a memorial keepsake box for photos. This along with adopting another pet, can help children through sad times.

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Kristin Gabriel is a professional writer based in Los Angeles, CA who works with Peternity.com, a place where people honor their pets for eternity. Peternity provides custom products including grave markers, pet urns, garden statue pet memorials, pet memorial headstones, pet keepsake memorials, pet portraits, burial boxes, custom engraved glasswork, and other pet memorials. Call 877-PET-PEACE or go to http://www.peternity.com

Originally posted 2008-12-10 06:43:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Take Your Dog to Work Day on June 25

On Friday, June 25, thousands of employers across the nation will participate in the 12th annual “Take Your Dog to Work Day.”

The event was launched in 1999 by Pet Sitters International, which partnered with Dog Fancy magazine and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers to celebrate the human canine bond and promote local pet adoption.

“Bringing pets to work is a fun, proactive way for businesses across the world to promote local pet adoption,” said Patti Moran, president of Pet Sitters International. “Dog Fancy and APDT are two great organizations that share PSI’s love of pets and a commitment to responsible pet care.”

PSI is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, with nearly 8,000 independent professional pet-sitting businesses represented by them internationally. It’s their belief that every pet should be wanted and belong to a home. Moran hopes that “Take Your Dog to Work Day” will encourage the 38 percent of the population who are not yet pet owners to consider adoption when they see the special bond their co-workers have with their furry friends.

The event has been hugely successful, gaining the interest of tens of thousands of individuals and business owners across the nation, all of which have joined to promote their love of animals and show off their well-behaved pets.

“People love their dogs, and pets enrich our lives in so many ways,” said Moran. “TYDTW Day offers an opportunity for pet parents to show off their dogs to co-workers while giving back to the pet community and promoting a great cause — pet adoption.”

PSI asks businesses to GO FURRY by supporting pet adoption on June 25. Gaining permission from employers has not been as difficult as it may seem, as employers everywhere are recognizing the benefits attending pets have to their businesses. In fact, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association has stated that nearly one in five companies are now allowing pets in the workplace, which has been a contributing factor to boosted employee morale. According to the same survey, millions of employees feel that pets in the workplace also lead to a more creative environment, decreased absenteeism, improved productivity and increased camaraderie amongst co-workers. Forty-six million of those polled admitted to believing that people who bring their pets to the office will work longer hours.

But good office morale isn’t the only benefit to having a furry friend by your side. Moran has joined forces with pet expert Arden Moore who’s promoting the personal benefits of pet adoption, as well as the professional ones.

“Dogs show us how to better ourselves,” said Moore. “Having a canine extraordinaire (CEO) in your life can teach you valuable lessons about succeeding at home and in the workplace.”

Moore goes on to describe weight loss, a reduced risk of cancer, reduced anxiety and general improvement of mood to be just a few ways adoption is personally beneficial.

To encourage participation amongst businesses, PSI offers a website full of informational tips and tricks with everything from sample pet day guidelines for the office space and ways to prepare your dog for the office, to tips on adopting a new furry friend.

PSI also provides suggestions for office celebrations. A fundraiser for a local animal shelter, pet fair, doggie dress-up, photo sessions and canine contests such as best trick, relays and other awards are just some of the fun ways to participate.

Another way to celebrate and help promote the event is by entering your pet in the annual “Take Your Dog to Work Day“ photo contest. Submit a picture of your professional pooch, and the one with the most votes will earn a grand prize of $500 cash, $200 pet prize pack, and a $500 donation to the animal shelter or humane society of the winners’ choice.

For more information on how to participate, visit the website at www.takeyourdog.com, or follow the pack on Facebook and Twitter.

Originally posted 2010-06-18 03:00:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Where to Get your Puppy

You know that you want to have a puppy for a companion.  But, where do you get a puppy?  There are a few places that will provide a good variety and a few places that you should probably try to avoid.

Owners want a puppy that is happy and healthy.  The health and temperament of your new puppy depends in part on how well he has been cared for before you acquire him.  Puppies that have been neglected or abused can become problem cases down the road.

One place to consider purchasing your puppy from is a dog breeder.  Reputable breeders make a point of giving their dogs the utmost care.  Confirm with the breeder that vaccinations and other preventive care measures have been taken and that puppy has papers.  Papers certify his breed as what the breeder claims him to be.

You can find breeders through referrals from friends and family.  If they are happy with the puppy they have, many will happily recommend their breeder to you.  The breeder may not carry the breed of puppy you are looking for, but they, in turn, can recommend the appropriate puppy breeder or a purebred rescue group looking for owners.

Many puppies are dropped off by owners at the humane society.  The humane society has gotten a bad rap as a place for unwell strays and difficult dogs.  This is not always so.  Many puppies end up at humane societies because their previous owner didn’t take their decision to have a pet seriously.  Many times it’s something as simple as the previous owner got sick and could no longer care for the animal properly, but otherwise the animal is healthy and was well cared for and loved prior being taken to the humane society.  There can be many other reasons a puppy may end up in a humane society, so be sure to ask lots of questions about any puppy you may be considering getting.

The humane society shelters puppies that are waiting for you to give them a good home.  You may even find a purebred amongst the group.  Still choose carefully.  Don’t choose a large breed puppy because he gives you the “droopy eye” and later find out that he barks all night to your neighbor’s dismay.

In your puppy search, steer clear of pet shops and puppy factories.  Pet shops are usually supplied by puppy factories.  These breeders do it for the money and only the money.  In some cases, they are ignorant of any knowledge about the dogs they breed. 

This could spell doom for your puppy if he is predisposed to any life-threatening diseases.  Veterinarians can perform preventive care on breeds that can suffer certain conditions.  With pet shops or side-of-the-road breeders, you may not know what you are getting and therefore can’t head off disaster for your companion.

Knowing where to buy a puppy is as important as what breed of puppy to buy.  Take advice from trusted friends about reputable breeders.  If in doubt, visit the humane society or dog rescue groups.  They will be glad to help in your search for the perfect puppy companion.

Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:06:54. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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.  There is always a good reason to start your new diet or exercise plan; you want to squeeze into a size six for your cousin’s wedding or you want to feel confident in your swim suit when beach season hits. Maybe your cholesterol is high or your stamina is low.

A large part of the failure of all of these endeavors to get healthier stems from the fact that we aren’t giving ourselves a good and definitive reason to get up, go out and get moving.  In the back of our minds, there is always the thought that tomorrow is another day.

Bad days at work, trouble sleeping or your favorite show coming on aren’t good excuses to skip your workout, but they are excuses that people use everyday.  What we need to guarantee is our success in getting healthier is a reason to get moving that we can’t ignore.

Man’s (or woman’s) Best Friend

If you can’t seem to stick to a regular workout routine and you are in desperate need of dropping some pounds, whether it’s by doctor’s orders or just to be able to look at yourself in the mirror again, then getting a dog may be the perfect path to your success.

There are no two ways about it, dogs need to get outside.  They need to go to the bathroom and they need regular activity to be healthy and happy.

An average dog needs about one twenty to thirty minute walk a day. In addition to the quick trips out to relieve themselves, they need to get enough exercise to remain in good health. Twenty to thirty minutes is, coincidently, a perfect amount of time for an adult to get out and perform some type of physical activity in order to stay in good health.

No Excuses

Your dog won’t want to hear that you’re tired. Your dog won’t care that the new episode of some prime time drama is coming on and your dog certainly won’t care that your boss was giving you a hard time all day.

Your dog will need to go outside, period. That is exactly the type of motivation many people need these days in order to get the amount of physical activity they need to get themselves into a healthier state.

A Faithful Training Partner

As you begin to work out the kinks created by year after year of doing nothing more than sitting in front of the TV, you’ll begin to feel better.  Those excess pounds that you’ve been building up will start to melt away.

There may be a lot of skeptics about this “workout plan.” People will wonder how it’s possible to lose weight simply by taking a dog out for a stroll, but you can rest assured that this is an excellent way to get yourself on the road to better health.

A recent study conducted by the University of Missouri at Columbia, showed a reasonable pattern of weight loss for subjects who walked a dog for twenty minutes a day, five days a week over the course of one year.

The average participant in the study lost nearly fifteen pounds over the course of the year.  Though the information from the study can not guarantee the same results for anyone who begins walking a dog, one thing to consider is that the study only included five days of the week. You, as a dog owner, would be getting that activity seven days a week.

The subjects were using twenty minutes as their goal per day. You would be unlimited as to the amount of time and type of activity you chose on each walk.

Fifteen pounds in one year is not an extraordinary amount of weight to lose, but for someone who’s had little success with any endeavor they’ve attempted in the past, fifteen pounds could be a huge accomplishment.  Seeing that weight come off can be a great motivator to do more. Having that unavoidable excuse for activity can allow you to get to that next level and continue to take the weight off.

If subjects in the study lost fifteen pounds in twenty minutes over five days a week, and you’ll be walking thirty minutes a day for seven days a week, your weight loss could be markedly higher. The change in your health over the first year could be dramatic.

As you begin, you may only be able to walk for fifteen, or so minutes a day. After a month, you may be walking for over thirty minutes.  The healthier you and your dog get together, the more activity you’ll be capable of on a given day. By the six month mark, you may be going for long runs with your new best friend.

Make no mistake about it, if you want to take a forty-five minute walk around a park on a beautiful spring day, your dog will be right by your side the entire time with zero complaints.  If you get to a level of fitness that has you wanting to take your dog for two thirty minute walks a day, it’s a safe assumption that your four legged friend certainly won’t have a problem with that either.

The more time you spend with your dog in these bonding experiences, the closer the two of you will get.  Your dog can and will be the best friend and training partner that you’ve ever had. For anyone who needs some kind of unavoidable excuse to get up and get moving, getting a dog can be the best solution.

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This article was written on behalf of http://www.petclassifieds.us , a popular online pet classifieds website.

Originally posted 2009-02-02 13:31:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

3 Major Health Problems in Cats

Having a cat to share your life with can be a rewarding experience. This furry family member can often be aloof, but he needs your love and care to thrive. In order to protect the health of your pets, it is important that you become familiar with common feline health problems. By knowing what to watch for in your cat, you will be able to keep him healthy and happy throughout his life.

Heartworm
Heartworm is one of the most common and well-known health problems that your cat may encounter. Heartworm is contracted by contact with mosquitoes and can cause very severe reactions in cats. Dogs get heartworm as well but they do not have the same reactions and symptoms as do cats. For obvious reasons, it is more common for an outdoor cat to contract heartworm. There is a possibility of a mosquito getting inside your home, so indoor cats can be at risk as well.

There are several symptoms to be aware of that are consistent with heartworm. These symptoms are coughing, lethargy, weight loss, and vomiting. Prevention is the best way to protect your cat from this deadly disease, which can come from heart worm medications.

Feline Distemper
Feline distemper is a viral disease that is very contagious. This disease is most common in younger cats and kittens. Feline distemper is passed from cat to cat through direct contact, which makes it more common for cats to contract this disease that are around other cats.

There are many symptoms of feline distemper. These symptoms are very common to many feline health problems. The symptoms that you need to watch out for are loss of appetite, fever, and depression. It is important to take your cat to the vet if you observe any of these symptoms.

When the need to board your cat arises, be sure to confirm that the facility you choose requires will be boarding your cat

Feline Leukemia
Feline Leukemia is one of the most fatal diseases that your cat can contract. The most important thing to do to help your cat with feline leukemia is to through prevention. There are vaccines that your cat can get at the vet to help prevent this disease. Some of the symptoms of feline leukemia are fever, vomiting, and yellow around the nose and mouth.

Keeping your cat healthy is important to you both. By being knowledgeable about the common health problems in cats and their symptoms, you will be able to protect and advocate for your furry loved ones.

Originally posted 2009-01-05 00:55:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

10 Tips for Choosing the Right Dog Trainer

Not every owner can hire “The Dog Whisperer” to train their dog.  When a dog’s behavior is consistently bad, however, or if you are a first time dog owner, you may want to hire a trainer to teach your pet the basics.  To this end, here are 10 tips for choosing the right dog trainer.

1. The trainer should use techniques that do not harm the dog in any way. His methods should be above reproach and treat the dog fairly and firmly, but not in an unkind manner.
2. Does the trainer get to know the dog?  In other words, does he become familiar with his personality and needs before he commences training.
3. Does the trainer keep you informed as to how the dog is progressing
4. Does the trainer require your presence during the actual training
5. How much does the trainer charge?
6. Does the trainer give you a time-frame as to when you will see real results?
7. Does the trainer include you, the pet parent, with exercises to perform at home inbetween sessions?
8. How does the trainer use praise in his training?
9. Does the dog seem comfortable with the trainer?
10. Does the trainer provide you with information that you can utilize to continue after he has completed the training process?

There is another factor that you should also consider.  Ensure that the trainer is certified and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.  You can access this online site for additional information at: http://www.apdt.com.

While these are just 10 tips to for choosing the right dog trainer, sometimes it could be the owner that cannot seem to get a handle on the dog’s behavior.  One of the things that most good trainers will tell you is that when new dogs first enter a home, they establish their territory.  They become the alpha male.  Thus, they want to rule the home leaving you at your wits end. 

The key to the successful training of any dog or any breed, is to become the alpha male.  Once the dog understands you are the “pack leader,” he will conform to your commands no matter what they are.  Of course, this will take time, but it does work and it can be done calmly, caringly, and lovingly.

Finally, there is one more consideration in choosing the right trainer.  You can join group training classes.  The same questions apply, but in this case you may want to ask if your dog could be given individual instruction in addition to group training.

Most owners find this an enjoyable experience and the dog does as well.  When a dog is trained with other dogs, he tends to be calmer since he is part of a pack which is natural for him.  The socialization of the dog is an important one and can prevent unpleasant encounters with other dogs in the future. 

Most experts advise that having a personal dog trainer and attending a group session can be the best of both worlds.  The personal training can help you cope with the dog, and the group training can help the dog learn how to live a more structured life.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 15:20:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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 names most easily.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 21:30:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Is Pet Insurance Important?

You think of your pets as members of your family. You share your home and your life with them. They hold an important place in your heart. One of the most heart-breaking moments for most people is when their pet gets sick. Throughout the course of your pet’s life, they will go through many illnesses. A sick pet means a visits to the vet. With this trip comes an even bigger vet bill for your animal. Many times a sick pet can cost you more money then taking one of your children to the doctor. This is why pet insurance was created.

Pet insurance is one of the newest trends to have for your pet. However, the fact that it is the hot trend does not mean that it should not be taken seriously. This is one trend that you should consider for all of your pets. It can save you money and time with your pet.

Pet insurance was created because many animals were being put to sleep prematurely. This is to say that they were sick and their owners choose to put them to sleep rather then to have them treated. These pet owners are not bad people. They could not afford the medical bills that it would have cost them to have their pet treated and brought back to good health.

It is a great tool to have to pay for the health needs of your pet. This is especially true if your pet has to have unexpected surgery. This type of treatment can lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Pet insurance can be paid in monthly installments, just like your health insurance. The amount that you need to pay will vary based on the type of coverage that you would like to have on your pets. Some of the insurance policies only cover exams and vaccines. This is an ongoing expense that you will always have for your pets. This is at least a bare minimum pet insurance that you should have on all of your pets.

There are other pet insurances that include surgeries and chemo treatment. These are just as expensive for animals as they are for people. Many people do not realize that their pets can come down with many of the same ailments that people can have. One of these is cancer. Many pets come down with cancer and are forced to be put down because their owners did not pet insurance.

Your family is the most important part of your life. You would do anything to protect the members of your family. Your pets are members of your family and therefore deserve the same protection as your other family members when it comes to their health. For a few dollars a month, you can give your pets this type of protection with a simple pet insurance plan.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 17:18:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

5 Tips for Grooming Your Dog at Home

It is important to keep your dog well groomed to keep him healthy and happy. Many people use groomers for this purpose, however, taking your dog to the groomer can costly over time. There is a way to save money and keep your dog well groomed as well. Groom your dog at home! It is easier then you may think. With a few tips to help get you started, you will be well on your way to a well-groomed dog and saving money too.

Tip One

You need to have a comfortable place set up in advance to groom your dog. Grooming can be a traumatic experience for a dog if they are not used to it. It is important that you do all that you can to help alleviate any stress that your dog may feel. It is important to have the grooming station set up in a well lit area. Make sure that you have set aside your grooming instruments. It is best to pay a few extra dollars for well made dog grooming items to make the process easier on you and the dog.

 Tip Two

Grooming your dog on a consistent basis can help their health. Many dogs shed with the change of season. This is a process that they go through to help keep them healthy through the warmer months. By grooming your dog on a regular basis, you can speed along the shedding process, as well as help keep your dog socialized with the grooming process.

 Tip Three

When grooming your dog make sure that you get every inch of their coat. It is often tempting to forget about the hair legs, eyes, and ears. These are very important areas to make sure the hair is trimmed around. One reason for this is that hair can get into the eyes of your dog and cause them not to be able to see. They can also getting a discharge from their eyes because of excess hair around them.

Tip Four

You should only need to clip your dog’s nails about once a month. This will be enough to keep them at a healthy length for you and your dog. With a quality pair of dog nail clippers, you want to cut off the tip of your dog’s nails. A good idea is to not go past where the nail begins to curve to make sure that you do not hurt him. 

Tip Five

Grooming of your dog should also include dental care. You dog needs to have his teeth brushed just like you do. You can use an old human toothbrush and dog toothpaste. It is important that you use dog toothpaste because most dogs will not like the taste of the toothpaste that you use.

Taking care of your dog entails more then just feeding and playing with him. You need to make sure that you take care of his outward appearance. By following these tips and grooming your dog at home, you will always be sure that your dog is putting his best paw forward.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 21:07:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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