Preparing for Your New Puppy
Bringing puppy home is a momentous occasion. Everyone looks forward to the new addition to the family. But, before puppy comes home, there are a few things you need to make sure that you purchase.
Most of the items that you purchase for puppy will be one-time purchases. Acquiring these items on sale at pet department stores can save a ton of money. Clipping coupons from the Sunday newspaper provide cost-cutting savings for the new pet owner as well.
Puppies need a balanced diet. Don’t buy puppy food because the commercials say that pets deserve gourmet food. Puppy won’t be sitting at the table with a bib around his neck. A simple bag of puppy formula kibble will do.
Dry food is recommended for puppies. The brand that you choose is based on nutritious ingredients. Buying the generic doggie kibble is not always the best choice. If you need help, ask your vet for suggestions.
Bowls for water and food are needed for feedings. One set will do and they don’t have to be fancy, just durable. Place them in the area where puppy will regularly receive his meals.
Puppy will also need somewhere to sleep. It may be cute the first few weeks to have puppy in the bed with you, but that will get real old real quick. Puppy can toss and turn as he likes in his own bed. Puppy may go through several beds before it’s all said and done so spending a lot on the first one is not advised.
A crate is where puppy will stay when traveling and when he needs to stay in one area of the house. The crate should allow for growth but not be so large that puppy is scared of it. Later, you will show puppy how to make nice with his second home.
Whenever puppy ventures outdoors, he will need to wear a leash. Leashes come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. Puppy’s leash should allow room for growth. It just needs to keep puppy from getting away, not necessarily make a fashion statement. Besides puppy will probably chew on his leash the first few times you put it on him anyway, so spending a fortune on one, is not always a good choice.
To satisfy his chewing habits, give puppy some chew toys. Ones made for dogs are safer than giving him a real bone to gnaw on. Pieces of the bone could chip off and cause a choking hazard for puppy. Chew toys like bouncing balls could pose a choking hazard as well if they are smaller than puppy’s jaws. So, be conscious about puppies play toys to make them fun, but more importantly, safe for puppy.
Puppies need a lot of love and care. He incurs expenses even before his arrival. To make sure that puppy’s first day with you is an enjoyable one for everyone involved, stock up on everything that he needs before bringing him home.
Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:12:49. 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
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 of soiling half its crate and still having an unsoiled area to lay down and rest.
Crates are made of a variety of materials. Those made of molded plastic are easy to clean, are draft-free, and have limited visibility. I have always used a wire crate. Wire crates provide a better view if car travel is frequent, but the crate may need to be covered to make it more den-like.
To get you started on your selection, we’ve provided information on current selections on e-bay.
Dog Crates
Crate Cleaning
If the crate is too large for the puppy, use a divider to make the area only large enough that he can stand up and turn around. Some crates even come with a divider so the crate can grow with the puppy. As puppy grows, you can move the divider to one side as you need to.
Our crate had a bottom tray that pulled out and could be cleaned and slid back in with little fuss.
Originally posted 2009-02-01 21:34:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Training your Puppy
Puppies need to go to school just like children. Good quality training is important if you want your puppy to grow up to be an obedient mature dog. Here are some tips to find a trainer that will care about your puppy as much as you do.
Every puppy needs training. You can teach him commands that help him to become housebroken and crate trained, but in the long run, there is more that puppy needs to learn and you will burn out eventually.
Ask someone that you trust about a puppy trainer. Your veterinarian is a good resource. He or she has probably dealt with them before. Or, you can talk to friends with dogs that have been through the training process.
Interview puppy trainers just like you did with the puppy breeders and veterinarians. Prepare a list of questions. Find out how long they have been in the dog training business. Dog trainers are not regulated by government agencies. If the trainer you talk to has been in business for only a few months, move on to the next one.
Puppies can start training as young as six weeks of age. During puppy’s training, try to get the entire family to participate. Puppy needs to practice his new skills with his family. He may perform well in class with strangers, but not transition his training to you when he gets home.
Training sessions that encourage family participation is the best choice. Some trainers may offer private lessons with puppy or dog only sessions. While puppy needs to learn how to interact with other animals, he also needs to interact with you. Besides, if puppy is left alone with the trainer, you can’t evaluate the quality of the training being done.
Train with your puppy at least twice a week. Classes that include puppies of the same age are the most desirable. Pay particular attention to the trainer’s methods. Puppy should not be abused in any way for the sake of learning. Yelling may frighten your puppy.
If for any reason you are unsatisfied with the quality of training, withdraw from the class. Substandard training will affect puppy in the long run. You are paying for the sessions and are entitled to the best for your puppy. Don’t let the loss of money cause you to sacrifice puppy’s care.
Training is important to puppy’s life. Without it, puppy could grow up to be an unruly adult dog that causes strife for the entire family, including puppy and no one wants that.
Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:40:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
The Importance of Spaying & Neutering Your Dog
Filed under: Joys & Trials of Pet Parenthood, Pet Health & Care
What is the importance of spaying and neutering your dog? According to the Humane Society, approximately three millions dogs or more are euthanized each year. Remanded to shelters because they have been abandoned or because their owners can no longer care for them, the over-population of dogs in animal shelters has reached major proportions.
While the aforementioned statistic is hard to imagine, it is nonetheless true. This is why animal advocates constantly remind the general population to have their dogs spayed or neutered. There are other reasons why this method is recommended.
Dogs have an innate desire to breed. It’s just a fact. More importantly, however, it’s been proven that spaying and neutering can prevent cancer. In addition, neutered male dogs will less likely want to run away or engage in rough-housing with other male dogs. Male dogs are inherently territorial. If he isn’t neutered, then he will use his dominance over other dogs particularly when a female is involved.
Spaying and neutering your dog does not mean they will become lazy, gain weight, or have a personality change. All the procedure does is to prevent your dog from seeking out other dogs to mate with. According to the Humane Society, “…. in six short years, one female dog and her offspring can give birth to hundreds of puppies.”
Imagine if you will that there are millions of pet owners. Now imagine if each pet were not spayed or neutered and the offspring were thrown in garbage bags, left by unscrupulous owners to fend for themselves, or bred in puppy mills to make a quick buck. There have been countless incidents which bear out these facts.
Unless you are a breeder, there is no reason not to have your dog spayed or neutered. The result would reduce the number of homeless dogs lying in wait for someone to adopt them, reduce the number of dogs roaming the streets for scraps, and reduce the likelihood that dogs will attack pets.
Owning a dog comes with a responsibility to ensure the pet is happy, safe, and lives in a welcoming and caring environment. Conversely, a dog that is put to sleep due to over-population could have been someone’s life-long companion. This is why adoption is preferred.
Although puppies are the first to be adopted in shelters, it is often the case that adult dogs can only be kept for a certain amount of time due to the over-population of dogs in this country. Thus, they face a grim future.
In an effort to reduce the number of dogs, a spaying and neutering program has begun in some cities and has resulted in a 30%-60% decline in euthanasia.
Originally posted 2009-02-01 13:49:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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 take a step back and think about it, there probably isn’t a worse day to introduce a new member of the family into your house.
Animals need routine and take time to adjust to life away from a shelter and into your new home. On Christmas, you’re much more likely to have a house full of people, a big Christmas tree with lights and decorations, unwrapped toys and wrapping paper all around the house. Not exactly the best environment for a young puppy trying to find his way in a new home.
We also have to look back when we were kids. The excitement of opening our presents was one of the most memorable parts of the day. However, we all remember discarding one toy, when we opened a new, more exciting toy. The puppy may end up being the one discarded when the new video game system or new bike grabs little Johnny’s attention.
Holidays are typically stressful times in the home, too. There is nothing like reliving an old family argument that happened 20 years ago with people you only see a couple times of year to make you grab for some more of the spiked eggnog and start looking at your watch hoping it is time to go. Now, add in a little puppy or kitten that knocks over the tree, or pees on the rug, or chews on mom’s new fuzzy slippers that Santa brought her.
Next thing you know, the pet is back at the shelter as fast as someone heading back to the mall to exchange the outfit that Grandma bought them. The kids are heartbroken, the parents are frustrated; although the carpet cleaning guy enjoys the extra money around the holidays from the service calls.
Is there a solution? We think so. We don’t enjoy seeing homeless animals in shelters around the holidays anymore than you do. But we also don’t want to have a long return line at our front door on Monday, Dec. 28. That sight is tough to swallow.
If you are serious about adding a new pet to your home this holiday season, here is what we recommend.
First, decide what fits best in your home, dog or cat, young or full grown.
Next, go out and buy the supplies you will need. Let the kids open up a new leash and collar, a bowl and dog bed, a crate or little box. This will build the excitement of the new addition.
Print them out a little “gift certificate” good for a new puppy, kitten, dog or cat. Have them go with you and the entire family after Christmas to “redeem” their coupon for an animal that the whole family can agree on. You will have time to have a family discussion about who will walk the dog or clean the litter box and do other pet related chores that are important to discuss in advance.
Remind them that it is a big commitment and that the new pet will be with the family for many, many years and although they are lots of fun, there is work involved, too.
By the time Monday rolls around, children will have likely grown bored with many of their toys. Mom can put them in the closest. The family tree can be taken down and the homemade ornaments made of macaroni can be tucked away for next year.
You can then spend the rest of the weekend braving the crowds at the local movie theater or mall, all the while knowing your kids’ great gift is waiting for them at their local shelter next week.
By the time you come out and adopt, everyone will know the plan. You’re set up for a successful and lasting adoption.
You’re teaching your kids about responsibility, planning and that instant gratification isn’t the only way. Long after they are tired of the new GI Joe or video game, children will have a companion that will love them unconditionally. Consider coming out and adding your next member to your family. We’ll see you after the holidays.
By GARY WILLOUGHBY
Aiken SPCA Executive Director
Originally posted 2009-12-27 16:57:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Pet Health Insurance Explained
With rising pet health care costs, and a struggling economy, many pet owners are reluctant to seek proper health services for their beloved cats and dogs. They are having enough trouble providing health care for the people in the family, and so Fido or Fluffy’s care may be put off. One way to manage these costs is by carrying affordable pet care health insurance plans. The plans are usually available for dogs and cats, but some plans cover other animals.
I think that some pet owners are not signing up for these plans because they really do not understand how they work, or they do not know if their vets will accept them.
Most pet insurance plans work like indemnity health insurance plans for humans. In other words, the pet owner will pay the bill and then fill out a claim form to get covered expenses back from the insurance company. The claim forms are usually included in the enrollment packet. More claim forms can be requested over the phone, and these days, some companies provide a downloadable from that can be printed from a website.
The advantage of these types of plans is that they can be used almost anywhere. A pet owner can choose their own vets, specialists, or pet hospitals. Some US plans will even pay for services in Canada and Mexico, so they are very flexible.
They can also be customized. Pet owners can pick and choose services according to their needs and benefits. Services like pet dental care or prescription benefits usually can be covered with optional benefits. This ability to make a custom pet health insurance plan allows the pet owners to control their monthly payment, and also to have the type of coverage that works well for them.
Many vets really do want their clients to take out pet health care insurance on their dog or cat. They believe that people with covered pets will be more likely to accept the services that the vet tells them they need because they know that the out of pocket costs will be lower. Some vets may actually promote one particular plan or another, and even agree to handle the paperwork and billing.
If you think that pet health plans would help you get proper care for you own beloved Fido or Fluffy, it is easy to shop around on the internet. Many websites will allow you to compare various options, quote prices, and even apply online.
Visit us for pet health insurance reviews. It is easy to compare and quote pet insurance online.
Originally posted 2008-12-03 20:08:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
What Causes Worms in Dogs?
There are a variety of worms that cause illness in your dogs such as: heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. What causes worms in dogs?
Let’s take a closer look.
Hookworms are predominately found in dog feces. If your dog eats these feces they can develop this condition. Look for the following signs: loose stool or blood in the stool, the dog seems bloated, gas, has an unusual appetite, and his coat seems to be on the dull side.
Roundworms come from dogs ingesting the egg of the roundworm. In puppies, they may become infected through the mother. Signs that your dog has roundworm may be exhibited as follows: vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and an unusual appetite.
Heartworms are usually developed from mosquitoes. This condition can result during warm months when dogs are more exposed to these pests. Signs your dog may have heartworm includes: lethargy, coughing, appetite loss, difficult breathing, and may become more tired than usual after exercise. This condition requires immediate treatment from a vet.
Tapeworms are caused by dogs eating fleas. A regular inspection of your dog’s rectum to detect if there are any white rice-like parasites will clearly indicate your dog has tapeworms. Other signs may include: itching in the infected area, inability to digest food,
loss of weight, and stomach pain.
Whipworm is caused by dogs that eat other feces that have been infested with worms or if they happen to step in feces and lick their paw. A dog with this condition will have a bloody stool, unusual appetite, will become bloated, experience cramps, and have a dull coat.
There are other serious conditions which can affect a dog’s health, particularly puppies. While these are not attributed to worms, they should nonetheless be noted. Coccidia are parasites which are caused by digesting feces. Signs of this condition includes: loose stool, vomiting, loss of weight, and bloating. Coccidia infect the intestines of the pup.
Another parasite which can affect pups is called Giardia. Found mostly in areas where water is abundant, the ingestion of these parasites can cause loose stool, loss of weight, and bloating. These parasites feed on the small intestine.
Detection and early prevention can alleviate the symptoms affecting your dog or puppy. Regular check-ups will give a vet the opportunity to check for worms and other conditions by taking stool samples. If you find that your dog’s behavior or habits have changed in any way, make an appointment with your vet to ascertain the problem so that treatment can commence immediately.
Note: Some parasites can affect small children. To prevent this from occurring, ensure that your child does not come into contact with the dog’s feces. After your child plays with the dog, make sure he or she washes his hands thoroughly each and every time.
Originally posted 2009-02-01 14:17:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Pet Resources
You don’t have to get in your car and drive to the library to research puppies. On the weekend, or whenever you and your family are all in one place, gather around the computer. Here are some Internet resources that provide all you ever wanted to know about puppies.
Check out the Internet site sponsored by the humane society. Type the address www.hsus.org into your browser. This site offers information on all animals not just puppies. If you are trying to decide if you can handle a puppy, look here. Free articles offer information on subjects ranging from what you need to know before adopting a pet to how to choose a veterinarian.
When you have decided to get a dog, it’s important to know what breed of puppy works best for you. There are sites on the Internet that are dedicated to dog breeding information. They can help you in your search.
One such site is the Dog Breed Info Center. Their website address is www.dogbredinfo.com. This site lists the names of various dog breeds, along with pictures and statistical information.
If you aren’t acquainted with breeds, you can search according to size. The information found there is concise, but thorough. Find out about life expectancy, adult habits, health issues, breed background, and grooming needs. This particular website is a one stop shop when it comes to learning more about various puppies. They also offer general articles on puppy and adult dog care.
Once you get your puppy, the learning doesn’t stop there. From day to day you might have questions about your new puppy’s care or some odd behaviors that you notice. Life with puppy will be an adventure all the way through and you can find plenty of information regarding your new companion at the following places.
Learn how to grow along with puppy at the Raising Spot. You can find them at www.raisingspot.com. Here, all the mysteries of puppy life are revealed. They offer helpful hints on various training for puppy, relationships between puppy and your young ones, and puppy behavior.
Are you a puppy owner that is into the lighter side of life? Check out Dog Channel. Here you can find out about the latest trends in dog fashion, dog toys, and what people around the world are teaching their dogs. Post a picture of your pup for the entire world to see. This site is user friendly and chock full of free information and ads that will enhance puppy’s life and yours. Their site address is www.dogchannel.com.
You can learn tons about puppies without ever having to leave the house. Tune into these websites and become more knowledgeable about man’s best friend.
Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:17:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Puppy
When you have pets that live both indoors and outdoors, you run the risk of fleas. Fleas not only attack your pets, but also the other people living in the house. Here are a few ways to rid your puppy and yourself of this miniscule menace.
Fleas are a fact of life for animals. Your puppy will get them if he ever goes outdoors. Fleas are small, so they can jump from puppy to another surface like the couch and then to you.
Fleas bite – hard. For most puppies, the bites are irritating and cause scratching. For some puppies, the bites cause flea bite dermatitis. This condition is miserable for puppy. The bites result in a severe allergic reaction that can lead to anemia and even tapeworm infestation.
Once fleas have infested your puppy, they can be the devil to get rid of. Some owners use flea baths, over-the-counter pesticides, and flea collars. These work for some, but not for all. Also, over-the-counter remedies can be dangerous to puppy and your family.
Flea products like growth regulators and pesticides attack the flea eggs and the adult insect, respectively. Growth regulators take a few weeks to work, but produce non-viable egg offspring from the adult fleas. Killing the adult insects doesn’t guarantee that the eggs will die as well.
If the infestation is severe, a stronger substance may be warranted. Before buying anything, consult with your veterinarian to find out the best course of treatment. The items that they carry are safer than what is found in the stores.
Flea combs are also a good course of treatment. Combing puppy’s fur once or twice a week can rid him of harmful fleas. Comb him when he comes in from outdoors before he has a chance to jump on everything in the house.
Cleaning puppy’s normal haunts on a regular basis will cut down on problems with fleas as well. This includes puppy’s bed, his blanket, his crate, and his toys. Vacuuming the rugs and the furniture keeps fleas away from others in the household.
If you decide to treat your home for fleas consult a professional. Using substances like borate powder can be dangerous. Inhaling the powder can make everyone very sick. Professional application is the only way to go.
Fleas are a nuisance. They can love puppy to an irritating distraction. Protect puppy as best you can through routine cleaning, combing and visits to the vet.
Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:22:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
