Keep your geriatric furry friend safe and satisfied!More and more pets are enjoying their golden years, thanks in large part to advances in veterinary medicine. But with this new geriatric pet population comes a host of changes and afflicitions that may alter the needs of your beloved best friend. Just as with us human folk, older dogs suffer from arthritis and achy joints. To keep your pets comfortable choose one of the heated dog beds .
Four reasons to use pet safety products in the car:
1. Your pet will not be a driver distraction if it is restrained and comfortable. Keep yourself and your pet safe with a pet auto harness.
2. Sudden stops won’t cause your pet to go flying across the car.
3. Booster seats and doggy seatbelts allow your pet to look out the window safely and comfortably. Car seat covers allow you to fasten your pet to the seat belts in your car while still allowing them some freedom to move and to look out of the window safely.
4. As you exit the car, you can keep your dog from dashing out unexpectedly. We want to take our pets with us and they are being allowed, even expected, in more and more places - make sure you protect both your pet and yourself in the transport.
What can you do to protect your pooch from the sun’s burning rays?
First, keep your dog in the shade during those times when the sun’s rays are most intense - approximately 10 am to 4 pm.
Second, apply a little sun block to your dog’s most exposed areas - the tip of each ear and the nose. While your dog’s lip area is also vulnerable to sunburn, the chance that your dog will ingest any sunscreen applied there is too great. Just keep a close eye on it and make sure that the area doesn’t get too pink.
Third, pay special attention to your dog if he has a lighter colored fur. Just like their pale human counterparts, these dogs are more vulnerable to the burning effects of the sun. If, after a day out in the sun, any portion of your dog’s skin is reddened or blistered, immediately seek a veterinarian’s opinion and care.
Any person who spends time outdoors knows of sunscreen can prevent painful burns and deadly skin cancer.Those who are exposed to dangerous UV rays are also risking eye damage. High levels of UV radiation exposure to the eyes can also cause vision loss, cataracts, skin cancer of the eyelids, and macular degeneration.Eye damage resulting from the sun can be thwarted by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, or sun glasses. When purchasing protective eye wear one should make sure the packaging is clearly labeled 99 to 100 % absorption of both UVB and UVA rays.
People aren’t the only ones to suffer eye damage from the sun. Dogs can also experience eye-related problems from exposure. Fortunately modern technology has made dog sunglasses possible. Protecting your pup’s peepers will benefit you as well as your dog. Expensive veterinarian bills resulting from macular disease can be avoided by investing in dog sunglasses.
1. In the car, let Fido enjoy the ride, but to avoid debris flying into his eyes, keep the windows up or slightly cracked.
2. Never allow dogs or cats to travel on laps. Use a cat or dog carrier, or - for larger dogs - a canine safety seat (available in pet supply stores).
3. Never allow a dog to travel in the back of a pick-up truck.
4. Your pet should have both an ID tag and a identification microchip.
5. Always carry proof of your pet’s current rabies vaccination.
The ingredients in your dog or cat food, be it packed, raw or organic, may shock you. What is even more surprising is that even the premium pet food brands don’t contain the right nutrients that will sustain your beloved pet’s health.And what are some of these important components? For both cats and dogs, a nutritious pet diet must have vegetables and fruits. These organic foods contain antioxidants, as well as fiber, vitamins, and phytonutrients. Your pet’s food should also have direct-fed microbials which are commonly found in yogurt. Omega-3 fatty acids must be added in your list for they can keep pet’s coat shiny.
Don’t feed your dog with foods like corn, soy, or wheat, especially in large amount. Such foods are not sufficient sources of protein and your pet will get a hard time digesting them, resulting to colitis and urinary tract infections. As much as possible, purchase a nutritious pet food that has grain and uses ingredients like brown rice, oats, barley, or other easy-to-digest components. Whenever you buy a pet food in the supermarket, make sure that it contains the “complete and balanced” label. These dog foods have met the standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).You can visit www.fda.gov to know more tips on selecting nutritious pet food.
Also, please visit The Canine and Feline Store for fine selections of dog bowls, cat bowls and other useful products.
May 22, 2009
All dogs need their own space where they can play, exercise and sleep. There are tons of canine shelter that you can purchase for your dog these days. The most common of all is a dog house. But before purchasing one, better read this article to help you decide which doghouse is best applicable for your canine pet. For a fine selection of dog houses visit The Canine and Feline Store.The first thing you need to consider in buying a dog house is the size and breed of your dog. You should determine how much space your dog really needs. You can choose a shelter that is made of either plastic or wood materials. Plastic dog houses are popular because they can be washed easily and are very durable and portable. Some people choose the wood dog house type because it can be customized and painted in different vibrant colors.But whatever design you choose, always bear in mind that there should be enough room inside where your pet can sleep, roam around and exercise. The bigger the dog house, the better it is for your pet!Dog houses, ideally, should be large enough so that your k9 can lie down there comfortably. The design should also give comfort for your k9 in both the extreme cold and hot weather. It must be durable and well built to give your dog the utmost protection and comfort in extreme weather conditions.
Separation anxiety is a common behavioral problem among dogs which can be solved and prevents with the proper training. In order for your k9 to overcome his anxiety glitch successfully, time and repetition are the key things you need to implement.
One method that you can do is making sure your dog is ready whenever you go outside. It is a common mistake of dog owners to pay too much attention to their pet before they leave. You need to prepare your canine friend before you step outside the house but not in an overacting way. Spending a few minutes to play with him will help a lot, instead of kissing your dog goodbye.
Avoiding to say goodbye and ignoring him for a while prior to leaving the house will decrease the level of separation anxiety of your dog. You need to repeat this method again and again until your dog gets used to it.
Dog toys can help a lot in diverting the attention of your dog and allowing for a transition from your presence to his alone time. In the long run, your dog will associate your departure with a playing with a toy instead of making him lonely.
Dog trainers say that exposing your dog to radio or television will avoid separation anxiety. Letting your dog watch the TV or listen to the radio is a good way to reduce feelings of loneliness and stress.
A good dog bed such as pictured above from The Canine and Feline Store will provide your pet a comfortable and familiar place to stay during your absence.
A dog barks for various reasons. Barking could be a sign of seeking attention, anxiety, stress or aggression. But whatever the reasons are, a bark collar is a universal solution to solve that behavioral problem. It is a very good option if your dog’s barking has become excessive and annoying to other people.Contrary to popular beliefs, a bark control collar is not an unsafe electronic equipment but a very effective tool in training your dog if used properly. There are various advantages of using a bark collar. In fact, it is so effective that you can notice an enormous improvement in your k9’s barking within the first week of training.If your dog has become too violent to the point that he scares you and your neighbors, you should consider purchasing pet collars. Pictured above is one example - a PetSafe Comfort Fit Deluxe Bark Control Collar. This collar can correct the barking problem and can make the people around you feel safer when walking by your canine pet. Another advantage of having a bark collar placed around your dog’s neck is that your dog will not bark when an unfamiliar person visits your house. It will also not disturb your neighbors during night time. The first reaction of your dog will always be the most intense. But after a few sessions, his reaction will be minimized and he will consequently refrain from doing some unwanted things such as excessive barking.