Dog and Cat Supplies

Although pet insurance has been available for about 20 years, only 3% of dog owners carry insurance. And 63% of US homes have pets. 1 in 10 employers offer pet insurance: $15 for cats, $20 for dogs, including veterinarian services such as vaccination and cancer treatment. Check The Canine and Feline Store for information about pet insurance and companies offering pet insurance. See also the selection of dog backpacks.

In considering the issue of  pet insurance, ask yourself some questions: Do you consider your pet a member of the family? Could you afford to pay potentially thousands of dollars in medical bills for serious illnesses such as cancer? How would you feel if you had to euthanize your pet because you did not plan ahead for medical crises?

1.  Kinds of pet insurance.  An average plan costs anywhere from $20-$40 per month and either has no annual benefit limit or a limit of perhaps $15,000-$20,000. Most plans offer discounts for multiple pets. Deductibles can be in the $100 per year range. Standard coverage can include vaccinations, neutering/spaying, annual check-ups, and dental care.

2. Restrictions.  There can be age limits. There will be certain coverage limits like pre-existing conditions or genitic defects. Some policies exclude cancer. Be careful about waiting periods before coverage starts. These can range from 2 weeks to many months. You may also be limited to a list of approved veterinarians.

3. There are some alternatives. One example is a pet health care discount program (i.e.-Pet Assure). This program provides up to a 25% discount if you patronize their list of veterinarians. Membership also includes prescription drug discounts and access to product coupons.

1.  Get your dog used to travel in a car. Start with short trips around town, to the the park, etc. He should learn it is fun.

2.  How will your dog travel in a car? He needs to be comfortable and secure, and you need protection while driving. If he is used to a crate and your car is large enough, this will protect him in case of an accident and keep him from moving all over the car. Canine seatbelts usually clip to a harness, keeping him very safe. Different seats can be chosen and he can  look out the window. If the dog will be loose in the car, consider installing a divider of some sort. There are many choices. See the booster seats at The Canine and Feline Store for pet booster seats and other products related to dog travel.

3.  Bring an ample supply of water and food. A water bowl is a very suitable choice. Cool, clean and drinkable water can be carried and replenished along the way. There are water bottles that can be attached to crates. Try to bring his regular food that he is used to and will not cause digestive problems. Make frequent potty breaks and let him stretch his legs.

4.  To keep your dog occupied while on the road, bring his favorite toys. Health records could also be well worth bringing along. Having your dog microchipped is a great way to increase his safety in case of loss.

5.  Check in advance the list of hotels nationwide that accept pets. This list in on the information page at The Canine and Feline Store.

In Part 1, Sunburn and Heat Stroke were discussed.

A third component on the subject of Keeping Your Dog Cool is:

 Protecting Your Dog From Heat-Related Conditions

Following are some simple actions to help protect your dog in hot weather.

First, never leave him in your car without the air conditioner running, even for very short periods of time. With the windows either open or closed, the sun can quickly send the car’s interior  temperature soaring  to fatal levels. Leave your dog at home if possible. If you must bring him along while you do errands, leave the air conditioner on.

Second, provide your dog with shaded, well ventilated resting areas regardless of the sun’s position. An air conditioned structure is best on very hot days.

Third, make sure your dog has unhindered access to cool, clean water. Keep water in shaded areas out of direct sun. Change the water often; stagnent water can harbor bacteria and insects harmful to a dog’s digestive system. Carry a water dish and fresh water (up to a gallon per day) when traveling. A cool wading pool is desirable if the dog is to spend the day outside in hot weather.

Fourth, don’t let your dog stand on hot sun-baked surfaces for any length of time. The heat can not only burn your dog’s skin, but also prevent him from efficiently expelling heat from his body. Try to stay in grassy areas when walking your dog. Check The Canne and Feline Store for dog bowls, cat dishes and other ideas and products.

When you are in a car, there are many precautions that must be taken to avoid accidents.  Just like when you are on a cellular phone, having a dog in the car increases you risks because it takes your focus away from the road.  When you look away, things can jump out in front you that require all your reflexes to be aware.

Having a dog harness that you can hook up to a car seat can reduce your chances of getting into a car accident.  Be safe by being prepared for all sorts of things that life throws your way.

We are so used to having dogs in our lives that we don’t realize that it wasn’t always the case.  Dogs, for the majority of their existence have actually been wild creatures.  We can trace the evolution of the first dog to one hundred thousand years ago when dogs evolved from their wolf predecessors.  For the next 85 thousand years, dogs roamed the eastern hemisphere wild. 

Then human beings found that dogs could be trained and this made them useful to our survival.  We could not throw a dog harness on these animals, as with later large domesticated animals, but they were quick and willing to fetch.  For the past fifteen thousand years, we have been enmeshed in a symbiotic relationship with dogs. 

Though you  nay not realize it, dogs can be burned by the sun, just like humans. So what to do?

Sunburn. 

First, keep him in the shade when the sun is hottest: approximately 10AM to 4PM.

Second, apply a little sun block to his most exposed areas: the tip of his nose and each ear. Although his lip area is also vulnerable, it is wise not to put sunscreen there because he could easily ingest it.

Third, if your dog has lighter colored hair, pay more attention to the effect of the sun. This is similar to the problem faced by light-skinned humans.  If your dog’s skin becomes quite red or even blistered, check with your veterinarian.

Heat Stroke

If your dog’s temperature gets too high (over 105 degrees), he could develop heat stroke (hypothermia). Symptoms of this include an inordinate amount of panting, labored breathing, bright red gums or eye membranes, pronounced fatigue, collapse, unconsciousness, and seizures. If your dog displays any of these signs, get him out of the heat right away and into the shade. As good idea would be to put him in a tub of cool water or bathe him with wet, cool towels.

For additional ideas, products and services, including dog bowls, visit The Canine and Feline Store.

Ideally, leashes, fences and doors should be enough to keep your pet safe at home. But sometimes things can go wrong, and it is up to you to prevent such misfortunes. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals feels that microchip IDs for animal identification are the  most reliable method for the recovery of lost pets.

There are two major manufacturers of microchips:

1.  American Veterinary Identification Devices (AVID). The information is kept at PETrac (800-336-2843) after an AVID microchip has been implanted in your dog, and you and your veterinarian have registered. Your dog will receive  a tag for his collar with his AVID microchip number prominently displayed with both contacts.

2.  Shering-Plough HomeAgain microchip. Once your pet has been implanted with this microchip, you will register with the American Kennel Club (AKC) Companion Animal Recovery (CAR) program (800-252-7894). This program maintains a national database and is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Your pet’s and your veterinarian’s contact info should be included. Under this program, 1 1/2 million pets are enrolled and 97% have HomeAgain microchips. 126,034 lost pets have been reunited with their owners thanks to this program, which boasts a 100% success rate.

For dog houses, additional products, services and information, visit The Canine and Feline Store.

Consider these distressing statistics:

• Every year 10 million pets are lost. Much of this cannot be readily prevented. A collar with identification is essential.
• According to the American Humane Association, only about 17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats ever find their owners!
• Because their owners cannot be located, nearly 20 million pets are euthanized each year.

If your dog or cat is microchipped, there is a much higher probability that they will return to you safely. Microchips will last for your pet’s lifetime: there are no moving parts and nothing to replace. A microchip is a small computer chip that has contains an identification number programmed into it. It is small enough to fit into a hypodermic needle. Once iimplanted, the ID number cannot be altered or removed. The chip is prevented from moving about due to a layer of connective tissue that forms around the chip.

Some pet owners are hesitant to microchip their pet because they are afraid it will hurt. The procedure is simple, routine and painless, and no anesthesia is required. Your pet simply gets an injection just under the loose skin between the shoulder blades; it is a lot like getting vaccinated. Most animals don’t react at all. Long term studies show that a microchip is very safe for pets.

The chip receives an identification code that is unique to your pet. This code can be read by scanners at most veterinarians’ offices and animal shelters.

Please visit The Canine and Feline Store for pet collars with GPS and more information and ideas.

This is a continuation of Part 1, which was discussing remedies to try for arthritis in your dog.

2.  Exercise. 

It is still important that, even though your dog may be in pain, he gets a short amount of exercise. Have him swim, if he is not skittish about water. A kiddy pool would be fine for small dogs. This way there is no pressure on the joints, yet he is still mobile. Short 15 minute walks are also good for him. Activities such as running after a ball or jumping are not reccomended.

3. Warm and Comfortable Rest Area.

Provide a soft, comfortable area for you dog to rest. In the winter when sool air can stiffen joints, try placing a pillow, blanket or soft object on the floor to help keep his joints warm. If you have an outdoor dog, let him stay in the garage at night to avoid colder temperatures.

Working with a veterinarian is a good idea for medications and other treatments. He can take an x-ray to see the damage to the joints. He can also judge which medications are appropriate and in what dosages. Glucosamine is very popular. It is a sugar that is generated from shell fish that  motivates joint repair and lessens joint pain. It is a natural ingredient found in animals. But as the animal ages, the body has a decrease in the production of this essential element. Glucosamine works by stimulating the production of synovial fluid, needed for healthy joints. It lubricates the cartiledge to aid in mobility.

For dog ramps, more ideas, products and services, you can visit The Canine and Feline Store.

Arthritis is a condition in 20% of all dogs over 7 years old. Know to veterinarians as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), it one of the major recurring problems in dogs that they treat. Arthritis in dogs can affect  their back, elbows, shoulders, hips, and neck.

Signs of arthritis in dogs include the following:

• Favoring one sideover another. His joints could be too painful on one side, so to avoid pain he tends to put pressure on the other side.
• Unusual weight gain. He would not be getting the exercise a healthy dog gets, being lethargic and sleeping more.
• Not as playful, due to pain.

Some remedies you might want to try:

1. Diet.

Dry dog food consists mainly of grains which cause joint inflammation. A better choice would be to feed him raw or cooked meat, as well as cooked vegetables. In addition to being healthier, such a diet could help alleviate some of the swelling in his joints. Avoid spicy foods and even onions. Omega 3 fatty acids can be used as a supplement to reduce joint inflammation. Also try fish capsules and flax seed, both of which can be anti-inflammatory.

More remedies will appear in Part 2. You can also check The Canine and Feline Store for pet strollers, other products, services and information.