Talk with your Animals

posted by Administrator on Nov 16

Dog allergies are fairly common and can be the cause of dry, itchy skin. If your dog is scratching a lot, he could be suffering from environmental allergens like pollen and dust, or even from inflammation caused by flea bites. Another source of itching could be the dog shampoo or grooming products used on your pooch.

This is because a dog’s skin is ten times more sensitive his caretaker’s. This makes them highly susceptible to the irritants found in their surroundings.

Getting to the heart of the matter may take a multi-pronged approach due to the numerous causes for canine itching. Making time to do this however, will be essential in diagnosing and subsequently curing your dog?s skin ailment.
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posted by Mason Harding on Nov 15

There are 2 extreme schools of thought when it comes to a dog digging holes in your garden: one, that a dog is a dog and he’s going to dig, and he should be allowed to express his true doggy nature whenever and wherever he wants; and two, that a flowerbed is reserved for flowers, and if that dog even sets foot in it he’s in big trouble.

My feeling is really both. While it is a dog’s nature to dig and you want to let them be a dog as much as possible, I think you can have both a beautiful yard and a happy dog. This involves you being ready to train him so that this can happen.
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posted by James Cavalier on Nov 14

It’s an unfortunate fact that dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages can get arthritis. Some owners will notice that their dog is less interested in day to day activities or is appearing stiff and sore. Luckily there are some ways for owners to help their dogs stop the progression of the disease, allowing them to live full and productive lives with arthritis.

Arthritis can strike dogs of any age, size, and physical condition. It’s still a mystery as to what causes arthritis, but many researchers suggest it is an autoimmune disease — a disease that causes the body to turn against its own immune system.

This disease affects the cartilage of the joints and causes it to degenerate. Since cartilage connects and projects the joints between bones, when cartilage breaks down it can lead to the bones rubbing against each other which is very painful. In dogs, most owners will first notice arthritis in the major joints such as the hips and knees, although arthritis can affect any joint in the body.
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posted by Administrator on Nov 13

It seems to go without saying that people who tend to be very planet conscience are also big animal lovers. Why wouldn’t they be? Planetary conservation is dependent on the survival of all animal species, not just the human one.

In conjunction with this green living ideology, these loving pet parents should start to think in term of purchasing eco friendly products for their animals, especially dogs.

While cats have their own cleaning system, namely themselves, dogs will need more care to maintain their skin and coats. For this reason, earth conscious dog owners should start buying organic dog shampoo as well as eco friendly toys and treats

Now, before you shrug and say that your animal has been doing just find without such products, you need to consider the very real and multifaceted advantages if using an organic dog shampoo.

Cruelty free

A manufacturer of an organic product for dogs is going to take great pains to ensure that the product is cruelty free. This is not only ethically sound, it makes good business sense.

How stupid would it be to market an item made for an eco friendly, potentially Vegan customer base knowing that animals were harmed during product testing?

That said, just because a dog shampoo states it is organic, doesn’t make it so. Check the ingredients to see if this is indeed the case. If the company is shown to place more chemical based ingredients on their shampoo, it isn’t all natural and shouldn’t be used.

When in doubt, do research on the company in question. If the merchandise is truly organically grown, more than likely it will in turn, be cruelty free.

Absence of chemicals, dyes and irritants

Many pet owners who use over the counter dog shampoos find that their dogs tend to scratch a lot. This is because most common shampoos contain irritants and ingredients that can make your dogs skin very dry.

In turn, the dog scratches, tearing out their hair and harming their coat.

It seems to go without saying that people who tend to be very planet conscience are also big animal lovers. Why wouldn’t they be? Planetary conservation is dependent on the survival of all animal species, not just the human one.

In conjunction with this green living ideology, these loving pet parents should start to think in term of purchasing eco friendly products for their animals, especially dogs.

While cats have their own cleaning system, namely themselves, dogs will need more care to maintain their skin and coats. For this reason, earth conscious dog owners should start buying organic dog shampoo as well as eco friendly toys and treats

Now, before you shrug and say that your animal has been doing just find without such products, you need to consider the very real and multifaceted advantages if using an organic dog shampoo.

Cruelty free

A manufacturer of an organic product for dogs is going to take great pains to ensure that the product is cruelty free. This is not only ethically sound, it makes good business sense.

How stupid would it be to market an item made for an eco friendly, potentially Vegan customer base knowing that animals were harmed during product testing?

That said, just because a dog shampoo states it is organic, doesn’t make it so. Check the ingredients to see if this is indeed the case. If the company is shown to place more chemical based ingredients on their shampoo, it isn’t all natural and shouldn’t be used.

When in doubt, do research on the company in question. If the merchandise is truly organically grown, more than likely it will in turn, be cruelty free.

Absence of chemicals, dyes and irritants

Many pet owners who use over the counter dog shampoos find that their dogs tend to scratch a lot. This is because most common shampoos contain irritants and ingredients that can make your dogs skin very dry.

In turn, the dog scratches, tearing out their hair and harming their coat.

Canines may even have the misfortune of developing a rash that makes their hair fall out in patches.

Caring owners will take their dog to a vet, but medicine will be ineffective if the allergic reaction is due to harsh chemicals from mainstream shampoo.

All natural pet shampoos formulated for dogs rarely have these side effects. This is because organic materials haven’t been subjected to synthetic pesticides or the potent carcinogenic materials found in most commercial fertilizers.

This will reduce the likelihood of company providing dog shampoo, medicine for itchy skin and tear stains to spoil your canine friend.

Canines may even have the misfortune of developing a rash that makes their hair fall out in patches.

Caring owners will take their dog to a vet, but medicine will be ineffective if the allergic reaction is due to harsh chemicals from mainstream shampoo.

All natural pet shampoos formulated for dogs rarely have these side effects. This is because organic materials haven’t been subjected to synthetic pesticides or the potent carcinogenic materials found in most commercial fertilizers.

This will reduce the likelihood of itchy skin or rashes associated with the chemicals commonly found in most dog grooming products.

posted by James Cavalier on Nov 13

We have all heard the average person needs to drink eight glasses of water a day in order to stay healthy. Filtered water is beneficial in both the home and office and a water filtration system is a cost-effective way to ensure you have the water you need to maintain your health. Drinking contaminated water can damage the immune system and lead to disease, skin disorders, and cancer, depending upon the contaminate in the water. Not drinking enough water can lead to additional health problems like exhaustion and fatigue caused by dehydration.

The best way to ensure that you have enough good, clean water to drink to stay healthy is with a filtration system.
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posted by Administrator on Nov 12

The deep emotional bond we share with our dogs and cats is one of life’s most simple pleasures. In return for unconditional love, many pet owners do everything they can to ensure their dogs and cats have long, productive, and healthy lives.

Years ago, procedures like MRI’s, specialized therapy, and laser surgery were unheard of for pets. Now, these procedures are increasingly common as veterinary science continues to advance.

Veterinary Care Inflation and the Effect on Your Wallet

The American Kennel Club reports that veterinary costs have risen 60% since 2000. This is not surprising, since numerous veterinary science breakthroughs have occured, and illnesses that had gone diagnosed in the past are now routinely treated.

While veterinary medical advances extend our pet’s quality of life, the financial impact for pet owners cannot be overlooked.

One of our neighbors recently incurred a $2100 veterinary bill to treat his German Shepard’s hip dysplacia. Similarly, another friends cat developed a stubborn urinary tract infection, necessitating lengthy diagnostic and follow up treatment, to the tune of $1400.

Should You Consider Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is relatively new in the United States, but very common in Europe. Basically, pet insurance reduces the risk of caring for your dog or cat. Perhaps the most important factor with pet insurance is that it eliminates the difficult decision of choosing between your finances or letting your pet go untreated.

In a way, pet insurance companies are like health insurance companies. They may or may not cover certain health conditions, depending on the policy restrictions. Some pet insurance companies will not accept senior pets, similar to health and life insurance companies reluctance to cover senior citizens.

Anyone considering pet insurance should ask themselves this question: “Will I devote a reasonable amount of time and money to treat and heal my pet?”. If your answer is “yes”, you’re a good candidate for pet insurance. Sadly, many pet owners are forced to choose between finances and their pet’s health. Worse, other pet owners view their pets as disposable, and simply won’t treat the animal if it becomes too ill.

Pet Insurance Specifics

Most pet insurance plans offer coverage for as low as $10 per month. Typically, there is a $50 deductible, and an annual cap of about $10,000. Pet insurance plans for senior pets (normally 8 years and older) will run a bit more, normally $29.95 per month, but be aware that only one company we know of accepts senior pets for coverage. Costs for cats and dogs generally run the same.

Remember, pet insurance is designed to help you and your pet through significant illnesses and injuries. It’s easy to budget for routine expenses like annual check-ups, shots, flea preventative, etc. Some pet insurance plans offer discounts on routine care, but be prepared to use a contracted (network) veterinarian, similar to a PPO/HMO set up for humans.

Two Real Life Financial Examples

One of my co-workers has two pets, a 6 year old cat and an 11 year old border collie mix. Early last year, his cat Whiskers was diagnosed with a respiratory illness, similar to asthma. Complicating matters, the border collie mix was found to have a small malignant tumor during a routine check up. Several months earlier, my co-worker had taken out pet insurance on both pets, roughly $10 per month for his cat and $30 monthly for his dog. After all was said and done, his cat’s veterinary bills totalled $1600 and his dog’s bill was almost the same, $1500.

Fortunately, pet insurance significantly reduced his out-of-pocket expense. Instead of incurring roughly $3100 in unplanned expenses, his total outlay to treat his pets amounted to $250 … a $50 deductible for an adult cat and a $200 deductible for a senior dog.

Make Sure Pet Insurance Fits Your Pet’s Needs – And Yours

There are a handful of pet insurers available to you. Do your homework and make sure the policy is right for you and your pet. For example, if you’re comfortable budgeting for routine annual expenses like check ups, shots, and flea preventative, there’s no need to pay a pet insurance company to cover routine expenses. Rather, look for a company that protects you from large, unplanned expenses.

As a pet owner, your experience tells you that most pets will incur some unexpected veterinary treatment in their lifetime, whether it’s illness or accident. If you feel it’s important to be prepared for these unexpected expenses, consider a pet insurance policy. Consider these factors when choosing:

The four most important factors to look for in a pet insurance policy are guaranteed acceptance, choice of veterinarian, fixed premiums, and unlimited accident coverage. You want your pet to be accepted into a pet insurance policy, no matter their age. If you have a comfort level with your veterinarian, you want to be able to use that vet and not be assigned an unfamiliar vet. Paying more in premium and deductibles as your pet ages isn’t necessary, as there are pet insurance companies who will keep your premiums the same even as your pet ages. Finally, unlimited accident coverage is important, since accidents can happen at any time and with any frequency.

posted by Administrator on Nov 10

The Shih Tzu is one of the many pure breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), which is a revered organization where purebred dogs can register and compete. Shih Tzu dogs have many defining characteristics that will be listed later in this article. The important thing to know is that the AKC only allows dogs that meet breed standards and have a pedigree or documented lineage to compete in standard dog shows. Substandard dogs, even if they are purebred, cannot compete.

Some Shih Tzu owners purposefully breed substandard Shih Tzu due to desire for a smaller version of the already “toy” dog. Miniature Shih Tzu, or Teacup Shih Tzu, do not meet the height and weight requirements of standard Shih Tzu. Though the American Kennel Club does not recognize Teacup Shih Tzu, they can compete through alternative organizations like the National Canine Association. Teacup Shih Tzu are also called Chinese Imperial Dogs.

The standard Shih Tzu (pronounced SHEET-sue) has specific characteristics (or breed standard characteristics) that are strengthened through inbreeding. The Shih Tzu also must meet specific criteria to compete with the American Kennel Club. Some of these characteristics and criteria include the weight of an adult dog must reach a minimum of nine pounds and cannot exceed sixteen pounds.

Later, they became the pets of Chinese emperors. Shih Tzu were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969 and have won a record-breaking number of AKC competitions since that time. Though Teacup Shih Tzu dogs are smaller than breed standard, they are still referred to as Chinese Imperial Dogs due to their illustrious history.

Shih Tzu descended from other Chinese dog breeds, most likely the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese, as much as 2,000 years ago. Shih Tzu means “lion dogs” and Shih Tzu were revered as holy dogs in China. Bred initially by Tibetan monks, Shih Tzu later became imperial dogs of various Chinese dynasties.

The Teacup Shih Tzu is referred to by many other names. Most often called the Chinese Imperial Dog (and registered as breed with the National Canine Association under this name), Teacup Shih Tzu are also called Toy or Toi Shih Tzu, Miniature Shih Tzu, Imperial Shih Tzu, and Pocket Puppies. Teacup Shih Tzu are smaller than standard Shih Tzu. They weigh only four to seven pounds as adults. Breeders use the smallest purebred Shih Tzu to create the tiny Teacups.

Teacup Shih Tzu are purebred and may have just as documented an ancestry as standard Shih Tzu. But because they are substandard in size, the American Kennel Club will not allow them to register for competition. The NCA has cleared this up by registering them as an entirely new breed.

Teacup Shih Tzu are purebred just like standard Shih Tzu. They are not recognized by the American Kennel Club simply because they do not conform to the breed standard characteristics that are desirable in a Shih Tzu. Other organizations disagree and have registered the tiny Teacup Shih Tzu as the Chinese Imperial Dog.

posted by Administrator on Nov 9

Frontline For Dogs is the first choice for vets in North America.

Frontline Plus For Dogs kills up to one hundred percent of the fleas on your pet within 24 hours and up to 100% of ticks within 48 hours.

Frontline Tick works effectively for one month, twice as long as its next competitor which is why it occupies the top spot.

As it is waterproof, many owners with active dogs choose Frontline Pet.

Dog flea medications use chemical formulations to kill the parasites which is harsh.

Frontline Plus For Dogs is so gentle it can be used on kittens and puppies of 8 weeks old as well as on nursing mothers.

Frontline For Dogs works the best for your pet, and it works with one application onto the coat, just a dot of the liquid on the back of the neck.

Through a method called translocation, the flea medication is dispersed over the entire coat.

It is usually advisable to try to keep your pet dry for at least 24 hours to allow this process to happen.

Once the medication is translocated on your dog or cat, it remains on the coat for 4 weeks, during which time it should be unnecessary to re-apply.

Frontline Plus For Dogs comes in three types; a spray used for fast of severe flea and tick infestations, Top Spot which has all the benefits of the spray for routine control and Frontline Plus For Dogs with an extra ingredient which actually breaks the flea’s breeding cycle.

Frontline Cats is the most recent product in the Frontline family.

Because cat or dog fleas breed after being present on the host for 24-36 hours, and Frontline For Dogs kills fleas within 18 hours, further infestation is prevented.

You may see more fleas on your cat or dog during the 18 hours as the product causes hyper-agitation in the parasites and brings them to the surface of the fur before their demise.

Frontline Pet is the most popular medication for cats & dogs, and in trials it was discovered that Frontline Dog killed a higher percentage of fleas over the 28 day period.

Advantage flea control for pets is made by Bayer is a very similar product to Discount Frontline, but merely slightly less effective.

Many cat or dog owners are very happy though with Advantage, so if you are using this brand, you don’t have anything to be concerned about.

There really isn’t much between them in the debate over which is better – Frontline Plus For Dogs or Advantage flea control for cats & dogs.

Vets trust Frontline Flea, but of course there are many other brands of flea spray for dogs and other pet flea medications on the market, including organic flea treatments.

Discount Frontline has been proven to be the most effective way to kill fleas on cats & dogs.

Side effects are small (although certain individuals may be allergic) and the medication does not have an expiration date.

Frontline For Cats is the best on the market in terms of ridding your pet of fleas.

posted by Administrator on Nov 8

Once you have decided to welcome a cat into your home, to be a member of your family, the next questions is where to get the cat from? Should you purchase a cat from a breeder? A pet store? (A reputable breeder is a much better and much safer choice than a pet store). Or maybe you should adopt a cat from a shelter, or from another family.

If your quest is to get a cat that you can show, a pedigree may be the best option, however, most organizations have a “household cat” category where you can show off your precious one.

Purchasing a cat from a breeder or pet store comes with some benefits. Many of these places offer guarantees and documentation which allows you to not submit your cat to shows and to use your cat for breeding purposes, but for some people it’s a matter of status.

Some cat owners swear by certain breeds with regards to a good temperament or healthy constitution, and the only way these folks can be guaranteed that they are getting exactly the breed of cat they want is by purchasing one that has accompanying documentation. For some people, this is the only way they would consider bringing a cat into their home.

Choosing to adopt a cat means that your options are wide open. An added advantage is also that cats waiting for a home will already have lived in one and information about their behavior will most likely be available.

Many of the cats at the shelter come witha full history. Important information as to how they deal with children or other pets, such as your dog. Adopting a cat in the shelter also mean you have given a precious feline another lease at a great life. With all the cats at shelters, millions of them are euthanized each year. Saving a cats life can be very gratifying.

There are many other ways to adopt a cat than shelters. Your local newspaper will have many ads about cats looking for a loving family. The reason someone has to give their cat away is many. Allergies is a common one, as is change in living conditions, the death of the cats owner, a divorce etc.

The advantage of adopting a cat from the shelter is that the cat will have had it’s health evaluated. Adopting a cat from a family mean you have no idea if there are underlying health problems.

The choice of whether to purchase a cat or instead adopt one is easy for some people, while other folks may struggle with the decision. If you aren’t sure with which route to explore, start at your local animal shelter and take a look at the cats there. Chances are you’ll find a great cat that will fit right into your family nicely, and as a bonus you can feel good knowing you’ve saved a life.