Pet Friendly Place

My Dog Is Losing Hair Is It Flea Allergies or Mange?

2009-01-12T04:07:00.024-07:00

Is your dog losing his or her hair? Do you notice patches of scaly skin with loss of hair growth in the area? Or does your dog scratch or lick incessantly around the paws, legs or chew at the base of the tail?

Flea allergies or Mange can be a major cause of hair loss in your pet but it could be caused by other health related issues such as hyperthyroidism or food allergies.

Although shedding in your dog is normal and happens throughout the year, areas with no hair or oozing bald spots is not normal and is usually related to an underlying cause. Tufts of hair on long hair breeds can look unsightly and without proper grooming and assistance with removing thickly matted hair, your dog could end up with terrible sores as the matted hair begins to entwine on itself and pull at your dogs skin causing extreme discomfort.

Other reasons for loss of hair are as follows:

Flea Allergy

A single bite from a flea can give some dogs an allergic reaction. Incessant chewing and scratching are a sure sign your dog is suffering from an infestation of fleas. Most chewing is located around the base of the tail with scratching at neck or chest area as another indicator there is a problem. Keep your pet free of fleas through topical treatments which work quite well, and provide regular flea baths for removing and killing fleas along with their larvae. Even if your home is free of them, remember, taking your dog to the beach is an excellent place to pick up more and carry them home. Before you know it you have fleas taking up residence in your house.

Hot Spots

This is an area of skin that becomes bald rather quickly from your dog licking their skin incessantly. The area will begin to ooze, appear raw and can have scabs form giving a scaly appearance. In most cases it occurs from irritation from flea bites, but can also be from an insect bite, boredom, or food allergy can stimulate this irritation from within the body attacking the animals immune system. Treatment is usually topical but can sometimes involve the use of steroids temporarily along with a doggie collar to keep them from licking themselves into a nasty infection.

Allergies

3 types of allergies can occur with your pet: one is airborne allergies with your dog inhaling the offending pollen which causes itching and licking of skin resulting in more hot spots or 2ndly, food allergies which also attacks the dog from the inside out and will manifest itself within your pet, showing outwardly in loss of hair and skin inflammations. 3rdly, contact allergens can occur from coming in contact with grass, pollens, certain fabrics, detergents, pet shampoos and on an on. The list can be endless and can take a long time to locate the offending item causing contact dermatitis which leads to extreme distress for the dog through a constant irritation to the skin. Usually once the offending item or ingredient is removed, the animal will recover, however supportive treatment with topical or oral medication may be required.

Hyperthyroidism

Although this is typically less likely to occur than the other problems stated above, it is still something to investigate if the other causes turn up nothing or are inconclusive. Hyperthyroidism is typically combined with hair loss, dry scaly patches and the animal begins to gain weight and becomes lethargic. Blood tests can be performed to determine if your dog will require any medication to correct the problem.

Mange

This is the last and more rare condition which could be an underlying cause to your dogs extreme hair loss or itching skin. There are two types of mange and are difficult to diagnose without veterinarian assistance. Things to look for when it comes to mange:

Demodectic mange is a mite that lives on the skin of all dogs and usually doesn't cause a problem unless environmental issues cause it to get out of control. It does not typically cause itching in your dog and is typically seen in puppies, young adults which might have an underlying illness, or dogs undergoing bouts of extreme stress. Hair loss is also moderate, usually confined around the eyes and areas of the face. This is a mange that can resolve itself as the puppy matures or the dog becomes well again and all stressful situations are removed. Diagnosis from a Vet is wise to make sure it isn't something just starting and you have simply caught it early. Earlier the better!

Sarcoptic mange or Scabies by another name is a mite that burrows into the dogs skin and is a more insidious parasite causing intense itching and severe hair loss covering the entire body if left untreated. Once it has progressed to total hair loss, the animal is debilitated, usually in considerable pain and discomfort and for severe cases, may need to ultimately be euthanized. It is highly contagious to other dogs that come in contact with him or her including human contact. Medical treatment is required to cure the affliction. For people treatment is usually provided with the use of topical ointments and cleansers in a bath to kill the mite. Cure time can be lengthy so be very careful when handling a dog with extreme hair loss until a diagnosis is reached to avoid cross contamination.

Stress Factors

This can be any number of triggers causing your dog to scratch, lick or chew areas of the body from things like separation anxiety, psychological factors of hidden dangers causing undue fear or paranoia, poor diets and boredom from lack of interaction or exercise. Including good exercise, an excellent diet and training to incorporate not only obedience, but perhaps behavior modification which will require an experts help. Make sure you find a good one and always check references. There are also great books written by those with a following such as the Dog Whisperer which offers excellent advice on identifying stress factors and how to deal with them.

While your dog is under treatment, it may require a long coarse of drugs, behavioral training, proper diet along with a proper diagnosis. Remove the underlying cause and protect your dog from them digging at their skin while the body heals and your dog will regrow hair back in no time. Be vigilant when you see any skin changes and don't waste time researching the cause. This will prevent further inflammation, hair loss and discomfort for your dog before you have to deal with complete hair loss or skin infections requiring longer healing time.

Cat Colors For Mixed Breed And Pure Breed Alike

2009-01-05T06:04:00.013-07:00

Choosing a color of cat can be as daunting as selecting a cat breed.

Whether you are selecting a cat from your local cat rescue or purchasing from a breeder, a certain color can be a nice surprise or predicted depending on breeding selection at the cattery. The multitude of colors is incredible and below are examples of the typical colors you might find when selecting your next cat.

Bi-Color: Purebred American Curl that possesses the Bi-Color pattern. A Solid color of white mixed with another dominant color. On portions of it's body it may even have a resemblance of the Tabby cat as this pattern is quite dominant in the cat world. Either is acceptable in certain breeds of cat, and you can find it throughout the mixed breed cat population since this pattern has been heavily influenced by many cat breeds. Colors such as black, grey, muted creams and blues, and orange are what are typically seen in this mix.

Color Point: Purebred Ragdoll that clearly shows the markings that most people would equate with the cat known as the Siamese. The points of color are usually on the ears, face, tail and feet. These points can vary in color a bit, but will not vary from location on the cat's body. Color point markings remain true and can also be seen in blue and cream color, and is why so many cats can be confused with the Siamese. Javanese, Balinese, Persian, Birman, and Burmese are other cats with these attributes also. This color is widespread throughout the mixed breed population since so many breeds have influenced this color.

Solids: Purebred British Shorthair has contributed genetically to the basic housecat. The American Shorthair which is very similar to the British version, along with a wide array of colors these breeds offer, also make for great companions. The white color in both these cats is typically true with no color undertones. Black can have undertones of tabby stripe or red only seen in sunlight. Red is really an orange or ginger color and is found mostly in tabbies, (the silver tabby with deep black markings on a silver background is the most well known in the American Shorthair. Bi-color, and tri-color are also seen often. Finding orange in a solid is extremely difficult. Grey, blue, cream, and brown cats are also not as common and will typically have the tabby marking undertone.

Tabby: Purebred Bengal has one of the tabby markings and tabby is the most dominant throughout the cat kingdom and can be seen in many colors. Tabby is where you can get the hard to find orange or ginger color. Other related markings to tabby are spotted, such as the Bengal, then striped, blotched, and ticked. Spotted is the most rare and is found in breeds like the Bengal, Egyptian Mau, Calif. Spangled, Ocicat and Aussie Mist. These cats are sought after due to their exquisite spotted markings, temperament and the fact they resemble their exotic wild counterpart.

Tortoiseshell or Tri-color: Purebred Japanese Bobtail is marked with the distinct pattern of a tri-color or also known as Calico. The pattern usually is comprised of the predominant color white with distinctly marked patches of black, and orange. The tortoiseshell however, the same colors will be more blended with very little white. Almost a blur of indistinct pattern. This color variation is what distinguishes between the two types of color pattern. More white the cat possesses the more distinct the pattern becomes. This color is also found in a few purebred cats as well and does not necessarily mean you are looking at a mixed breed cat.

Tuxedo: Purebred Ragamuffin in it's formal attire of a well defined tuxedo, this color is always black with markings on the chest, stomach, and paws. Some white can also be on the face. There can be other versions of this pattern found in a tabby, cream, grey, and tortoiseshell. However, these are not tuxedos the cats are wearing. They would just be referred to as their color and white such as cream and white, or tabby and white. Black and white cats should not be confused with the Tuxedo since their markings are not patterned after a tuxedo as the tuxedo is always distinctive.

There are many shade variations in between what are identified here, which makes the feline world so colorful and pleasant to look at.

You can get a little mix of everything also. A litter of kittens can be a mix of Tabby, Calico or Solid as is shown in this example of a pair of Ragamuffins from same litter. One has taken on the Tabby to bi-color shading while the other shows the Calico markings. Just Gorgeous!

Not only will your cats' color intrigue you and bring enjoyment visually, but they will purr their way into your heart with tons of personality.

Keeping Your Dog Or Cat Safe During Winter

2008-12-22T07:31:00.023-07:00

Winter is here and your dog or cat can be subjected to freezing temperatures which can bring about health issues and possibly cause death. Safety during this time of year is very important.

Are you providing adequate shelter for your pet during this time of extreme weather? Are you making sure they have enough food for high caloric demand or enough water to drink? Without these during frigid temperatures, you may come to find your pet will not survive.

Winter time is a magical time of year for having fun in the snow with family and friends. Pets also have great fun playing and enjoying time in the snow with their family members. Certain breeds are acclimated to freezing temperatures and seem to be impervious to severe cold. However, it is very important that pets aren't allowed to overdo, just like people. They too must be kept warm and safe from the harsh cold. Key factors to never ignore are simply treat them as you would treat yourself and you all can enjoy a great time in your winter wonderland.

Keeping Your Dog Warm

As an Artic blast consumes the upper 48 states, this is a time to be particularly careful when it comes to keeping our pets alive during such extreme cold. Shifting weather patterns creating temperatures reaching subzero are very dangerous for man and pets alike. Unfortunately, many seem to overlook their dog which may reside in the backyard.

Typically a dog house will do the trick for a heavy coated breed, however, not during extreme weather. They will be extremely uncomfortable during stints of frigid temperatures, especially if their calories are not increased or they are not provided an endless source of water. Eating snow will not provide sufficient water for your pet. It is imperative that a viable source of warmed water be provided at all times. And of course leaving your pet to sleep or be exposed to the open elements is nothing short of torture and abuse.

And of course there are the dogs that have short coats all year round and may or may not grow a sufficient undercoat. For a short list of dog breeds that absolutely will freeze to death during weather extremes, follow this link.

Keeping your dog warm is a simple task and should become priority over and above anything else as a responsible pet owner.

Keeping Your Cat Warm And Safe

Cats should be brought inside at all costs during these severe temperatures unless you wish for them to seek their own warmth which could lead to an early demise. Climbing up into an engine block of a car seeking warmth, only to be maimed or killed by the fan belt if the car is started by an unsuspecting driver. This a sure fire way for this to happen.

Although a thick, fluffy coat may seem to do the trick, it also can get wet and snowballs can form on the coat creating a matting effect which in turn allows for the skin to chill and your cat can no longer keep his or her core temperature stable.

Winter Death Does Not Discriminate

Whether you own a dog or cat it really doesn't matter...what is important is the animals must be provided with over and above the normal care you may provide during lesser extremes of weather. Animals can suffer from hypothermia just like we can. Heated dog bowls for water work well but the shelter is still imperative to providing a source of heat. Insulated dog houses also will not be sufficient. There must be a heat source provided such as heat lamps or piles of dry straw scattered within the shelter. Making sure the wind is also blocked from getting inside the shelter. Or better yet bring the dog or cat into the garage if they simply are not allowed to be in with the family. An insulated garage is better than nothing. And provide a soft spot to sleep, not on the concrete floor since this will not provide adequate warmth for your pet.

For those who live on a farm or ranch, then your dog or cat will probably do fine within the confines of the barn which usually as a huge supply of straw for your pet to scrunch into for insulated warmth.

Although warming themselves next to the fireplace along with their family is the best alternative. Our pets enjoy another log thrown on the fire as well. Oh how that warmth seeps into their little bodies. Yawn...stretch...purr!

Litter boxes are ideal for these days of frigid weather and a dog can take a potty break and be brought back inside immediately after. Short bursts outside for your dog are fine. Just don't leave them outside for too long. It doesn't take long for the weather to effect a short coated breed. Also remember a dog crate is the perfect way to allow your dog inside for warmth, and confines them safely within your home.

Watch Out For The Ice Pond

Always make sure that waterways and ponds are safe to walk on before venturing out onto them. Again an unattended pet may unwittingly fall through the ice, and with no one there to hear them or pull them out, your pet may only be able to last 30 minutes in the water before they freeze and then drown. Keep your dog with you or on a leash at all times when venturing out near waterways. That lead may very well become yours or their lifeline.

The Senior Pet

An elderly pet without a doubt must be inside...period! These poor animals don't have the body fat from their youth to support energy levels or supplement their caloric burn for keeping warm.

Plus they also suffer from arthritis typically, and this can make their symptoms much worse. Slipping and falling can cause injury and in some cases your pet may not be able to get back up, but will continually slip and fall not being able to regain their footing. This will not only scare your pet, but will create levels of anxiety and confusion.

Monitor your elderly pet when taking them out for a potty break so you may be there in the event of a fall. And if possible for the smaller dog, carry them to the location to avoid slipping on patios or walkways. Your pet will have better footing in snow rather than on icy areas.

Winter Time Is Also A Fun Time

For many, this time of year is the best, especially if they own breeds that love to pull sleds or skiers as a winter past time. These dogs are resilient and have the winter coats to match. Dog booties or mukluks are great at preventing the tiny snowballs between the toes which can cause pain or discomfort.

If you just love being out in the snow with your family pet then by all means have at it. There are some great dog coats for the short coated breeds so they can enjoy the winter wonderland with their families. They will insulate and keep your pet dry from the heavy snowfall.

So be safe this winter not only for your sake but for your pets!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Future Articles will be on Hiatus until after the New Year! Cheers!

The Perfect Gift For Dog Lovers

2008-12-15T07:56:00.020-07:00

Finding that perfect Dog Lover Gift is made simple. Check out our list to help get you started.

Do you know someone who loves dogs? Do you need that perfect gift for a special occasion? Then this is the place to start for great ideas.

Hmm! Who To Buy For

If you are looking for a gift for dog lovers, it can be a gift directed at their doggies' pleasure, or it could be a gift directed at the dog owner. Either way you go, that person receiving the gift should love it no matter how you present it.

They will think you are wonderful for thinking of their dog or new puppy when the purchase is made with them in mind. Yet if the purchase is with their love of dogs in mind then the gift will feel quite personal to them. Either way it will be a win-win situation.

What Kind Of Dog Lover Gift

There are so many choices, too many to name, but here are a few suggestions:

T-Shirts
Jewelry
Calendars
Crockery
Stapler
Flags
Cookie Jars
Picture Frames
Breed Specific Gifts
Action Stuffed Dogs
Wine Rack
Coasters
Coin Bank
Floor Mat
Stationary
Nightlight

As you can see the choices are exceptional in the gift for your fellow dog lover. If you are sure your friend has a purebred dog, then by all means try to find out which one and gear the purchase toward that specific breed of dog.

Now if you want a gift to be for the dog instead, here are a few ideas:

Dog Jackets / Coats
Doggie Mukluks
Dog Chew Toys (Nylabone)
Fuzzy Animals
Frisbee
Dog Beds
Doggie Hammocks
Posh Dog Tote Bags
Tug o' War Ropes
Squishy / Squeaky Toys
Rubber Kong

Again, the choices are fruitful and plenty. Nothing would please your dog lover more than to buy a gift for the pup. Or to provide them with their own private slumber spot from the rest of the world. You will be appreciated by both, and be a friend for life.

A great discover on the Frisbee toy is now you can find doughnut shaped and soft frisbee styles to throw preventing injury to older dogs or a young pups sensitive baby milk teeth.

Don't Forget Christmas Doggie

There are even gifts designed around Christmas time for the dog loving friend or for the owner wanting that perfect gift for their loyal companion. So don't get frustrated anymore trying to find that signature gift as you need look no further than a quick trip to your favorite pet warehouse such as PetsMart or Petco.

You may even find your friend waiting patiently at the door keeping an eye out for the Jolly, fat man in the red suit with all his reindeer and bag stuffed full of goodies.

And when Christmas Doggie wakes up Christmas day, he or she will be looking for the unique gift they have not seen before, and you or Santa will be able to provide exactly that. The best part about all those gifts under the tree as the day unfolds...your dog could find it quite enjoyable to help you tear open the package with some encouragement. You and your dog or puppy will find endless fun for the day!

So have oodles of play time with the many interactive toys and never have a bored Canine again.

Christmas Safety Tip:

Avoid leaving all the lovely goodies around where your dog or puppy can get at them such as meat bones from poultry or sweets loaded with sugar and chocolate. Poultry bones will splinter and cause severe damage to the gut of the dog creating panic and an emergency visit to the Vet Clinic! Sweets and chocolate will make for a very sick pooch as well since this can cause digestive upset and throw the flora in their gut out of balance. They can also be quite toxic in proportioned quantities according to your dogs size. Be cautious about small items getting swallowed by your new puppy or dog as well. Any of these scenarios will not make for a very fun Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Bringing A Pet Home At Christmas Time

2008-12-08T10:00:00.015-07:00

Is bringing a pet home during Christmas time a good idea or a bad idea? Do they make good Christmas Gifts? There are definite negatives and risks to doing it at this time of year.

Here are some things to contemplate before making the plunge in adopting or purchasing your first cat or dog during this hectic month of holiday goodies and shopping. Some pet lovers may be considering a pet as the perfect Christmas Gift for their child, spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend or parents. There are some things to realize before exposing an animal to the turmoil of the holiday season.

Should I Or Shouldn't I Get A Pet As A Christmas Gift?

Although giving a puppy or kitten to someone you love in your family is a wonderful and joyous thing to do and will certainly bring extreme happiness to the recipient of such a warm and cuddly creature, it can come with complications.

As long as the person you are giving the pet to is a total animal lover and you're confident they are ready and wanting a new puppy or kitten, then this may go quite smoothly.

An exception.... is for small children, the pet should never look like a novelty item and they should be well versed in understanding the care and love that is required for this new bundle of joy that they asked Santa for. All recipients of such a generous gift need to remember these fuzzy faces are not stuffed toys and they don't stay cute and cuddly forever but will grow into adults. They are here as a life long friend for the duration of 8-20 years depending on whether it is a dog or cat, large or small.

What happens in many instances with a child, once Christmas is over, the child loses interest and the novelty wears off and the business of keeping the pet clean, housed and fed turns into a chore instead of a joy. So after the excitement is over and the dust settles from the holiday cheer, your child suddenly ignores the dog or cat and thinks taking care of it, walking it, feeding it, and cleaning up after it....simply is too much work.

The Facts Are Clear

Puppies and kittens that are given as a Christmas gift for children and some adults also, usually get returned to the pound within the next 30 days that follow Christmas or once they grow up they are discarded at the pound or dumped in the back yard to endure a life of loneliness and neglect.

Another strong argument for not doing this on impulse during this holiday season.

The Truly Loved Christmas Pet

Now there are certainly those that will take wonderful care of their new pet and will spend many long years with them to be sure, but there are still things to observe in order to prevent problems that can come with the new pet. Preparation is key....so unless you plan to give all the accessories with the new puppy or kitten, at least make sure the new owner has these things. An unprepared home will not bode well on Christmas Day.

Timing Is Everything

One very key thing to realize is...even though you may be one of those who can't wait for the new pet at Christmas time, or to be the one giving the pet to their loved one, the recommendation is to give a picture in a gift card of their new fuzzy face instead of the actual pet on Christmas Day.

Why you ask?....Many don't realize or take into account the hullabaloo that can occur when you have a whole bunch of family and friends mulling around and wandering in and out of your home. This could pose an untimely loss of your new pet by wandering out the door with no one watching, and getting lost or injured out on the street.

As a pet lover you may also experience accidents since you will be so involved with your guests, your new kitten or puppy doesn't get the proper potty time. Animals get kicked, stepped on and tripped over with so much activity and this will make for a very unhappy beginning for associating your new pet to his or her new home. Or worse case again, the new gifted pet is locked away in a room, a crate, or thrown outside in the cold dark backyard until everybody goes home. This is not fair to your new best friend.

The Perfect Gift At The Perfect Time

Christmas can certainly be the optimum time to give the gift of a pet if you are going to be spending a quiet day at home with just you and your immediate family, and your new kitty or doggie. This can then make for a wonderful way to spend the holiday knowing that your new furry face will get your undivided attention and the entire day can be devoted to acclimating your pet to his or her new home without interruption.

Plan well, be safe and have a Merry Christmas!

The Perfect Gift For Cat Lovers

2008-12-01T07:35:00.018-07:00

Finding that perfect Cat Lover Gift is made simple. Check out our list to help get you started.

Do you know someone who loves cats? Do you need that perfect gift for a special occasion? Then this is the place to start for great ideas.

Hmm! Who To Buy For

If you are looking for a gift for cat lovers, it can be a gift directed at their kittys' pleasure, or it could be a gift directed at the cat owner. Either way you go, that person receiving the gift should love it no matter how you present it.

They will think you are wonderful for thinking of their cat when the purchase is made with them in mind. Yet if the purchase is with their love of cats in mind then the gift will feel quite personal to them. Either way it will be a win-win situation.

What Kind Of Cat Lover Gift

There are so many choices, too many to name, but here are a few suggestions:

T-Shirts
Jewelry
Calendars
Crockery
Stapler
Flags
Cookie Jars
Picture Frames
Breed Specific Gifts
Action Stuffed Cats
Wine Rack
Coasters
Coin Bank
Floor Mat
Stationary
Nightlight

As you can see the choices are exceptional in the gift for the cat lover. If you are sure your friend has a purebred cat, then by all means try to find out which one and gear the purchase toward that specific breed of cat.

Now if you want a gift to be for the cat instead, here are a few ideas:

Interactive Toys
Kitten Mittens
Cat Tunnels
Furry Mice
Scratching Post
Wicker Beds
Kitty Hammocks
Powered Toys
Warble Balls
Catnip Balls
Feather Toys

Again, the choices are fruitful and plenty. Nothing would please your cat lover more than to buy a gift for kitty. Or to provide them with their own little secret kitty hideout from the rest of the world. You will be appreciated by both, and be a friend for life.

Don't Forget Christmas Kitty

There are even gifts designed around Christmas time for the cat loving friend or for the owner wanting that perfect gift for their Fur Person. So don't get frustrated anymore trying to find that signature gift as you need look no further than a quick trip to your favorite pet warehouse such as PetsMart or Petco.

And when Christmas Kitty wakes up Christmas day, he or she will be looking for the unique gift they have not seen before, and you will be able to provide exactly that. The best part about all those gifts under the tree as the day unfolds...your cat will favor all the loose wrapping paper and open boxes laying around. Endless fun for the day!

So have oodles of play time with the many interactive toys and never have a bored Feline again.

Christmas Safety Tip:

Avoid leaving ribbon or string lying around with your cat unless you're able to supervise since cats have been known to inadvertently swallow long swatches of these lovely Christmas novelties and can cause severe distress to your cat which then means a trip to the Veterinarian and a less than pleasant Christmas experience for your family and your cat!

Merry Christmas!

Choosing A Specific Dog Breed

2008-11-24T04:22:00.047-07:00

Choosing a dog of pure breed or of mixed breed descent is the question you need to ask yourself.

There are many breeds of dogs available to dog lovers and many different specific personalities to match. With so many different types of purebreds the choices could be endless. As a future dog owner take your time in researching the different attributes your new canine might possess.

Mixed Breed Or Pure Breed

When you decide to choose a dog breed, you must take into account what type you are looking for; a pet and companion, or a show animal to reproduce and strengthen the gene pool of the particular breed you choose to adore, or a combination of both.

Although Pure Breed Dogs have marvelous breed characteristics and can be quite aesthetically pleasing, they can come with a hefty price tag and can be prone to genetic problems and congenital defects. A purebred dog will need a bit more vigilance when it comes to maintaining good health care and to provide such, can hit the piggy bank more than just the overall purchase of your new puppy.

Over-looking some of these negatives however, they do not necessarily have a shorter life span or possess any more problems than the mixed breed dogs, depending on the care the breeder took in reproducing within the blood line. In-breeding should be avoided to ward off some of the potential health risks and reproducing congenital defects. This is why selecting a reputable breeder is so important. Furthermore, bringing a specific dog breed into your home can in most cases guarantee a certain look and personality you wish to gain with the family pet. It may not always occur, depending on upbringing, but you will have a better chance of certain aspects of the breed, than trying to guess the outcome of personality with a mixed breed dog. However, mixed breed dogs typically have some amazing attributes and can make some of the best and most easily trained animals your family would wish to own.

Pure Breed Dogs will be of distinct type, character, size, confirmation, pigmentation and temperament characterized by their breed and are defined by their group classification as set forth by the American Kennel Club.

Now your Mixed Breed dogs can come in an equally gorgeous array of coat textures and colors and possess fewer genetic problems than their counterpart purebred. You will find many at your local shelter for adoption, where you may also find the occasional purebred dog. Dog Rescues are usually geared toward a love for a specific breed. Temperament can be varied and can be a combination of many breeds or as simple as two or three in the mix. Mutts can have an overwhelming variety of personalities from the gregarious, lazy, tenacious, guardian, clown, mellow, hyper to just down right snoozy.

Now which personality might you get and which genetic traits will dominate? You may never know. With such an impressive mix of breeds it would be anyone's guess. It could possess the easy laid back, loving nature of the Golden Retriever, or could be inquisitive and people loving as the English Bull Terrier, or perhaps fun loving and gregarious like the Great Dane. Your new dog could come in many types of coat colors as well. Body carriage, coat texture, and appearance in the face will help to discern your dogs hereditary background. You will discover many amiable attributes in your mixed dog along with maybe some quirky behavior as well. Sometimes it can be the best of both worlds.

The only problem you may have is making your selection. To date there are literally over 400 dog breeds, far too many to list here, but there will be breed specific pages added as we progress with the breed specific articles. The Short list however, is there are 8 distinct groups of breed type categories which are:

Herding Group ~ This group was defined by their stamina in working side by side with their handlers to be in the field to guide the flock or herd from one destination to the other across the vast expanses of land. Without these dogs, drovers would not have been able to handle herds in such large numbers. These dogs made it possible to move herds easily and to provide protection from predators. They are extremely easy to train and require their minds to be kept occupied. Unless worked, these dogs can turn to destructive behavior patterns. Some breeds in this group are also used for those protective instincts in police work and Schutzuhund, making these exceptional guardians for a family or personal guard dog.

Hound Group ~ This group of dogs are defined by their abilities to track their prey. Some are better suited for tracking by scent and others are better at tracking by sight. The breeds which hunt by scent are usually of a stockier build and the bloodhound is a true tracker using his ability to locate a lost person or to track criminals. The excessive folds in the skin capture the rising scent to enable the nose to do the rest. This group of scent hounds are not perceived as good household companions unless working with their inherent desire to track. They can become destructive! The hounds that hunt by sight are usually of a lighter, finer bone structure for a more streamlined build such as the Greyhound which tracks by sight and is extremely agile and fast, running down their prey relentlessly until capturing and usually killing it. This group of sight hounds can be very happy lazying around on your couch just fine.

Non-Sporting Group ~ This diversified class of dogs come in all shapes and sizes. No defining characteristics typical of a specific group. These dogs are usually characterized as the breeds who did not hunt or work and have some of the more popular breeds for companionship. But this does not mean they are not easily trained. They are usually the dog of choice for making great house pets since their main objective is to amuse their owner and look pretty. Except for several breeds within this group, the majority of these dogs will require some grooming maintenance on a regular basis. This is the only way to maintain good skin and coat to avoid matting of the hair and to maintain the aesthetic look of the breed.

Terrier Group ~ This group of dogs are known for their high energy, tenacity, their hunting prowess for small vermin and their ability to make their owners laugh. They require a great deal of training to keep their inquisitive brains occupied or they can tend to get into trouble. They are also not known for getting along well with other strange dogs outside their family group. They can be bullheaded and can overwhelm an owner if not prepared for the energy these dogs can put out. If the time is spent with them through training, they make loyal and loving companions. Their consistently cute expressions and the level of super intelligence that sits behind those eyes when they scheme and plot to have fun with you, is no wonder they melt an owners heart. However, the down side is this group of dogs suffers terribly from severe boredom leading to destructive behavior patterns.

Working Group ~ These dogs are primarily utilized for protection, guarding, guidance for the blind and saving lives. These dogs are not happy unless they are doing what comes naturally....providing love and support for their family members. This type of breed group, if locked away in a kennel or chained in the backyard will destroy their personalities. They must be involved with family activities or working with their partner in police work or taking care of a person with special needs. This is what keeps these dogs motivated and full of spirit. Their willingness to please does come with a small price, they require quality and formal training to utilize their exceptional intelligence.

Sporting Group ~ This group of dogs are used primarily for hunting in the field and in water. Hunters used them for centuries to locate birds (pointers) in the field and to either strike a pose with their nose pointed in the direction of the prey or they flush them into the air for the hunters to take aim. Others are utilized for their ability to bring back the game (retrievers) to the hunter or to jump into the water and fetch the waterfowl that has been shot. This group of dogs have a special coat that protects them from the frigid waters and also provides buoyancy to their bodies. Their hunting ability must be nurtured and these dogs need large amounts of exercise to keep them occupied. The dogs from the retriever side have a slightly more popular following as a family companion and a dog for people with special needs due to their demeanor being a bit more laid back and for their ease of training.

Toy Group ~ This is known as the "Lap Dog" group. Usually comprised of small to miniature size dogs that are most happy being their owners constant companion. They are easily carried and make wonderful pets for owners who live in small spaces. Many of these dogs require a bit of exercise yet this can be accomplished within the home through ball playing or tug of war. They are descendants from larger breeds so a lot of personality with attitude can come in a tiny package. They also have no concept of their size, so they will typically take on a larger dog without fear despite the inevitable outcome. They also make wonderful companions for small children and the elderly.

Miscellaneous Group ~ With this group it was designed for the breeds that are up and coming and are without recognition as to their specific character traits to that breed. Breeds that are less popular and have not been fully recognized yet by the AKC. There are currently only 11 dog breeds within this group. They can compete in obedience and utility trials but cannot gain championship points until as such time they are placed into one of the other categories. This usually can be anywhere from 1-3 years. The picture left is of a rare breed of Pyrenean Shepherd.

Take Your Time In Choosing Your Next Dog

Just remember about your environmental factors: Dogs may come with a standard characteristic trait you might be looking for, which will be something that pertains to a specific type or breed, but it doesn't mean you will necessarily get it. The dogs' environment plays a key role in canine behavior and depending on the dogs' environment, they can possess those perfect traits, or those same traits may have turned sour depending on who the prior caregiver was in your new dogs' life.

Spend time with the new dog or puppy and make sure they are what you are looking for. Reputable breeders will typically hold onto puppies into their 8th to 12th week of life so they are giving you a dog with the best immune system and the better of social skills. If your puppy is being shipped to you via airplane the latter age is the best.

Dog Rescues will allow you time to come make several visits with your potential selection before making your final choice and for the Rescue to make sure your home will be equally suitable for this poor dog in need of a kind, caring owner.

Older dogs may need a bit of an adjustment period however, a dog that has been rescued will never forget the kindness you bestowed and will show gratitude with extreme loyalty and friendship. Be patient with puppies and adults alike and you will have a wonderful companion to share your space with. And always remember to provide the best in canine care to your new friend.

Ask questions always! Make sure whomever you decide to deal with, whether it is a breeder or a dog rescue, that these folks will do their level best to assist you in your final decision. Avoid Breeders who seem to be evasive or won't be willing to allow you to observe their kennel facility at a moments notice. After all you will want to know that they are interested in the best care as well, and won't be providing you with what is known in the puppy mill world, as "product". Dogs are not a commodity and possess great nobility and have deep feelings which can be destroyed at the hands of the unscrupulous. If forced to live in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions, they can be infested with parasites and /or viruses and literally, personality traits can be destroyed requiring an additional level of care and nurturing to repair.

These are caring, thinking, animals and must be treated with the dignity nature provided. They are never meant to be locked away somewhere away from family. The time that is spent with family is an opportunity to grow a sense of responsibility in children.

If you don't find the best cared for dogs or puppies at one location, move on to the next, quickly. And if you should find a place that is highly questionable, then by all means seek out your local shelter or Dog Rescue and inform them of what you have been witness to.

Help stop puppy mills!

Choosing A Specific Cat Breed

2008-11-17T05:16:00.017-07:00

Choosing a cat of pure breed or of mixed breed descent is the question you need to ask yourself.

There are many breeds of cats available to cat lovers and many different specific personalities to match. With so many different types of purebreds the choices could be endless. As a future cat owner take your time in researching the different attributes your new feline might possess.

Mixed Breed Or Pure Breed

When you decide to choose a cat breed, you must take into account what type you are looking for; a pet and companion, or a show animal to reproduce and strengthen the gene pool of the particular breed you choose to adore, or a combination of both.

Although Pure Breed Cats have marvelous breed characteristics and can be quite aesthetically pleasing, they can come with a hefty price tag and can be prone to genetic problems and congenital defects. A purebred cat will need a bit more vigilance when it comes to maintaining good health care and to provide such can hit the piggy bank more than just the overall purchase of your new kitty. Over-looking some of these negatives however, they do not necessarily have a shorter life span or possess any more problems than the mixed breed cats, depending on the care the breeder took in reproducing within the blood line. In-breeding should be avoided to ward off some of the potential health risks and reproducing congenital defects.

This is why selecting a reputable breeder is so important. Furthermore, bringing a specific cat breed into your home, can in most cases guarantee a certain look and personality you wish to gain with the family pet. It may not always occur however, depending on upbringing, but you will have a better chance of certain aspects of the breed than trying to guess the outcome of personality with a mixed breed cat. All cats can be quirky, and your fur person may not be an exception.

List Of Pure Breed Cats: These Cats will be of distinct type characterized by their breed

Abyssinian
American Bobtail
American Curl
American Shorthair
American Wirehair
Australian Mist
Balinese
Bengal
Birman
Bombay
British Shorthair
Burmese
California Spangled
Chartreux
Chausie
Colorpoint Shorthair
Cornish Rex
Devon Rex
Egyptian Mau
Exotic Shorthair
Havana Brown
Japanese Bobtail
Javanese
Korat
LaPerm
Maine Coon
Manx
Munchkin
Nebelung
Norwegian Forest Cat
Ocicat
Orientals
Persian
Peterbald
Pixie-bob
Ragamuffin Ragdoll
Russian Blue
Savannah
Scottish Fold
Selkirk Rex
Siamese
Siberian
Singapura
Snowshoe
Somali Sphynx
Tonkinese
Turkish Angora
Turkish Van

Future links will be provided to each breed as we progress with future articles.

Mixed Breed Cats

Now these cats can come in an equally gorgeous array of coat textures and colors and possess fewer genetic problems than their counterpart purebred. You will find many at your local shelter or cat rescues for adoption, where you may also find the occasional purebred cat. Temperament can be varied and can be a combination of many breeds or as simple as two or three in the mix.

For example: you can find a long hair cat resembling a Persian with a stout large body resembling the Maine Coon, while also having the pointed markings of a Siamese. Now which personality might you get and which genetic traits will dominate? You may never know. With such an impressive mix of breeds it would be anyone's guess. It could possess the easy laid back, loving nature of the Persian kitty, or could be inquisitive and people loving as the Maine Coon, or perhaps fun loving and gregarious like the Siamese. Your new cat could come in many types of color examples; American Shorthair comes to mind. Body carriage, coat texture, and appearance in the face will help to discern your cats hereditary background. You will discover many amiable attributes in your mixed cat along with maybe some quirky behavior as well. Sometimes it can be the best of both worlds.

Standard Mixed Breed Cat Varieties: These Cats will be of a certain type and color

Bi-Color
Color Point
Solid
Tabby
Tortoiseshell
Tri-color
Tuxedo

Take Your Time In Choosing Your Next Cat

Just remember about your environmental factors: Cats may come with a standard characteristic trait you might be looking for, which will be something that pertains to a specific type or breed, but it doesn't mean you will necessarily get it. The cats environment plays a key role in feline behavior and depending on the cats' environment, they can possess those perfect traits or those excellent traits have turned sour depending on who the prior caregiver was in your new cats' life.

Spend time with the new cat or kitten and make sure they are what you are looking for. Reputable breeders will typically hold onto kittens into their 12th to 16th week of life so they are giving you a cat with the best immune system and the better of social skills.

Cat Rescues will allow you time to come make several visits with your potential selection before making your final choice and for the Rescue to make sure your home will be equally suitable for this poor cat in need of a kind, caring owner.

Older cats will need more time to adjust to their new surroundings as they are creatures of habit and will need this time to calm and understand this is their new home. Be patient with kitten and adults alike and you will have a wonderful companion to share your space with. And always remember to provide the best in feline care to your new friend.

Ask questions always! Make sure whomever you decide to deal with, whether it is a breeder or a cat rescue, that these folks will do their level best to assist you in your final decision. Avoid Breeders who seem to be evasive or won't be willing to allow you to observe their cattery at a moments notice. After all you will want to know that whichever breeder you choose are equally interested in the best care as well, and won't be providing you with what is known in the kitten mill world, as "product".

Cats are fastidious creatures, and if forced to live in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions, they can be infested with parasites and /or viruses.

These are caring, thinking, animals and must be treated with the dignity nature provided. If you don't find it at one location, move on to the next.... quickly. And if you should find a place that is highly questionable, then by all means seek out your shelter or Cat Rescue and inform them of what you have been witness to.

Help stop kitten mills!

Dog Clothes For All Seasons

2008-11-10T06:34:00.029-07:00

Dog Clothes are great for the change in seasons. Your pet will be styling with the finest in Pet Clothes.

Designer dog Clothes keep your dog warm and dry or even cool in hot weather. Check out the different styles of dog apparel, from raincoats, jackets, fleece coats, stylish dog sweaters and swamp cooling vests. Your pet can now dress with flair and never be overheated, wet or cold again. The practical dog vest or coat now has a bit of pizazz!

Baby It's Cold Outside

During the cold winter days, wrap your pooch up in a designer dog jacket or fleece dog coat to keep Jack Frost from nippin' at your pet.

Doggie Mukluks are a great item for keeping those little snowballs from forming between the toes. Or for using on harsh surfaces for the tracking or hiking dog or from walking on hot pavement.

In dog apparel there is something for all sizes of dogs. Small dog coats, all the way up to the larger breeds. If you should have a stout dog or a breed with a deep chest, then be sure to go with the next size up that is recommended on the sweater or coat size chart. If possible, take your pet with you to hold outfit up to him. Do not try on outfit to prevent transfer of pet hair or dirt!

Now as we all know, dogs have their own fur to keep them warm, however, there are certain breeds who are susceptible to the frigid temperatures and need some added protection. Here is a small list of breeds who could use a bit of doggie wear.

Pugs
Greyhounds
Bull Terriers
Dobermans
Schnauzers
Chihuahuas
Dachshunds
Chinese Crested
Pointers
Boxers
Boston Terriers
Dalmations
Whippets
Weimaraners
Vizslas
Mini Pinschers
Bulldogs
Clipped Dogs
Senior Dogs
Puppies

Some of these dogs' coats are so short and tight to the skin, they barely have the provision of undercoat that other breeds grow to keep them warm.

Keep in mind: During the cold, damp, and freezing months of winter, your pet needs adequate shelter, such as an insulated dog house with perhaps a heat lamp and dense straw. Water that is kept thawed at all times. Better still, bring your pet inside during these months and make him or her part of the family as they should be. Don't be stingy with the heat and be sure to provide them with their own dog bed.

Singing In The Rain

If you enjoy walking your dog in the rain, then a dog raincoat is just the ticket. All breeds can benefit from a good rain coat. It keeps their coat and skin from getting wet, which in turn can cause chilling. When this happens you would need to shorten your sojourn and get your dog home. Raincoats can make the walking experience more enjoyable with no worries of dealing with a wet dog, never mind the smell. Furthermore, you can layer the raincoat over their dog blanket.

Take A Hike Or A Boat Ride

If you are an outdoors person who loves to take your dog hiking, now you can have him or her carry their own stuff. Make them part of the hike in the working context. Dogs love to partake in the pleasure of being in your company, and many do love a good hike. Now with the proper dog pack you can have your pet share in the complete experience.

Don't forget about your water dog. Your best friend can now be kept safe when boating with you when wearing a life vest made especially for them. Most flotation devices also come with handles in order to be able to grab your dog from the water if he or she should decide to take a swim or fall overboard. Be sure to read about boating with your dog and our dog packing guidelines in our Pet Travel Article.

Beat The Heat

Your dog can now be as cool as you are when trying to beat the heat. Dog Cooling wraps and Bandannas can be worn by your pet to help keep them cool on those hot walks or just hanging out at the park. Now you can also purchase a cooling vest for achieving similar benefits of a swamp cooler.

Be mindful: Cooling wraps should never be a substitute for keeping your dog cool in intense heat. Leaving your dog in a parked car on a hot day will be a death sentence for sure. Overworking your dog in the heat can also bring on heatstroke. Cooling wraps are an aid, not a cure-all for all intense heat situations. Use common sense when out during the hottest part of the day. At the very least, a hot day could turn into a Medical Emergency.

Service Dogs Are Important, Too

Looking for that proper Service Dog Vest or Service Dog Saddle Bag can be a challenge. These items are very important to the service dogs' that help our disabled or injured people. Whether it be in personal assistance or looking for that lost person after a catastrophe. A well fitted vest or saddle bag for the dog can make their job less taxing. When fit properly, paying attention to your dog's comfort, bringing out the vest or bags for getting to work will excite and motivate your dog to do his or her job.

Just Having Fun

For some dog owners they love to dress their pet up in some crazy outfits with the change of the season or holiday the way they might their own children, however dogs are not children. Children can issue protest when they don't like an outfit, but the family dog is not so lucky.....typically forced to be subjected to our selfish whims. Please try to keep the clothing practical and dignified.

Remember your pet is a companion to the family and is not a doll, ornament or a toy to simply amuse ourselves at the expense of their dignity as noble animals. What you may think is cute, others will find comical and subject your pet to ridicule. And if you think your dog doesn't understand when people are laughing at him for looking ridiculous, you would be sadly mistaken. Decorate your dolls and Christmas tree, but not the dog since common sense would dictate this is surely not for the dogs benefit but purely for our own entertainment.

The great part is when your dog is allowed to keep his dignity and is wearing an outfit for warmth and protection from the elements or his working dog uniform or pack, you will see a sense of pride and excitement to sport these outfits. No matter what your needs are for your pet, there are an abundance of designer, yet practical dog outfits available to you. Dog apparel no longer has to be boring, and only the coolest pets have the with-it styles.

So get with it and give him the gift of being the stylingist dawg!

Pet Grooming Keeps Your Dog Or Cat Healthy

2008-11-03T04:32:00.063-07:00

Pet Grooming promotes skin health, assists with shedding, and creates trust with your pet through handling.

Grooming your dog or cat can be a rewarding experience through building a bond and a trust in handling your pet in any situation. With proper skin care through excellent grooming practices you can prevent many skin ailments.

Hair..... Hair.... Everywhere

Pet owners get overwhelmed when it comes to their pet's hair flying around the house. There can be many reasons for what seems to be an endless shedding of the coat of which we will cover a few of them here.

The most common reason for your pets need to shed comes twice a year and is subject to our daylight hours.

Many dog and cat owner's think they shed because of change in temperature, but this is not the case. Shedding is dictated by the length and shortening of how many hours of daylight we gain and lose over the year. As our days get longer this signals your pet to begin the process of blowing their coat, releasing the heavy undercoat and bringing in the new lighter summer coat, comprised mostly of outer guard hairs and very little downy undercoat. As our days grow short again, our pet sheds once more in the summer, losing old undercoat and guard hairs showing signs of a much heavier and thicker texture to the winter coat. So our daylight hours will bring about the shedding process in your pet's coat, not the weather. Temperatures of where you and your pet reside will only dictate how thick their coat will be.

Tip: Some pet owner's may notice for the pet who lives in the house, this process seems to go on all year. There is a good reason for this; in your home artificial light replaces our daylight during our shorter days in the winter. With this simulation occurring your dog or cat's internal clock cannot adjust to this artificial creation of longer days. If you have a house pet, then just groom them more often since this is to be expected if you want your pet to be a part of the family since there is no way around biology. Please don't banish your fuzzy friend to the outdoors just because of this small problem.

Another reason for what seems to be ongoing shedding can be related to hormone levels in female dogs (Dam or Bitch) and cats (Dam or Queen), since typically after a delivery of puppies or kittens they tend to blow their coats soon after, giving them an extremely scruffy appearance. Depending on the delivery timeframe, you may have to live with this poor quality of coat until the daylight hours change, bringing about the onset of re-growth for that time of year.

Improper nutrition can also be a cause of constant shedding with a contributing factor to some underlying skin problems due to allergens in the food.

Airborne allergens or toxins found in soil, and your pet comes in contact with that substance and then has an ongoing reaction, will also cause consistent shedding problems through skin irritations.

Bottom line, in most of these causes for shedding there is not a whole lot a pet owner can do about it except practice good grooming habits on your dog or cat. In the case of allergens and poor nutrition, these can be corrected if one has a mind to and sets off on what can be a unending quest of determining which of these problems your pet has and set about correcting it.

With excellent grooming habits you can speed up the shedding process and reduce fly away hair from inside your home. Plus, you will gain a bonus here of warding off any other problems you might locate during a grooming session, such as a skin growth, tangled knot, a conspicuous lump, rash, puncture, cut or abrasion and eczema or dermatitis. If any one of these problems remained unchanged and were allowed to fester through improper grooming, you and your pet will be taking a trip to the Veterinarian's office. A problem that goes unchecked can become far worse than it needed to be if it had only been discovered earlier during a bath, clipping or brushing. Good Grooming habits for your pet are far more important than just making your pet look beautiful!

Oh My Gosh.....Was That A Hairball

For those of you who just love to receive the gift that only a fur person can give, the regurgitated hairball sticking to the bottom of your bare foot as you climb from your bed or enter the bathroom in the middle of the night, grooming your cat can be the way to a hairball free zone.

As cat owners know, our furry friends are extremely fastidious in keeping themselves well groomed without much adieu. These creatures are extremely independent and lead you to believe they don't need our help. Only to the contrary. Not only are hairballs messy and can bring about gag reflex in the one who gets to pick it up, but can create far worse problems for your cat.

The hairballs we find are a good sign since this means your cat got it up and out as hair is not meant to be ingested on purpose. When the cat is unable to regurgitate this wad of fur, they can become quite constipated, vomit their food, and become quite cranky due to the complication of the hairball traveling through their system. Though typically not life threatening to the cat, it just makes their life harder and a constipated cat is no fun to have around.

You can get a hairball elixir from your Vet or from a grooming supply company to feed from your finger. Most Felines love the taste and will eat it readily. Some even provide some nice nutrients in proteins and skin conditioners. This will create a softer stool and your cat will be able to pass the hairball without incident. This elixir is also a nice preventative from future hairballs.

Though hairballs occur mostly in long hair cats, it seems short hairs can be prone to them as well depending on the level of undercoat shed at certain times of the year. So again, as a preventative, groom your cat regularly, especially during those times of seasonal shedding.

Long Haired Versus Short Haired

When it comes to dog's they are no exception to furry problems. They too can become obsessive about licking themselves for cleanliness. However, this is not a character trait born to dogs. If you have a dog that licks excessively, they are not grooming themselves necessarily, but are dealing with a far greater issue, such as allergies, skin inflammation (Hot Spots) or irritation, infection, wound, foreign object or a type of dermatitis. This should be determined as quickly as possible by a Veterinarian if it continues. Remember, nutrition can be an underlying cause to skin problems.

Long haired varieties of dogs should be groomed a bit almost every day to keep tangles at bay and prevent that tangle from growing tighter against the skin creating poor air circulation and a fungus or wound to follow. Afghan Hounds, Setters, and some Spaniels for example have very long, sleek hair and these can get tangled over time if not tended to. Sheep Dogs, have a dense undercoat so instead of the typical tangle of an Afghan Hound, they can get badly matted hair as can Shelties, Maltese, Collies, Chows to name a few. Through proper bathing and brushing of hair and coats, many skin problems can be prevented.

Short haired varieties should not be ignored when it comes to brushing. Though this seems unnecessary to groom these dogs, they too still need frequent bathing and cleaning of their skin. Shampooing removes debris and irritants from the skin. While brushing helps to stimulate their skin and stimulate the oils to their freshly washed coat.

Some coarser coated breeds of dogs are groomed with a method known as stripping the coat by some owners. This gives a natural appearance to the coat instead of it looking sheered off. Schnauzers, Bouviers, and some Terriers to name a few are done this preferred way by their owners, however it can be time consuming, but the achieved affect is natural beauty. (Stripping can be painful when done incorrectly, so do not attempt without proper instruction to avoid blisters on the skin and pain for your dog.) Many of these types of breed shed very little due to the clipping and stripping of their coats. If you want a dog that absolutely won't shed and have been known to be hypoallergenic for people with allergies, are the poodle breeds: standard, toy, and teacup. Plus you can achieve a wonderful coiffed look!

Grooming your dog consistently will create a well being in your pet and promote good skin and coat condition with the added bonus of skin health prevention. Dog's are quite fond of grooming by their owners.

Prevention Of The Hissy Fit

Nobody wants to deal with a yowling cat or a whining dog when it comes to bath time. If your pet is not fond of this quality time together then you may end up with a pet that is none too happy.. ..awww look at that face.

In some cases if your pet is just too unruly to handle, then your only alternative may be professional grooming. This is especially true in breeds of dogs who require a certain clip or style to the coat for their breed type to show off at it's finest.

Choosing the right groomer is just as important as it is for finding a Vet. References can be helpful in this instance. If you are unsure of the local groomer or your animal seems to become unduly stressed over such a premise as a shampoo and dry, then taking them to a groomer who is in partnership with a Veterinary hospital might be the best choice. There they can receive a mild sedative under Vet supervision if need be.

In any case, proper rearing and training of your pet from the beginning can prevent such antics at bath time if introduced correctly and at a young age. Introducing anything weird or different to your pet is best done slowly and methodically. And there are many dogs and cats that actually love the water.

Tip: For instance, don't bathe your dog or cat with hose water, and don't immerse them in a full tub of water.

Hose water is cold and how would you like taking your shower in cold water unless it is for the obvious reasons? Overheated!

Hose water should be reserved for those scalding days and in most cases for dogs and where you can make a game out of playing in the spray of the hose. Don't ever aim directly at your pet with the hose until such time as they come to enjoy it or you need to break up a fight.

A full tub of water is foreboding to an animal since they cannot determine where the bottom of the tub is. To them they feel as though they must swim to save themselves, thus beginning the onset of panic.

Tip: For tub bathing place your pet in an empty tub or sink (small dogs) on a rubber mat for slippage control. Never allow your pet to slide around inside the tub. This will instill fear and make for a messy bath-time.

Once in the tub, you can begin by filling the tub with warm water, not hot. Treat their skin like a baby infants when it comes to water temp. As the water fills, their feet will still be grounded and the water will fill in around them. While it is filling begin placing the water across their back with some kind of pitcher talking to them all the time, soothingly.

A hand held shower nozzle can be an invaluable asset during bath time. Never make bath time an exciting time or a play time. This is an excellent time to practice some obedience for dogs and a time to teach calm to a cat. Go slowly during this new process and you will have an animal that may not fall in love with bath time but will come to understand it as a necessity of a time spent together doing something healthy for your cat or dog.

Just remember one thing, no matter how much handling your pet may have had, plan on getting soapy and wet yourself. This cannot be avoided. And if you don't mind a little nudity between friends, take the bath with your pet since then it won't matter how many times they shake off that water which is typically done at the most inopportune time. Being in the bath with your pet can also give you the greatest control over them instead of having to lean over the tub rail.

Proper Grooming Supplies Relieve Stress

Having proper equipment is always important. Never begin bath time until you have everything you need at your fingertips.

Your skin conditioning shampoo (this should be specifically made for dogs or cats, no people stuff)

your cream rinse for long haired dogs to assist with those pesky tangles.

Eye ointment for protection from soap.

Cotton balls for the insides of the ears.

Curry mitt for loosening up the shedding hair.

Lots of towels along with a Scooby snack.

Most importantly, for hanging onto your dog have a collar and a heavy terry towel for your cat during bath time.

To avoid mess, the collar can restrict your dog from escaping the tub, better yet close the bathroom door behind you.

Kitty Tip : The terry towel is an excellent way to grab and hold your cat when wet. Some cats will make this time seem like you both are going to hell and back and they will show their disdain by ripping the flesh down to the bone or shred the shower curtain as though it went through a paper shredder in a blink of an eye. The towel will save both of you undue injury and stress. In some cases of cat bathing make sure you are strong enough and agile enough to take on the cagey feline.

Protect yourself from your cat's nails at all costs. Though not meaning to, they can inflict serious injury during a ritual that they think is going to be the death of them. In some cases it is best to take your cat wrapped inside the towel like a sausage with the fold over the back. Allow the water to seep through the towel until your cat is wet and calm and you can begin washing on top by releasing the towel a bit. Most cats, once wet and realize they did not drown will calm down for the remainder of the bath. Always be prepared for the "changing of the mind" mad dash to freedom and they use your scalp for the launch pad.

Purebred love of bath time: If you are lucky enough to own a Maine Coon or a Bengal, then you have it a lot easier than other cat owners, since they have been known to enjoy water, especially running water. Some mixed breed cats with these descendants can also become fond of water. For the cat who loves to be in the water and go for a swim, then the Turkish Van is your cat and you can forget everything you have just read for dealing with safe bathing for you and your cat. This cat will race you to the tub.

Make sure the lids are open on all the bottles so you have a hands free application during the bathing process. The last thing you need to be doing is fighting with the lid on one of the bottles only to have your dog or cat slip away from your grasp and now you're soaking wet pet has begun the task of turning your home into a giant shower stall and your furniture their sponge. Good luck getting them back in the tub afterwards, too.

When shampooing, avoid getting soap into the eyes and ears. The mineral oil ointment should protect against irritation and the cotton balls will keep out most of the water as long as you aren't saturating their face.

Tip: When bathing save their head for last and aim their face down towards the water so it sheets off their face. Never spray up and into the face. Your pet will not appreciate it and can simulate drowning to the animal. Do you enjoy water up your nose?

To protect water from getting into the ears another way, take hold of one ear at a time and gently twist it shut toward their nose, (and I do mean gently), as you poor water over this part of the head, this will close off the ear canal and prevent more water from entering and soaking the cotton balls. They are a preventative for water entry, but if soaked through, they then offer little protection. For tiny eared dogs, you can press the ear flap over with your thumb and achieve the same effect. Or in their case use large wads of cotton. Also if the cotton does get soaked, change it frequently during the bath.

During the grooming process of drying the coat and combing or brushing the tangles free, you also want to keep a collar on your pet in order to keep them close during the process.

Towel drying is greatly enjoyed by dogs and they love the rubdown and the stimulation of blood to soothe their itchy skin. This can also keep them from attaching their soaking wet body to the sides of your couch.

Cats just feel like you're putting them through some kind of torture. Even after the rubdown they will still sidle away flicking their back feet at you as though they just stepped in something sticky and then proceed to lick themselves clean as though you have done nothing for them at all.

Blow drying the coats can be enjoyed by your dog and cat alike. It just depends on how you introduce it. Always begin on the lowest setting reducing the noise and airflow. Remember to be mindful of the heat setting and placing the dryer too close to their skin. Otherwise you could burn them unwittingly. Brushing while drying can help the animal resist running away due to the sheer pleasure of the brushing out. Curry mitts are wonderful for this process. Gradually increase the drying process as they become used to it.

If all else fails for them to sit still during the drying out process then a crate is the next best thing for getting them dry. Cloak it in towels and place the animal inside on a lush terry towel, directing the blow dryer into the crate at an angled position. Do not chase your cat or dog around the crate by blowing it full force at them directly. This will only make matters worse. By covering all the vents the air circulation from the dryer will do the job. The environment will be pleasantly warm for your pet.

Suggestion: Make sure when using a blow dryer you use a professional model. Decibel noise from a cheap dryer can be unpleasant to your pets hearing. Low noise factor is important for the experience to be pleasurable.

When all the drying is done, pay close attention to ears and dry them some more with an absorbent paper towel wrapped around your finger or more cotton for swabbing. You will be amazed at the gunk that can come out of your pet's ears.

At this time clip your dog or cats nails as they will still be soft from the bath, making them easier to trim. Make sure you have a nice sharp set of nail clippers.

At first, if still learning how to trim your pet's nails, just remove the very tips at first, watching for the quick of the nail. It is much easier to see in a white to opaque toenail. If your dog has black nails you will have to shave the nails gradually after snipping the very tip, until a tiny pale pinkish core begins to show inside the nail. Once you see that, stop clipping. A tiny trace of blood is acceptable, if you can get that close. If you should nick it good and it starts bleeding, a good styptic powder will stop it and prevent infection. These powders are available at any grooming supply, Veterinarian or pet outlet and you should keep it on hand just in case. However, try to avoid nicking this when trimming otherwise it will be a fight trying to get your pet to sit still for it in the future since it hurts when cut.

New Tool: Now there is an item called Peticure and it is a tool designed to file the nail down instead of clipping it. Although this could be a great alternative for those who are nervous about using clippers, it does have a downside.

Grinding noise or whirring from motor makes your pet nervous

Can cause a burning smell your pet won't like, may require acclimation

Constantly needs refills as pads wear out

Tends to break, requires some careful handling

Can't get nails as short as one might like due to opening where nail is inserted

If this concept is more comfortable for you than using clippers and your pet just seems to really dislike having their nails done, then a Dremel tool may be the better choice. You can essentially achieve better results, since you control direction of the tool, and you can get a much closer shaved nail. Plus the quality of construction of these little gizmos is practically indestructible. So this may actually be the better buy all around.

Tip: Don't worry about puncturing your dog or cat's eardrum since their ear canals are not designed like ours. They take a sharp turn into the head and this is where the eardrum can be found, neatly tucked out of the way of poking fingers. Still be careful however in case of infection or sensitivity to touch. In most cases your dog especially will think he went to doggy heaven when you clean those puppies out.

Tip: Don't bathe your dog more than every other week unless directed by a Vet for some skin ailment. Bathing is for cleaning and over cleaning creates it's own set of problems. In the winter time once a month is best. And where cats are concerned, four times a year is sufficient, with once per month being acceptable, unless again treating for a parasite or infection of some kind and only under a Vets care.

Tip: When trimming toenails on your dog, especially large breeds, placing them on their back seems to assist with calm since this is considered the submissive position for them while you squat or stand over them. (Just beware of the old butt boost from the back feet while working on the front feet.)

Caution: If you are not identified as top dog in your household, this is not recommended. Forcing a dog who might actually hold and "Alpha" position in your home can become dangerous in this position and you have a more severe problem than getting their nails trimmed. Also many dogs are more sensitive to you trimming the front paws nails than the rear. Nail trimming goes smoother this way rather than having them sit. Pulling back comes to mind in this position and tug of war with pooch is exhausting and can cause an accidental over cut to the nail.

And for cats, well keep your Terry towel handy and pull one leg out at a time while keeping Kitty snug as a bug in a rug, and your arms free from the other three feet locked and loaded for slashing.

Grooming your pet can be a wonderful experience depending on the time and energy you wish to commit to it. When introduced correctly and with patience your pet will come to look forward to this time with you. In fact they may come to love it so much you could find them racing you to the tub waiting for the pleasure to begin.

Crate Training Your Dog The Simple Way!

2008-10-27T08:27:00.031-06:00

Learn simple Dog Crate training basics. A dog crate is the ultimate tool in creating good doggie behavior.

Stop! Don't panic....take a deep breath. The solution is buying a dog crate for the whirling tornado as he or she tears through the house. Crate training is quick and easy and your peace of mind will be saved at last.

First Things First! Choosing A Crate

Hard sided crates are the only choice in crate training your dog. There are also open cage types as well, but for training purposes we will be using a solid dog crate with a grid door. You will want to find one to fit the size of the dog as an adult if you are starting with a puppy.

Rule of thumb: your dog as an adult should be able to turn around with little effort. If he or she cannot do this, the crate is too small. Upgrade to the proper size since your dog in the beginning will be spending some time in it.

Puppies especially will come to know this as their private little den or cave. When they grow up, if the crate door is left open, they will go inside on their own to sleep preferring it to other locations in the house. Same goes for an adult dog that has completed his or her training. When things become hectic in a household, your dog may seek out their favorite cave to hide away from the commotion. Believe it or not, when they have been crate trained, if the crate is not accessible, they have been known to substitute the coat closet for their personal hideout.

Rule of thumb: If you come home and Fifi or Fido doesn't answer, search the closets.

Let's Start With The Puppy Palace Basics

When introducing a new puppy or dog into the home, the crate will become your best friend next to your puppy. If you are unable to watch the puppy for any length of time you can place him or her inside so that they can be safe and secure. Don't leave them in the crate for long periods of time except only after bedtime potty break and for sleeping through the night.

Your puppy may whine and paw at the crate at first, but they will soon get used to the idea this is their spot as long as you don't respond to their whimpering. Allow them time to adjust and to settle in. Also try not to return to the crate while they are whining since this would only reinforce the bad behavior and is a tactic for attention. Time it for when he or she is quiet, even if it is just after a few moments of silence. They will soon associate good doggy behavior with you returning for some fun and games. Puppies usually whine themselves out if you just stay clear of your pup's vision outside the crate.

If you should need to do something away from your puppy, place them in the crate with a few toys to keep them occupied. Include their favorite snuggle blanket, too. The psychology behind crate training, is the puppy will never have to be exposed to you getting angry. Since he or she is in their safe spot and there is nothing for them to destroy, you will return to your little furry faced tornado with a smile and joy to reunite. Your puppy can do nothing else but practice good doggy behavior. And this behavior will transition over to behaving in your house while you are absent.

The time your puppy is not in the crate, you will always be there to scold when he or she targets the no-no's in the house. This way they will associate what is within limits, such as their chew toys and what is a big "don't you dare" item in the house. So in theory the territory is well defined.

Imagine this for a moment. If you expect a puppy to behave while you are away, yet give them full run of the house, then expect the poopers and the puddles to be in the middle of the floor and the carpet and drapes to be in shreds.

What will be your reaction:

One of outrage and blame towards the pup?
Screaming and chasing the whirling dervish?
Pulling your hair out while you cry at the mess?
Or in rare cases, while the pup stands with toilet paper wrapped around his head, you will bust out laughing at the cuteness of it all. Rare Indeed!

Unfortunately, all of the above creates an unstable environment and is extremely confusing to the puppy. If every time the puppy is allowed to misbehave through free run of your home, then you will create an adult dog that will come to fear you and will never identify with what they are doing wrong since you won't be there to define the limits. Hence the result will be a sad reunion instead of a happy one.

In the latter of examples, you will only reinforce destruction since the pup thinks what they did entertained you. Whereby continuing to do the same until one day it isn't cute anymore since now it becomes your $1000.00 bed ensemble or they have yanked the stuffing from your $5000.00 designer "one of kind" sofa. Now you have had enough of the antics and then the pup sees the ugly side of your discontent.

Is this instability or stability you have created? Without stability your pup will not come to trust you either, since they will never know when your anger might come unleashed.

Rule of thumb: Your dog or puppy are never at fault, only the pet owner due to inconsistent training patterns. Consistent training creates consistent, predictable behavior.

Rule of thumb: Don't use the crate for punishment as though the pup is now in exile. Get through the bad stuff with the scolding and only when caught in the act, then move to their puppy toys and make life fun again. Do not banish them to the crate. The crate will then become a negative.

The list of damage can be endless with free run of the house due to the destruction a puppy or an adult dog can do in an afternoon. If you perform the tirade at your pet, they will definitely know they have done something wrong, but he or she won't know how to behave in your absence and will greet you with tail and head down, waiting for their scolding. This is no way to have a rapport with your puppy or adult dog.

Rule of thumb: Create an association word when beginning crate training. For example: Box" or "Kennel", or any other associated word you would like to use.

Rule of thumb: Remember to bring the puppy's crate toys and blanket with them into the rest of the house once you are home. And praise them, giving them their toys again in the room you are now in. The blanket serves as a temporary bed and helps with transition to a regular dog bed.

This will be the beginning of recognition, his or her chew toys are the only things you want them to have and the blanket can be a target spot for them to relax out of the line of traffic. Eventually you can replace the blanket with a pet bed, giving him or her their permanent spot in your family. Practicing good behavior will become repetitive and soon provide the trust you will gain to leave him or her alone in the house.

Rule of thumb: Do not rush this transition. Yes, crate training is quick and easy, yet the consistency of training can take up to a year of your dog's life before you can trust them completely. Also never begin patterns of leaving your young adult loose in the house until well after 1 year of age and the same in time spent in crate training.

Even after some time your pet can backslide, to a lesser degree however, and the quickest way to correct it is to initially scold and then return your dog to his crate training for awhile. Give it some time. Only you can gauge his or her progress. Note again: Never punish your puppy directly if damage is discovered after the fact, only if you can intercede. Cleaning the mess with disgust in your voice without threatening posture toward your dog will be enough to tell your puppy you are displeased.

Rule of thumb: Gauging progress can be accomplished with in home tests.

Pretend to leave the house with your dog free to roam yet don't leave. Be outside somewhere you can observe your dog through a window or through a closed circuit video feed. Watch for a period of 15 to 30 minutes. If in the course of that time they do something wrong, you can burst through the door with a resounding "NO" and a clap of hands to startle them out of their treachery.

Now Stop! That's all, get the toys you want them to have and praise them for taking the toy while placing them back at their blanket location. Be deliberate about it, directness in your tone, without ceremony, yet not heavy handed.

Leave again and watch. Do not worry if they get up off the blanket, they'll eventually get the idea since we are not doing obedience training at this stage. Plus, by bursting into the house when they least expect it and preventing any damage also teaches your dog that at any time you can pop home and they will always get busted. Whereby learning the limits without practicing bad doggy behavior since prevention is also the key.

It is no different than during in house training of you defining the things that are off limits while you are present. Furthermore, once obedience training begins, your pup or adult will become even more agreeable to behaving once out of your presence. Informal puppy training begins from the moment they arrive into your home, and formal obedience training is not recommended before 6 months of age. Allow them to be a pup until this time.

Rule of thumb:This is very important! If you do one thing right it must be this! You must be consistent during this time of testing! If you cannot devote the testing time, then at the very least keep you dog in their crate when gone until such time as you can. This will not be a time to be lazy about training and the time spent doing this will make training worthwhile.

Rule of thumb: Dogs cannot determine time frames, so they learn to wait and behave since any moment they will either meet with disapproval for stubborn antics or see your smiling face come through the door for behaving themselves.

Now, if you get him or her to behave in another period of time, go through the door with praise and heap love on your best friend. Do not do this to the point of over stimulating the dog, however. This can create a problem in and of itself. But that's another story, one which will be addressed at another time. Just go through the door, love on your dog, maybe even direct them back to their blanket and toys, then go about doing something else that does not involve them, basically showing them calm behavior is the rule of the day.

Do something with them later, after they have settled down. Make the game playing a relaxing time, not a way of getting your dog all worked up. Great time to teach small tricks of patience by having your dog do something first, or make them wait before they get the reward, such as their favorite ball. This will not only teach them self control, but will further teach them they are not the complete center of your attention and you are not subject to their demands. Otherwise, this mindset of your dog can create a pet with separation anxiety, and you want to avoid this at all costs. Another reason why crate training is so important. It allows your pet to remain calm while out of your presence since the crate enclosure insulates them from outside stimuli that can make for a nervous pet, exacerbating separation issues. Exposure to proper stimuli comes when you are present and can observe.

If you can repeat this test more and more with extended periods with no mishaps, you have been successful. However, if your dog continues to try to pull a slick one, then crate training must be resumed and continued for a prolonged period.

Rule of thumb: To achieve true success in crate training, it is advisable on occasion, even though your dog is doing well, return him to a stay in the crate while you are gone. This will only reinforce good behavior and not be deemed as a form of punishment. Remember this is your dog's cave, and they love the security it offers.

Rule of thumb: Don't be in a hurry to complete training. It is more important for consistent training than to prematurely give free reign of the house. Incomplete training will only make further training more tasking.

You must remember one thing, dog crates are not cruel and your dog is not unhappy, but safe and content, since he or she knows when you return home you will be glad to reunite with them. See how content this little guy is....Pure Cuddly Heaven!

Dog Crates provide stability since behavior is consistent. It allows you to take a break from constant vigilance to prevent bad behavior. This is the only way your dog will learn the rules of right and wrong and you won't be coming home to a mess which in turn will raise your blood pressure, puppy or dog flee from your presence, and the cycle begins again.

Crates will also provide neat house habits. Potty training is accomplished with dog crates since this doubles as your puppy's sleeping quarters. Puppies and Dogs don't want to mess where they sleep. It teaches bladder control as well.

Rule of thumb: Don't ever punish your pet for having an accident in their crate.

Rule of thumb: In the early stages of puppy training they will have an accident in the crate during the night, so line well with shredded newspaper.

Rule of thumb: As soon as you arrive back home or after the overnight confinement, be sure to take your puppy to the potty location immediately. This will also aid in the puppy learning where they are to go potty after release from the crate. Without even trying you have begun the housebreaking process.

Remember, little puppies don't have the size of bladders older dogs do, so they will need to piddle more often. Removing water after 10 pm is advisable. It will be when they are about 4 - 6 months or older before they can handle an all-nighter. Especially as they grow and fill the inside of the crate's space, they will try even harder to control themselves. Just try to take them out late in the evening before sending them to their crate for the night. If they have an accident, just clean the mess in the morning without much adieu.

Trust me.....your puppy or dog are none too happy having to smell it, stand in it, or lay in it until you return home. This is punishment enough and they will avoid doing their business in the crate in the future. You can show disgust with some "yucks", showing your pet you're still not thrilled with the mess, just don't go bonkers over it. Your puppy or dog will get the idea without feeling threatened at the reunion. You will in a way be in agreement with your dog's excitement to be free from the mess they made.

Rule of thumb: Oh yeah....first wash the stinky from the feet before cleaning the mess in the crate or you might find poo on you....or tramped across the carpet en route to the sofa.

Rule of thumb: Be aware of necessary potty breaks during the day. Don't keep your pet inside a crate for endless hours. By doing this, you can create many potty mistakes, and this is not fair to your dog. Dog crates are for training purposes and safe housing, they are not for long periods of incarceration.

Your dogs' crate is also a lot easier to clean-up than it would have been out of the carpet. They will also be elated when their home is returned all spit shined once again. You'll see! It will amaze you how attached your dog or puppy will get to their crate. They will perform their happy dance once it is restored to like new condition. Don't be surprised if they run back inside of it to check out the fresh smell.

Rule of thumb: Do not use your crate as the baby sitter for your puppy when you go to work. This is cruel to the psyche of your little guy. Puppies need tons of human interaction and should never be confined to the crate for long periods except for through the night. If this is your plan, then don't get a puppy. Or at the very least provide doggy daycare or a pet sitter. Like anything else, check references for a good one.

Dogs are pack animals and you are a member (preferably the leader) of it's pack. Without you, the pup will feel abandoned, and then the crate will end up going from being a positive aspect to a negative one. Whereby, it will then become a fight just to get your furry faced one into the crate.

Puppies and dogs that are ignored make for miserable beings. Ignored pets can revert to destructive behaviors, begin whining again, and crate training will be moot. Instead the crate will forever be your pets' holding cell while you are gone.

Crate Use For The Adult Dog

Training your adult dog in the use of his crate is very similar to the puppy training. The only real differences are, they can actually spend more time in a crate than a young pup. This is not to say they should be incarcerated for extended periods. Their bowel and bladder habits are more in control so confinement isn't so pressing of an issue.

If you acquire an adult dog, whether through purchase or adoption, they will need some crate training immediately if they have never been exposed before or were just kennel dogs. This will also lay the foundation of who is head dog. The crate will assist you in controlling some ingrained bad behavior by not allowing him or her to have run of the house, doing as they please.

But you want to make this new friend of yours, part of the family, you say!

A dog crate is the answer! Again, it will make the transition easier into the new home and provide you some sanity breaks during the adjustment period. Also, unlike a puppy, if the adult dog is acting out of control, in this instance, the crate is an excellent tool for placing him or her in their crate until they settle down. If they become unruly, then crates restore peace and diffuses conflict between you and your pet. Then you can prepare to bring out whatever arsenal of training equipment you might have to begin good doggy behavior and establish you as the lead pack member. This will help them from being banished to the dog house.

In dealing with the adult dog, unlike the impressionable puppy, you may need to take a stronger stand when it comes to howling, barking or whining while in their crate. Even when the pup is of an older age, 6 months or more, you can apply this training practice for such rude behavior.

Training Tip: If your pooch is whining or being obnoxious at trying to get your attention you must now insist on good behavior. Get a spray water bottle and mix in it 50/50 parts water and vinegar. Have it handy near the crate. When your pooch starts to cry out for attention, you will be ready. Spray several squirts into his face and abruptly say something like, "stop that noise".

Training Tip Tool: Another alternate, but not nearly as effective a tool, is the soda can filled with coins. Again, place near crate and when the barking or whining begins again, shake the can loudly while giving your "no noise" command. In this exercise the sound of the coins in the can is deafening to your dog and he will not be too happy. It will literally startle him out of his puppy blues.

Training Tip Tool: Some dogs may also develop a habit of digging or pawing at the floor of their crate or the door grid. This should be stopped as well and a good spritz of "Eau de Vinegar Parfum" at your dogs face should distract nicely, and should be accompanied with a firm "NO". This should never be tolerated. Digging can become a nervous habit and can then be switched to areas in your yard, or worse in the center of your carpet.

Either tool you use will be subject to your dog's sensitivity to it. One deals with taste and smell, and the other deals with their sense of hearing. Both are offensive to your dog in either form. Never strike your dog for making noise.

When dealing with an animal that might be on it's way to being your household guardian, we don't recommend using the word "NO" when he or she is barking in the crate. This word means never again, and we do not want to stop the dog from barking his warnings permanently.

We want to train him to behave while in his crate, but to bark when necessary. Being the house guardian is a good example when barking is preferred.

An adult dogs psyche can also be tender depending on their past owners, but again, through consistency, placing him or her in the crate unceremoniously and using your "no noise" tools, your new dog will quickly come to realize the benefits also of having his or her own private domain. Adult dogs are territorial and his or her crate will become theirs to defend and enjoy. Just utilize patience!

Also remember, an adult dog needs a lot of exercise. So after being cooped up for any period of time....please give your pet some vigorous play or a nice long walk in the fresh air.

Observe Crate Behavior: Ever been to a dog show? Go sometime and observe some of the dogs in their crates.

There you will see dogs ranging from the feisty Mini Schnauzer to the laid back Saint Bernard and all breeds in between, either defending their crates with fervor or snoozing contently waiting for their turn in the ring.

These are not dogs dying of boredom, but are content in the safety of their crate from the evil that can approach from out of nowhere. Nor should they be considered vicious when defending their territory in a strange area and you are the outsider as well. Remove these same dogs from their crate and they will turn into tail-wagging, face-licking bundles of fur.

In other words, you are not the member of their pack. Don't be insulted by their tenacity of indifference toward you, but realize that if these dogs were loathsome of their crates, and did not perceive their crates "as home", then the last thing they would be doing is defending it so, or chillin' in the shade. Proper dog crate training methods are key.

In Closing

Now you have the basics of dog crate training so that you too can have a pet that will not only love his crate, but will prefer it at times. And you will do it right before any damage can be done. As you read earlier, unless you might acquire a dog that didn't have life as good as you now can provide. You will have your work cut out for you a bit, but you can take a crate and turn it into a good thing through the methods provided and maintain your sanity.

You will find a dog crate to be indispensable. You will never want to be without one. Just as children have their rooms for timeouts, so too should your fuzzy faced friend. The crate will provide the quiet room for your pet in the event he or she is getting in the way or acting too rambunctious at the inopportune time. Eventually, just a strong command to the crate will be all your dog will need, and you won't even need to close the door anymore to confine him or her. Their understanding of what you expect of them will become ingrained through training and they will gladly go to their cave when they sense mom or dad are having a bad day. Ah! Sanctuary.

Also by using the crate for training your pet, if you should ever have to travel via air, your pet will feel secure in his crate, even maybe defending it against ground crew as he or she is loaded on the plane. The dog crate creates the barrier your pet needs against the bad things in life including a stranger handling their dog crate. Once on board, your dog is now in his or her cave within a cave, and the transition should be smooth. Spending the time it took to make your pet feel safe inside their crate will give you peace of mind and security that it was well worth it. Hallelujah!!!

Rule of thumb: In the event you must travel with them via air, where the dog is placed in the hull of the plane....please oh please make sure your grommets are all there and have been re-tightened. These can work loose over time, between your dog's moving around inside, leaning against the walls, and bopping up and down with excitement to see you home. Don't let your pet fall victim to getting loose inside the hull of the plane. This can become a catastrophe for your buddy, and the news could be devastating. So take the few minutes you need to check those suckers, and hunker down on them. You will be so glad you did.

Be Aware: Certain breeds of dogs have an inherent tendency to be destructive regardless of crate training. If these types of dog breeds are not nurtured and allowed to do the things their breed was genetically bred for, you will have enormous damage done to your home. So if you ignore or neglect your pet's inherent character traits and don't do things with them to stimulate and charge their brains' to their fullest potential, plan on forever owning a pet that will need to be crated every time you leave the house.

Reminder: Bored dogs will create their own fun if you don't provide it, Guaranteed.

What are you waiting for? Get started today making life easier and wonderful for you and your dog. Buy that crate!

Pet Beds For Dogs And Cats! Their Safe Haven!

2008-10-20T10:57:00.020-06:00

Luxury Pet Beds provide your Dog Or Cat with a spot in your home they can call their own.

Designer pet beds are an excellent choice for creating a private niche for your dog or cat. Make them feel special by giving them their very own pet bed to curl up in for a nap.

Show You Care

Dog and cat beds are an excellent item to have in your home. They come in all sizes and give your pet a place they can curl up out of the way of the daily routine you and your family may go through everyday.

You can find your dog or cat a luxury bed, designer style pet bed, heated or cooled, or just a simple plain one to throw in a corner of the room. Either way you go, your dog or cat will love their own little spot. Pet beds are the next best thing to them having their own crate, only cushier. Also the latest and greatest for your pet is a cat or small dog hammock. They can be freestanding or mounted on a wall. They will contour to your pets' shape and relieve pain from pressure points on their little bodies, especially as they age. A cat hammock can be suspended from a windowsill so your kitty can not only enjoy a nap up out of the way, but survey his or her outside world.

Also, this is a great way to establish from day one where they sleep so as not to select the furniture, perhaps your favorite chair, or your own bed. If this is allowed, in some cases, your pet may dominate the roost and be quite unwilling to share a spot with you on your own bed. Or the next best thing, they tend to interrupt some snuggle time with your loved one. Now it becomes a contest of wills. Let's face it folks, especially those with larger dogs, there just isn't enough room for all three of you in the bed at once. Best to prevent this by having a bed ready for them upon their arrival and teaching them "this is their spot". Make the floor a comfort zone and they should come to prefer it quite nicely.

For cat owners, sharing your bed is another issue altogether. For peace and sanity, some cats do better residing outside the bedroom or you may be subjected to the Kitty Alarm Clock! Let us give you an example: Be sure to pause music player up on left of screen.

If you've ever owned a cat...
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The Quiet Routine

Not only do dogs love to have their own bed, but it will also provide you an area of the home you can send them to if he or she should get under foot. You can transition from crate training to a bed once your pet understands the command you wish to use to send them to their private spot by showing them through direction what you expect of them.

This will give your pet stability by removing them from what might be a chaotic situation, whereby, you won't be yelling at your friend to get out of your way. Give them a chew toy to have with them on their bed. This will instill good doggy behavior.

The Kitty Kastle

There are some great cat beds that not only provide cushy comfort, but some are designed with the bed built into a Kitty cubby. With this design, your cat can run and hide to feel secure or play hide and seek, then pouncing on the unsuspecting feet as they stroll by. The cave like enclosure gives a cat something new to explore. Their own special room they will finally turn into their favorite spot where they can feel special, enjoying their favorite past time!

If space will allow, try to elevate your cats' bed up off the floor somewhere out of the way of any mishaps. Your cat will prefer it more if they can be up higher than the local foot traffic. A window seat works well or even up on the back of your sofa. Just so long as it becomes their own safe haven.

If you think cats prefer to sleep where ever, you may be surprised to learn by not providing a kitty bed for Fluffy, you may soon see Fido, the family dog, exiled to staring longingly at their own bed as fluffy proceeds to take over residence.

Keep It Clean, Folks

Dogs and cats bring in debris or airborne allergens inside, hitching a ride on their coats. So make sure you get a bed for ease of cleaning, the kind you can remove the cover from and throw into the wash. Built up levels of pollen can increase the probability of your dog or cat getting allergies. If luxury or designer dog and cat beds are what you prefer, then get a good anti-allergen fabric steam cleaner for cleaning the bed if it does not come with a removable cover. The Little Green Machine is an excellent choice.

Along with a weekly washing of the bed during heavy pollen season, make sure you keep your pooch perky and your cat fastidious by keeping their coat free from these nasty pollens as well. This will also help to keep animal dander from accumulating on their bed. Practicing good grooming habits will reduce the airborne allergens in your home, keeping you from suffering as well.

Use It Or Lose It

Remember, when bringing a puppy into your home and giving him or her their own bed, if you have not taught proper crate training etiquette, your pup may decide to turn his pet bed into a giant chew toy. Make sure when introducing the bed to your best friend, to let them know when in use, the bed is for snoozing, not for chewing, so remember to keep the almighty chew toy handy.

Rule of thumb: If you find chewing on the bed to be cute and your pup will outgrow it, think again. Many people make this sad mistake. Your pup will think yanking the stuffing out of his or her favorite bed to be great fun and transition to the cushions on your couch. Guaranteed!

Dogs and Puppies don't understand the difference between chair stuffing and bed stuffing. It's all soft to them. So make sure you practice puppy training from the beginning by observing your dog and letting them know, chewing on their designer pet bed is not allowed.

Here's to catching some ZZZzzzz's!

Traveling With Your Pet The Responsible Way!

2008-10-13T06:06:00.044-06:00

Prepare for traveling with your pet. Know local and international pet travel policies and safety first.

Are you ready to withstand the Airline's pet travel policies? Are you clear on traveling with your pet within the United States? Do you understand the rules for International pet travel? If you're not sure, then this will be your guide.

Having The Proper Tools For Travel With Your Pet

When traveling with your dog or cat, you will need either a soft sided pet carrier for taking in the cabin, or a hard shelled crate to place in the hull of the plane. Like anything else you do with your pet, make sure they have had time to acclimate to the crate. Dogs will be comfortable if you have done your crate training program. Cats can be acclimated if placed inside for short periods, including feeding them in it, and using it for short trips in the car or to the vet.

Typically, soft sided carriers are for cats and smaller dogs that can fit comfortably under the seat in front of you. When traveling with a larger dog, they will have to go down below with the luggage. You can purchase the soft stylish carriers for your dog or cat from one of the online stores. Sherpa Carriers, provide information on their tags about size and weight requirements which fall within the airline industry guidelines. Make sure you have plenty of absorbent material inside for the trip in case of an accident.

Hard sided dog crates can also be purchased online and you can usually find a dog crate at a discount compared to purchasing directly from the airlines.

Note: Always check with the airline you are traveling with at time of purchase of your ticket, or within 4 weeks of travel to make sure your pet can travel with you on the flight. The more notice you give, the better odds since most airlines only allow one animal in the cabin at a time per flight.

A fee of $50.00 one way or more can be assessed by the airline for this added benefit. Pets no longer get a free ride. Reservations will still not guarantee your pet will be allowed on board. And once on board don't take your pet out of the carrier to hold them. They should be confined at all times within the carrier for their safety and for the other passengers on the plane.

Note: Never assume because you are a passenger you should be able to throw a pet on the plane with you last minute, like an extra carry-on bag.

The airlines need to prepare for the arrival and a minimum of 24 hours notice must be given. Southwest Airlines doesn't allow pets at all unless the animal is for a disability.

Note: Make sure you have given the airline all important information about your pet including care instructions and health information.

If your pet is going in with the luggage, make sure copies of your documentation including your destination and vital statistics on your pet along with any care instructions are attached to the top of the crate. This will be important in the event of some delays or changing flights, or worse case scenario, an incident involving your pet.

Note: Avoid confusion when traveling or shipping your pet. If traveling with you, the airline will take your pet at the passenger check-in. Do not take your pet to this location if traveling without you.

Each airline has a cargo section for shipping pets as freight. You will need to locate the airline's freight office and take your pet there. They require a minimum of 1 hour prep time before loading your pet on board. You will also need to make your reservation for shipment through the Airline's cargo reservation. Don't call passenger booking.

Again, check with the freight office on what their shipping policies are. Freight fees will be assessed at time of weigh in. You can call ahead and give an approximate weight of your pet in order to check price, however, only final weigh in will give the complete freight total.

Note: Also if your pet shows overly aggressive tendencies toward the ground crew, such as guarding his or her crate to the extreme, without a doubt, unfortunately, the airline freight office will be forced to deny your pet's boarding.

This is due to the concern of safe handling and the possibility of your pet breaking free of his crate during the flight. So you will now need to reschedule for another time.

You may be forced to sedate your pet to get them where they need to be on the day of travel. Only do this with the supervision of a veterinarian. Using sedatives without proper precautions can result in your pet's death in flight. Take extreme care and always consult your Vet first.

Bring along your pet's favorite toys and a first aid kit designed for dogs and cats. Bring their favorite food and treats. Have your leash and collar, favorite bowls, health records, and for added safety, this may be the best time to have a microchip inserted under your pet's skin.

Don't forget Proper Documentation Is Required

You will need to obtain a health certificate, typically no more than 10 days before departure. Along with this document, you will need to provide proof of an up to date Rabies Vaccine. Without these you will not be allowed to board with your dog or cat, nor check them in as freight. Your pet should also not show any visible effects of illness at time of travel. The airline can still deny boarding even with proper documentation if they deem him or her to be ill. These rules are not flexible.

Rabies Vaccine is exempt if you are traveling with a puppy. They are not required to have a rabies vaccine since they are too young. Check the cutoff date for rabies vaccine for your precious bundle. Your tiny mop of fur must be at least 8 weeks of age and fully weaned for a period of 5 days for travel with the airline.

Rule of thumb: Your veterinarian should have all the up to date information that pertains to traveling with your pet. Always check with them first, airlines second, as this information can change without prior notice.

Please don't be the passenger that ends up getting upset at the airline staff when your pet is denied boarding for failing to provide these items. And sneaking a pet on board can cause you to be expelled from the flight and you can be denied further boarding with that particular air carrier for all future travel.

As much as you love your pet and you feel that all people, including airline crew will just swoon and die with affection for your cute bundle of fur, they've seen and heard it all before. Furthermore, they can be tough cookies' to crack and you will find little in the way of the bending of rule exemption. And remember, try to be understanding of their position and the safety and comfort of your fellow passengers. The booking agents are only looking out for you and your fellow passengers' best interest in flight travel.

Pulling a last ditch effort to plead confusion or "I didn't know", will not fly with these well-trained staff. Plus, you will only further aggravate the situation with fellow passengers that may be standing in line behind you. Your argument will fall on deaf ears and you may force the airline to take a firm stance by having you removed from the terminal. Better to square away the pet reservation and the criteria involved than to be one of those stressed passengers that will either have to send the pet packing with somebody else, and this can be a nightmare all by itself, or miss your flight all together when you refuse to leave your pet behind. Either way, you and your pet both lose.

Note: Be aware that if your animal is too large to go into the cabin, then at certain times of the year your pet will not be allowed to travel due to extreme temperatures of heat or cold.

The hull of the plane is climate controlled, however, during times on the tarmac before takeoff and after landing, the temperatures in the winter can reach a chilly 35 or less, and during the summer months the temps can soar to over 100 degrees. Both scenarios can prove deadly for your pet especially if they are not acclimated to these changes in temperature. Short snout breeds in dogs or cats such as Persian, Exotic Shorthairs, Burmese Cats, Chinese Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Pekinese, just to name a few, have extreme sensitivity to breathing especially in high temps. Be very careful when shipping the smooshy faced kitty's or the short snouted breeds of dogs.

Note: Check again with the airline you will be traveling with since certain airlines will still allow travel on the plane, but may require you take a flight at a particular time of day to avoid these extremes in temperatures.

Or it can be as simple as flying on a non-stop flight that will help you travel with your pet. Some airlines though will have pet travel embargoes at certain times of the year regardless of flight times.

Note: Whenever possible, try to take non-stop flights to help avoid delays or confusion of flight transfer. A lost pet can create a terrible scenario.

If this should happen, contact the airline staff immediately since they have a tracking system to locate the lost crate. And then the local humane shelters at last known location and follow up daily until your pet is located. Microchip.....microchip......microchip. Can't emphasize this enough.

Exemption Status: Service animals for people with disabilities can take their dog with them on board the plane as long as they do not occupy the space outside their owner's seat or block the aisles. If your service animal is of the larger breeds, you may be required to purchase the seat next to you so the animal has more room to be comfortable. Otherwise, assistance animals usually fly for free with their owners on domestic flights. All other documentation requirements apply. Again, just check with the airline to be sure of their requirements.

Pet Travel Within The United States

USDA Regulations requires the health certificate for taking your pet across state lines when traveling by air or car. Of course when traveling by car you may not encounter state check points, however, better to have all documentation with you than to encounter the same as with the airline. Denied entry with your pet due to improper documentation.

Again make sure you have your dog or cat I.D.'s on them and it is truly the best thing to have the microchip inserted. This new technology has reunited many pet's and their owner's separated by hundreds of miles. The problem with collars sometimes, is the pet can slip them from their head or they can get caught on something and be strangled. Collars on an unattended pet can not always be the best case. However, that was all that was available to the pet owner in the past. Now with this new technology we can avoid mishaps with collars and have a data chip painlessly inserted under the skin.

Hawaii is a rabies free state, so they will be very stringent on entry from pet's outside their state if you are not a resident. They will have a quarantine timeframe and and it can be up to 120 days long. So if you are thinking vacation time, best to leave your friend at home. You can check Hawaii Travel Regulations at their website. Residents of Hawaii can have shorter quarantine time, as little as 5 days as long as they follow the guidelines. Quarantine facilities are only in Honolulu, so any other routing which does not go through this city in Hawaii, pets will not be allowed to fly at all. Also, the fees for quarantine are payable in advance for your dog or cat.

Taking Your Pet International

Traveling with your pet internationally can be a daunting task and one that Fido or Fifi may not be up to. You, yourself as the pet owner may find it extremely challenging to try and travel with your pet under the conditions of each country's criteria for quarantine regulations. When traveling from the U.S. to foreign countries you will find the quarantine timeframes to be strictly enforced and expensive to say the least. Most quarantine facilities require payment up front as well. It is not advisable for U.S. citizens to take their pets abroad unless it is for a permanent move and you are willing to endure the quarantine timeframes. You will need to check with the Nation's Embassy you will be traveling to.

Quarantine restrictions vary from country to country, however with Defra-Pet Travel Animal Health and Welfare coming on the scene to aid people in bringing their pets with them for the long haul, this may be the avenue you seek so you will not have to leave your dog or cat behind. This program was originally designed for cat and dog residents of the UK and who will be returning again after foreign travel outside the UK. For initial entry into the UK, proper blood tests must be conducted 6 months prior to arrival to avoid the long quarantine times.

Remember what was mentioned earlier about Microchips? Well this is a requirement for travel to the UK. No exceptions!

Under even the best conditions for vacation travel, it is best to locate an excellent kennel or friend to care for your dog or cat while you traipse abroad. This type of long distant travel unless absolutely necessary can bring extreme stress for both you and your pet and may not be worthwhile to attempt it. You are not doing an injustice to your pet to locate a good pet sitter, but are providing a stable environment without the hubbub of long distance air travel.

Bringing dogs or cats back to the U.S. will usually require similar rules as far as health documentation and vaccinations for travel within the U.S., except you will be faced with a 30 day quarantine. The location can be of the owner's choosing, and once your pet has passed the deadline, you can take them home with you. Again, check with USDA Regulations on what you need to do to carry this out. There is also an excellent organization who can further assist you with Pet Relocation Specialists all over the world. They have great news updates and articles on those trying to bring pets back into the U.S.

Foreign policy: When checking with the foreign embassy of the country you are traveling to, be aware that certain breed types are forbidden entry due to their tendency toward aggression. You will need to be sure the breed you are traveling with does not fall into their vicious dog mandate, preventing your dog from coming with you.

Traveling With Your Dog Or Cat In The Covered Wagon

Car trips are less stressful to your pet since you can make pit stops whenever necessary. They will be quite comfortable either in a luxury dog or cat carrier or for the shorter trip, a dog car harness or dog seatbelt are an excellent device. These will secure your pet's safety in the event of an accident, and a safety harness can prevent accidental escape if the car door were opened at an inopportune time.

They make nice cat harnesses as well for taking your cat outside to stretch their legs, too. However, in regards to cat's and untrained dogs, please do not travel with them outside of their crate to avoid the hopeless mishap. Place collar or harness on your pet and attach to leash before opening the car doors or windows. This will insure safety for your furry pals. Remember, your pet is just like you in terms of feeling cooped up. Long distance travel can create pent up nervous energy in your pet causing them to try and bolt from the car. "Free at last, oh Lord I am free at last".

Things to take along with you on a road trip:

Your pet's own diet and water
Your pet's own bedding for familiar comfort
Your pet's identification and health records
Your pet's training tools and toys
Your pet's emergency medical kit
Your pet's food and water dishes
Your pet's grooming supplies
Your pet's medication, if any
Your pet's own doggie backpack, for backpack enthusiasts
A full litter pan and extra litter for Kitty

When traveling by car, try to make frequent stops about every 2 hours or so. Allow your pet to stretch their legs a bit and enjoy some fun time. Avoid stopping near heavily traveled roadsides. Truck stops are usually a good choice. Potty breaks all around!

With a cat, try to locate some area with loose dirt or woodchips, like a flower bed so your cat will be more at home as though in a litter box. Once finished, be considerate, even though Fluffy buried it, still pick it up when your cat moves on to something new.

A Day At Sea

Another great past time with your dog. Take them along with you for a day on the water. Breeds who especially love water will find this time spent with you to be wonderful. You can enjoy the sea air and splash in the water together when needing a dip. You can cover vast areas of water and park your boat on a beach to have a picnic while Fido splashes in the waves.

Just remember it can get very hot out on a boat so make sure you provide for some kind of shade if you're going to spend any amount of time out on the water. Also a doggie life vest is recommended for breeds who may not be that great in the water or for any breed traveling full time on a vessel as his or her lifestyle during bouts of bad weather. They make a vest with a handle on the back for easy grabbing in an emergency rescue for the pet who has fallen overboard. Also, make sure you have plenty of fresh water on board. Drinking from the lake is not ideal or letting them drink salt water will make your pet sick.

Many retirees travel by yacht or sailboat down balmy coasts of tropical lands and take their beloved pets with them. Only bringing them ashore for exercise or a potty break. When doing the latter, please pick up after your dog, do not kick sand over the mess for some child to discover while making a sand castle. Others are there for their vacation as well, and the last thing they wish to do is step in a pile of dog poo! Show consideration even though you are simply passing through.

This is one more thing that contributes to others disliking animals and their owners. Be a doggie ambassador, always!

Doggie Backpacking

This can be an incredible experience when doing this type of travel with your dog. Hiking in the woods or mountains, camping out under the stars, while your loyal companion guards your campsite at night. It is a thrill to be sure.

Your dog will really enjoy this if he or she is brought along into it correctly. Start with short hikes, maybe just around your local park in order for them to get used to the feel and weight of the dog backpack after the food has been loaded on board. Increase your time out and about and pretty soon your dog will be fit to go on longer hiking distances. Don't rush it and make it fun for your working dog.

Remember your dog may not be as fit as you think. The added weight from the dog pack can really change your dogs' ability to keep up with the family pack. Take many rests, and make sure you are either packing a lot of water or you are traveling around clean water tributaries so that they can get a drink often. Avoid stagnant water sources or watering holes used by livestock. This can pose a health issue for your companion later on, however, can be remedied with some medicine from your Vet. Supplement their diet with high caloric food during the hike. Just like you, they need their energy stores to be fueled for more hiking. Once a day feeding will not do it. There are excellent freeze dried products coming on the scene for backpacking dogs.

Also this is not a past time for the untrained dog. In order for you to feel secure in your pet's safety and know you can control them under any unforeseen circumstance that can pop up in the wilds, your dog must be fully and reliably obedience trained. Otherwise they are on the leash at all times, no exceptions.

Also do not allow your dog to bother or bark at other hikers, wildlife, stock animals, or anything else you may find along your hiking trail, especially when settling in for the night at a campground. Be considerate of your fellow campers. And watch for snakes and porcupines. OUCH!. Most wildlife will avoid your campsite once they get a whiff of your dog, so he or she will bring that added security they provide at night while snoozing away.

When packing your dog's pack it should not exceed 20% of your dog's weight. This should be the maximum they should carry. You will have to take up the slack and carry the balance of their load if they should need more provisions.

Example: a 100 pound dog should carry no more than 20 pounds. And this amount should be reduced if dealing with not as powerful a breed. For instance you may want to lighten the load if say packing with a Greyhound or forego this challenge if your dog of choice is a Bassett Hound. The Greyhound is powerful, yet lean and not built for packing, but for speed. A Bassett is a nice stout dog, but due to his long back and short structure, their body by design does not make them a desirable backpacking companion. So please use common sense as this is a guideline only and should also depend on your dog's ability and body structure. Typically if the animal has good symmetry then they should be able to carry 20% of their body weight without difficulty. Dog backpacking is not recommended for short snout breeds. For example; Boxers though strong and well balanced, may prove to have trouble performing back-packing skills for long distances. So be wary of problems that may arise with your dog, and always keep an eye on their breathing. Heat Stroke is to be avoided at all costs.

The Dreaded Hotel Stay

Hotels are getting more and more difficult to locate that will except pets nowadays, and it is due in part of past pet owners not being considerate of other hotel guests. For example, leaving their dog behind to howl and bark in the room while they go out on the town. Or the cat or dog have soiled the room and caused considerable damage. Hotels can ill afford to upset a majority of people over the few people traveling with their pets. It has been in the past and expensive compromise. Even in pet friendly hotels, barking dogs and their owners are typically expelled from the hotel immediately.

In fact it is becoming so increasingly difficult to get a hotel to allow your pet in, more pet owners are sneaking their animals into the rooms after dark. Just be aware of one thing, if you choose to forgo the research for the hotels on your route of travel that will take your pet, and play hide the kitty cat or puppy poo, the hotel will have your credit card at check in and they will use it. Yes indeedy! They can not only nail you for damages, but slap a hefty charge based on a cleaning deposit for use of the room by your dog or cat.

Why do they treat you so badly about your pet?
Are the hotel curators hateful towards dogs and cats?
Is it a conspiracy of unfairness toward fellow pet lovers?

Not at all! In spite of the obvious, such as noise and mess, it can be more involved.

In fairness to the hotels and their reasoning behind defining pet friendly hotels versus non pet friendly is the fact there are other people, believe it or not, that have severe dog or cat allergies. Bet that never crossed many pet owners minds!

These patrons must feel secure in the knowledge they aren't going to be exposed to pet dander or hair. This is just like a non-smoking or smoking room.

Hotels which allow pets will clearly define these rooms and hold them back strictly for pet owners and they are typically smoking rooms that are used for this purpose. The other rooms will remain animal free of dander and hair, giving the people who may find the odors offensive or have a reaction of some kind to also have a place to stay. The point is, everyone who stays there will know what they are paying for. No surprises in other words. And everyone is happy! Some hotels also only allow dogs and are not cat friendly since cat dander also sticks to the walls and can remain in a room forever. Plus cat urine, well that is just impossible to remove completely from carpet and pad.

Worth noting: So please keep this in mind the next time you consider to do the sneaky thing of bringing your pet into a non pet friendly hotel. You may literally be responsible for sending someone to the emergency room. So be a considerate pet owner and remember, not all people have dogs or cats for the obvious reasons, and heaven forbid, may actually dislike them as well.

Now we don't want to discourage you because there are still a handful of pet friendly hotels you can find out there. You will just need to spend the time checking into it before you travel. This is why we suggest you take the time and really plan and not go by the seat of your pants when traveling with a pet. It will be quite the adventure to be sure, let alone not finding a place to stay. Certain highly traveled cities will have more to offer in the way of pet friendly hotels and smaller, less traveled cities may be void of any. It will depend on where you are going to. Don't leave this one to chance.

Travel Etiquette

To all you pet friendly folks we would like to share with you the do's and don'ts of having your pet with you in travel and public places during your excursion.

Do's:

Do keep your cat or dog on a leash or in harness at all times when out and about. Pet Safety is the key. Unfamiliar territory for both you and your pet can make for an unsafe mix.
Do teach your dog some basic obedience. Doing this will only create a happier trip when you can control your dog.
Do keep your dog away from other people while out seeing the sites. Not everyone wants a puppy kiss or a roll in the grass.
Do have your medical kit handy at all times, whether in a satchel or in the nearby car, including all prescriptions that your pet needs.
Do keep your pet's messes cleaned up, especially in a local park or beach. Nobody wants the gooey surprise they might find while skipping over the lawn, or digging in the sand.
Do keep your pet on their own diet. Changes in diet combined with travel can make for messy results, if you get the smelly drift.
Do provide plenty of water at all times. Be careful with your short snout breeds especially during hot and humid days.
Do enjoy your time together and take lots of pictures.

Don'ts:

Don't allow your dog to trample over people with his or her gregarious ways. No slobbering of faces and smelling of crotches. Some people may actually be quite afraid of your beloved pet.
Don't allow your dog to bark non-stop in any location, inside or outside, even if you think he or she is just having fun. You may be disturbing the locals or another vacationer who only seeks their own peace and relaxation.
Don't allow your dog's leash out full length when walking around heavy crowds. Nobody enjoys being hoisted off balance by the wooly mammoth, or tripping over the low rider fur-ball.
Don't allow free reign in wide open spaces, since you can never be sure what your dog may encounter or do. Example: tainted food, sharp glass or nails, discarded trash or needles. This will certainly make for an expensive trip to the Emergency Vet Clinic and may quite possibly shorten your vacation. Or your dog running full out toward an elderly person or small child can be terrifying to them and if your dog were to knock them down you would be held liable if they should sustain any injuries.
Don't tie your pet off on a pole or hydrant while you go inside a store. You may come back to either a chewed leash with fuzz face nowhere to be found, or worse case, someone helped themselves to a new friend and you are equally as miserable. Or worse case scenario your dog gets in a fight with another dog passing by or someone who may go to pet your dog may get bitten because your pet is feeling a bit anxious. Again you would be liable.
Don't ignore "Keep Pets On Leash" or "No Pets Allowed" signage. Even though you may not understand why you can't allow them to run free or take your best friend along with you into a park or on a trail or into a local store, at the very least respect those that placed the signs. Even though some view their pets as children, this should not give them a sense of entitlement. The signs are posted for a reason. Be a good pet owner and simply obey them! Otherwise conflict could ensue and ruin a peaceful outing for you and your pet.
Don't ever leave your dog or cat unattended in a parked car for any length of time. If you must do it for a brief period, make sure plenty of air can get to the dog or cat. Be mindful of temp changes. Remember, a balmy 85 degrees outside can actually climb to a 110 degrees in a parked car. This will bring about certain heatstroke, followed by death.

Just be mindful of your fellow travelers, tourists, or just plain old neighbors and make for a pleasant trip by being a courteous pet owner. Other folks will not only appreciate it, but might even view your pet as the best thing on four legs.

Most people whom you may encounter usually have good reason for disliking animals and it isn't always the animal per se, but the thoughtless pet owner who views their animal as the center of their world who allows their pet to behave out of control, that has put the sour taste in other people's mouths. Don't be one of those who has little regard for others and cares nothing of other peoples' needs.

Be the courteous pet owner and show them what an excellent pet owner you are and what good manners your pet has. They can be the ambassador of pet relations to children, elderly, and all around good folk, showing them that pets create for a balance in our souls, overall health, and life.

So....be like footprints in the sand, enjoy yourself, leave little impact on your environment and always be courteous to those around you, so like the footprints in the sand when the water washes over them, it will be as though you were never there.

Happy Trails!

Pet Carriers, Not Just For Travel!

2008-10-06T10:23:00.010-06:00

Specific Dog Carriers provide a safe spot during training, rest time, and when traveling with your dog.

Getting ready to travel or fly somewhere? Maybe you are bringing home a new dog to the house? Designer Dog Carriers and Dog Crates are excellent for these purposes. They will keep your pet safe and secure.

No Worries, They Are For Cats Too

Are you concerned about bringing home your new cat, kitten, puppy or dog? Wondering about how you are going to watch him or her all the time? Well, this is where the stylish dog carrier, luxury cat carrier or simple standard crate can help you. These are excellent training tools. And also provide a safe spot your dog or Kitty can call their own.

Soft Sided Carriers are ideal for the cat or little dog and add to your pet's comfort when leaving the house. Whether traveling by car or airplane, your pets' carrier should make them feel right at home. Home away from Home so to speak.

Different Sizes And Styles For Different Uses.

Soft sided luxury dog carriers are available for the various sizes of small dog breeds. As we know the small dog comes in many sizes: from the tiny Pomeranian to the beefy Chinese Pug.

For example; your tiny Pomeranian would need a small stylish dog carrier. Your Mini Schnauzer would need a medium dog carrier. And your Chinese Pug would need a large carrier. Just check out the weight and height charts when purchasing your dog's soft sided carrier. In some cases they make extra large, depending on the weight of your dog.

These types of carriers are excellent for traveling, since many airlines allow pets to come on board with you on the plane and they have been approved for travel with most major airlines. They also make a nice place for your smaller dog when going to the Vet. A dog carrier will give a sense of security for him or her. Safe from the larger dogs which might also be in the waiting room at the time, and to the larger dog your little guy can look like their snack.

Dog crates are hard shelled and are typically used for large breed dogs. Crates come in smaller sizes as well, but are only typically used for the puppy version of a large breed dog needing to be shipped to another location. Small breeds will also use a crate when not traveling with it's owner, but are traveling to a new owner or being shipped to be bred afar. The smaller version of crate size is also excellent for giving the smaller dog a place to sleep and feel secure.

The hard shelled dog carrier also is an excellent training tool for breaking a new puppy to housetraining. They keep him or her from chewing up the house if you should have to go somewhere briefly and can't watch your new puppy or dog. Be sure to purchase a dog crate based on the size your puppy will reach in adulthood for training and ongoing use. You will find crate training to be invaluable.

Never use a soft sided dog carrier for training purposes or to leave a dog or puppy unattended, unless you enjoy picking up the shredded remains around the house, along with the many piles of poo. You may even come to find your new fuzzy friend has moved on to the sofa cushions and has redesigned it just for you.

Choosing The Right Dog Carrier

Dog carriers are an owner's best item to have in their arsenal of pet products. They provide security for you, safety for your dog and cat, and for your homes' lovely surroundings.

Choosing the right pet carrier, whether it be for traveling purposes, or for training is the decision you need to make. Depending on the size of your dog or cat you may want to buy both types. Maybe a nice luxury dog carrier for your pet to travel in style. In fact some pet carriers are getting pretty swanky for the small dog owner.

The hard sided small cat or dog crate is better suited for hanging out around the house or for quiet time when you need a break from supervising your 4 legged whirlwind. However, absolutely, go for the cushy comfort if the trip is short, such as to the Veterinarian, grocery store or your local Veterinarian.

Either way just ask yourself a few questions:

How big will my puppy get?
Do I need one just for travel use?
What are my goals in puppy training?
Am I prepared to understand proper use of a crate?

Once you identify your goals of use for the carrier for your cat, kitten, dog or puppy, only then will you make a proper buying decision.

Time to go shopping before that new pet arrives!

Adopt A Cat!

2008-10-03T05:35:00.051-06:00

Adopt a Cat and save a life. Cat Adoption is offered through Cat Rescues and local Shelters.

Did you know that only 1 in 12 cats born ever find a permanent home? These are sad statistics. Only you can help save a life. Adopt a Cat today!

Garfield Gives The Thumbs Up For Cat Adoption

Bringing an adopted cat or kitten home with you can be a warming experience. Go to your local shelter or cat rescue and adopt your feline counterpart.

If you can't find one in the many locations available for you to adopt, then you are way too picky. Or let's say finicky. Hey, then you and your new cat should get along great!!!

Are You Ready For A Cat?

These are important questions, ones which you should ask yourself before adopting your new Kitten or Adult Cat.

What kind of home can I provide?

How will they fit into my lifestyle?

Can I find time to give to my cat during the day?

Can I provide my cat with proper shelter and safety?

Can I handle the expense of providing the best in pet nutrition?

Am I committed to providing stability through love and proper handling?

Am I prepared for the added financial task it will require for his or her health care?

If you can answer these questions with confidence that will benefit both of you, then by all means go for it, and get ready for enjoying the greatest experience that a life-long companion will bring into your life. And I do mean for life.

Make No Mistakes On This Choice

A visit to your local shelter or cat rescue will paint a sad picture of the amount of abandoned animals that are out there; 8 to 12 million per year. And now with the overcrowding of our shelters, many of these animals must be euthanized. So be sure on your choice because the little fuzz face you pick has had enough bad luck and doesn't need a repeat of the fate you would rescue them from.

As you stroll past the cages, you will see young and old, pure breed and mixed breed, all with fuzzy faces staring back at you with hopeful intensity, waiting patiently for their turn at a new home. After all, it is all they can do in their cage, is wait and wonder if this next person will want them.

The life of a cat can be from 10 to 20 years, so be sure you can commit this much time to your new pet. After all, your cat should never be disposable. Isn't that why they are at shelters in the first place? Their last owner apparently thought so.

Cats Do Strange Things

When making the decision to bring a cat home, you must decide if you can deal with house cat behavior. Their antics can be quite comical, and yet be unnerving. Depending on what they are doing at the time.

Are you prepared for cat hair to be everywhere?

You will find that cat hair will magnetize to your dark pants or suit at the most inopportune time...you know what I mean...just as you're about to leave for the office. Keep the sticky roll handy and plenty of refills.

They love to sleep on the chair backs of furniture, get into small spaces to curl up, lounge on counter-tops, bed pillows, bathtubs and sinks, not excluding climbing up under the car engine block seeking a warm spot. Practice caution here or you could wind up with fur in your fan-belt.

Are you ready for a bit of damage caused around the house as they learn to adjust to their new surroundings?

Typically if you keep a careful eye on your cat you can prevent many accidents. In the beginning confine your cat to a location with the litter box, showing them this is the place to go potty. They will get the idea. And if you are unsure of your new kitty while you are away, then this would be a good time to enclose them in large crate or take them with you in a cushy pet carrier. Don't leave them in it for long, since a cat coming from a facility for adoption had to be kept in a small space while they waited endlessly. One nice thing however, if your cat came from a breed rescue or foster home, usually before they are placed they are already taught how to use the litter box before they are placed. Cats are fastidious, so usually litter box training can go quite well in most instances.

Can you deal with a cat that might perhaps be of an aloof type?

They are independent beings and not all cats are cuddly. When you are blessed with a cat person you will feel so fortunate to have he or she curl up in your lap and be your constant shadow. However, some may only tolerate an occasional scratch, some may come up to you for a head butt then walk away with a swish of the tail, yet these furry creatures will bond with you when it suits them for lovin'. No matter how aloof, they will depend on you for food, shelter, and the occasional hug.

Can you handle their tendencies to dig at the furniture when the mood strikes them?

The answer is not in de-clawing your cat. This is cruel and leaves them defenseless. But to provide a scratching post and smear it with catnip to entice them to it. Or using a startling sound when you catch them digging in the wrong location, or the trusty spray bottle filled with vinegar and water.

Do you have a short temper?

If you do then we don't recommend getting a cat as they cannot be trained the way a dog can, and will definitely infuriate you at times. They make wonderful stuffed animal cats these days. Or perhaps a cyber kitty. They purr and meow and everything.

Getting Along Like Cats And Dogs

If you own a dog and want to now introduce a Kitty into the family circle, this can be done quite easily. Dogs and cats are not sworn enemies as some may perceive. In fact they can become the best of friends and be constant companions. Your cat may even prefer the family dog over you, especially if the house empty's out during the day and all they have is each other to hang with.

Cats will seek out a warm place to sleep and they love nothing better than to curl up next to their dog buddy, purring in contentment. This is a Kodak moment!

Starting with a kitten is usually the easiest way to allow for adjustment. Many adult cats, unless raised in a household with dogs may never adjust. Dogs, whether young or old are easily managed unlike a cat to control their tendency to go after this alien being. They may view each other as an oddity, yet all will go quite well. The cat rescue will have assessed your new kitty prospect to assist you with the knowledge if Mr. or Mrs. kitty can live with a dog or any other pets in the house. But always ask, otherwise you may have pandemonium and bloody warfare on your hands.

In an opposite scenario, you bring a new dog or puppy into your home. Two things will happen, either your cat will assess the situation and inspect from a safe distance. He or she will approach in stealth mode and conduct sneaky investigations of the new oddity with an avenue for retreat always at hand. This will eventually lead to them becoming great friends and each others playmate and he or she will typically seek out their new buddy for comfort. There are certain cat breeds that are noted for being extremely good-natured and will be tolerant of most anything.

Or, worse case scenario, it will be an all out attack on the poor unsuspecting intruder into your cats' territory. Adult cats can be vicious when it comes to protecting their piece of the kingdom and there will be no stopping them except to remove the offending beast. A cat can go into such a frenzy, anyone near them may fall victim to his or her attack as well. Don't be surprised once calm is restored, your cat can hold a grudge for some time and should be given a wide berth, or they may return to their cuddly self with a just hint of undying suspicion. Nevertheless it can bring about extreme stress to a cat.

Indoors Or Outdoors

Do you plan to make your cat an indoor cat or outdoor cat?

The outdoor cat, especially if they adopted you from out of nowhere, is most happy when they can prowl and scamper after the mouse he or she has found to torture. Their explorations will take them through vast territories. They will sit outside windows taunting the neighbors' dog through the glass. It is a good day! You will find them perched on roofs surveying their kingdom or performing their balancing act atop a fence. Other times you will find them relishing sentry duty at the garden gate waiting for the unsuspecting feet to stroll by. They will be on the prowl eternally until it is time to come home for warmth and chow. He or she will greet you with their Cheshire grin, showing a hint of a feather rooted firmly between their teeth. Even these cats enjoy a moment of solace inside by the fire once in awhile. However, if a cat has lived outside most of its' life, confining them to the house can stir panic in them. Do not try to curb this cats' instinct, it will only create neurotic behavior and angst in your cat.

The indoor cat is actually most happy when confined behind the window pane enjoying his version of reality TV, yet safe and secure in his or her private realm while they eternally tease and hiss at the family dog from the safety of the highest perch. They will preen themselves for long hours, plucking loose their hairballs. Some cats literally will not venture outside if it means getting their feet wet. If they do go outside, it is typically no farther than a few short steps from the front door or they will remain with either you or the family dog for security, only to return with great haste as soon as one of you goes inside. So this fur person may enjoy the high maintenance of life more so than getting stuck in a bramble patch. There will be days you may think your cat has somehow escaped the confines of the house, only to be found later inside a cabinet, under the bed or in a closet curled up in a shoebox. Their mystique is endless.

No matter where you decide your cat or kitten will live through its' desires, just make sure, during the adjustment period of the cat coming to live with you, that he or she not be allowed outside at all, initially, not unless you want to find them run over on the road, or never to be seen again. Cats are extreme creatures of habit, so once free to run if they are still unfamiliar with their new home, (particularly in the case of your family making a move to a new house), their first instinct will be to try to return to whence they came.

Exception: Again the cat who adopts you obviously managed on their own for this long. So pretty much this particular feline will be calling the shots as to what he or she prefers.

During the adjustment period you might find yourself stressing out from the cat's innate character to try to escape. Be vigilant and just make sure all doors and windows are kept closed at all times. Be wary of the tip-toeing of kitty paws right behind you, 'cause they will be clever when you least expect it. Cats are opportunists and they will take every advantage to meet their desire to be free.

Your Soul Purpose For Adopting Your Fur Person

Is it for the children's entertainment?

Is it for yourself so you won't be lonely?

Is it so your other pet has a companion?

Is it because your spouse or children just moved out?

Is it for the benefit of the kitten or cat you have found?

If you answered "yes" to the first four questions, then your reasons for adopting a new cat might be a selfish one. Cats can be a bit neurotic at times so no need to exacerbate things.

If you answered "yes" to the last question with a hint of the other four as motivators, then this is an excellent reason to peruse your shelters and inquire at cat rescues.

Wherever you decide to go to adopt, just remember, you will be scrutinized and asked personal information, and you will be made to commit to promises of spaying or neutering your cat. You will be required to show your ability to care for the cat and where you might take them for Veterinary services. Your home environment will be a huge criteria for them to research, and you may not even qualify to take the new cat or kitten home.

Especially at cat rescues. These folks are truly dedicated to returning these cats into homes which will never put them through the nightmare from whence they came. These places are no-kill shelters and in many cases assist the local humane shelters to keep them from becoming overcrowded, forcing them to euthanize so many animals.

So don't be a big Scaredy Cat and sit and do nothing. Decide today if your are ready to adopt a cat or kitten, or at the very least contribute funds to your favorite shelter. Donations in the form of food, cash, and/or time by fostering a cat or kitten, are all pleasantly well received.

Don't Contribute Please!

By all means, please don't add to the many already unwanted cats out there. Be a responsible pet owner and spay and neuter your puss. Don't abandon your animal on the street. Despite overcrowding at shelters, it is far more humane to give your kitty the probability at a second chance in life, rather than trying to fend for themselves on the street. Perhaps ending up pregnant, adding more fertility to the animal kingdom, or to either tangle with a dog, another cat, or a car. In any case your cat will be the loser....... every-time.

Contact your Local Animal Shelter or Cat Rescue sooner, rather than later.

Adopt A Dog!

2008-09-29T06:36:00.041-06:00

Adopt a Dog and save a life. Dog Adoption is offered through Dog Rescues and local Shelters.

Did you know that 4 out of 5 dogs are either abandoned or euthanized each year? Help save a life and Adopt a Dog or Puppy today. You will be glad you did.

Don't Walk, Run

Only you can make an abandoned puppy or adult dog a happy camper. So many wonderful dogs crave attention and are available through adoption. Before you go to a pet shop, which are typically recycling puppies created from puppy mills, check out your local shelter or breed rescue first. You may be surprised at the wonderful companion you will find there. A dogs' one purpose in life is to please you, the head pack member as a dogs heritage goes back to before they were domesticated and were a key member of a pack. When severed from their pack they need new companionship, and in you they will seek it. They will do almost anything to fall into your good graces since you will be established as the head pack member. By providing this sweet little pooch face with a pet friendly home, you will create stability and contentment in your new dog and help save another one from the gas chamber.

How You Answer These Questions Can Save Heartache Later

These are important questions, ones which you should ask yourself before adopting your new Puppy or Adult Dog.

What kind of home can I provide?

How will they fit into my lifestyle?

Can I provide the proper exercise they will need?

Can I find time to give to my dog during the day?

Can I provide my dog with proper shelter and safety?

Can I handle the expense of providing the best in pet nutrition?

Am I committed to providing stability through proper training and handling?

Am I prepared for the added financial task it will require for his or her health care?

If you can answer these questions with confidence that will benefit both you and your future dog, then by all means go for it, and get ready for enjoying the greatest experience that a lifelong companion will bring into your life. And I do mean for life.

You Must Not Make An Incorrect Choice

A visit to your local shelter or dog rescue will paint a sad picture of the amount of abandoned animals that are out there; 8 to 12 million per year. And now with the overcrowding of our shelters, many of these animals must be euthanized. So be sure on your choice because the little fuzz face you pick has had enough bad luck and doesn't need a repeat of the fate you would rescue them from.

As you stroll past the cages, you will see young and old, pure breed and mixed breed, all with inquisitive faces staring at you with hopeful intensity, waiting patiently for their turn at a new home. After all, it is all they can do in their cage, is wait and wonder if this next person will want them.

The life of a dog can be from 7 to 13 years, so be sure you can commit this much time to your new pet. After all, your dog should never be disposable. Isn't that why they are at shelters in the first place? Their last owner apparently thought so.

Tender Loving Care

Once you have made your choice to adopt, make sure your soon to be companion is suited with the right temperament for your home. After all, you don't want to contribute to this poor dogs' problems further by dumping him back at the shelter because you acted in haste.

The staff at either the shelter or dog rescue will in most cases do temperament testing to make sure they are good around children, other pets, show no food aggression, and many other great tests to readily identify if the dog can eventually be placed or not.

Unfortunately, due to improper prior ownership, some dogs don't make the cut and must be euthanized, anyway. This is done for safety reasons, not only for the dog but for any future people who might otherwise end up with this unpredictable animal, such as those rescued from the pit of dog fighting or those who have never been socialized.

The good news is, with proper love, training, and a sound environment, most abused or neglected animals can be helped and saved in order to be placed into a loving home. Perhaps your home is one of them. Just be prepared that whenever you adopt an older dog, you may be inheriting the past owners treatment of the dog and patience and diligence will need to be committed to, otherwise begin with a puppy. Just know this, adult dogs will try immensely to please you since you will be viewed as their hero, inviting them into your family pack. Once you understand their past environment you can then work on those things which will make him or her a better family member. The shelter and rescue people will be there to help you with any questions or fears you may have by taking on a rescued pet. Also, be aware that not all dogs will come from a terrible or abusive past, some may have had the misfortune of being separated from their family and never reclaimed, or their owner passed away and no one is available to take the dog. These are wonderful house mates once they get over their loss. Yes, dogs will mourn the loss of their family members, but will eventually swing to you with love and extreme loyalty. How lucky are you?

Be Prepared For Doggie Surprises

Are you ready for a bit of damage caused around the house as your dog learns to adjust to their new surroundings? Typically if you keep a careful eye on your dog or puppy, you can prevent many accidents. In the beginning keep your dog or puppy with you at all times or when unable, confine your dog to a location with the new crate you will have purchased for the day of arrival home, showing them this is the place to feel safe and secure. You will provide this through proper crate training. They will get the idea with consistent and loving reinforcement. And if you are unsure of your new puppy which you should be in the beginning, while you are away, using the crate for confinement is the safest place while you are gone. Remember, don't leave them in it for long. These poor animals have had their share of being cooped up. However, if your dog came from a breed rescue or foster care, then they have already worked with them in regards to basic obedience and potty training.

If you are a person with a short temper, then by all means refrain from getting a new dog or puppy. These animals are in the shelter for varying reasons, and many are from people who just grew tired of them and more than likely showed their contempt for these poor dogs by being overbearing and abusive.

Where Will My Dog Live?

Well hopefully, inside with you and your family. Your new dog will love nothing more than to be included into the family activities. And if your dog loves small children, there is nothing more entertaining than to enjoy watching your child and new dog interact. He or she will live, eat and breathe for your children and this will create a bond of friendship which will last forever. Your childs' pet will go to their best friend when they sense they are down, providing an ear where the child will not be ignored or judged.

They will join in and share the many adventures your child will undertake in their childhood. A confidant, a pal, a fellow adventurer and a guardian. Also the benefit of someone so young learning early on to respect and love animals will be taught through the guidance of you as a parent and through their dog as love is returned without equal. It doesn't get any better than that for them both!

As explained briefly, dogs are pack animals and to banish them to a kennel or outside on a chain, is utter torture to them. Owners that get or already have a dog, and they do this to them, the owner should only for a brief moment experience the chain digging into their neck as they strain to join the rest of the family, or to bounce wildly and endlessly from within the kennel as they watch the family kick the ball around the yard.

If you truly can't make time for your dog or have no intention of incorporating him or her into the family structure then adopt a cyber pup or stuffed animal. Dogs are not inanimate objects or an ornament you only display when wanting to impress or fill a selfish need within you, and these dogs should not be treated as such. They thrive on human companionship and will in most cases, do anything for their pack members.

Passion Or Desire in Adopting Your Pup Or Dog

Is he or she for the children's desire for entertainment?

Is he or she a desire for yourself so you won't be lonely?

Is he or she a desire for your pet to have a companion?

Is he or she a desire because your spouse or children just moved out?

Is he or she for the benefit and the passion for the puppy or dog you have found?

If you answered "yes" solely to the first four questions, then your reasons for adopting a new dog might be a selfish one. Dogs don't need your pity, but need your stability, love and care that you as an informed pet owner can provide.

If you answered "yes" to the last question with a hint of the other four as motivators, then this is an excellent reason to peruse your shelters and inquire at dog rescues.

Wherever you decide to go to adopt, just remember, you will be scrutinized and asked personal information, and you will be made to commit to promises of spaying or neutering your dog. You will be required to show your ability to care for the dog and where you might take your dog for Veterinary services. Your home environment will be a huge criteria for them to research, and you may not even qualify to take the new dog or puppy home.

Especially at dog rescues. These folks are truly dedicated to returning these dogs into homes which will never put them through the nightmare from whence they came. These places are no-kill shelters and in many cases assist the local humane shelters to keep them from becoming overcrowded by fostering them in many volunteers homes. Through these gracious people and with their assistance helps prevent the shelter from having to euthanize so many animals.

Many dog rescues are also geared toward the pure breed dogs. Breed specific rescues are doing this service out of love for that particular breed they either reproduce themselves as a reputable breeder, or just share in the love for a particular breed such as in the situation for the Greyhounds. As is typical, without these wonderful folks, these graceful dogs would otherwise be destroyed once their racing days were over and their proven worth declined to the previous owner.

So don't sit and do nothing. Decide today if your are ready to adopt a dog or at the very least contribute funds to your favorite shelter. Donations in the form of food, cash, and / or time such as fostering a dog, are all pleasantly well received.

Ignore Stereotypes

Please don't automatically assume certain breed types will always have a negative or positive breed characteristic attached. Dogs are typically a product of their environment, and if a certain characteristic is nurtured to the extreme, then this negative trait can be what causes the dog's undoing, hence, winding up at the dog pound. Continued abuse can destroy some positive attributes you may otherwise find in the same breed raised in a correct home environment by people knowledgeable in rearing and training them correctly and utilizing the desired character traits.

Here are some examples opposite of the typical preconceived notions of certain breeds:

Bull Terriers can be real sweethearts; Chihuahuas can be sharp tempered; Cocker Spaniels can be sweet with children; Kerry Blues can be passive; Rottweilers can be lazy; Golden Retrievers can be aggressive; German Shepherds can be timid; Boston Terriers can be fighters; Chinese Pug a good watch dog; Labrador Retriever won't retrieve; and a Fox Terrier can be relaxed. These are just a few examples of what you could end up with. So don't take it for granted that the dog you adopt or purchase will have a certain trait you desire in that specific breed. You may find an unexpected trait in a completely different breed type. Character should be more important than a certain look or type unless dedicated to nurturing a specific breed, developing that dog to its' fullest potential. Mutts can always be an excellent choice since they possess many of the qualities of individual breeds all melded together and have fewer health problems than purebred dogs due to inbreeding.

Don't Contribute Please!

By all means, please don't add to the many already unwanted dogs out there. Be a responsible pet owner and spay and neuter your pooch. Don't abandon your animal on the street, either. Despite overcrowding at shelters, it is far more humane to give your K-9 the probability at a second chance in life, rather than trying to fend for themselves on the street. Perhaps ending up pregnant, adding more fertility to the animal kingdom, shot at, poisoned, or to either tangle with another dog, or a nasty cat or a car. In any case your dog will be the loser in every circumstance.

Contact your Local Animal Shelter or Dog Rescue sooner, rather than later.

Dog Allergies - Removing The Underlying Cause

2008-09-22T17:03:00.029-06:00

Dog allergies can be food related. Allergies in your dog can also be airborne, yet proper diet can help with this too.

Allergies in dogs make many owners pull their hair out and drain their pocketbook. There may finally be an answer and quite possibly a cure for your dog's allergies, providing you with considerable savings in the long run.

Starting From Scratch

How does your pets' skin and coat look? Are they the picture of health? Do their coats look thick, shiny and healthy? Do they look like these dogs? Or are they stricken with hot spots, raw weeping sores, or bald, scabby areas?

The grief that is caused when your favorite pet is suffering from endless pet allergies can be utter torture. That is why we are here to show you there can be alternatives to the non-stop cost of taking prescribed medications forever. This article will mainly deal with problems in dogs since cats very rarely suffer from allergies, although they too can have chronic ailments caused by food or airborne allergens (about 15% of Population), the outward symptoms are simply less prevalent in cats and can be much more difficult to diagnose. So we will do a separate article on dealing with allergies in your cat.

Dogs are not born with allergies but are manifested over time as the animal becomes exposed to repeated attacks from the antigen. This causes a response in your pet to fight it off through developing antibodies which in dealing with some allergies, they become chronic and your dog can no longer fight them off. Now your dog has allergies which must be controlled through environmental changes. Many dog allergies are mainly caused by diet. Although there are airborne and contact allergens as well and will be also addressed, the majority of undiagnosed, non curative results is due to what the dog ingests. Even though medications serve an excellent purpose for immediate relief, the long term prognosis is not good. If you can't remove the allergen, then medication serves only as a band-aid and can cause accumulative problems of it's own. And this is what you want to avoid.

A Veterinarian should always be consulted just in case your pet has something else all together. They will do a series of blood tests to determine cause and do skin scrapings to rule out mites and check for signs of fleas. But if your Vet has determined it is allergies other than a parasite problem, such as contact dermatitis, then take action and become empowered about natural alternatives to healing your pet. Avoid the use of steroids at all cost as a long term solution. Steroids for example cause bloating, weight gain, kidney problems, poor skin and coat condition, and can create listlessness in your pet. Your pet will be so much better off without this type of treatment. Always have your Vet explain the downside of using such medications.

More and more Vets are introducing holistic foods and herbal medications into their practice as they become more in tune with the natural healing a body can possess with a bit of immune support therapy. If the Vet you are with currently is not open to concerns of using traditional medicines or in trying to understand alternative treatment, then seek help elsewhere. Choosing an excellent Vet can be daunting at times, but when you find a good one, they are priceless.

Your Veterinarian should always be open to other ways of perhaps a better avenue of treatment other than shoving more pills at you. Remember, Vets make a large portion of their income on selling pills and performing surgical procedures. Not that these aren't very important for the practice of caring for our pets, but they are no longer the conclusion to a problem with the new discovery of natural healing treatments. And in defense of many Veterinarians, they are from the "Old School" mindset, and simply have no interest looking into alternative therapies after many years in practice doing what has worked for them. "Old School" ideals are still very much needed in today's medicine, however looking into alternatives should be a shared experience with your Vet.

With today's more educated and sophisticated pet owner arriving on the scene armed with vast knowledge available to them on-line, our Veterinarians need to step up and participate in the new age of Holistic Natural Healing. As a pet owner, you must insist on it. It can literally transform you pet's health in a very positive way.

After you have consulted with a Vet and you seem to be at your wits end, then maybe the information below can help save you further grief.

Signs Of An Allergen Problem

If you notice your dog seems to just want to lay around all day and just doesn't seem to have his old zip, allergies can be the cause.

If you notice runny eyes or thick goop in the corner of the eyes along with nasal discharge, allergies are typically the problem.

If your pet has chronic ear infections, noticed by constant head shaking and scratching at the ears, allergies are certainly the cause. Not to be confused with foreign body in the ear!

If your pet has poor pigment on the skin of his nose or around his eyes, allergies are primarily the problem.

If your dog seems to be losing their hair, have visible skin irritation, have a belly rash or they scratch at themselves with ruthless abandon, allergies are more than likely the problem.

If your dog is licking or chewing his paws, legs and at the base of his tail on a chronic basis, allergies are definitely the problem. Not always flea related!

Now the question is, what type of allergen are we dealing with an how do we treat it?

Treating these symptoms with steroids, topical creams, or antibiotics is not the answer long term. Foot chewing and chronic ear infections are a classic symptom of food allergies.

In many instances a simple change in diet combined with support for the immune system may help the problem within a matter of days. Strong signs of food allergies are; if they are chronic year round and have an onset in winter time. If you live in a cold climate when antigens are less prevalent in the air, a strong indicator would then be the likelihood of the allergy being food related. Again this is only if parasites and contact dermatitis has been ruled out.

Treating the body as a whole and treating the cause of the allergy or disease within that body allows the dog's body to return itself to normal making their entire immune system sound again.

The other symptoms described above are also usually linked to food allergies, however airborne allergens are also at fault. Contact dermatitis is another. The dog comes in contact with the outside allergen and the skin has a severe reaction (Hot Spots). Nevertheless, a proper diet can also resolve airborne allergens and contact allergens, along with supplemental therapy of immune supporting nutrients.

Major Food Allergens

The foods your dog will typically be sensitized to and will wreak havoc on their immune system are in the list as follows:

Wheat, Corn, and Soy: These are the 3 top causes of allergies in dogs and will cause the signs of chewing on the feet, the base of the tail and itchy skin, along with the chronic ear infection. These ingredients can also contribute problems based on how they were grown and what types of pesticides were used to keep them bug free.

Salt or Iodized Salt: Too much of this ingredient can further create outward skin irritations.

Sugar Beet Pulp: Creates a form of constipation, again not allowing your dog to expel from his system things that will show outwardly in his appearance.

By Products: Create skin problems since most of these ingredients are processed in rendering plants, not for human consumption. These are known as 4D animals. Disabled, Dying, Diseased, or Dead and have been removed from the "For Human Consumption" food chain.

Artificial Colors or Chemical Preservatives: Wreak havoc literally on a dog's immune system, and can create not only skin conditions, but can cause emotional dysfunction and internal functions such as cancer as well.

This is one ingredient that requires Special Comment:

Ethoxyquin: has been used as a pesticide on our agricultural fields and is a proven carcinogen. The FDA has allowed 150 ppm in pet foods and livestock feed, yet request pet feed manufacturers voluntarily reduce it to 75 ppm but only .5 ppm is allowed in human consumed foods. This is the typical preservative found in the process of preserving this poor quality meat and fats(4D), let alone the probability the animal was consuming this chemical in it's feed for many years before reaching the rendering plant. The level of toxicity can be 300 times the consumption rate in our dogs and cats.

Furthermore, since introduction of this chemical in our pets' diet we have seen on the rise, harmful results to Brood Dams, congenital defects, still born deaths, irregular cycles, poor weight in pets, poor skin and coat, including poor pigment and has been found in many of the commercial foods along with many professional diets. This chemical was originally used as a rubber preservative developed by Monsanto. It has also been shown to cause stomach, bladder, and kidney cancers. Containers of this chemical bear the Skull and Crossbones on the label as being the highest level of toxicity which means contact with the undiluted chemical can cause convulsions, coma, and death. Read pet food labels carefully since this chemical may or may not be listed and could be labeled as the letter "E". This is why by-products can contribute to your pets' problems since they are not for human consumption so toxic levels of this chemical could be devastating and should be avoided when found on the pet food label.

Is it any wonder people are searching for more organically grown products? Should your pet be any different?

In an FDA article written in 1989, they proclaim this chemical is safe to consume in these small amounts. This should be contradictory since only allowing such a low number percentage in human foods, yet allowing a gross over use in animal foods. What is wrong with this picture? If human food is required to maintain no higher than .5 ppm then why should our pets be subject to eating ratios of 150 ppm without impunity? Other studies done by Monsanto back in the 50's and 60's are not reliable by today's standards since medical and scientific requirements are different today. FDA chose to not intervene regardless of the mounting evidence and complaints brought about by dog fanciers and breeders alike since the chemical had been in use safely for 30 plus years.

There was a time when DDT was considered very safe to humans for spraying bugs and it has now been outlawed after millions of people had been exposed to it. EPA has also been compelled by activists to have other pesticides be removed from the market like Ortho Diazinon and the chemical Lindane due to harmful effects to the environment after years of exposure. The list of other problematic substances in our food and water today is becoming endless as we learn of the ill side effects they can cause despite the denied claims by manufacturers.

Many government agencies, Veterinarians, and manufacturers of dangerous products will tell you this concern is a lot of hype. Maybe and maybe not, but do your own research and decide. After all it's your pet. But if you are seeing some chronic ailments that no one can find a definitive conclusion to, then you must look to your pet's diet first and foremost. Many pet owners already have, and since changing diets to be found preservative and by-product free, marked improvements in the animals health were evident.

Not withstanding the afore mentioned, enzyme and thyroid imbalances can also create the loss of beautiful pigment in skin and coat along with a deficiency in Iron. Again, proper nutrition is key. When these things are corrected in your pet's diet then wonderful things have been shown to happen to their overall health and body.

Making sure your pet is not exposed to the ingredients listed above by reading your list of ingredients on the bag, you can rest assured great results will be seen within a few days to a week of discontinuing the offensive ingredients. Skin lesions and rashes may take as long as a month to completely heal and begin to re-grow hair. Return of pigment may also take as long. More serious conditions may require ongoing medical support, yet the new diet can still make your pet feel much better during their treatment, and hope to bring whatever ails your beloved pet into remission. After 6 months, there should be a total reversal of problems if it was determined it was diet.

Dealing With Airborne And Contact Allergens

These types of allergies will be more difficult to identify and you will need to be vigilant in your dog's activities to determine the time of reaction in relation to the activity.

Typical reactions to the skin on the belly and runny eyes, just like people can be linked to pollens in the air, playing in the grass, and some of you may not be aware, but it can also be linked to what you are providing for his or her bed or toys.

Identify the Culprit:

What kind of detergent do you use?

What type of fabric softener do you use?

What kind of fabric is your pet sleeping on?

What type of cleaners or air fresheners do you use?

What fabric is your pet's favorite toy made out of?

Does it only happen during certain times of the year?

Does your pets' problems seem to be chronic or intermittent?

In many ways dogs are not so different than people when stricken with allergies. However, once you can take the time to try and answer some of these questions, you only then can begin to eliminate the cause a little at a time. When you notice improvement through narrowing the items down on your checklist through reintroduction one at a time, then watching reactions, you will finally be on your way to a healthier, happier pet.

For instance a contact allergen is as simple as Wool fabric they may sleep on. Many a dog will get the sneezies and their eyes will tear and nose run when exposed to this fabric, believe it or not. And if not removed pronto the allergy can develop into contact dermatitis or a belly rash causing excessive licking which can then turn into a Cellulitis. Hence the onset of the vicious cycle now requiring Veterinary intervention for initial treatment. Something so simple and what seems harmless can be a strong culprit of suffering for your dog.

You can use things like Bee Pollen formulations, Flaxseed Oils, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), and other natural anti allergy remedies to assist your pet with their immune system while they continue to be exposed to the offending allergen. In very severe reactions, you may actually need immediate assistance from the many prescribed medications until you can bring the reaction under control. Example: A Bee Sting, Snake Bite or Spider Bite.

Final Words About Doggie Allergies

Identifying allergens can be an arduous process, however, to make things simpler, always look to your pets' diet first since this is the most common source of allergies in your pet.

In many instances you will be relieved to know chronic dog allergies have been resolved quickly once their diet has been completely overhauled. There are many natural foods on the market today, (Solid Gold) for example along with freeze dried products (Honest Kitchen), and raw meat diets (BARF-Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.)

With so much ingenuity available in the form of holistic and herbal remedies, our pet friends no longer have to watch their pooch suffer the endless torment from nasty ingredients and pollutants in our environment. You can also find excellent books on the subject for introducing preservative and chemical free diets with one name in particular, (Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats).

So carry on and begin the task of cleaning up your dogs' environment, so he or she will be in allergy free heaven. Nothing more enjoyable than snuggling up with your pooch with a healthy skin and coat...oh so soft!

Holistic Pet Food For Best Nutrition

2008-09-16T14:05:00.021-06:00

Holistic Pet Food can heal what ails your pet and result in a cure of allergies and other types of chronic illness.

Many illnesses and chronic diseases can be traced back to poor quality pet nutrition. If Veterinary Bills are mounting and you can't figure out what is wrong with your dog or cat, chances are it is food related. Holistic Pet Nutrition is one cure found.

First and Foremost

Holistic pet foods are one the greatest products to come our way in many years. Even though this idea seems new an innovative, holistic nutrition for pets was introduced back in 1974 to the U.S. by Sissy Harrington-McGill, founder of Solid Gold Health Products.

Sissy discovered this excellent type of nutrition strictly by accident while traveling to Germany in search of a particular Great Dane bloodline. Being a breeder of Great Danes, she found the German Danes were outliving the dogs in America by 4-6 years. Average life expectancy here in the states was 7-9 years, while in Germany the Danes were living from 11-13 years.

She felt this could be an important discovery and was quite possibly related to nutrition. So she gathered up a few samples of German dog foods and took them back with her to discover the secret of their nutrition and in what way it may be linked with how the dogs in Germany were outliving their American counterparts.

Sissy began the process of showing the disbelieving FDA the first all natural dog food appropriately named Hund-N-Flocken (Dog Food Flakes=English Translation). Germany had been creating natural dog food as much as 20 years earlier than it's inception into the United States.

Solid Gold was born out of this first diet and has since grown over the past 30 years to have a total of eight individual dry diets for dogs and an excellent dry cat food called Katzen-Flocken. They also have an excellent canned food for dogs and cats. It is nutritionally complete, and for those who want more meat introduced to the diet. Also a whole concept line of vitamins, supplements, skin care, curative remedies, snacks and treats. Sissy believed in this total concept in order to provide a complete health care program to assist animals in recovery and restorative capabilities to bring about the best in our pets. Solid Gold is the forerunner and the leader in holistic animal nutrition in this nation.

What Does Holistic Mean?

Source: Merriam Webster
Main Entry: ho·lis·tic
Pronunciation: hO-'lis-tik
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to holism
2 : relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts <holistic medicine attempts to treat both mind and the body> —ho·lis·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Put plainly, the entire animal needs to be treated as a whole. Treating problem areas only serves as a temporary fix, and treats the dissected part from the whole body, and certain ailments can turn chronic and begin to afflict other areas of the body. Many times it can be linked to exposure to toxins, foods, outside pollutants, pet toys, and so on and so on. This in turn frustrates the dog or cat owner when their pocket book drains and their beloved best friend seems no better than before they began a series of tests and the over use of steroids and medications.

The outcome for their poor family pet is, he or she looks and feels terrible, taking on the early signs of an aging pet. This doesn't need to happen and can be prevented and in many cases the signs of aging can be reversed with Holistic Medicines and Nutrition.

What To Watch For

If you see ongoing chronic problems in your pet, nutrition should be your first strategy after a thorough physical by your Vet. Remember to investigate all causes and not simply go by what the Vet says. Choose the Veterinarian open to holistic cures and diets, not one that creates a cycle of drugs as the only answer. Some things to look out for on this small list since chronic ailments can be endless.

Poor pigmentation of skin and coat

Constant shedding and Hot Spots

Chewing or excessive licking at feet and base of tail

Chronic Ear Infections: Scratching at ears and head shaking

Runny, goopy eyes and runny nose

Rashes, odor on skin, excessive oiliness

Obesity or can't maintain weight

Pancreatitis, diabetes, seizures, liver ailments

Lethargy, listlessness, body aches and arthritis

Poor stools, soft or small overly firm (constipated)

Bladder or kidney stones, chronic cystitis (especially in cats)

Vomiting food portions or a yellow froth on occasion

Solving The Problem

Holistic Nutrition in most cases will solve many recurring issues and many allergy symptoms in your pet. Here is a list of things that can cause outward signs of poor health, behavioral changes and mood swings in your pet and should be avoided in other diets.

Added Salts

Sugars (Beet Pulp)

Fillers (example: Peanut Hulls)

By-Products, (typically 4D animals) explained in Dog Allergies Article.

Artificial Flavors, Colors, or Preservatives

Wheat, Corn, and Soy Grains (leading cause of allergies)

BHA, BHT, or Ethoxyquin (Chemical Preservatives)

Sunflower Oil (known cancer causing ingredient)

Even so called professional diets will have many of these harmful ingredients in them unbeknownst to the pet owner. Read your labels carefully and check them periodically since some of the larger Professional dog food lines have sold out to commercialized conglomerates and they tend to change or use cheaper ingredients that will alter the quality of the food forever. Grocery store dog and cat foods are the worst. What may have been excellent to feed once, may no longer be the case. In many cases once these offending ingredients are removed from your animals menu, marked improvement can occur rapidly, and in most cases complete recovery can happen within 6 months.

The Foundation

When choosing a diet for your pet, key ingredients are important. Unless you provide a whole food, preservative free concept to your pet, you will continue to see a decline in health and well being, and possibly an early unnecessary death occur.

Ingredient List:

Beef, Bison, Lamb, Turkey-Free Range, Salmon (not by-products)

Amaranth, Barley, Brown Rice, Millet, Oatmeal, Quinoa, Rye (whole grains or single processed)

Apples, Blueberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Lentils, Potato, Pumpkin Meal, Sweet Potatoes and Tomato Pomace (Fruits and Vegetables)

Chicory, Flax Meal, Marigold Extract, Parsley, Sea Vegetation, Thyme and Yucca Schidigera. (Herbs and Supplements)

Raw Foods- Frozen Meat products prepared for pets, and raw vegetables. (Dogs and cats alike love chewing on various raw veggies.)

This list looks pretty extensive, but if you shoot for this in your search for the ultimate in holistic foods, your pet will be all the better for it. Many chronic ailments will disappear. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" and in this case of holistic health care, nothing rings more true. Remember all the proper diets in the world won't be effective if you purchase them loaded with preservatives, by products, or they have been over-processed. With a proper healthy diet, the change in your pets overall condition and behavior will be nothing short of amazing. The task can be daunting, but you will be rewarded with many care free healthy years with your pet.

Choosing A Veterinarian

2008-09-08T07:24:00.079-06:00

Choosing a Veterinarian for your dog or cat will be the most important decision you will ever make.

Are you curious as to the best way to pick your Veterinarian? Do you wonder if you have made an error in judgment? Are there signs as to what to look for in choosing your pets' Veterinarian? Confusion need no longer exist!

After The New Cat Or Dog Arrives

You have just brought home your new fuzzy face and in all the excitement, you may have forgotten the most important thing on your "to-do" list, choosing the Vet for your pets' lifelong care. Preferably you want to take on this task before the new bundle of joy enters his or her new domain. But if you have overlooked this important component of pet care, you can certainly correct it quickly. This can be a daunting task, especially if you are brand new to pet ownership. We will make it simple for you. After all, with the purchase of your pet's new dog or cat bed and pet training equipment, you can get a bit overwhelmed trying to make the homecoming perfect for your new best friend.

First thing to get you started:

Check with the breeder you purchased your pet from, they typically may have an excellent referral for you. However, this is only going to be convenient if the Vet is located in your living area.

Sometimes it can be better to search for your own Vet independently if you are concerned of possible bias on the part of the person where you pet came from.

Local shelters you may have adopted your cat or dog from can also have a good referral for you, since they want the very best for the pet you are adopting for life. This may include their personal on site Vet. They can be used in a temporary situation until you find one that will suit your convenience better.

A referral from a friend or neighbor who owns a dog or cat can also provide you with some good information. Just make sure it appears theirs' is well cared for. Chances are the dog or cat exiled to a cage or outdoors doesn't typically make too many trips to the Veterinarian and in such cases when they do, the owner's are not particularly picky about who is best, but who is cheapest.

Last but not least, are breed clubs. Since these people deal with pure breed animals, the care these special pets receive is paramount, so they will scrutinize a Vet to the smallest detail.

These are the fist steps to finding somebody reputable. After all, your new pet will need a health check for all intense purposes to check for genetic problems or an underlying illness still waiting to rear it's ugly head. This will also be the best time to confirm any other vaccinations they will need in order to keep them protected from the many insidious diseases exposed to them today. And the best part is, during this introductory visit to your Vet's clinic, you can use this time to ask questions, observe treatment of animals and behavior of staff personnel toward you and your pet and other clients in the waiting room. So take advantage of this first visit to query and inform yourself of their policies and care of animals before you have more invested in this Veterinarian other than the initial visit.

Signs Of An Excellent Versus Marginal Veterinarian

Signs of excellent and poor medical care for your pet are numerous, but we will narrow them down for you to the most important. When you enter the clinic what are your first impressions? Heed your feelings and never ignore a gut instinct, or your pets' reaction may also be an excellent indicator. Ignore these two key components and you may experience the nightmare of when things go wrong making you realize you just made an error in judgment.

Is the clinic atmosphere formal or informal?

Does the clinic's staff dress in street clothes or wear uniforms?

Does the clinic smell of animals, or of disinfectant, or just plain old clean and fresh smelling?

Do the staff members acknowledge you and your dog, or just you, or just your dog?

Does the clinic overbook or run their appointments on time?

Are other animals caged or leashed while in the waiting room or allowed to roam freely within the confines of the office?

Now you are probably wondering why these factors should be so important, and has more than likely only created more confusion as to the best choice. Some of these are self explanatory and for the sake of argument the differences will become apparent. However, some may also surprise you in regards to what you may think is the right answer as to a good versus a marginally acceptable Vet. Remember now, this is just the initial entry into the office. This doesn't even touch on the actual care of your pet just yet!

Formal or Informal doesn't necessarily dictate the type of care your pet will receive. This is strictly a personal choice of staff members and their Vet as to what is more comfortable in the handling of animals. Uniforms or scrubs provide a sanitary element in keeping the animals from soiling the staffs' clothes, and possibly conveying something contagious in either; staff to pet or pet to staff. Do not make an assessment on this basis alone.

Informal can sometimes be your best friend in feeling comfortable with this Vet and their staff. Perhaps smock tops with street clothes underneath. This can be more about the animals care and making you feel comfortable, versus the formal element which conveys professionalism at the very least, yet can also make for businesslike practices in dealing with you and your dog. Some may find this type of care too sterile, cold and intimidating. However, with the casual dress, scrub tops can also be tossed aside when the caregivers have full knowledge they just handled and extremely contagiously sick animal. Hence, soiled scrubs are replaced with fresh scrubs.

If all you can smell are animals when you enter a clinic, this can be a cause for concern. This typically means proper hygiene is not observed, including disinfecting of kennels and outer office areas where a sick dog or cat may have just been prior. If the outer office is not tended to in the same way the entire boarding facility is, then disease can spread simply by an animal with Parvo virus, Kennel Cough or Distemper spending even a brief time in the office while waiting to get seen. Enter you and your dog, and if still not completely vaccinated, can catch these diseases.

Feline Leukemia is a deadly illness and highly contagious to cats, so you should always bring your cat into the clinic in a crate or soft-sided carrier. This will keep nosy dogs from your kitty and keep you from leaving in numerous band-aids. This isn't a bad idea for puppies either. Carry them or bring them in their puppy crate and keep them off the floor. After all, even in an immaculate clinic, the sick pet who proceeded you may not have been diagnosed yet, so the staff may not have had a chance to go behind the sick animal and sanitize. A well organized clinic will do this immediately to prevent spread of disease. "Caution" is the word of the day when you have a new cat, kitten, dog or puppy.

Now on the other hand if you smell disinfectant, this is a good sign of proper maintenance of the outer office, but can be a bit overwhelming to the senses. Which now brings us to the fresh smelling or odor free clinic. Many may feel the clinic smells good, or there is no odor at all, but is it disinfected? In most cases, "Yes", you can be relatively sure it has been well disinfected if your choice of veterinarian has a reputation which proceeds them. There are excellent sanitizers available that will kill all the nasty diseases just as well as Clorox, but without the offensive odor. And some Vets may choose this to provide a more harmonious atmosphere instead of a harsh and sterile smelling environment. It is more about the odors rather than the lack of.

When the staff members and your Vet show you and your pet friendly and courteous attention, this an excellent sign of caring not only for your beloved friend, but you as well, are important in the decision making of your pets care. Odds are with this type of display of care, you will always be in the loop when dealing with smart and sometimes life-saving decisions. After all, it should be your Vets' priority to take your feelings and suggestions into account and this is a strong indication of just that.

Now if all the staff and Vet see is just you and not your pet, then be careful of the money machine. They see your pet as an income even though they may provide excellent care. Although Veterinarians must run an office in a professional manner, which includes negotiating payment and how you will pay, it should never be the forethought in an emergency situation. They will not be in tune with your pets' needs and can create problems where there may be none, forcing you to render an uneducated decision in perhaps going too far with the medical care, forcing you into unnecessary costly procedures. Being bossy and blatant about anything, along with being impatient with you or your pet may also be called into question. Rudeness or omnipotence from a staff member or Vet upon the initial meeting will usually reinforce this theory and should not be tolerated for even a split second. Take the opportune moment to excuse yourself and exit the building quickly. Make any excuse you need to, but leave as soon as is feasible without commitment. Your pet will be much safer and better off and you'll have peace of mind. Take the time to allow the dust to settle and your mind to clear and if suspicious of their intentions, by all means get a second opinion and know you did the right thing for that moment. You don't even want to think about what goes on behind closed doors.

On the other hand if all they see is your pet, then these are usually the well intended healthcare professionals who truly have an adoring love for animals and these folks will usually fall into the informal category of office attire. Your dog or cat can be in no better hands as a rule. However, though these are wonderful people to leave the care of your pet to, they also at the same time can tend to cut you out of the picture, feeling they only can know what is best for your pet and trying to convey your desires will sometimes fall on deaf ears. This will be frustrating to say the least. Catch-22..... great care for your pet, but at the expense of your input. These Vets can also sometimes be overbearing and intimidating in their zealousness of wanting only the best healthcare they can provide. Though admirable, you as the pet owner are entitled to respect and must be heard on your pets' behalf. Remember its your pet and your money, take care of both wisely.

Overbooking of clients is also a sign of the money machine. This is when you should take heed of what type of care will you really receive and will they take the time to hear you out on any questions you might have. Or will it be strictly a processing plant for bodies as fast as they can be seen.

Seeing your pet on time is a good sign and should be a factor in your decision of choosing the right Veterinarian. However, do not allow a delayed appointment to mean they overbook. At certain times, they may be faced with an unforeseen emergency and that animals' needs must come first. However, the clinic should surely contact you in this event or at the very least explain the delay once you have arrived so you can decide to reschedule or wait. Clinics with more than one on staff can usually handle the overflow unless you prefer to see your favorite Veterinarian. Then by all means decide then what you need to do.

Dogs or cats allowed to live in the office

Clients' animals allowed to be loose in the clinic engaged in sniffing and smelling the other animals is not highly recommended. Scenarios of cat fights, dog fights, cat and dog fights are among just a small percentage of mishaps which can occur during your visit. Along with what we mentioned earlier, spread of disease should be where you are most concerned. Again, if this is allowed this means the clinic is unorganized, too involved with semantics of money to care, and seem to convey a chaotic atmosphere. Either way, this clinic is not for you. Move on!

The only other thing in regards to clinics is whether you want to deal with an individual or a larger Veterinarian group. Reminder: Both types of clinics today can provide you with health care that participates in the new Pet Health Insurance plans. Also, neither one is mutually exclusive to being a money machine or the best in health care. All you can do is make a decision based on the information suggested here for initial first impressions and go from there. The first impression will save you a ton of heartache and money if you take notice of some of things mentioned.

The only advantage to the larger clinics is there operating hours might be more conducive to your needs, including emergency after hours Veterinary care being applied at the same location. Otherwise during after hours your smaller clinics, when not available will send you to the Emergency Vet Hospital for this type of care. After all, your Vet is just one man or woman and can only be available at certain times, however they too may do their utmost best to provide the 24/7 care for their clients. Just ask what their After Hours Emergency Care Policies are.

TIP: Don't ever choose a Vet based strictly on proximity to your home. Better to drive the distance to receive the high level of quality care your pet requires.

Now if you find the Vet who eats, breathes and sleeps Veterinary medicine, and serves you 24/7, then you have hit the jackpot. This indeed is a rare find in today's world and one worth hanging onto provided he or she falls into the comfort level for you with the initial meeting. If so, you and your Vet will indeed have an excellent rapport and an ongoing relationship that includes the best for you and your pets care and possibly one that is gold when it comes to a breeding program you may become involved in. Nothing more comforting than being able to access your personal pet physician in the event of a complicated delivery.

When Things Go Wrong

There is nothing worse than that "sick in the pit of your stomach feeling" when you think you may have made a serious error in judgment when making your final choice. You begin to feel things aren't appearing to be as well managed as your first impression and your Vet seems to be more stand-offish, indifferent, or short tempered than initially as well. This can happen to the best of us. Don't fret and be glad you are relying on your gut instinct now.

You can take steps to correct it immediately by gathering up your fuzzy face buddy and exiting the building. This may seem hard since many people place their medical provider, and yes this includes Vets, in a higher esteem than themselves. They are just people like the rest of us with a higher level of education. They make mistakes and can exercise poor judgment, however when it involves your pet, there can be no compromise as you become their voice of reason. Save yourself further grief and find another Veterinarian.

Raising The Red Flag

When it comes to your pets care it is important to note that there are no good reasons why you should not be able to be with them at all times, unless you are uncomfortable with it, or they are going into surgery.

An example to touch on: getting an X-ray does not need to mean you cannot be present. Of course certain standards and policies may prohibit this and will be explained to you, and in some cases there isn't much you can do about it. But when working with an exceptional Veterinarian, they will do their best to allow you to be present to keep the animal calm so as to avoid sedation as long as you can show a knowledge in handling your pet. They will provide you with a lead apron if need be. Always ask, never assume. Exceptions are made regularly for knowledgeable breeders to assist with their cat or dog's handling.

Reassurance is the key to making you comfortable with this Vet and if done, it is clear this one is listening to you. And in some instances, if not allowed in the X-ray room, they may allow you to escort your pet to the X-ray table, be there to place them on the table, then have you leave during the actual X-ray, while still observing outside the door.

Vets who insist on anesthetizing your pet for X-rays without seeing if the animal can remain calm with your presence is not necessarily the practical choice. Putting an animal under always comes with some risk, and doing it for X-rays unless the animal is in pain or headed for surgery is taking that risk. This can be red flag. Try to negotiate and share your concerns.

Many breeders of pure breed dogs who need to check for Subluxation of hips and elbows for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is an instance when many savvy Vets will work with them to allow them to place their dog in position without anesthesia, as long as the dog is cooperative and you are knowledgeable as to the procedure. This Vet is Gold.

A Vet who argues or absolutely insists anesthesia is necessary to get full rotation of hips for proper X-ray is not correct. This can be a red flag. Unless a dog has pain in the hips avoid anesthesia if you can. A dog with good hips, in most cases, can easily withstand this procedure without sedation, unless you have one of those dogs who just won't allow you to manipulate his body parts. Educate yourself about Hip X-ray.

In the event you must anesthetize, then by all means do it. The point to be made here, is did your Vet at the very least hear you out and give you the option? Without compromise or compassion this can be a red flag.

There should always be some level of compromise when it comes to your pets' health and all options should be made available to you before rendering any decision. Flexibility is key with a Vet, for instance; A Veterinarian who will perform an exam on the floor if a dog is either too large or absolutely petrified of the stainless steel table, is a person to consider in tune with the dogs needs. Dogs absolutely hate slick services especially those that are up off the ground. Dogs have been known to slip and fall off of these tables when not being carefully supervised. It should always be about removing stress from the visit for your pet, not adding to it. Relaxed Vet and owner equals happy pet!

Bright Red Flags to watch for:

A Vet who seems indifferent to your concerns about certain care

A Vet who places more concern on the ability to pay

A Vet who doesn't place much credence in proper nutrition

A Vet who seems to want to push pills without concern of side effects; Holistic remedies should always be an option

A Vet who will not allow you to hold your animal during the exam

A Vet who's staff members also attempt to place you aside during the exam

A Vet or staff member who handles animals with strong-arming tactics

A Vet or staff member who doesn't wash their hands between handling of animals

A Vet who will not allow you in recovery after surgery to be with your pet

A Vet who will not allow you to escort your dog or cat to its' kennel for their stay

A Vet who will not work on large breeds on the floor but only on the table

A Vet who does not trust your dog based on breed type and wants to muzzle it

A Vet who becomes ill-tempered when your dog or cat gets hard to handle

A Vet who argues every point you try to make in your pets care

A Vet who speaks in medical jargon instead of lay-man terms

A Vet or staff member who uses harsh corrections or abuses your pet

A Vet who shows little or no compassion, especially in an emergency

A Vet who will not allow visitation during an extended stay in the pet hospital

A Vet who will not return your phone call during inquiry of ongoing care

A Vet who will not allow you to be with your pet when placed under sedation

A Vet who ignores your wishes for terminating life-saving care to end suffering

A Vet who encourages euthanasia instead with no regard to your feelings about it

A Vet who will not allow you to be present for Euthanasia of your beloved pet

Again, these are strong indicators of whether or not this is the clinic for you and your pet. However only you can decide, because as you can see, some of these warning signs can become a balancing act. What is the proper balance of something and how much will you tolerate or handle.

Needless to say if you are elderly, a child, or just someone uncomfortable with handling your pet during exams, then by all means insist on the staffs' help. But they should be asked to assist, not thrust on your animal who has come to know you as their pack member. Your Vet should also be willing to place some trust in you that their safety is key for you as well. So be sure to let him or her know if your pet has tendencies that may be considered dangerous to your Vet or their staff members. It is ultimately up to you to look out for everyone's safety in the treatment room. At the very least assist with the exam by placing yourself at their head while petting and talking to them. Do not become a passive by-stander. Your pet trusts you..... period.

A sudden intrusive change to strange people, especially in unfamiliar territory can be extremely stressful causing your pet to lash out and possibly bite. This is by no means the animals' fault, but the fault of the veterinarian or staff person. This is why rapport with your Veterinarian is so valuable. When there is mutual agreement on treatment and care of your dog or cat, your wonderful fuzzy faced friend can sense the harmony and hence their stress will reduce ten-fold. Anxiety, tension, and apprehension on anyone's part in the room will be strongly sensed by them, and what was once a laid back family member may become the scourge of the clinic.

Muzzling certain breed types is also unnecessary since this is a form of stereotyping and shows the Vets inability to adapt to the situation. A bad past experience may have tainted their ability to assess things accurately, causing undue paranoia on their part. Naturally they are not wanting to get hurt during the exam, but this should not preclude them from giving every breed that comes through the door the benefit of the doubt.

However, if you know your dog to be skittish or possesses aggressive tendencies, then agreeing to muzzling will take tensions out of the visit for everyone and can relieve the stress on your Vet until they learn how your dog will react in certain situations. Muzzling can be a good thing for everyone involved and it is not abuse or painful to the animal. What would be painful would be a serious dog bite. Same can go for cats, but they can be more difficult to handle under extreme frenzied behavior and can be quite serious if someone should be bitten. Many pet owners have been bitten by their own furry family friend during a panicked situation. This is indeed an accident and nothing more, and can certainly be prevented. Better to play it safe than take a trip to the emergency room yourself.

Cats can also froth and salivate heavily when extremely stressed and scared of all the smells of other animals permeating their noses. They can lash out, scratch, hiss, and bite quite admirably, leaving you with some serious damage which will need immediate medical attention due to toxins in your cats' saliva. Feline behavior can be quite unpredictable in these kinds of situations.

Tip for cat handling at the Vets office: For best results for the timid cat, bring him or her in a crate and include a medium sized heavy terry cloth towel just in case. When removing an extremely scared or aggressive cat from the carrier it is best if the staff or Vet not be in the room at the time. This will force him or her to burrow into his carrier further and perhaps cause injury to you. Once you are alone in the room coax your pal out of the crate and place them on top of the laid out towel, then bring up the sides over their back and roll or fold the ends together tightly, encasing the entire cat with only their head and tail sticking out like a little kitty sausage. This will literally cause your cat to chill. You will be able to see them relax, feeling snug as a bug in a rug. They will behave as though you shot them up with a paralyzing drug. Now when the Vet enters the room, they may return to cognitive behavior and struggle and fight, but will be unable to move a muscle and cause anyone unintentional harm. The Vet and you are free to do their exam initially, taking temperature, checking eyes and ears, inside of the mouth, all being done while the cat gets used to the idea of being touched by this strange human. Eventually they may accept this human and the towel can be loosened across the back to continue further examination. Unfortunately, if he or she is extremely aggressive or scared outside their home, or you have brought in a feral cat, then sedation may be the only way to examine this poor animal. And fortunately for you, with cat wrapped in a bundle the Vet is free to insert the sedation via sub-q in the neck or intramuscular through the rear door in the leg thigh without much fuss to anyone.

Veterinarians who are less than thrilled to allow many of the other things mentioned, for example staying with your pet for many procedures or escorting your furry companion to their kennel, are an area for you to exercise caution. You must ask yourself, "what are they trying to hide?" The answer should be obvious in your mind. Even if you have to imagine, go with it and move on to the next one. Only you should have the choice whether to relinquish your pet in the outer office, or say your goodbye's at their kennel destination. You should be able to inspect their boarding facilities at a moment's notice.

Believe it or not, all staff members hired may not necessarily be a cat or dog person, and depending on their preference, you may witness some abusive behavior toward the disliked species. And any mishandling of an animal through strong-arm tactics or abuse should be a reason for an immediate exit on your part with dog or cat in tow. Make haste!

Training and handling your pets' and exposing them to as many everyday occurrences will make going to the Vet a piece of cake. When animals are exposed to many different things, they find little reason to become afraid of it. Bad experiences will require some corrective work, and using your Vet's office for some practice at visiting is practical. You will then leave again without much adieu, repeat, and practice during an actual office visit as well. This can go a long way to helping them overcome whatever bad things happened in the past. The clinic staff are usually quite accommodating when it comes to practice runs and the visit will become something different for your pet..... a positive experience! A Scooby snack is a great bribe.

The Bottom Line

Everyone wants to avoid a bad experience at the Vet hospital, so this is why it takes vigilance and due diligence on your part to choose the best one for your pet. And if you seem to be constantly gnawing on the bone of contention with him or her, do both of you a favor and try someone new. This will relieve stress also on your pet.

And remember, most of your Veterinarians are excellent, loving, animal care givers. The majority have gone into this type of medicine because they truly love animals. It is only a minute few who will fall into the warning signs list and it will be your task to weed them out. Just be warned, they are out there, and you and your pet are the ones' who will have to live with your decision.

You might even try several Vets before settling on one. Also remember an excellent one can fall victim to a misjudged hiring of staff. If you feel the staff makes you uncomfortable, but you love your animal's caregiver, just express your concerns to him or her and see if they aren't quick in resolving the problem. They realize the staff in the front office are the representatives of their clinic and they want that good first impression very much. If there doesn't seem to be an adjustment afterwards, then perhaps sadly, you may choose to go to another Vet. It will have to be what is most comfortable for you and your pet.

These are also flawed human beings and they too can have a bad day sometimes, as long as it is the exception and not the rule. That is why in many instances compromise and understanding are the keys to a achieving a mutual care for your pet. You will also be responsible in how you in return treat your Veterinarian. They also deserve the same respect you expect from them, so mutuality will do wonders for growing a trust you will need for the care of your pet to be successful.

Despite discovering some of the red flags, the key component is if you can safely discuss your concerns with them. If he or she responds in kind then you have struck gold, if they debate or become obtuse, then your warning signs will ring true and you will know that it is time to search elsewhere. Be cognitive in your search of an excellent Vet. You should hit it right the first time if you are.

The Veterinarians joke: Why do Medical Students end up becoming Medical Doctors? Because they flunked out of Veterinary school.

Imagine the work it took for your Vet to become the person who stands before you wanting to help your pet. They have to learn to diagnose without even being able to ask the animal a question, unlike human doctors. It is a process of elimination and the knowledge to execute it, along with the excellent training and many years of practice they have learned to determine what ails them. All the different species and sub-species they have had to learn. People are people, animals are infinite in anatomical differences. We should be in awe of their profession and their ability to make our best friends well. No conscientious Vet wants to sabotage that work deliberately by running off prospective patients with bad behavior on his or her part, let alone incur staff problems to the detriment of their practice.

Pay attention to the things suggested and your intuition, your pets reaction to their caregiver, and all should go smoothly before you realize you have made a serious mistake. Arm yourself with knowledge and then you will realize avoidance is the key to having a happy kitty or pooch and to preserve your peace of mind.

Kitty Korner

2008-09-03T15:36:00.028-06:00

Provides advice on Feline Behavior, Cat Care, Toys, Cat Pure Breeds and an overall Feline Review

Kitty Korner is the place where fellow feline lovers can come for cat friendly advice. What's new in the best cat toys, help with cat behaviors, even how to choose the right cat for your home and family whether it be a mixed breed or a purebred Kitty.

Kitty Knowledge

Welcome to Kitty Korner where we offer the most up to date information for fellow cat lovers. Whether you need a bit of info on Feline Care, Feline Behavior, Gifts for the cat lover, or an overall knowledge on your friendly House Cat, we can provide that to you at the click of a button. We offer many articles and related pet friendly domains for you to research the best aspects of a certain breed, or just to find out why your cat is doing that strange thing he or she does. You'll never be bored with our continuing growth of Kitty Korner since we will update our information for you frequently. It is important to us that you, as someone with a love or fascination with their cat, have available to them the everyday items, ideas, and proper care and feeding of their cat readily available. We are always interested in others sharing their ideas or thoughts with us about their Kitty so please leave a comment to let us know what you would like to see or learn about on our Pet Friendly Site.

Finicky Felines

We will touch on a common complaint seen by many cat owners....the cat that won't eat. If you have ever dealt with one of these fussy felines, this can be extremely stressful to an owner. They cannot be trained to eat their food like a dog by only offering that diet and nothing else since hunger will dictate and they will eat when they see nothing else offered. Unfortunately the cat, unless they are good at catching birds or mice, these finicky eaters will literally "not eat" themselves to death. If you have an indoor cat that refuses to eat, then you must try to figure out what they like and keep them interested in food. It is a peculiar and sometimes unexplained behavior in some cats since many feral cats will take any food they can sink their teeth into, including dry dog food, before they will allow themselves to starve to death.

Tip: Cats cannot survive on a dry dog food or canned food, it is nutritionally insufficient. Feed a high quality Cat Food only.

One thing to be vigilant of, if your cat was eating a dry cat food before, then suddenly decides not to, don't panic, it may just be the food turned rancid or you might need to meaty it up with some canned food or a bit of meat from your plate. However, you may need to switch dry foods altogether. Illness, Hairballs, Bladder Stones, Internal Injuries, Senior Years, along with symptoms of Heat Stroke can make your cat stop eating.

Not many cats will turn down a freshly cooked or freshly opened can of meat. If a cat has gone longer than 5 days without eating, you could be faced with a form of feline anorexia. A cat turned off by food can be due to a feeling of nausea brought about by medicines along with the other things mentioned, and then it will be up to you to assist them with beginning to eat again. If getting their eating to reignite doesn't work then a Vet check is in order. At the very least they can get your cat on nutritional support until they feel better and your Vet can determine what is ailing your fuzzy feline.

All The Other Stuff

In our spot on Finicky Felines, we offered you a taste of some of the important stuff you can find in Kitty Korner, along with locating more stuff inside Pet Friendly Place. Things that pertain to dogs and cats alike.

You will learn the do's and don'ts of life with your cat and how there are strong differences between the two species besides the obvious and the not so obvious.

Example: You can give a dog Acetaminophin (Tylenol) for pain relief, but give the same to a cat and it will be an emergency Vet visit for Fluffy due to liver failure and /or fatal blood disorder. Aspirin can also poison a cat due to it still having a half life in their systems for up to 72 hours later so cats can reach a toxic level if given in same dosages as you would a dog or person. This should only be used under the guidance of a Veterinarian. Same goes for a dog as well. Don't administer any medication without your Vet's approval especially medicines designed for humans. Your Vet will have a much more appropriate medication for pain control or for anything else your pet might require.

We have Gift and Toy stuff for you and your cat to enjoy time together.

We have stuff for you to learn about proper Care and Health.

We offer Grooming tips and Bathing stuff for the cat lover.

We can assist you with stuff dealing with the aging Feline.

We have great stuff on Traveling for you and your cat.

We show the best stuff in Carriers that will suit the shy Kitty.

We can guide you through the stuff for finding a Purebred Cat.

We can give you the scoop on stuff you need to Adopt a cat.

We will provide a forum for the unusual questions on cat stuff.

For all the other stuff, an overview to our Pet Friendly Place.

We wish you well with the journey you and your cat or kitten will share over the next 12-20 years.

Welcome To Pet Friendly Place

2008-09-02T05:31:00.041-06:00

The Best in Pet Information, Holistic Health, Pet Toys, Pet Care, Grooming, Gifts, Pet Carriers, and Dog Beds.

Are you looking for the Ultimate advice in Pet Health, Animal Care, Pet Grooming, Unique Gifts for Pet Owners, Designer Dog and Cat Carriers, Luxury Pet Beds, and Fantastic Dog and Kitty Information? Then look no further as you have arrived at the Pet Friendly Place.

Due to our shared love and fascination of our beloved family pets we have created this spot for the pet lover. We are here to offer you current and frequently updated pet friendly information in dog and cat advice so that you can create a great home environment for your Fido or Fifi. Along with great product suggestions for pet health and care, grooming care, and excellent choices in special dog training equipment, for example; different types of designer carriers or crates. We will introduce you to the special dog and cat lovers gifts and luxury beds. We will provide dog training tips along with giving the Kitty Lover what they need. We can further assist you with making the correct decision in choosing the perfect pet to fit you and your family. Along with pet travel information for the possibility you may travel with your dog or cat at some point in your time together. Our House Cat section will also bring you information for the feline lovers.

For The Furry Faced Member Of Your Home

Do you enjoy shopping for your pet? Are they treated like fuzzy children? Then you are in luck! With so many owners caring for their animals in the way they would their own children, there are many new avenues for the dog or cat owner to pursue in the latest trends in fashion, carriers, pet beds, sound nutrition, and wonderful fresh smelling aromatherapy. Never before have we had such diversity in items or care for our family friend as we do today. Accessorizing your pet is now an art and a lifestyle.

As little as over a decade ago when we were just beginning to introduce the diverse world of fun stuff for our pet, we were faced with leash and collar, typical chew toys, catnip products, scratch posts, pet food bowls, and a bag of dog or cat chow. No more! Our senses have been awakened to the new shopping experience for pet owners. Bright colors in pet fashion and toys, new smells in grooming products, massage therapies at your pet's health spa, acupuncture at their private retreat, the most luxurious in pet beds are provided at your favorite doggie day care, pet crockery, pet gifts, preservative free holistic diets and some of the best medical care now offered to our pets. It is a new age for the pampered pet.

Pet Friendly Place will introduce you to entertaining fun ideas for you and your pet, advice on their well being and training, up to date information as it becomes available, and many of the new items you can find in boutiques or on-line just for you or them. You, the pet owner, will never have to be bored with old ideas again and can now join the masses of bringing you and your dog or cat into the 21st century. Something new is being added to the already many newfangled products everyday, just waiting for you to take advantage of them. So let's enjoy the journey of a fantastic new experience for the family pet.

Do You Have A Pet With A Behavior Problem?

Many pet owners become frustrated and disenchanted with their animal due to bizarre or out-of-control behavior problems. When this happens, in some cases, the owner feels they have no other choice but to discard them. "Discard", sounds awful doesn't it? In today's society, unfortunately our poor pets are becoming disposable. As though the animal has no value because of how it might be behaving? Fret not! There are many solutions to avoid having to remove your beloved friend from your home. There are many unique dog or cat supplies and pet training items at your disposal to aid you in taming the unruly pet.

In some cases you may find yourself wanting to purchase a pet or go to your local shelter and adopt a dog or a cat. The latter of these two ways to acquire a pet may find you faced with a dog behavior or house cat behavior problem which will need your immediate attention and commitment. However, with that mentioned, certain pure breed dogs and cats can possess their own quirks which are part of their breed characteristic. So quirks are not always isolated to the animal residing at you local pet shelter. Acquiring a pet is a decision not to be made lightly since you will be sharing your life with him or her for their entire life. And by taking your time in such an important decision, your pet will not befall the fate of so many other unwanted pets today, either ending up in the local shelter or worse.

What To Do? Buy Or Adopt? Baby Pet or Adult Pet?

Good question! Purchasing a Pure Breed Dog or Pure Breed Cat can be very exciting since it usually means getting involved with your breeder, which of course you know to be reputable. This choice of wanting a pet that is breed specific can bring you pleasure since you typically are targeting the right breed known for its' personality traits, intelligence, grooming care, and overall health. These traits will pertain to that specific breed of Dog or Cat which should be researched in order to make a good fit between pet and owner. Dog breeds range from Toy, Sporting, Working, Herding, Non-Sporting, Hounds, to Terriers. Cat Breeds are more diversified, dealing with an exact breed type, not a category of breeds like the dogs.

Adopting a Dog or a Cat is also a fine choice. These are animals for obvious reasons, where their owners could no longer provide or care for their needs. As most of you know our shelters are becoming over crowded and these animals need your help in finding a new home. These shelters also can provide anything from a pure bred dog or cat to mixed breeds for you to share some love with. With patience and due diligence, these displaced animals can make for a wonderful friend and companion. You will be faced with many choices when trying to decide which one to take home with you. Take your time, and remember to focus on what pet will make the best companion for you and your family and whether or not you can provide for their needs.

Don't forget Animal Rescues! Many are Breed Specific as well. These people practice ethical means in placing these magnificent abandoned or abused animals in excellent homes and are very sure beforehand of the owner's qualification to own such an animal. Here you will know the ultimate in pet adoption and what it takes to prove to these caring individuals that you can provide the best home for these dogs and cats.

Whether to get a puppy or kitten or choose an adult dog or cat is strictly a personal preference. Either way, this decision will have it's advantages and disadvantages. Puppies and Kittens are far more impressionable and can easily adjust to the home by which you provide. However, they require much attention, persistence and timing with training, and much, much patience. Adult Dogs and Cats can be very easy to train in a very short time due to them wanting very much to please you, yet they also will require the same attention, training and persistence in order to make them an excellent house guest. The adult pet also may come with their personality benefits or problems already ingrained. These can be a blessing or they can be a nightmare for the unsuspecting new owner. One doesn't know until your friend comes home with you.

Never rush to a quick decision and always avoid impulse buying or adopting especially around the holidays. This is when we see the most animals show up at our local shelters. After the holidays are gone, the novelty of the cute gift idea has worn off and then you find yourself faced with this living, breathing, fuzzy face looking up to you for love and needing you to meet their most basic pet care needs on a daily basis.

Choosing to bring a pet into your home will be the question you have to ask yourself:

What kind of home can I provide?

How will they fit into my lifestyle?

Can I find time to give to my pet during the day?

Can I provide him or her with proper shelter and safety?

Can I handle the expense of providing the best in pet nutrition?

Am I committed to providing stability through proper training?

Am I prepared for the added financial task it will require for his or her health care?

If you can answer these questions with confidence that will benefit both you and your future companion then by all means go for it and get ready for enjoying the greatest experience that a lifelong companion will bring into your life.

Kitty Cat: The Fur Person

For you Cat Lovers, we also have provided for your enjoyment our little Kitty Korner.

Here you will find things such as:

Feline Care

Feline Nutrition

Cat Health Care

Breed Specific Cats

House Cat Behaviors

Unique Gifts for Cat Lovers

As most Cat Lovers know, your fur person can take you or leave you at a moment's notice. The blinking, all knowing stare, the hint of indifference shown by their ears tipping backwards while presenting their backside to you, the indignation of being removed from the kitchen counter top making them skulk away. The sudden twitch of the tail telling you of displeasure only to change to a purring entwining of their body around your leg as you attempt to move through the room, then going for the leg tackle with digging claws and a bite to boot. You know the type.

Ah yes, we know these mood swings well.

Along with many articles that will aid you in general feline care, we will focus our attention on the curiosity that killed the cat. Such as the feline behaviors that can either place your cat in the warm spot in your heart with his or her undying devotion, or help you understand why they have suddenly been exiled to living out their remaining days on your stoop.

Dog Or Cat Lover

No matter which type of person you are, whether you are a Dog Lover or a Cat Lover or both, make sure that when you bring your new found friend into your home, you have all the necessary things you need to make the transition easy for both of you. The most important thing is to find and choose an excellent well received Veterinarian. Choosing your Vet will be one of the most important decisions you will make along with your choice of pet. They will be with you and your dog or cat from puppy or kitten hood until they reach their senior years. Special needs of the senior pet will become challenging and having a caring Vet will be important during this time in your pets' life. You want to look for one that will share your concerns and seems to really take an interest in your pet. One that is also knowledgeable on animal nutrition and how certain diets can create food allergies in your dog or cat. We advise any pet you bring home to be thoroughly examined by a Veterinarian to head off any unforeseen illness or problems in the future. And to also know if they are available for emergency care or will you need to go to another Veterinary Hospital.

You will find the most updated and current information on health care, grooming your pet, luxury pet beds, toys, Unique dog and cat lover gifts, dog clothes, and everything in between.

Please enjoy our many future articles as they pertain to your wants or desires for your pets, and in keeping with our everlasting devotion to our fuzzy faced friends, it is our desire for you to find not only excellent information, but will be entertained as well.