Tori's Pet Boutique

What breed should I get?

2013-02-20T10:59:00.002-06:00

By mockstar

Are you thinking about getting a dog? The breed of dog is actually vitally important as to whether or not your new pet will be a successful fit in your family. Some dog breeds are more energetic than others. Some breeds require daily grooming. Some breeds have a reputation for being more stubborn or being harder to train than others. Having a responsiblity or a job to do is important to dogs in other breeds. These are all important factors to consider when you think about your lifestyle. You have your house and yard size, time, and children to consider.

Animal Planet has come up with an awesome online Dog Breed Selector. It is a step-by-step questionairre to lead up the the perfect breed for you. It also has some great runner-up choices in case you aren't thrilled with its first choice.

No matter how you go about researching and selecting your breed choice, remember that fifty percent of the dogs in shelters and rescues are actually pure bred, so please adopt! Those dogs need you and they know it. You will not regret it.

How to Safely Break Up a Dog Fight

2013-01-28T14:35:00.000-06:00

This is something we don't like to think about, or maybe we think that our sweet, precious Fifi will never get into a fight with any other dog! Ever! But it does happen. I've heard of turning a hose on them or throwing a ball at them, but there are times you just don't have a water spigit or a ball handy. Here is a way to break up a fight that doesn't require sticking within 25 feet of the house. Definitely worth a read!

How old is your dog?

2012-08-02T12:15:00.000-05:00

This is a new chart that gets a little more in depth to how old your dog is — in body — not in spirit! We all know they don't act their age! It gets away from the old seven dog years to every one human year standard to a little more specific according to size and age.

Chart re-blogged from: Randy Hilarski on Google+

Is your dog cool?

2012-05-26T12:50:00.000-05:00

Watch what happens to this chocolate lab on a hot day. Please! Leave your pets at home—inside.

Welcome Home!

2012-05-01T11:18:00.002-05:00

These pups know how to say welcome home!

It's Pest Season

2012-03-31T12:06:00.000-05:00

Photo by Zac Declerck

Because of the unusually warm winter, the pesky bugs are starting early this year and may be attacking harder than ever. That means our pets are more susceptible than ever. Here are a few things we can do to protect them:

Mosquitoes:

Mosquitoes are already being seen in Texas and in some areas of the country they are present year round.
Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, so make sure your pets are on heartworm preventative.
Still water can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Dump out standing water and install bubblers or fountains in ponds to keep the water moving. Don't forget to check after each rainfall!
Keep pets indoors at dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are most active.
Refresh outdoor water bowls a couple times a day to prevent mosquitoes from using them to lay their eggs.
Do not use DEET on your pet. This may cause neurological problems.

Fleas and Ticks:

Ticks can cause allergies, tapeworms, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and more. Many of these diseases can kill you pets!
There are skin application type products available such as Frontline (effective for killing fleas and ticks) and K9 Advantix (fleas, ticks and mosquitoes); cat products include Frontline and Advantage.
Flea shampoos, powders, and sprays tend to kill only the adult fleas on the pet at the time of application.
Flea mousses, foams and creme rinses tend to last a little longer. Flea and tick dips, which are typically poured on the pet, are stronger, but more likely to contain harsh, toxic chemicals. The newer products are regarded as more effective and somewhat safer than the older types of flea control.
Here's a helpful link for any questions you may have on your flea and tick products:Poisons on Pets - Health Hazards from Flea and Tick Products

Surfing Bulldog

2012-03-24T10:47:00.000-05:00

This dog is multi-talented and really knows how to have fun!

Big Dogs Are Back!

2012-02-28T11:39:00.001-06:00

The American Kennel Club has announced their yearly list of most popular list of most popular dogs in the U.S. today. Big dogs are making a comeback with the Rottweiler joining the list this year.

2011 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.	2010 Ranking
1.Labrador Retriever	1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog	2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Beagle	3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Golden Retriever	4. Beagle
5. Yorkshire Terrier	5. Golden Retriever
6. Bulldog	6. Bulldog
7. Boxer	7. Boxer
8. Poodle	8. Dachshund
9. Dachshund	9. Poodle
10. Rottweiler	10. Shih Tzu

What does knowing this information do for you? Well, if you are thinking about getting a dog, this can be a great place to start. It's still important to do your research, however. One of these breeds may be great for your family, or there may be another breed that is better suited for your household. It's worth the time a effort to research!

Then head to your local shelters or Petfinder.com, which works with your local shelters, to find a dog. Did you know that more than half of the dogs in the shelters are actually pure bred? You may not have their papers, but you'll still have a wonderful, loving dog and that's what is most important.

Did You Know Ice Melts Are Toxic?

2012-02-24T12:48:00.000-06:00

Photo by HeffTech

Spring may be right around the corner, but as those in the northern states get are still getting snow, it's important to remember that ice melts are toxic to our pets. Here are some quick safety tips to help keep your pets safe during the winter months:

1. Keep ice melts stored out of reach of your pets or keep your pets out of the garage. This is a good practice anyway as many items in typically stored in a garage are very toxic to pets.

2. Ice melts can burn and crack the paws of a dog, so be sure to wipe off your dog's paws after every walk with a clean, damp towel. An alternative is to have your dog wear dog boots. (Adorable!) Not every dog is agreeable to this, however.

3. We all remember the saying "Don't eat yellow snow". Well, do your pet a favor and keep them from eating or rolling in ice melt snow.

4. Don't forget that snow turns into puddles. Keep your dog from drinking any puddles after the snow melts.

If you think your dog may have consumed ice melt, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA also has a 24-hour poison control hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Is Your Pet Protected?

2012-02-08T15:23:00.000-06:00

5 Spay and Neutering Myths Debunked

2012-01-27T11:28:00.000-06:00

Photo by The Road to Dog

Every female pet should have at least one litter before being spayed.
FALSE. In fact, your pet will be healthier if she never sexually matures. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life if she is spayed.
Neutering alters an animal's personality.
FALSE. The personality of your pet will not change. They will still be their quirky, crazy selves. Any changes that may result from neutering are usually for the better as they are hormonal related. For example, not being distracted by the instinctual need to find a mate helps your pet stop roaming and decreases aggressive tendencies.
Neutering is emasculating to a male.
FALSE. Neutering provides major health benefits for your male. Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your pet prevents testicular cancer if done before six months of age. Your male dog will be less inclined to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate including escaping a fence or digging out! And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males. Intact male dogs and cats may also mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can also be avoided by early neutering. A neutered male will be much better behaved.
Spaying or neutering will lead to obesity in my pet.
FALSE. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat. Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
Spaying and neutering is expensive.
FALSE. There are many low cost Spay / Neuter Resources available. You just have to look for them! Visit http://neuterspay.org/ and search for programs in your area! There are many areas that have programs specifically to help feral cat problems. If you don't find your area listed on this site, check your city website. No matter where you live, your city is anxious to keep the animal population down and will most likely have a spay and neuter program available.

Source: ASPCA

Play Dead!

2012-01-26T11:30:00.000-06:00

Feral Cat Problem? UNT's Solution

2012-01-20T17:57:00.000-06:00

Taking a Stand

2012-01-18T11:52:00.000-06:00

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2011-11-24T10:33:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving from Tori's Pet Boutique! Remember... no matter how much they beg... no turkey for the fur babies. Save it for the sandwiches tomorrow!

Safe Travels

2011-11-19T15:30:00.001-06:00

Photo by TheGiantVermin

If you are planning a trip out of town for the holidays, you most likely have already got your kennel or pet sitter lined up. If not, this late in the date, you might be out of luck! Getting a kennel for the holidays late in the year is like trying to get a sitter on a Friday night.

Assuming you have your kennel or pet sitter already, make sure you are taking your pet to a reputable place — recommended by friends or your veterinarian. Make sure your pet's shots are all current, especially bordetella. Bordetella, more commonly known as kennel cough, spreads like wild fire through kennels, and it benefits both you and the kennel owner for your pet to be current on this vaccine. It's very treatable and not communicable to humans, but it is still no fun for your pet or you. Once that is done, use this handy list to get your pet ready to go!

Take sufficient food +1 day (changing diet is hard on your pet)
Leashes
Collars with proper identification securely attached
Sufficient medication for all days +1 day in a properly labeled container
Blankets - these are often not provided
Chew bone - choose a big enough bone not to fit through the cage to other animals
Copy of vet vaccination records

Good planning should ensure both you and your pet make it through the Holidays both happy and healthy!

Go Fetch!

2011-11-03T10:31:00.000-05:00

This clever dog has it all figured out! He can play to his heart's content. I loved it so much I had to share!

What is Your Dog Eating?

2011-10-07T10:44:00.000-05:00

I recently learned that the food we were feeding our dogs contained, well, mystery meat. When I initially started my pups on this food, I had read the ingredients to check for items the vet recommended, but did not know to look for others! There are ingredients, such as "animal fat", that are really scary in my opinion. This ingredient doesn't mention any specific animal, so it could range from beef, chicken renderings, to grease, diseased cattle, euthanized pets, or road kill. That alone turned my stomach. When I heard this, I ran straight for my dog food bag and learned that, sadly, that was exactly what I was feeding my dogs. No more.

So the search for new food began. I was at a loss as there are so many ingredients that sound ambiguous at best — kind of like reading our own food labels. To add to that, there are so many brands, and depending on which vet you talk to, they all recommend something different. It's dog food! It shouldn't be complicated! Isn't there something out there to make it all make sense?

Well, yes.

I was so happy to stumble upon dogfoodadvisor.com, which reviews wet, dry and raw dog foods based on their ingredients. The list of ingredients highlights the problematic ones with an explanation of the potential issue. The site is very extensive and user friendly. Check your pooch's food out and see how it compares!

Shagged by a Kakapo

2011-08-30T10:28:00.003-05:00

Big, awkward, and adorable, the Kakapo is New Zealand's mysterious 'parrot of the night'. Unfortunately, there are only 131 of these wonderful birds left in the world, so they are on the critically endangered list. You can learn more about the Kakapo at kakaporecovery.org.nz.

Outrageous Hotel Perks for Pets

2011-08-22T14:58:00.000-05:00

Our furry friends can never be pampered enough!

Dr. Karen Becker: How to Control Food Allergies

2011-07-04T10:20:00.002-05:00

You may be surprised to find out that what your pet is eating may affect their allergies! Here's how to tell and how to control it.

Bet You Watch This Twice!

2011-07-01T10:41:00.001-05:00

A Happier 4th!

2011-06-30T10:35:00.009-05:00

Photo by bayasaa

The Fourth of July is next weekend and we'd like to take a moment to remind you to be sensitive of your furry friends. Their hearing is as much as ten times greater than ours and their eye sight is also very sensitive to the bright lights. The unpredictable, loud noises can be incredibly scary.

Many cities experience high numbers of lost dogs due to them getting out during fireworks shows. Dogs that have never done so before are known to frantically chew or dig out of fenced yards. If you are going to be away, leave your dog inside and in a secre area. Turn on a television, radio, A/C or fan to drown out the sound of the fireworks. Do those simple things and it will be a happier Fourth for both you and your pet!

Awww... So Sleepy

2011-06-27T11:28:00.000-05:00

Busted! I Saw You Barking... Now You Meow?

2011-06-24T13:06:00.000-05:00