Pet Lover's Blog

It's a Green Thing! Live Catnip and Wheat Grass arriving in stores this week!

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:57:00 +0000

POWERED BY GREEN NUTRITION!

Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and small animals all say yes to the taste of our 100% certified organic wheat grass. It’s an excellent source of green nutrition and the healthy, safe alternative to potentially harmful houseplants and chemically treated outdoor grasses.
And here’s the dirt on our soil: it’s an organic mix, custom blended then planted with top-quality seed to boost flavor and nutrients. Delivered fresh from the farm.

How To Get Your Greens On

Place Pet Grass by your cat’s feeding bowl or a window and give your houseplants a break. For dogs, add fine clippings to wet or dry food. It’s a nutritious alternative to munching lawn grass. Put Pet Grass where your birds perch for a tasty pruning and juicing treat, and sprinkle fine clippings in the feeding bowls of reptiles and small animals.

Inspire your cat to tumble, jump and race around in pure bliss. Safe and non-addictive, our premium live catnip is a highly aromatic anytime treat. Repeat it for a continual supply.

Information from www.bellrockgrowers.com

Product Spotlight: Diatomaceous Earth for Pets

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Lumino Diatomaceous Earth for Pets

Lumino Diatomaceous Earth is a natural, non-toxic organic alternative to chemical flea, tick & parasite treatments.

What is Diatomaceous Earth? Food grade diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring fine organic powder composed of crushed aquatic freshwater fossils. Listed as an organic product by the Organic Material Review Institute, it is the highest-grade fossil shell flour available.

If you are wary of putting spot-on treatments on your pet to kill fleas, then try Diatomaceous Earth. It is not a chemical - it is a desiccant, which means that it actually penetrates and dries out the waxy exoskeleton of fleas and ticks so they dehydrate. Neat, huh? It has no chemical toxicity, just a simple, naturally effective solution for parasite control.

Surprisingly, it doesn't stop there. It also has been shown to eliminate hookworms, roundworms, pinworms and whipworms within one week of being fed daily.

It can also be used externally, just simply rub the product into your pet's coat and fur to kill fleas, ticks and lice. Can be used on bedding and furniture as well.

Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth: Not only is this product organic and non-toxic, but it is also good for your pet because it contains 15 trace minerals that are proven to boost your pet's immune system.

This product can be used on any animal - kittens and puppies six weeks of age or older, dogs, cats, poultry, horses, etc. Find it now on our Website.

Keep Your Dog Warm this Winter!

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:43:00 +0000

If your dog is an outside dog, then it's important to make sure your furry friend stays warms during the cold winter months. Some months, especially the months of January and February, can drop to below zero temperatures, depending on where you live. Here are a few tips to make sure your pet stays toasty this winter.

Most puppies cannot survive the cold like adult dogs, so be sure to keep your puppy indoors during winter. It's best to only take them outside for housebreaking purposes only.

Your dog will need more food, especially protein, during the winter months. This will help to keep your pet's fur in good shape and provide the extra calories it needs to survive the cold. Also, make sure your dog has plenty of room to exert the energy it needs to keep its body temperature a level that will provide enough body heat to keep it warm.

If you live in an area that snows, be sure to make your pet a place to sleep that isn't on the snow. Hay, cedar or pine chips, and other pet bedding is perfect for this. If you have a shed or outside building your dog can sleep in, a heated bed is also a perfect way to make sure your dog doesn't freeze. We have a great selection of heated beds and pet bed warmers that will ensure your pet stays warm.

It is also crucial to make sure your pet has plenty of drinking water too. Unfortunately, the cold can cause your pet's water to freeze so it's important to have water that is liquid for your pet to drink. If you live in an area that gets to below freezing temperatures, then you might want to consider getting a heated dog bowl for your pet. This will help your dog's water stay liquid and won't freeze even in the lowest temperatures.

When all else fails, if you can always bring your pet indoors if you think it is too cold for him. Most pets with thick coats will be fine outside, as long as you follow these tips.

Owning a Pet Can Help You Live Longer

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:18:00 +0000

You may not realize it, but your pet may be adding to your lifespan. Studies have shown a significant difference in stress levels between people who own pets and those who don't and pet owners tend to live much longer lives.

But why is this? For one thing, our pets can help us from being so lazy. We take our dogs for walks, play Frisbee with them in the park, or chase them around the house because they got a hold of our new shoes. This helps to increase our cardiovascular exercise and keep us at a healthy weight.

Our pets can help on an emotional level too. As human beings, we need to feel wanted and loved. Who makes you feel more wanted and loved than your high-jumping, tail-waggin' furry friend? Your dog makes you feel like you are a celebrity when you walk through the door after a long day's work. Our pet's affection can have a very therapeutic affect on us, whether we realize it or not. They know when we are sad and try to comfort us on some level. Research on individuals of all ages clearly show that 15 minutes of direct contact a day with an animal reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, slows heart rate, improves sleep and reduces the risk of depression.

So go to your local animal shelter and pick out a pet because the life you save may very well be your own.

Problem with Cat Scratching?

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:37:00 +0000

Many cat owners suffer with cats scratching in unwanted areas such as furniture. One of the reasons behind the scratching is that cats are very responsive to different smells in the area. So, the solution is easy - change the smell to something the cat will dislike. Most cats do not like the smell of citrus or bitter apple sprays so you can put in these in areas to deter your cat from scratching. Another non-harmful technique is to use a water bottle to spritz the cat anytime he or she is scratching in an area you dislike. Most cats won't like this and it will remind them to not keep participating in the same behavior that is causing them to get sprayed with the water.

You will need to provide the cat with an alternate scratching object such as a scratching post. Positive reinforcement will encourage the cat to use the scratching post, rather than your big, comfy sofa. Training a cat is similar to training a dog in the sense that cats also respond to negative and positive reinforcement. Anytime your cat is scratching on something you don't want her to, make sure you tell her 'no' and put her next to the scratching post. Catnip can also be used to aid in encouraging the cat to use the scratching post instead of furniture.

Dog Has Matted Fur? No Problem!

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:21:00 +0000

My grandmother knows I am an avid dog lover. One day I got a call from her requesting my help with her Cocker Spaniel, Cara. She said she needed my help with grooming her. She used to take Cara to get her groomed quite frequently, but had not had the money to do so. I agreed to help. I did not know what I was getting myself into until I saw Cara. It was something you only see in doggy nightmares. The dog was completely covered in matted hair and tangles. Not only was the dog covered in matted hair, but also had mud caked into the matted hair, which made it worse. My grandmother would have groomed Cara herself, but her hands make it unable to do so. I attempted to cut the matts out of Cara's fur at first, but quickly found this was going to be impossible. The matts were THICK, plus mix in the mud, the scissors didn't stand a chance. I knew this was going to be a tough job. So I went to the local Pet Depot store and picked up a Wahl KM 2 Professional 2 Speed Pet Clipper.

I was skeptical that this particular clipper would be able to do the job, however it worked perfectly. I was able to cut straight through the matted hair by clipping underneath the matts with no problem. I was thoroughly impressed. Clipping the dog's fur on its back was no problem, but it wasn't until I got to the legs that I ran into a problem. This is where most of the mud was caked on, but the clippers cut through it. It did take time because it was so thick. It ended up taking me a total of 16 hours(8 hours a day) to finish the job, but without that Wahl Clipper, would have taken me a lot longer. For her birthday, I bought her a Wahl Kennel Pro Pet Clipper because it is an extra heavy duty pet clipper, just in case we ever run into this problem again. :)

Dog Behavior Spotlight: Aggression in your Pet

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:13:00 +0000

Part 2

Now, part 1 is very vital to learning to control your pet's aggression. Once you train your dog to realize that you are in control, you can move on to the next step. You want your aggressive pup to be able to be around people and other pets without being aggressive. To do this, start out slowly. Remember, if your dog is not neutered, it might make it more difficult to train him.

Keep your dog on his leash at all times during this exercise. This is for the safety of the pet and to those around him. You will want to observe how your dog reacts to certain stimuli. Have your dog sit down. Keeping a safe distance, have a person or another pet to walk past your dog. Notice how your dog reacts. Does he immediately start to pull on the leash, trying to get closer to the person/animal? Does he bark or growl? Whatever your dog may be doing, it is important to tell him "no" so that he is aware it is unacceptable behavior. When your dog reacts in a way that you do not approve of, do the same trick as before and tap him on the shoulder and say "no" and make him sit down and stay seated. As before, it is important to do this several times until your dog understands that he is not allowed to participate in the unacceptable behavior. If you dog begins to understand what to do and stays seated and does not react when the person or pet walks by, you can give him a treat to reward his behavior. However, it is important not to allow him to snatch it out of your hand. Give him the treat and say "good boy!"

It is essential that you are consistent with your dog. If you are not, it will confuse the dog. It is also important that you work with your dog everyday. Although it may get frustrating at times, do not give up. You may not be able to completely control your pet's aggressive behavior but doing these tips will start him on the road to becoming a more well-behaved pet.

Dog Behavior Spotlight: Aggression in your Pet

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:18:00 +0000

Part 1

No matter what size your pet may be or how aggressive your pet is, you can learn to control your dog’s aggressive behavior. If you are yelling at your dog or pulling on his/her leash to get it to listen to you, then you are doomed to fail. This type of approach can cause serious issues in your pet, and in some cases, has caused the pet to become more aggressive.

The first step to controlling your pet’s aggression is to understand what is causing the aggressive behavior. Most dogs are aggressive out of sheer frustration. Male dogs are aggressive towards other dogs to show that he is in control. Dogs that are not neutered will be seen as a mate and view him as a dominant figure. If you have a male dog that is not neutered and has this type of behavior, then it is important that you get him neutered right away. This has been shown to significantly reduce a male dog’s aggressive behavior. If your dog is already neutered and this has not solved the problem, then the first thing to do is to make sure your dog knows that you are in control, not him.

The best way to do this is to start out by walking your dog on a leash. Never allow him to get ahead of you or pull on the leash. If he does this, simply tap him on the shoulder and say “no” in a firm, yet calm voice. It is important to tap him with a firm hand, but do not beat the dog. You want to be sure to portray to your pet that you are in charge, but you do not want your dog to become afraid of you. This is why it is important not to hit your dog too hard. Be sure to walk your dog and do this several times every day. These repeated actions will be instilled in your dog and he will learn that you are in control. Once you have mastered this, and your dog is capable of walking beside you without tugging or pulling on the leash, then you will be ready for Part 2… coming next week.

How Pet Owners Can Help with the Gulf Oil Spill

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Tue, 18 May 2010 17:43:00 +0000

Even though you may not be anywhere near the Gulf, you can still help with the Gulf Oil Spill. If you have a pet, or even if you don't, you can still be a part of helping to keep this disaster under control. Many websites are collecting human hair, pet fur and nylon stockings to help to soak up the oil in the ocean.

How does it work? The loose hair/fur can be stuffed into nylon stockings which are doubled up and tied together to make "booms" that surround and contain as well as soak up oil spills. Many people do not realize how important it is to be active in this disaster. Even if you can't donate money, donating hair is extremely important to aid in the cleaning up of this massive oil spill. You can contact your local pet groomer or salon to see if they will save the hair to donate. Animals are being covered in oil and suffering because of this tragic event, so please do what you can to help. Pet Depot is currently saving pet fur from the groomers at our stores to help with the oil spill. For more information on donating hair, money, or ways to help with the Gulf Oil Spill, please click here. Your support is much appreciated in this matter.

Skin Irritations on Your Pets

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:21:00 +0000

If you are a pet owner, more than likely you have faced some type of skin irritation on your pet. To treat these irritations, first find out what may have caused the irritation. Have you switched shampoos, dog food, or tried a new flea/tick treatment? Dogs, like humans, can have allergic reactions to certain foods or products, so try to pinpoint what may have caused the irritation. If it is just a reaction to a new food or product, then the solution is easy.

It could also be related to the time of year when the skin irritation occurs. Sometimes dog's skin tends to become dry from the heat during the wintertime.

Fleas and ticks are not the only reason for why dogs may be itching. If your dog's skin is dry, this will cause him to scratch continuously. We have many anti-itch relief products that can help soothe your dog's itching.

Unfortunately, itching is not the only result of skin irritations. If mites get on your pet, it can cause wounds, rashes and even hair loss for your pet. If your pet has issues with skin irritations, hair loss, cuts, wounds or any other type of dermatitis, then try NU-STOCK to relieve your pet of these common issues.

When to put your dog on a adult or senior diet

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:48:00 +0000

Many pet owners ask the same question. At what age do I need to put my dog on an adult diet? When is it necessary to put him on a senior diet?

Small and medium breed dogs and even cats should be placed on an adult diet when they are one year old, with large to giant breed dogs going for a bit longer. This all depends on the breed. As senior pets have the same nutritional needs as other adult dogs, only needing fewer calories, the American Association of Feed Control Officials doesn't recognize senior diets as a separate type of food. Simply feed an older dog a bit less. Cats and small to medium breed dogs may be put on a senior diet when they are approximately seven years old. Large breed dogs between 50 and 90 pounds may be placed on a senior diet when they are approximately six year old, and giant breeds over 90 pounds when they are about five.

Spoiling your pup may be more dangerous than you think

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:06:00 +0000

It is extremely important not to spoil a puppy or dog or the owner will end up with a very badly behaved animal. No one wants a puppy or dog that does not listen, barks at will, steals food from the counter or table, begs, whines when it doesn't get its way, or snaps at the owner when the owner tries to take an object away that it shouldn't be chewing on. Yet some owners believe that their pet will love them more if they let them do what they want, give them lots of treats for no reason, and not do any training with them at all. However, nothing is farther from the truth. In fact, it is best to start training your pet at an early age so it will learn good behavior and habits from the beginning. It is important, as an owner, for you to set guidelines and limits for your dog and at least train the pet to do simple, basic commands. By doing this, it lets the dog know that you are in charge and he will not be allowed to get away with whatever he wants. Training your dog is not only safer for your pet, but the pets will love their owners more. For example, if an untrained dog happens to get off his leash and run away, the owner would not be in control of the situation. The owner would call the dog to come back, but the dog would not listen because he is not trained. Dogs need to be trained and need to know what is expected of them. Be sure to socialize your pet so he will not become stingy and aggressive. It is important to praise your pet when he does something right, but just remember not to give a treat to the dog for no reason or he could become confused. And also, as hard as it is not to spoil a brand new adorable puppy, try to resist. Puppies do need a lot of attention, but too much attention can be bad for the owner and the pet.

Cat Proof Your Home

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Most cat owners are not aware that their home may be dangerous to their furry feline. Cats are naturally curious and playful, so it is important to keep your cats safe from potentially hazardous situations.

There are other household items that may be dangerous to your cat. Certain foods, such as chocolate and coffee can cause gastrointestinal problems or even death if swallowed in large amounts. Cats are also very notorious for searching through garbage cans, where bacteria thrives. Garbage cans should be stowed away in an area that is out of reach for your cats.

Certain plants, such as aloe, baby's breath, poinsettia, and many others can be potentially fatal to your cat. For a full list of dangerous plants that are toxic to your cat, go to ASPCA's website by clicking here.

It is also very important to never give human medicine to your pet unless directed to by a veterinarian. Some human medicine can be very dangerous to your cat and even cause death. Flea treatments that are intended only for dogs can also be dangerous. Only use flea treatments that are directed for cat use only. Flea treatments are formulated for specified animals and should not be used other than its intended purpose. You can check out our line of cat flea treatments by going here.

Other commonly household items that can be dangerous to your cat include potpourri, coin money, mothballs, fabric softener sheets, batteries, and automatic dish detergents.

Give Your Dog Variety!

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:40:00 +0000

It is important for an owner to supply their puppy and dog with toys made from different types of materials for two main reasons. One is that each material will help keep the teeth and gums clean in different ways so that the pet's mouth stays healthier. Second, is that dogs like to chew things made of different materials, otherwise they can get bored chewing the same thing over and over. Think of it like this, when you were a small child, you did not want to play with the same toy over and over. You wanted a variety of toys to play with and dogs and puppies need the same thing. By providing your pet with various materials, owners may find thei pet prefers certain materials over others and therefore should buy toys that the puppy or dog likes best.

We have a variety of dog toys available for your pet. Check them out by clicking here

Halloween Pet Costume Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:36:00 +0000

Get ready for a bark-tacular time! Bring your howlin' hounds and scaredy cats to Pet Depot on October 24th and enter them in the 1st Annual Pet Costume Contest!

Each store winner will receive a 4-5 lb. bag of Science Diet Dog or Cat Food and a $20 Pet Depot Gift Card!

Pets will be judged on creativity, originality, attention to detail, and cuteness.

Arrive early! Registration begins at 12 pm.

No purchase necessary. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. Contestants can enter to win at one store location only.

Store Locations - Muscle Shoals, AL Guntersville, AL Jasper, AL Cullman, AL Florence, AL Athens, AL

What's up, Doc?

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:30:00 +0000

There are many people that prefer raising rabbits instead of dogs or cats. This is mainly because some busy people may not be have the time to train a cat or dog. Rabbits offer the flexibility of busy pet owners to leave them safely at home while they are gone. They are very affectionate animals and make great companions. Although, they are naturally social animals, they do fine on their own as well. Two or more rabbits in a cage is often to optimal choice, as they tend to bond naturally with each other. But be sure you know the sex of the rabbits if you do not want them to reproduce!

Rabbits life expectancy is around 10-12 years. To keep your rabbit healthy, be sure to feed it a vegetarian diet that does not have a lot of calories. Foods such as grass, leaves, cabbage and spinach as a good choice for your bunny. These foods tend to be very low in calories, but also high in fiber.

Unfortunately, dental problems are one of the main causes that rabbits tend to develop health issues. So, it is important to make sure you are feeding your rabbit the nutrients it needs. Rabbits' teeth grow at a constant rate, and therefore must rely on calcium as a required nutrient. When a rabbit's diet lacks calcium, it will take the calcium from it's bones, much like how our bodies work. Since the bunny is not receiving the nutrients from the a food source, this will cause the rabbit's teeth to decay and can cause many spinal and bone problems. So, it is important to feed your rabbit a healthy, low-calorie and well-balanced diet.

Eliminating bad behaviors with toys

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Toys that can have treats put inside, such as the Kong Extreme Dog Toy, that the dog must work at to get out can help eliminate bad behaviors by keeping the dogs' attention on the toy with the treats. If the dog is chewing and working hard to get the food, this means they will not be chewing furniture, barking, or doing other unwanted behaviors. Their primary focus is to get the treat or food out of that toy. In the wild, canines must work to get food. People make it easy for their pets to get food at home, therefore boredom sets in, which can lead to the bad behavioral habits, such as chewing on shoes or furniture. Owners that give their pets treats, or even their regular food, in items like toys that the pet must work at to get to the food, will have a happier and better behaved pet.

Check out our list of dog toys that will help keep your pet occupied. Our toys are very durable and can handle even the roughest dogs.

Stop your dog from jumping up or barking

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:58:00 +0000

There are two ways to stop a puppy from jumping up or barking. The first, for jumping up, is to turn away and completely ignore the puppy until it stops, then turn around and praise the puppy. If it starts to jump up again, turn away again, until the puppy stops. Never give a puppy any attention, good or bad, while it is jumping up or that may make them do it more. But if the praise is given every time the puppy stops, it will soon get the idea that it won't get praised and patted until it stays on all four feet. This procedure will also work for older puppies and dogs that have gotten into this bad habit, as long as everyone does it that greets the dog. If a puppy is barking and gets scolded, it may consider this good as it gives them the attention they may be craving which may have started them barking to begin with. An owner can ignore the puppy when it is barking, and then praise it, and even give it a treat, when it stops. Again, the idea is that the puppy gets positive reinforcement for not doing the bad behavior.

One other technique to stop jumping up or barking is to actually teach the puppy to jump up or bark on command. Basically, if the puppy is coming toward you and you know it is going to jump up, be sure to say the command "Jump up" before the puppy does and give it a small treat. Then back up and say the command again and give it a treat again. Go through this a few times and then stop. If the puppy tries to jump up when not commanded, turn away and ignore the puppy. until it stops. Do this training two to three times a day and the puppy will soon understand that if it is not commanded to "Jump up", it does not get rewarded, so why jump up? Once the puppy understands this, it will not jump up unless commanded to do so. This is also true with barking or any other bad habits, to teach the puppy to do it on command so then the puppy won't do it otherwise. It takes patience but to stay very consistent and you will be rewarded with a well-trained dog.

Obesity in Pets

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:07:00 +0000

Obesity is becoming a major problem among pets. This is mostly caused from pet owners allowing their pets to eat table scraps. Of course, that is not the only cause. Being overweight is bad for dogs and cats because they can get the same kinds of health problems as an overweight person can, such as diabetes, liver problems, and joint pain. The best way to help a pet lose weight is by using a premium weight-control diet and to follow the directions for how much to feed. An owner should also cut down or completely cut out all treats and increase the pet's exercise. A customer should be aware of some so-called diet pet foods that use fiber as a filler. This will cause a large increase in fecal matter, therefore the pet has to go out more, and the poor digestibility of the food may make it impossible for the pet to get all of its nutritional needs met. Premium foods simply lower the amount of calories in the food so an owner can still fill the bowl but not cause excessive stools or loss in nutritional value. Although it is somewhat easy to tell if your pet is overweight or not, it is best to check with your vet to see if your cat or dog needs to be put on a diet.

New Lower Price on the PetSafe Wireless Dog Fence!

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:02:00 +0000

PetSafe Wireless Dog Fence

NEW LOWER PRICE!! $229.95

NEW LOWER PRICE!!

$229.95

Brushing Your Pet's Teeth is Important!

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:58:00 +0000

Keeping your pet's teeth clean is important. Most people are not aware that brushing your pet's teeth every day is essential. Keeping the teeth clean by brushing is good not only for the teeth and gums, but also for a pet's overall health as the bacteria from gum disease can damage heart, valves or kidneys over time. Owners not only avoid health problems by brushing their pet's teeth regularly, but delay having to have their pet's teeth cleaned at the vet, which can be a costly procedure. In fact, at my vet's office, one teeth cleaning costs $75!

It is important to brush your pet's teeth as often as possible, preferably every day. However, this is not always possible, so in the event that you are not able to brush your pet's teeth, it is important to give your pets treats or toys that will help prevent tartar buildup or plaque.

Human toothpaste should never be used on your pet, as it is not meant to be swallowed like pet toothpaste. Pet toothpaste comes in yummy flavors like malt, chicken, or beef that most animals will love. Owners can start brushing a pet's teeth at any time, but the younger the pet is, the easier it may be to get him used to daily brushings.

The best way to start brushing a pet's teeth is to start out slowly, just let the animal lick the flavored pet toothpaste off the brush for the first 2 days, then brush for a few seconds for the next 2 days or so, and then go longer. Brush only the outside surfaces, as the pet's tongue keeps the inner surfaces fairly clean. If the owner doesn't push it on their pet, the animal will actually like having its teeth brushed!

We have a variety of pet toothpaste and pet toothbrushes! Check them out by clicking here!

Why Premium Food is Better for Your Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:25:00 +0000

Premium dog food such as Science Diet, Nutro Natural Choice, and Diamond Taste of the Wild are highly recommended when feeding your pet. The difference between premium dog foods and grocery store foods are that premium foods have more nutritious ingredients and are more concentrated. Three advantages of feeding a premium food can include the pet eating less so the bag lasts longer and is therefore a better value pet pound than cheaper brands. There will be fewer stools that the owner will have to clean up, and the stool will be much less smelly. Better ingredients mean the pet's coat won't have that "pet smell" and will be stronger, shinier, and will shed less. Note that the skin is the largest organ of the pet's body, but it is the last to receive nutrition as the heart, liver, lungs and other organs will always receive nutrition first, with the skin receiving the leftovers. If a poor quality food is fed, there are usually not enough nutrients left for the skin and coat, so this may be a reason some pets have a dull coat and dry skin.

With premium foods, the pet's long-term health will also be better. Look at it this way, eating premium foods is like eating hamburgers made from high-quality, low fat beef. Eating a cheaper grocery dog/cat food is by comparison, like eating at a fast food place. A person who ate fast food every day would gain more weight and be in worse health compared to the person who ate the low fat, higher quality hamburgers. With premium foods, you may not see the benefits immediately, but over time it will make a considerable difference in the pet's health and well-being. And doesn't your dog deserve the absolute best?

Housebreak Your Pet

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:06:00 +0000

If you are trying to potty train your pet, crate training is the best way to housebreak and train any puppy. Canines do not like to defecate or urinate in the place where they sleep. Therefore, with some precautions, keeping a puppy in a crate during the day and night are good for both the owner and the puppy. Puppies take naturally to crates as wild dogs do to their dens. A crate therefore becomes the puppy's den, a place of security, and the owner should not think of it as a "cage".

When crate training your pet, be sure to keep the crate away from any noisy places in the house. It should be big enough for the puppy to turn around and lie down. If it is a faster growing breed, then it would be best to start out with a bigger sized crate and then put a barrier up at first to make it smaller or else the puppy will go to the bathroom at one end and sleep at the other, thus ruining the training.

After a crate is picked out, you will need to decide on a crate training schedule. Most small puppies can only hold it in for 3-4 hours or so before it must go to the bathroom. Be sure the puppy has a chance to go out 20-30 minutes after it eats and drinks in the morning before it goes in the crate. As the puppy gets older, the longer the puppy will be able to hold it in. As night, the puppy again should be let out before it goes to bed. This will keep your pet in routine and your puppy will become accustomed to the scheduling of when it gets to go out.

Once the puppy knows the crate as its den, it will love that place and happily go inside any time the owner goes out. When crate training, it is important to remember the following:
1) No food or water in the crate
2) The younger you start, the better; older puppies not crate-trained will have a difficult time accepting confinement and may even break the cage.
3) Never send a puppy to the crate as punishment as that will defeat the purpose of crate training.
4) Always remove the collar before putting the puppy in the crate otherwise it could get stuck on a part of the cage and choke itself.

Hairball Remedy

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:31:00 +0000

If you own a cat, then you have more than likely experienced the unpleasant nature of hairballs. If a cat is throwing up food, coughing, or spitting up hair, hairballs may be the cause. Cats lick themselves constantly, and therefore they swallow a lot of hair. Hair is very hard to digest and stays in the stomach, forming what we call hairballs. The Natural Defense Hairball Remedy can help eliminate hairballs in cats. Most cats will readily eat this product, but if not, a dab can be placed on the cat's food or nose and the cat will most likely lick it off. The hairball remedy will dissolve the hair allowing it to pass through the digestive system. If vomiting or hacking continues, consult your veterinarian. There are also treats or cat food available that can also assist your cat in eliminating hairballs.

Wild Bird Questions: Hummingbirds

noreply@blogger.com (Pet Depot) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:33:00 +0000

What feeders work the best to attract hummingbirds? What should be placed in these feeders? What food should be avoided? How often should the hummingbird food be changed?

Feeders that work to attract hummingbirds the best are those that are made with lots of red colored parts, as hummingbirds associate the color red with their natural food, nectar, that they get from flowers. So, the brighter red a feeder is, the better it will work at attracting hummingbirds.

Sugar water, whether sold as hummingbird nectar or made at home should be placed in these feeders. The advantage of the prepackaged hummingbird nectar is that it will, in many cases, include other ingredients, such as vitamins, to give a more balanced diet than just plain sugar water would.

The food that should be avoided in hummingbird feeders are the mixtures that have been colored red. Although the color attracts the hummingbirds, it also means that the red dye must be broke down constantly by the birds internal organs which can cause damage over time. It is best to use a clear solution and have the feeder itself be red. Hummingbird food should be changed at least every other day in cooler weather and everyday in hot weather or the food will go bad. Hummingbirds will not go to feeders if the food is not fresh.