Pet Care Information

It’s often said that cats are clean animals, and so they need to be. I can’t speak for everyone’s pet feline here, but if your tiger is anything like mine, then it spends half it’s life pooping! Therefore we needed a good cat litter box and not just a conventional tray which are actually quite disgusting things to have around the house.

So just how can you determine what a ‘good’ cat litter box is? You might think that the more you spend the better the product, but that’s not always the case as you can actually shell out for cosmetic designs, and I’m darned if I’d pay extra for a pretty cat toilet. No, the ole cat litter box has to be functional, practical, and easy to clean.

It’s true that cat litter boxes have come a long way from what they use to be. Heck, I can remember when they resembled little more than paint trays. They were also quite shallow which meant the cat couldn’t cover its dirty deed over, thus making absorbency and odor control difficult. It’s the latter, the odor, that’s the gut wrenching problem here. Okay, so it’s not pretty to look at, but have you ever woken up in the morning to the stink of feline feces? It doesn’t exactly kick start you stomach into breakfast mode.

With so many folks busy, busy, busy, these days, there seems little time to scoop out the poop on a regular basis which ads to the problem of smell. If this is you, then you need to choose from the new-age range of cat litter boxes that work well on odors. If you’re really pushed for time, or just can’t be bothered, there are also models around now that do the scooping for you automatically. Can you believe that!

For the second worse problem, which is seeing the cat go and then the fruits of its labor, there are cat litter boxes which are like little houses. This means that Tiddles can hide away and discretely do the business out of site. Therefore the best option is a cat litter box with walls and a roof, plus an automated scooping mechanism. All you’re left to do is to pull out the draw periodically and neatly dispose of the waste. What could possibly be easier?

But before you jump online or dash down to the shops to buy one of these marvelous products, there’s one very important thing you need to consider. Make sure the cat litter box is the right size for your pet. Big cat, small box, and you’ll have problems getting Fur Balls to use it. And if he does, he’ll probably come out covered in his own muck! Don’t forget too, that a new litter box is an alien object, and your cuddly cat may not take to it right away. Therefore, put it in the same spot as his old loo, or if you want to relocate or it’s a new family pet, then make sure you find a quiet corner, as cats will not be encouraged by noise and disturbance.

That’s it, there is no more. Check out all the options on lavish loos for cats and you’ll soon have an odor-free, easy maintenance, indoor toilet for the family feline.

Andy Maingam is a proficient writer and webmaster of PickingPets dot com where he has articles on pickingpets.com/ Dogs as Pets and pickingpets.com/great-dane-dogs.htm Great Dane Dogs. He also has other ‘pet’ related to pieces on the site.

If your pet is part of the family, it should be treated as such. One way to make sure that your pet is treated like a family member is the purchase of a pet bed, available in a range of prices, sizes, and shapes to suit different breeds. While a stubborn cat is more likely to turn its nose up at the idea, a grateful dog will willingly snuggle into the comfortable depths of a pet bed.

Unlike beds for humans, pet beds don’t have legs and usually rest at floor level. Though they don’t come with bed linens, you can provide your pet with a little blanket for cold weather. Most pet beds are shaped like a doughnut, while others have raised sides to prevent the pet from tumbling out in mid-sleep.

Apart from being comfortable, a pet bed needs to be durable. Chances are a playful pet will want to drag it around, and a bed that can’t take such wear and tear is of no use. Most pet beds are made of foam. Choose one that suits your pet – a delicate breed might require a softer bed than a hardier animal. Special orthopedic pet beds are also available for arthritic dogs.

Size is important when choosing a bed for your pet. If you are buying a bed for a pup or kitten, try to choose one that he will grow into. Remember, however, that a bed that is too large might make the little one feel insecure. The idea is to buy a bed that makes your pet feel comfortable and safe. There is no point investing in a bed if your pet prefers to huddle under your bedcovers instead.

A pet bed should also be easy to maintain, and one that has removable covers will allow you to wash it regularly. While synthetic coverings might be cheaper, they might not be very comfortable, so don’t sacrifice your pet’s comfort for a few dollars. Avoid woolly materials for a teething dog – he’ll tear it apart in no time.

If you don’t like the idea of your pet making your furniture his own, invest in a pet sofa that can double as a bed. Whatever you choose, make sure your pet understands that he has to use his bed. Once he gets used to the idea, he’ll love you for it.

e-PetBeds.com Pet Beds provides detailed information on Pet Beds, Heated Pet Beds, Luxury Pet Beds, Discount Pet Beds and more. Pet Beds is affiliated with e-PetDoors.com Patio Pet Doors.

In the past, and up until now, some households rely on dogs as security measures or guards against thieves and trespassers. Thus, dogs are trained to bark at strangers, indicating the presence of intruders and calling the attention of the house owners.

But most of the time, dogs overdo barking. In most neighborhoods in the United States, there is a rising number of reported cases when neighbors fall into disputes because of barking dogs.

Barking dogs are really annoying, especially if the dog would not cease barking even if there is no intruder around. Dogs bark not just at people but also at other animals like cats and rats. That is when the trouble sets in.

The basic concern of dog owners and their neighbors is how to stop the dogs from barking inappropriately. The task would be really tedious at times. Special and expert dog training sessions, unfortunately, will not be able to help because barking is never learned. It is dogs’ instincts.

Sounds of dog barking annoy most people especially when it comes late or in the middle of the night when everyone tries to lay back and get some sleep. That is why the modern science has come out with another innovation that would silence barking dogs.

Anti-barking devices:

A number of technology companies are currently offering numerous types of anti-barking devices. Because the need for such gadgets is increasing, anti-barking devices now come in different varieties, with distinct and awesome features.

Sound-emitting devices that stop dogs from barking are basically simple gizmos that have built-in sensors that immediately react to barking dogs’ sounds by creating high-pitched sounds that canines like dogs and other animals find really annoying.

The sounds produced by these devices are negligible to humans but are extremely intolerable to dogs and canines. The sounds, technology companies claim, are really piercing to dogs’ ears, making them annoyed and ultimately, fall into silence.

Different technology firms that offer anti-barking devices have different products with different and distinct features. There are such gadgets which can also be audible to humans, but not to the same extent as perceived by the dogs.

Anti-barking devices can also be used during dog training sessions, because dogs easily fall sensitive to such noise-creating gizmos.

Limitations

However, such devices that effectively stop barking of dogs also have limitations. The greatest and most obvious limitation that could hamper the efficiency of such products is the physical characteristics or disabilities of some dogs.

Like humans, there are also several dogs which are deaf, or which have problematic hearing. In such cases, the anti-barking devices’ sound emissions would not be perceived by the barking dog, thus, the purpose of the device is not attained.

In such cases, practical solutions could be suggested by the veterinarian or animal training experts.

Another limitation of such devices is its energy source. Anti-barking devices use AC or battery power to keep it going. Thus, every now and then, probably within a few weeks’ interval, the gadgets would not work properly and batteries should be replaced immediately.

But like any other technological innovations, anti-barking devices’ limitations and shortcomings are overcome and offset by its usefulness and efficiency. Anti-barking devices are convenient, simple yet effective gadgets to help silence barking dogs. What is striking about it is that it is not harmful to dogs.

Animal rights advocates would surely approve of the devices.

Kelly Jezek is a successful Webmaster and publisher of dogtrainingessentials.com. She provides more helpful ways to dogtrainingessentials.com/Stop-Dog-Barking.html stop barking dogs at her site. Visit dogtrainingessentials.com Dog Training Essentials today!

There’s nothing better then coming home from work only to find that your dog has gotten into yours or your neighbors trash and has scattered garbage up and down the street. Or even better is finding your favorite lawn chair or a pair of sandals all chewed up in the backyard. And there is no worse feeling then finding out your dog got out and either ran away or ran out into the street only to get hit by a car.

If you do not have a fenced yard or your dog easily escapes from your backyard then it may be time to install that dog kennel fence. Putting one together is not hard and will go along ways towards keeping your four legged friend safe. In fact if you have a big tree in your backyard you can build your dog kennel around it, giving your dog shade during the hot summer months.

Fencing for a dog kennel can be bought at any home improvement or pet store and is relatively inexpensive. When you take the plunge and start planning your dog kennel you will need to lay out the perimeter in your yard. Take measurements to figure out how much fence will be needed. Dog kennel fence comes in rolls starting at 50 feet up to 100 feet. You will also need to decide how high you want your kennel fence to be. If you have a small dog that doesn’t jump very high then a shorter fence will do. For bigger dogs 5 to 6 foot high fences are needed.

The other thing to think about when buying your material is how smart is your dog. There are dogs out there that can figure out how to climb a fence and get out of their yard or kennel. If this is something your dog has shown some ability to do you might consider a dog kennel fence with smaller holes or put a roof over the kennel. A dog kennel is of little use if your dog can easily get out.

The safety of your dog is the primary reason for building a dog kennel fence, but the peace of mind for you, his owner, knowing that he is safe when you are not home is also worth a lot.

To get more information about building a worfdog.com/Dog-Kennel/Dog-Kennel-Fence.html dog kennel fence for you four legged friend visit the website worfdog.com/Dog-Kennel/Dog-Kennels.html Dog Kennels.

There is no universal protocol for canine vaccination schedules. Many vets recommend more vaccinations than most dogs require to be protected from contagious diseases. A lot of vets use the vaccination schedule they receive with the vaccinations they buy from drug companies. Vets are now realizing to trust vaccine makers may not be the best thing to do. Vaccine makers are in the business of selling vaccines.

There are a number of things pet owners can do to make sure their dogs are protected against contagious diseases without overvaccinating. You need to learn about the diseases the vaccines defend your dog against. Before you allow your vet to vaccinated, ask your vet about the disease it prevents. What is its incidence? How is it transmitted? Is it more prevalent in your particular area? Ask your vet is the disease treatable, and if so, how many dogs recover? If you find out the disease kills many dogs who get it and the virus is everywhere, you should probably authorize your vet to vaccinate your dog against that disease. If you find out a particular disease is very prevalent in your area, you should probably authorize your vet to vaccinate your dog against that disease in addition to other appropriate vaccines.

A list of vaccines for dogs that most experts agree puppies and dogs should be protected against - diseases that are highly contagious and potentially fatal would include:

Canine Parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2)

Canine distemper virus (CDV)

Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2)

Rabies virus (RV)

If you are concerned about overvaccination be sure to have your puppies vaccinated against distemper, parvo, and adenovirus, not before six weeks, and at least once after the age of 12 weeks, and a rabies vaccine given after 16 weeks. About two weeks after the last vaccination with distemper, parvo, and adenovirus, ask for a vaccine titer test to see if your puppy has been successfully immunized.

Other vaccine tips you need to remember:

Use vaccine titer tests to see if your dog is adequately immunized against the diseases that most experts aggree puppies and dogs should be protected against. These are diseases that are highly contagious and potentially fatal.

Don’t use low-cost clinics for your dog’s vaccinations (unless the clinic is operated by a professional you know and trust). Instead make a relationship with a vet who will take time with you, who will ask your about your dog’s health history, answer your questions about the benefits and risks of various vaccines and recommend an individualized vaccination schedule for your dog that takes into consideration his lifestyle and environment.

Take your dog to the vet at least once a year.

Do not vaccinate dogs who suffer from chronic or acute health problems, running a high temperaturem, or who have a history of vaccine reactions.
Do not vacciante elderly dogs just because if your dog has been vaccinated many times in the younger years, he is probably immunized against disease as much as he can be.

Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Coupons for shih tzu puppies and other products are offered to subscribers. Updates of available puppies. Sign up at stainglassshihtzus.com stainglassshihtzus.com

Many of us buy a dog because we feel vulnerable in our homes; with a dog in the house we’ll not only feel more secure, we’ll also have many years of pleasant companionship. But is having a dog in the home really a deterrent against intruders?

To answer that question, we need to look at the two main types of intruder.

The Opportunist

A casual burglar who decides to break into your home but discovers there’s a dog on the premises will probably be enough of a deterrent – it’s easier to try a house further along the street instead!

In the case of the opportunist, even a small dog can be a deterrent. Terriers are known to bite the ankles and their high pitched yap isn’t something that’s easily ignored! Unless the opportunity burglar is knowledgeable about dogs and is sure he can control it (and that’s unlikely), he’ll undoubtedly find it easier to go elsewhere.

The Planner

Anybody planning a break-in will probably watch your house for several weeks while he learns your routine and gets to know what to expect of you. He’ll know when you leave, when you return, what time the post arrives, whether any other regular visitors can be expected, what kind of entry he’ll need to make, whether there are any exterior/interior lights left on and whether or not you have a dog!

Because he’s watching you, he’ll know exactly what kind of dog you have and what to expect of it. If you can’t even get it to walk well with you and it shies away from people it meets, he’s hardly going to see it as a problem. A good kick in the right direction should take care of it!

If, however, your dog is exceptionally well trained then his first thoughts are going to be: “what else is that dog trained to do?” After all, he could have been trained to attack intruders! By showing good leadership skills you’ll also be showing possible “home watchers” that you have full control of your dog and that one command from you is all it will take!

Can Your Dog Guard You?

A dog should see its owner as its leader and look to him for information. Most domestic dogs aren’t capable of guarding a property without becoming distressed simply because they aren’t genetically designed for the job – they aren’t born pack leaders! They only take on the role of protector when those better equipped for the job (their owner or another human) aren’t pulling their weight.

It’s irresponsible to believe that the average dog is capable of happily guarding your property – he’ll do it but he isn’t likely to be happy!

So, unless you’re using properly trained guard dogs (German Shepherds, Rottweilers, etc), it’s important you don’t leave your dog to prowl the fences every day – keep him as a pet who will, should it be necessary, hopefully deter an intruder from breaking in! Just don’t be mad at him if it doesn’t work!

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Sharon Jacobsen is a freelance writer living in South Cheshire, England. Having kept and trained dogs for more than four decades, they’re now as much a part of her life as the air that she breathes.

If you’d like engaging articles at competitive prices written on any subject from agility to kenneling, please visit Sharon at sharon-jacobsen.co.uk sharon-jacobsen.co.uk for more information.

Largest Recall Of Pet Foods In History: The ongoing pet food recall offers a glimpse of what is wrong with entrusting your pet’s nutrition (or your own) to corporations and government regulatory agencies.

Scary Ingredients Approved By The Government: Why is “gluten” even in dry pet food? Answer, there is a constant search by manufacturers to produce lower cost food that still meets government protein and nutrient requirements. Gluten is not the only cheap and threatening additive approved by the government and added by manufacturers.

Dry Pet Foods are much like breakfast cereals. They are cooked in a mash, then extruded through nozzles at high heat and pressure. This process not only destroys nutrients, it makes much of the rest indigestible. If the ingredients originally had any nutritional value, the extrusion process is sufficient to destroy them. About the best things you can say about dry pet food is that they are “cheap and convenient”!

Feral cats and dogs would have to be starving before they would eat the ingredients found in dry pet foods. If for no other reason, these ingredients do not provide the nutrients they need to sustain life, let alone health.

Wet Pet Foods are made from the most distressed meat, animals with pus bags and tumors. Even though these animals are approved by the USDA for human consumption, some, but not all, manufacturers are reluctant to use them for humans. Even the meats that are not visibly distressed contain growth and fattening hormones, antibiotics, and highly questionable feed. Additionally, among many scary ingredients, pet foods may legally contain euthanized cats and dogs!

If you own a cat or dog, Google “Dog Food Secrets”. I was aware of much of what this book exposes, but it still left my mouth agape.

Pay Me Now, or Pay Me Later: GI and immune diseases are at an all time high. Humans and animals are on multiple medications. What are the common denominators? Fast, nutrition-less foods, chlorinated drinking water, not incorporating bioavailable vitamins, supplements and digestive aids into the daily diet, and lack of exercise.

GI disorders among cats and dogs is epidemic. Conventional medication treatment is archaic, potentially causing further damage to animals already weakened from lack of proper nutrition.

According to The Royal Society of Medicine Great Britain, “Fully 90% of all chronic disease is caused by an unhealthy intestinal system.”

It’s OK to Domesticate Cats and Dogs, but Not Their Diets

The original purpose of domesticating dogs and cats was cheap labor. Cats are used by farmers as mousers, dogs as herders, hunters, and protection.

These working relationships no doubt led to some close relationships. Over time, working animals (or more likely their offspring) were sold or given away to city folk. Today, over 90 million suburban households own an average of 1.67 cats or dogs, or over 150 million domestic cats and dogs.

Wild or feral animals hunt and eat fresh kill. They also instinctively eat grass and dirt for the micronutrients and soil-based organisms needed to properly digest the meat.

When they kill an herbivore they first consume its’ entrails which usually contain plenty of greens and digestive enzymes needed to break down, digest and eliminate the flesh. The closer pet owners come to replicating the diet of their feral relatives, the healthier and happier their domestic pets will be.

Genetic Predisposition at The Blink of an Eye

Without healthy foods, even healthy animals will decline genetically within several litters.

The best way to assure that your pet lives a long healthy life is to know how well the breeder cared for the mother, and the mother’s mother. Pets are capable of having multiple litters within their lifetime. This is common in feral animals and commercial breeders (mills). Each subsequent generation
inherits the weaknesses of the previous generations. Today, many millions of kittens and puppies are predisposed to an unhealthy life.

Resorting or Maintaining Pet Health: The good news: Animals that are predisposed to diseases are less likely to develop them when fed a healthy diet. Genetic predispositions can be bred out over several generations of proper feeding.

It is up to the pet owner to take responsibility for the health and wellbeing of their pets. Like food choices, choose your “professionals” carefully. Veterinarians that recommend a raw food diet combined with supplements and digestive aids- before medications- have your pet’s best interest at heart!

Local bookstores, libraries, and the internet offer a wealth of knowledge regarding proper care and feeding. The American Holistic Veterinarian Association website has a national directory.

The author of this article is Robert Hart, the co-founder of Vitality Science, Inc., a company that formulates scientifically proven, all natural supplements to restore and maintain pet health- for cats, dogs, kittens and puppies.

Robert Hart has articles published in Fido Friendly Magazine, The Pet Professor, an on-line pet portal, Ani-Med, and pet newsletters.

Okay, you rescued this adorable little kitten, you’ve brought it home, and now reality has started to set in. You have to litter train this little kitty, unless you want to constantly walk behind him with a mop and bottle of disinfectant, yuck. If you have friends who have tackled this monstrous-sized feat before, then you have probably already heard all of the horror stories of just how difficult litter training your kitten can be.

While litter training your kitten is not as easy as any of us would like it to be, it is not nearly as bad as everyone says it is, not if you do it the right way. Just as with potty training your toddler, you have to have patience, and be willing to work with your kitten, especially if your kitten is younger than three months old.

When it comes to litter training your kitten, the first thing you need to do is purchase a litter box. Visit your local pet supply store, and let them know that you are looking for a litter box for a small kitten, and they can direct you to the right ones. You need to get a litter box that is small enough so the kitten isn’t afraid of it, and can get into and out of easily.

The next thing you will need to do is purchase some kitty litter to go in the litter box. There are many different varieties to choose from, and again, your clerk at the pet supply store might be able to give you some good suggestions. Some people say that they have had better luck in the past with litter training if they used a scented litter, but it varies from kitten to kitten.

When you take the litter box home, you will need to decide where you want to put it, and leave it there. You can move it around, or you will only confuse your kitty. Once you get it in place, with the litter inside, take your kitten to the box, so that she can see where it is. The litter box should be placed close to your kitten’s favorite place, so she can get to it quickly and easily. If your kitten has decided that it prefers your living room, then that is where you should place the litter box at, at least until your cat is fully litter trained, and then you can move it around as needed.

You may need to place your kitty in the litter box a few times, and scratch her paw in the litter to help her understand what it is for. It is a good idea to place your kitty in the litter box after she finishes eating or drinking, as this is most likely when she will need to use it. It may take some time, but she will soon catch on. Litter training your kitten may take a lot longer if she is young when you begin, so be prepared. If your kitten doesn’t seem to be catching on to litter training, you may have to shut her in the room with the litter box for a few days, so that she will have fewer places to go potty at.

A kitten will not use a dirty litter box, or at least not for very long, so you should make certain that you change your kitty litter regularly.

Jean Morgan is a writer of articles concerning pet health. For more information about kitten care please visit natureshealthypet.com natureshealthypet.com

Dogs eating feces is a disgusting habit that should be addressed especially by puppy owners. There are many theories behind coprophagia and it is important to determine the root cause.

The common reason why dogs eat feces is these could be tasty for them. Puppies might feel that they become stronger if they feces. Many dogs also do this because it helps fight boredom or anxiety. A dog that still feels hungry after eating might also eat his own poop if it smells like the food he just took.

Here are some tips on how to stop a dog from eating feces.

1. The living or wandering area of the dog should be properly maintained. Pet owners should train the dog to defecate in a designated area. A dog might be forced to eat his feces in order to keep his surroundings clean.

2. Pet owners should know better than feeding a dog anything edible. It is advisable that the dog is given a well balance diet full of nutrients. The amount of food given should also be measure to avoid overeating.

3. Dogs should be fed in a timely manner. Twice a day of equal servings is ideal. This practice is advisable to prevent a dog from eating feces because of hunger.

4. Teach basic obedience training. Say “off” if the dog is starting to taste his poop.

5. Consult a veterinarian immediately if the behavior of eating feces actually resulted from a medical condition. Those suggested above will not address the problem and can only be solved with proper medical attention.

While the habit of eating poop is abnormal to humans, it should be understood that some dogs see this as a normal part of life. It is best to practice patience and performing the stated tips in order to eventually break this disgusting habit among dogs in no time at all.

For more tips on dog-training-techniques.info/ dog behavior training, please go to dog-training-techniques.info/ dog-training-techniques.info/

Just like human beings, animals have emotions and feelings too. They need the assurance that their masters love and care for them. In return, pets often reciprocate their love by demonstrating various forms of affection to their owners. These may include making soft purring sounds, licking and even body contacts like rubbing their heads or furs against them.

Pet care is an important responsibility of pet ownership. Pet care requires a lot of patience and is also a way of showing the animals that they are important to us. Pet care will include feeding our pets carefully and ensure that they are groomed properly to maintain a good health.

There are educational videos on pet care, that is, how to maintain the wellness and health of pets. These include various demonstrations on how to care for the different types of pets and what are the attentions required.

For four-legged pets such as dogs and cats, good pet care will include giving them regular baths, checking their paws and ears, trimming their nails as well as fixing regular health checks with a professional veterinarian.

Sanitation plays an important role to the health of the pets and their owners. Bathe your pets regularly and ensure that they are clean at all times. Buy a set of dishes especially for the pets and keep them separately from those used by human beings. After every use, wash the pets’ dishes thoroughly with soap and water, then give them a final rinse them with boiling water.

It is common for pets, especially dogs, to have fleas. Their bites are irritating and annoying; and make the pets feel uncomfortable if the scratching developed into skin rashes. Fleas are also the cause of other more dangerous and serious skin problems such as allergies or dermatitis. As such, good pet care will include conducting regular checks on the animals and getting rid of the fleas.

Dental care is another essential part of pet care. Most canine pets need to maintain a proper dental healthcare routine. A professional pet shop owner will be able to demonstrate the correct way to brush the animals’ teeth. This will prevent gum diseases or other health conditions related to poor oral hygiene.

Products such as detergents, cleaners, fertilizers and pesticides, must be kept well out of the way in the house. These contain chemicals that may be lethal or poisonous to animals and should not be within their reach. This is another way to exercise proper pet care.

Every pet owner, especially those first time owners, should be prepared for the big responsibility of having and owning a pet, as pet care takes more than just skills and experience. Value the existence of nature’s creations and ensure that the animals are given the best pet care. Lastly, always choose the best pet products and supplies so that your pet will have the best nutrition and pet care available.

Ske Chay of mccbirds.com www.mccbirds.com
Providing useful ideas on good funny-pets.com pet care to keep your beloved pets’ health in tip top condition