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Winter Safety For Your Dog

admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

It’s wintertime and you’ve got to take care to make sure your dogs are safe indoors. There are a few concerns every dog lover should keep in mind this time of year. Here’s a handy dandy checklist:
Heating System: Particularly if you’ve got an old-school furnace, make sure your dog can’t get into it! The hot water heater is the same thing – make sure your dog is trained to stay away from all things heat that run in the depths of your house.
Carbon Monoxide: Humans aren’t the only ones affected by Carbon Monoxide so why not get a Home Security ADT system for your house to ensure if you’ve got a leak the alarm will sound? At the very least install combination smoke detector/CO2 detectors at the house.
Mend Fences: Make sure your yard is fully fenced in – this is the season when it’s easier to put your dog in the yard than bear the cold for a walk! As long as he’s safely secured you won’t have to worry and you won’t get too cold – remember dogs can’t take freezing temps long either.

Can A Cat and A Dog Share The Same House

admin — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many pet owners have questioned whether or not a cat and a dog can live under the same roof without fighting with each other. Often times animals have territorial issues at first or fight mainly because they want the attention of their owners versus allowing the other animal to have a piece of that attention. Cats are considerably lazy animals in comparison to dogs which are most notably playful and free spirited. Not all cats are lazy however, and many cat owners have proven this to be true. Cats and dogs are different in terms of habitual habits as well.

Cats have a distinct scent when they urine and often times; it can be difficult to clean or destroy the odor without having to buy new carpet but if you search online, you will find other cat owners who have found success at getting the scent to disappear through means of using natural solutions. Dogs often have no distinct scent left behind in comparison to cats and do not require litter boxes or scratching posts. Both animals are known for shedding excessively and both are known for having bad breath. Bad breath in both of these animals can actually show signs of more serious issues so it is smart to consult a pet doctor about it to ensure your pets are healthy and safe. In truth, cats and dogs generally have a rough start at first but usually get along well enough, as long as they are both trained and both moderate when it comes to their playful side.

Finding The Nation’s Best Dog Parks

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Everyone wants Rover to go on vacation and you have no idea what to do with him while you are on vacation. If you have not selected your vacation spot you can revolve the decision around a really cool dog park. Any city with a great dog park will have plenty of attractions for you and your family nearby. Many websites cater to dogs’ needs and finding the nation’s best dog parks is pretty simple these days. Dog Channel is a popular website with listings of dog parks, as is Petside and Animal Discovery. Be sure to read up on what the park has to offer and whether it is fee to use it. Some have annual membership fees and others are completely free. These parks usually offer a good amount of space for your pal to run around and play; some have ponds or pools for your pooch to take a refreshing swim; some have lighting and are open after dark. Others are set up with doggie playground equipment to give your dog a more intense workout, while a few offer programs ranging from puppy classes to obedience training. All the parks have rules, the main one being to clean up after your pet. Some provide bags for this, others do not. Several are set up with different play areas for different dog sizes and some accommodate special needs dogs. So if you want to make your vacation all about Fido, you can. Or if you have your destination in mind you can find a dog park nearby or a few en route to your destination that your dog will enjoy.

Is Giving A Pet A Suitable Gift

admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Everyone has good intentions when they take that new puppy as a gift to their best friend, best friend’s child or even grandparent. Before making this bold move you need to ask yourself a few questions. The biggest thing to consider is whether the person really wants a pet. If the person you are gifting has vocalized their desire to get a new pet maybe gifting one is a good idea. So think about the first time you saw your puppy. Would you have wanted someone else to pick out your new bundle of joy? In most cases selecting a pet is a very personal decision, and while your gift may be welcome with open arms it has great potential to backfire. An adult who says he or she wants a pet but has not committed to getting one themselves may have a good reason. When you take a pet into your home it needs more than love. You have to provide food, clean water, vaccinations, heartworm prevention and possibly grooming depending on the breed. Things can get expensive. They also need daily attention and care, which the person may realize they cannot commit to at this point in time. If the gift is for someone’s child you need to run it through the parents first for approval. If you decide to gift a pet maybe you could get a gift certificate from a local shelter to allow your recipient to select the right pet for themselves. Just be very careful about making sure they want a pet and are physically and emotionally able to take proper care of it. Otherwise, you may find yourself to be the pup’s warm new home. It is not right, for the pet or the person, to force a pet relationship on anyone who is not ready for the responsibility or simply does not want it.

Getting Your Dog Ready For Summer

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Summer translates into more outdoor time with your canine companion often involving walks in the woods, romps at the beach or sultry days spent in the yard. It is never too early to get ready for the warm weather and it is best to do this ahead of time. Since summer heat can bring some challenges, preparedness is ultimately key to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Summer often means more skin problems for some dogs, especially those equipped with a longer coat. Hot spots, insect bites and skin allergies are more likely to flare up in the warmer months. It is a good idea to stock up on skin-soothing shampoo and products to ease skin irritations.

Summer also means more exposure to mosquitoes, vectors of dangerous heartworm disease, and pesky parasites such as fleas and ticks. It is best to have your dog see your vet for heartworm preventive pills keeping in mind that they should be started at least a month prior to when mosquito season starts. Also ask for a good product to keep your dog safe from fleas and ticks.

Dogs may finally need some extra accessories to keep them cool during the dog days of summer. Investing in flowing water fountains, cooling dog beds and insulated dog houses will help keep your canine companion comfortable and happy.