Dr Andrew Jones been a Veterinarian for over 17 years, and publishing Dog and Cat Alternative Pet Health Information for over 5 years.

I have his home study course and found it invaluable.

You can purchase the current version (which has a lot more bonus information than when I purchased it) here – Veterinary Secrets Revealed.

Here is what some other customers have to say about Dr Jones’ course:

“Not only did it save us a trip to the vet clinic but, far more importantly, it potentially save his life…”

“Good Morning Dr. Jones.

Hope you had a great weekend! I wanted to share with you something that happened to one of our dogs on Saturday. We were (as we often do) giving them some pieces of cut-up fruit (mango) and one of our dogs swallowed a piece without chewing it. He either could not get it to go down or it went down wrong and he started to choke. Because I recently purchased your Veterinary Secrets Revealed home study course and am in the process of working my way through it, I knew exactly what to do.

We gave him a couple of minutes to see if he could get it cleared himself and, when it became obvious that wasn’t going to happen, we intervened. First I checked his throat and tried to clear it with my finger but the mango was too far down so, as he was still able to breath somewhat but not able to swallow properly, we moved on to the Heimlich. It worked immediately and I literally could feel when the piece dislodged and he was able to breath properly and swallow again. What a relief (for him and us!) Afterwards, he was displaying signs of having an upset stomach (our dogs get very restless and make continued attempts to eat grass when they have upset stomachs) so I administered some homeopathics for that and within 1/2 hour he was resting comfortably on the couch beside me.

I wanted to let you know how grateful we are for you preparing this course and your willingness to share your knowledge and empower people like us to help and care for our furry family members. Not only did it save us a trip to the vet clinic but, far more importantly, it potentially save his life. The information that you have included in this course is absolutely invaluable and I cannot recommend it highly enough! Anyone sharing their lives and home with pets should definitely obtain this course and have this information on hand at all times.

Thank you again and have a great day!”

Karen Davison, Alberta Canada

“I highly recommend your course to all the loving pet owners …”

“I was searching for information about cancer cures when my Greyhound developed cancer and was only given six months to live. As he was a valued member of our family, I wanted to learn all I could about what I could do differently or could have done differently that might have prolonged his life. He has passed on but, thanks to your course, I have gotten a greater understanding of how loving pet owners may be over vaccinating their dogs and the importance of healthy diets. I highly recommend your course to all the loving pet owners who want to do the best they can to help their pets live a longer healthier life.

Keep up the good work, and thank you for showing the courage to show that there are alternative methods to pet care.”

Joe Alexander, Montour Iowa

“The Home Study Course is awesome…”

“The Home Study Course is awesome. I used information in it the same weekend I received it. I found it easier to have the books and audios at my fingertips. My dog Poppy was stung by something on her chest as it looked like a sore spot with a little puncture/sore in it and I looked for that in the Pet First Aid book and used baking soda paste and then calamine lotion to soothe it. I checked her vitals and she didn’t have any severe allergic reactions thank goodness. I used butter knife to scrap it a little suggested in the book to make sure the stinger was removed. Alright apparently I have no idea what a stinger looks like but if anything was there then surely it was gone. I just assumed it probably looked like a splinter perhaps. A few days later it seemed to have some fluid in the sore and it was a little puffy like possibly it was getting a little infection but she didn’t seem to be itchy and wasn’t scratching it.

I couldn’t find the Calendula lotion mentioned in your book at my local Herbal store in fact he acted like he never heard of it so I had my daughter look at it and she said well it was perfectly round and had no hair on it and it looked like Ring Worm to her and well Poppy isn’t a cat but the antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) I had started putting on it suggested by the Veterinary assistant wasn’t helping a bit so started putting the vinegar treatment on it twice a day noted in the Veterinary Secrets and I had decided if it didn’t look better by the weekend I would take her to the Veterinarian but it looked so much better and the little sore on it has all healed up so I’m hoping the hair will grow back in soon. Vinegar is great even though it may have not been exactly step by step thing as mentioned in the books at least I could look for some everyday items in my own cabinet to try without having to take her to get a cortisone shot.

I signed up for the Inner Circle Membership in May 08. My other dog Scar is 2 year old boxer mix and has had the worst trouble with itching and hair loss from skin allergies. He had been receiving cortisone (steroid) shots monthly for about a year and he looked horrible. I was afraid he was dying. Using your Veterinary Secrets advice I have started giving him a better quality pet food that has Selenium and Vitamin E and no wheat or corn and is supposed to have no by-products (Diamond Naturals dry food), weekly oatmeal baths and Promeris flea/tick monthly application. I tried Revolution but that one didn’t seem to help him at all. He has hair!!! He seems to be so much happier.

Thank you! ”

Michelle Tidwell, OK

“Since receiving your course, we have not been to the vet once…”

“I would like to thank you for the course which we purchased from you a while ago. We were running to the vet practically every month for something.

Since receiving your course, we have not been to the vet once. He probably thinks we have switched vets. We have visited a holistic/homeopathic pet store where we now buy our food, treats and remedies for allergies. Also, I am bathing our little bichon, Molly, at least once a week and combing her right to the skin daily. She is much better. She was also being treated with steroids for her severe itching, but we are now in the process of ridding her body of all those nasty toxins with natural remedies. I am also treating our poodle’s chronic ear problem with a cleansing herbal ear wash and it’s amazing how her ears have cleared up without all of the expensive vet ear drops (which I found out also contain steroids!)

Every person with a dog in their family should have your course. It is a common sense approach to caring for our beloved family members. The kindest thing we can do for our pets is to learn how to look after them at home and learn how to recognize the first signs of something being amiss. Your course does just that.

Thank you so much.”

Carol Johnston, Kitchener Ontario, Canada

So go get yours, by clicking the link => Veterinary Secrets Revealed

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Pet food should not be seen as just anything edible that you can feed your pets. Being a dog owner, it is our responsibility to care for them properly and feed them nutritious and delicious food.They give us unconditional love and loyalty that the least we can do is to ensure that they are fed properly.Vitamins and minerals are important in a dog’s diet and the development of their physical and mental health.Feeding them right will strengthen their immune system to fight bacteria and parasites, too.

Aside from vitamins and minerals, the essential parts in a dog’s diet include protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fatty acids. In their regular meal, one-third of a dog’s food must contain protein, which they usually get from whole meat, eggs and fish, because it helps build strong muscles and a healthier coat, nails and skin. They also need fat because this helps distribute vitamins into the dog’s system. Carbohydrates are essential for a dog’s energy, digestion and body cells as carbohydrates supply it with glucose.

On the other hand, it is also important to know what foods are bad for your dog. The quality and quantity of meals they take can lead to malnutrition, obesity and other health disorders such as cancer in dogs, kidney and bladder malfunction, skin diseases and arthritis, among many others. To personally monitor their pet’s food intake, many owners prefer to prepare homemade dog food themselves.

Alternatives are high quality, natural pet food made from ingredients that we would consider eating ourselves, as opposed to the overprocessed hard chunks of kibble that many commercial pet food companies would have us believe are nutritious. 

Food and snacks are essential to your pet’s health and overall well-being. But a poor diet can result to many illnesses and diseases for your dogs, as serious as cancer.

- Melinda Smith

Fleas are perhaps one of nature’s worst enemies to man’s best friend. Alright—so maybe that seems a bit of an exaggeration, after all, fleas aren’t fatal aren’t they? Yes and no. Fleas in and out of themselves do not cause death. They can contaminate the bloodstream of their victim which in turn, can lead to serious ailments when not cared for accordingly.

You may have passed by pet stores that offer Frontline or other medical flea cures; but be aware that not every dog tick treatment is good for your canine. Look up the ingredients found in the chemicals you are administering to your pet and consult with a trusted vet, or another pet owner with a lot of experience with dogs.

Many of these treatments have harsh chemicals that harm the canine’s system. In fact, some of them are forms of insecticides that are given in low dosages to prevent immediate adverse reactions. Over time though, these toxic substances will take its toll on your dog’s health, giving him possible liver, kidney and heart complications later on.

Dog flea treatment alternatives that are natural are by far, the better way to handle the pesky vermin. Crush about half a clove of garlic and sprinkle it over your dog’s meals. Garlic is not only good for the canine’s well-being– it is a natural repellant for fleas and mosquitoes as well. A teaspoon of brewer’s yeast is also recommended for the B complex vitamin needs of the pet.

You will also find some specialty sites offering natural supplements that serve to improve your pet’s immunity.  Many come in organic powder form. Consider purchasing these products because parasites tend to avoid healthy animals. More than that, when the animal is infected, a strong immune system will ensure that the problem is dealt with fairly easily.

A good dog tick treatment is as non-invasive as possible. Essential oils like lavender, geranium, peppermint, eucalyptus and myrrh are aromatic scents that fleas just hate. Apply a few drops on the dog’s sheets and collar. A citrus or apple cider blend sprayed lightly over the dog’s coat also helps in keeping away the parasites from him.

To make these dog flea treatments alternatives more effective, ensure that your home is as clean as possible. You may not be aware of it but there are more ticks and harmful organisms living atop your furnishings than on the animal itself. As such, they can not only be a nuisance to the canine, but can be a real source of irritant to your family as well.

Wash and vacuum your carpets, curtains and upholstery well. Put table salt or crushed rose petals on top of these overnight to guarantee eviction of unwanted house guests. Vacuum thoroughly again the following day. Take care to throw out the contents of the vacuum bag outside your home afterwards.

Fleas are annoying but all you need is to flex your creative muscles to send them all scampering to the other side of the street. Continue to learn more about great tips from your vets and reliable specialty websites around – such as the links right here in this article.

- Effective Remedies for Thunderstorm Dog Fears

Anxiety in dogs is a relatively familiar concern that has besieged the poor animals and their worried owners alike. Unfortunately, unlike their human counterpart, dogs cannot articulate these fears and can only express themselves through harmful and destructive behavior. Because of unreasonable and very often gripping dog fears, many of the victims dig through walls and floors until they are bleeding in an attempt to get away from their source of fear.

One of the most common of these phobias is the fear of thunderstorms. If this is your pet, consult with your veterinarian as to how to treat your dog best. There are many pharmaceutical medications available that will help your dog deal with this; however, it must be noted that these medications will not cure the phobia. Usually, these will only serve to sedate and calm your dog.

Because drugs and ingested chemicals may be harmful to the dog’s system, it is best to work with natural methods first. This article will discuss various methods you can try on how to treat dog fears without using medicine.

An easy way to calm anxiety in dogs is to play relaxing music, more specifically harp music. It has been scientifically proven that music therapy has tremendously helped human beings reduce stress levels; and studies have shown the same results in animals. After playing 10-20 minutes of gentle and soothing music, the canine will be in a more relaxed state.

Applying a body wrap to dogs have been said to also help dispel the nervous energy in the animal. The constant and maintained pressure that the wrap lends quiets the nerve receptors of the restless canine. You can use T-shirts or any stretch fabrics to hug the dog’s torso firmly in place. Bind the dog before he tenses up so he will not associate the wrap with the phobia.

A technique used by many dog behaviorists is counter conditioning. This is the method that attempts to counteract the feared circumstance by displacing it with another situation that generally gets a favorable response from the dog. If you are able to simulate a thunderstorm scenario, the rumbling of the supposed storm should begin very softly. As you subtly increase the volume, give the dog delicious treats to distract him.

If these do not work, a natural supplement that improves this phobia is melatonin. Melatonin is an over the counter medication people use to treat insomnia. When the proper dosage is administered to the canine, he remains awake but has distinctly stopped being fearful. Be aware though, that there are differing manufacturers so the quality and dosage one should mete out will differ. Consult your veterinarian before you proceed.

The degree by which the fear of thunderstorms in dogs will manifest varies. Some say that street dogs or rescued dogs are more likely to be traumatized by irrational and often, difficult to deal with phobias. Visit the vet for regular check-ups so you have an accurate diagnosis of the problem that besets your dog.

The smell of a dog’s breath may not be the best smelling scent that anyone may come across. Nonetheless, wait till he smells a dog’s bad breath. By then he would have compared both and would undoubtedly prefer the normal aroma of a dog’s breath to its nasty counterpart. Apart from its foul smell, bad breath in our fave canine is usually an indicator that something is not right with our beloved house pet. Generally, it shows the way to a lurking health problem that our dog may have. What follows is a list of possible causes of the foul smell in our pet.

The usual cause of bad breath in dogs is tooth decay. As many pet owners fail to take care of their canine friend’s dental hygiene, it is but inevitable that they lose some of their teeth through some nasty tooth decay. As such, whenever the foul smell starts to rear its ugly smell, it is best to check your dog for any rotten teeth that is usually caused by plaque. If the pet owner is averse to checking the dog’s mouth on their own, it would be best to have the veterinarian check the dog’s mouth for any plaque or rotten teeth.

At times, our dogs go through the garbage and end up eating some of our house’s refuse. If this happens then it is inevitable for bad breath to occur in our dog’s mouth. However, it would not take too long because in a few hours, these garbage passes through its stomach and intestines. Nonetheless, to take out the possibility of our dog eating garbage, it would be best to keep this out of our dog’s paws and mouth. That way, we avoid the possibility of our dog developing something more serious other than bad breath.

In some cases, a simple foreign object getting stuck in between our dog’s teeth can cause bad breath. This is highly possible given that our dog eat anything that they fancy to be attractive. In some serious cases, these foreign objects cause abscessed tooth or infections in their mouth. Both of which can cause bad breath if not properly treated. Likewise, if in doubt, it would be best to have a vet check our dog’s teeth if we cannot handle it ourselves. In the long run, this might prove to be more sensible inasmuch as infections may be best handled by medical professionals.

More importantly, a dog’s bad breath can be resolved by simply taking care of our dog’s dental health. We can save up on trouble and the cost of veterinary services if we simply buy a regular dog toothbrush to clean both our dog’s teeth as well as scrape accumulating dirt in its tongue. It would not cost as much as the bill we may rack up if our pet gets sick and ends up in the vet. Also, it is important to get toothpaste that will do the trick. Keep in mind that human toothpaste will not help get rid of the dirt in the dog’s mouth. Generally, it will simply be swallowed together with the toothpaste. It would be best to buy dog toothpaste as they are readily available in the market and online. With these two handy tools, it would not be long before our favorite pet gets a sparkling smile and nice breath.

Our dogs are our best friends. We try to give them the best that we can so that they stay as healthy as possible. Dog skin conditions are the more obvious diseases that are common to canines. While they might not be lethal in most cases, untreated dog skin sores will make the canine’s life thoroughly unpleasant. Read on to find out more about canine skin problems and what you can do to make sure your dog is safe from these.

One of the most valuable preventative measures for dog skin diseases (any diseases for that matter) is maintaining a healthy diet. There are several commercial pet food that have a list of beneficial nutrients that your dog needs. If you are serving dry kibble, soak them in water to provide maximum hydration to the animal. Add a teaspoon of oils (except citrus oil) to his meals to alleviate skin dryness and itchiness.

If your pet is on a fresh food diet, even better. Meals that consist of superior quality meat, vegetables and fruits will ensure that he will get the needed vitamins and minerals that will boost his immune system. This is important as most skin diseases are actually immune system related. Look for natural supplements that will further aid you in this goal.

Specially formulated canine products are available to care for your dog’s skin and coat. Ingredients like aloe vera, silk proteins, chamomile tea, safflower oil, sunflower seed oil, wheat and oat proteins, and vitamins A and E strengthen the hair and improve the animal’s skin condition. Bathe your dog only about once a month to retain the skin’s natural oils.

Regular grooming is another helpful way in ensuring that the animal is kept away from painful skin conditions. Brushing his coat often will allow you to check for parasites and open wounds that are breeding grounds for bacterial infection. You need to take the necessary steps to treat these right away before they progress to anything more serious.

There are several kinds of canine skin problems but they will all manifest similar symptoms. Usually it will be dog skin sores, excessive itchiness, bald patches, redness and unusual growths. When you see these, you have to visit the vet for an accurate diagnosis. You need to know whether these are skin conditions or diseases that have an underlying cause to it.

If the particular skin condition is caused by an allergy, you can apply hydrocortisone sprays or hydrocortisone cream to the infected areas to inhibit the dog’s adverse allergic reaction. Benadryl or other oral medications, no matter how mild, should have the vet’s approval first before it is administered to the animal.

Very seldom are dog skin conditions fatal. However, you should watch out for signs like difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face and paws, seizure and loss of consciousness. This may be the result of the canine experiencing a potentially deadly reaction to medication or a parasite infection. This is an emergency situation that needs serious medical attention immediately.

- Melissa Simmonds

As is generally the case with humans, dogs also develop certain health issues as they age. As a dog owner you should pay special attention to your dog as he ages to catch conditions as they begin to develop, early detection increases the chance of successful treatment. You may find your dog begins to slow down and become less active than he used to be, many dog owners dismiss this as being simply age related, but sometimes a more serious cause may be at play.

Sometimes decreased physical activity can be linked to something more ominous than just getting older; it can be an indication of arthritis. Although some breeds are more disposed to developing arthritis, it is a condition that can afflict all dogs.

There are different arthritic diseases that can afflict dogs such as rheumatoid arthritis. This is a very painful and immune related disease that affects the dog’s joints causing swelling and lameness and is more common in small breed dogs. Lyme disease is an infectious bacterial disease that can lead to arthritis in dogs but as most dogs are vaccinated, this form of arthritis is less common. The most common form of canine arthritis is degenerative osteoarthritis. This condition results from the erosion of bone cartilage causing the bone to become exposed. When the bone is exposed in this way inflammation results which causes the dog a great deal of pain.

Because usually hide any feelings of pain, the symptoms may be subtle but if your dog has an altered gait as he tries to bear his weight on unaffected limbs or is reluctant to move around as much as before or falls into an exhausted heap after a little physical activity, these could all be signs your dog is suffering from degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. Climbing stairs becomes a difficult task and jumping on or off a sofa becomes an ordeal for your dog. Some dogs will lick at painful areas while others will seek warm and soft places to lie down in.

If you suspect your dog may be suffering from osteoarthritis you shouldn’t postpone taking him to the vet. This is an extremely painful and debilitating condition and you should try to relieve your dog’s pain as soon as possible. While there is no cure for arthritis, you can help make your pet feel more comfortable and improve his quality of life.

Your veterinarian should be able to recommend certain foods and medications that contain anti-inflammatory properties. Some herbs such as devil’s claw and boswellia seem to help with this condition. Your vet should also test your dog for any allergies he may have as allergies can greatly aggravate osteoarthritis. Your dog shouldn’t be allowed to become overweight so as not to add more pressure on weakened limbs.

Some dogs suffering from osteoarthritis may lose their appetites so make sure your dog is eating and drinking properly so as not to lose condition. Getting your dog a supportive bed will greatly help him by making him more comfortable. Always take some time to research potential health issues your dog may develop as he ages so you are best prepared to deal with them should they occur.

From the dog bed store featuring electric dog fence.

Dog skin allergies are common incidents that experienced dog owners have learned to handle. While they are not terminal in most cases, they can be extremely painful as the dog will try to itch and chew his own skin to relieve himself of persistent itchiness. This self-mutilation can lead to further infections as open wounds become a breeding ground for bacteria and other organisms.

Usually, allergies are the direct result of a substance that irritated your dog’s skin (contact dermatitis). It may be cause by a number of reasons. It may be from a specific ingredient in a product you used—shampoos, detergents, etc; food; medication; pollen; or insects and parasites. It is very important that you find out what this is and eliminate the dog’s exposure to it as soon as possible.

Of course, many times the dog is outdoors and we cannot control environmental factors; however what we can control we should. Make sure you clean the house as often as you can to help keep away allergies. It would help if you do away with carpets, rugs and drapes that will catch dust easily. A centralized air cleaner will radically improve the general atmosphere of the house.

Usually, allergic reactions will include dog dry skin, itchiness, redness. Anti-histimine and/or hydrocortisone topical will help alleviate these symptoms. You can get these sprays and crèmes in almost any pet store or drugstores. Benadryl can also be used orally for some animals although you must always consult with the vet with regard to the dosage and frequency of medications used—especially if your dog already has an existing medical condition.

Dog dry skin can also be remedied by using natural, specially formulated canine shampoos and products that are specifically aimed to moisturize the skin. Brushing the skin before and after bathing will stimulate the animal’s natural oils and bring a nice shine to the coat. You can also check for parasites or open wounds that will aggravate his allergies when you comb his hair.

You can also impede the progress of dog skin allergies by making fresh water constantly available to your pet and giving him daily diet of healthy, nutrient-rich food. Fresh fruits and vegetables; as well as dietary supplements of omega 3 fatty acids, sunflower oil will help keep him hydrated. Healthy food will boost his immune system which will fight infections and bacteria that are trying to get into his system.

Remember, sometimes even if it is your pet that has allergies—you or your family can also get infected. This is not always the case but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Do not give your dog access to the whole of the house; and after handling him—wash your hands thoroughly to avoid spreading the infection.

It doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy being with your furry friend if he is sick. You must however exercise the necessary precautions for him to get well so that he can fully enjoy being his healthy and lovable self soon.

- Melissa Simmonds

Dog grooming, and your dog’s physical state generally influences both the way he feels, and the way you look at your dog. Lack of appropriate care – most particularly bathing and grooming, can also affect the behavior of your dog.

Good dog grooming not only infuses a healthy glow to your dog’s appearance, but also helps develop his self-esteem, believe it or not.  And it also makes you a very proud dog owner, when other people comment on your beautifully groomed dog.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking that only long haired dogs (such as Shih Tzus) or curly haired dogs (such as Poodles) need to be groomed.  Certainly, they need more grooming, but all dogs should have some regular attention given to keeping their coats in tip top condition.

The first step involved in dog grooming is: Brushing!

Brushing has been universally acknowledged by expert dog groomers as the single most important step in grooming.

The benefits of brushing are many. To name a few:

• Better blood circulation 
• Shinier and healthier coat 
• Better bonding 

Copyright (c) 2009 TrainPetDog.com

A foul smelling dog breath can be taken as a sign of a health problem that needs to be cured as soon as possible. If left unchecked, such a problem can be a major headache for a dog owner especially if it hits a puppy. A puppy with bad breath would not be cute to play because its foul breath will surely be a major turn off for its owner. Bad breath in puppies can be worse to treat compared to that in adult dogs because of the young dog’s playful nature. However, all it would need is an owner with the patience as well as the knowledge as to how to address such a problem. Having said that, it would be important to know the possible health problems that cause canines to develop such a problem.

Although the causes of bad breath in dogs can be varied and may range from simple to the complex, in most cases its cause is simply rotten teeth. If its rotten teeth that is causing the bad breath then its simple root is plaque or tartar. Plaque and tartar are deposits of germs and bacteria in the dog’s teeth. This is simply a result of poor hygiene on the part of the owner. As a result, its solution is very simple, namely, improved hygiene. All it would take is simply to clean the dog’s teeth regularly. To do so, a pet toothbrush and toothpaste will do the trick. It must be said though that human toothpaste should not be used to clean the dog’s teeth and mouth. The dog will simply swallow the toothpaste. If this happens then the problem will only be transferred into the dog’s internal organs. To be able to escape this problem, buy a pet’s toothpaste as it is especially designed to solve pet health problems.

Another possible root of bad breath in dogs may be an infection in the mouth either in the gums or in the tooth area. In many cases, dogs eat garbage and feces or wastes. Because of this, they have the tendency to develop abscesses that are full of bacteria. Considering that this is more serious than a rotten tooth, it would need the assistance of a vet who would have to use antibiotics to solve the problem. The vet may find out that the dog is suffering from gingivitis or the inflammation of the animal’s gums or periodontitis or an inflammation in the tissue surrounding the tissue in the tooth. Either way both can be remedied by a professional such as a vet. It would be best not to provide medication without the help of the vet or it might worsen the problem instead of solving it.

Other more serious causes of bad breath in dogs can range from lung cancers to severe kidney problems as well as bleeding stomach ulcer. Having said this, it is best to take bad breath as a warning sign of serious diseases in our favorite animal. It should not left alone or else it would cause the problem to become worse. Dog breath should be seen as part of the animal’s overall health not just as part of its hygiene. If we keep this in mind then there is no reason for the dog not develop into a happy and healthy animal.

We often think that humans are beset by unreasonable phobias but many times – our pets also have fears that when left untreated, can cause serious injury to themselves and their surroundings. One such form of dog anxiety is noise phobia – a condition that often manifests itself during storms.

The reasons why dogs are afraid of thunderstorms have not been accurately determined yet. Some say that it is because of the electric charge in the atmosphere, the drop in barometric pressure, or simply because like humans – the dark and loud sounds are scary. Whatever it is, this particular fear is rather common among dogs and have worried many of their owners.

Dogs and thunderstorms generally do not go well together. Canines with a mild case of noise phobia exhibit nervous energy, tremble excessively, or hide in corners during the time of the storm. You can help ease their anxiety by taking them to a spot that they seem to be the calmest at. It may be an open crate or a bath tub. Train him to head there whenever he is afraid and reward him when he does.

Pets that are severely affected by thunderstorms or loud noises like gunshots, extremely loud engines or fireworks, should be watched very carefully. Many owners verify that their noise phobic pets have not only destroyed furniture and things; but have also badly hurt themselves in the process. Some have clawed through hard wall and dug through the carpets until they were bleeding.

There are two basic methods of behavior modification that experts employ in treating noise phobia in canines. One is desensitization. Desensitization is when the fearful noise is introduced to the dog very faintly at first, and increasing the intensity little by little until he is unafraid anymore. Make sure that when you try this, begin softly and as you progress, always keep it below the fear producing decibel your dog recognizes.

The other method to cure dog anxiety is by counter conditioning. This technique is implemented by allowing the dog to enjoy something he likes while the source of fear is gradually increased. For instance, simulate the sound of thunder subtly; as the noise is amplified gradually, give the dog his favorite doggie treats. If he begins to get overly agitated, do not continue. We do not want the dog to associate the treats with his phobia.

If the abovementioned behavior modification practices do not work, natural, homeopathic treatments like Melatonin and Phosphorous 30C, can be tried. These have been known to significantly improve noise phobia in canines. Inquire about the dosage in relation to the breed and size of your pet, and follow it carefully.

This has been a common source of frustration to pet owners through the years. Studies of dogs and thunderstorms continue to be developed in the hope of an eventual remedy to be found. In the meantime, do what you know to do and have regular visits to the veterinarian for any changes in behavior.

New dog owners need to take a lot of time and effort to get properly educated prior to adopting a pet. It’s naive to assume that dogs just look for daily sustenance and affection. It should not be difficult to figure out what dogs need, since dogs have many of the same needs and concerns that people have. When you start taking care of a dog, you need to be conscious of what is going on between you and your dog. You also need to be stay updated with correct dog information.

To get the proper dog information, you need to develop a network of information and collect all the data that is available regarding dog care. You also need to have as many different sources of information as possible. A lot of this is easily available online. But, you also need to consult with veterinarians, other dog owners, and you can even share information with relatives and friends who have dogs.

Having a small dog information network will allow you to stay up to date, and you’ll have a way to eliminate questionable or disputed information. There are also resources dedicated to this type of information, like kennel clubs or pet magazines, but even their information can benefit from verification from other sources.

For example, let’s take Life’s Abundance Dog Food. Life’s Abundance has a great online presence, and their website has a detailed explanation of how they make dog food that provides total nutrition. However, if you are considering switching over to Life’s Abundance, you need more information than is available on their website.

You should check other websites for dog food ratings, consumer reviews, etc. You should also talk to other dog owners about their experience with Life’s Abundance, as well as other brands. Finally, you could talk to your veterinarian, or an equally qualified medical professional. You must also figure out how to bring it into your dog’s diet. It may have to be a gradual process, so that the dog’s body will get used to it.

Dogs, like people, need a well balanced diet with proteins, fats and carbohydrates. They also must have sources of vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables.

- Melinda Smith

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – puppy mills should be outlawed. Boycott them. How?

- Buy your puppies only from a reputable breeder where you can see the puppies and their parents in their home environment before you even consider buying. Or go to an animal shelter and rescue a puppy or dog that desperately needs a good home.

- Never, never, never buy puppies from pet shops – it perpetuates the whole puppy mill industry and keeps it going. You contribute to the cruelty by buying a dog from a pet shop.

What the dogs and puppies would say to you if they could speak:

One of the toughest responsibilities of owning a pet is deciding if circumstances warrant euthanizing your pet. There are many factors to consider, but analyzing your pet’s quality of life will help you in making the decision.

I’ve had several requests from readers for an article on this topic.  Personally, I must admit to finding the topic a very emotional one to even contemplate, so I was pleased to get someone else to write this one for me. … 

So here is a step by step guide to assist you if you are considering the ultimate decision for your pet.

If you and your family have found yourselves in the difficult position of wondering whether or not to euthanize your pet, follow these steps:

Step 1: If you suspect that your animal’s life is nearing its end, make an appointment with your veterinarian to get a professional opinion on the prognosis of your pet. The veterinarian will be able to talk with you about pain management options and ways you can make your pet more comfortable, but ultimately the decision to euthanize will be in your hands.

Step 2: If your pet is ill, consider the factors that will contribute to his care and attention. Do you have the time, resources and finances to care for your ailing pet? If you’re unable to spend quality time with your pet through his illness, or if you are unable to afford the medications required to keep him comfortable, you will need to keep those considerations in mind.

Step 3: If your pet is in pain, you need to consider how comfortable you can make your pet during the time he or she has left. If the vet is unable to provide pain management, or if your pet is nonresponsive to the pain management, you may need to consider euthanasia sooner than later.

Step 4: If your dog is not in pain but you fear he is no longer getting enough enjoyment out of his life due to his age or other health factors, begin journaling his activities. Make a commitment to journal his activities for a week, making note of his appetite, sleeping habits and exercise or activity level.

Step 5: Before you analyze the journal, determine with other family members what criteria you need to see in order to determine if it’s time to euthanize. For instance, if your pet slept for 20 or more hours a day, would you consider that sufficient evidence that he is not experiencing a high quality of life? Or, if he is excited to greet you at the door but remains inactive throughout the rest of the day, is that enough activity to warrant that he is enjoying his life? Only you and your family members can create and answer questions such as these.

Step 6: Gather decision making family members to analyze the journal and come to a consensus as to whether or not it’s time to euthanize your pet. Allow the opportunity for all involved family members to share their thoughts and feelings, however try to keep emotions out of the final decision and instead focus on what is best for your beloved pet.

Step 7: If you make the decision to euthanize your pet, decide whether he or she will be cremated or buried. Begin collecting special memories of your pet, perhaps a paw print or a few final photos.

Above all else, spend as much time with your best friend as possible, making him as comfortable as possible until the time comes to mourn his life. Also, although you will be heartbroken, don’t forget to spend time celebrating the life of your beloved pet and the special memories you’ve shared together.

This article was written by the authors at pet super store an online pet shop that carries dog beds, patio pet doors, and dog houses.

And remember, if your dog could write a Will, this is probably what your dog would bequeath to you.

Pets with Fresh Breath Get More Cuddles

People love to closely interact with their pets — to snuggle, hug and kiss them. When they have bad breath, snuggles, hugs and kisses don’t happen as often. Fresh breath can help improve the human-pet bond, making pets and people happier.  Find out how to keep your dog’s breath fresh all the time!
 

A Healthy Mouth Feels Good to Your Dog

Dog dental disease can cause severe inflammation of the gums and socket of the tooth. Inflammation also means the pet is in pain — even if they don’t show obvious signs of discomfort. 
 

Pets with Healthy Mouths Live Longer – Yes, They Really Do!

Pets free of dental disease may live three to five years longer. The stress placed on the immune system and the bacteria that escapes the mouth and makes it’s way into the bloodstream can cause major organs like the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver to age prematurely, thereby shortening their potential life expectancy. Find out how to lengthen your dog’s life by keeping your dog’s teeth healthy!
 

Pet Owners are Looking for a Convenient Solution for their Dog’s Teeth

Brushing is the gold standard for keeping the teeth free of tartar, the mouth healthy and the breath fresh. Apparently fewer than one out of 20 pet owners are willing or able to brush their pet’s teeth on a regular basis, and many therefore end up having their veterinarian clean their dog’s teeth under anaesthetic, which is both costly and risky! That means 19 out of 20 pet owners are looking for a more convenient way to control dental disease and doggie breath. Dog oral care is it!

You can prevent doggie breath by feeding a healthy diet, brushing your dog’s teeth, or by easily adding a solution to your dog’s drinking water. – Click here for more info.
 

Dog your dog get nervous when there’s a thunderstorm?

Perhaps fireworks cause terror in your dog? Some dogs are not bothered by unusual noises at all, while others can shiver and shake and cower in corners, and generally behave like real sooks. And the sad thing is that we can’t explain to the dog that there’s nothing to be afraid of.

But I suppose it’s like phobias with people. I confess – I’m terrified of spiders. I know they can’t hurt me (the non-poisonous ones, anyway), and I know they’re a fraction of my size so I could beat them in any fight! But nevertheless, I become a blithering idiot if I even see a spider anywhere near me. It’s a totally irrational fear.

The same with dogs who are afraid of loud noises, I suppose.

My Rottweiler, Kara, is one of those dogs afflicted by an irrational fear of thunder, fireworks, and any sudden, loud noise.

It’s a bit embarrassing, really – you’d expect a Rottweiler to be fearless. But mine’s a pussy when it comes to this sort of thing!

One New Year’s Eve when I was away, Kara dug her way under the house and escaped (due to being terrified of the fireworks which were going off).

My neighbors had to pick her up from the pound the following morning. Apparently the dog catchers are out in force on New Year’s Eve because they round up many dogs and impound them! A nice little revenue booster for the local authorities. From memory it cost about $100 to get her back.

So what causes a dog to jump a 6 foot fence or burrow their way out under the house when you thought it was impenetrable?  It’s anxiety. Dog anxiety.

And there are things you can do for it.

I’ve found that peppermint oil applied to the pads of her paws has some calming effect.

And a natural stress remedy also works very nicely.

Anxiety in dogs can be caused by any number of things – illness, travel, thunderstorms, death in the family, separation, or they may develop unexplained phobic or neurotic behaviour, or barking or other antisocial behaviour.

If you can identify the cause of the anxiety, then the best solution to the problem is to remove the cause.

This is not always possible, though. If your dog is experiencing separation anxiety every time you leave the house, and you work full time outside the home, you’ve got a problem! I suppose you could give up work and stay home with your dog, but sometimes we need to be a little realistic!

For this particular problem there are a number of things you can do to alleviate your dog’s anxiety when you leave – many people have found that playing soothing music while they’re out works wonders.

Mozart? – that certainly used to calm my hyperactive son down a little, so Mozart would be my personal first choice, but there are many soothing classical and new age, or even some light rock or jazz music might work – try out whatever you have in your CD collection for starters.

Another wonderful idea I read about recently is making a tape recording of your own voice and playing that on a continuous play while you’re gone.

And there are certain homeopathic and herbal remedies which really do calm your dog. So those may well assist with your dog’s separation anxiety.

Some years ago, before I became interested in natural remedies for dogs – actually it was following the fireworks incident I mentioned earlier – Kara became quite determined to continue escaping, for some reason.

I suppose once she realized she could get out, she just kept on trying. It became a behavioral issue – a compulsion, even.

Ever heard of a dog with obsessive compulsive disorder? (Just kidding, but it really was becoming a serious problem). She was even destroying part of my house in her determination to try to get through the thick wooden boards I had put up to prevent further escapes.

So I took her to the vet, as I was at a complete loss to know what to do with her. She was prescribed an anti-anxiety medication. This made Kara quite dopey, and seemed to take some of her personality away somehow. In other words, I suppose she appeared drugged. I didn’t like it at all.

Now I know that there are much more pleasant, all natural anxiety treatments for dogs, which have no nasty side effects. And they really do work just as well as the drugs.

The Great Importance of Dog Teeth Cleaning

Ideally, dog teeth cleaning should be a routine part of your pet’s regular care and their teeth should be brushed on a daily basis, or at least every other day or so. Because dog teeth are just as susceptible to disease and decay as are human teeth, it’s extremely important keep tartar and plaque at bay to protect your dog’s precious health.

Dental Disease and Your Dog’s Health

Diseases of the mouth, teeth, and gums can be very painful for your pooch and because they aren’t able to tell us when they have a toothache, as pet owners we must be diligent in keeping up with our dog’s dental care. If left untreated, a tooth infection may develop into serious complication for your dog and affect vital organs such as their heart, liver, or kidneys.

Your dog’s diet definitely has a direct effect on your dog’s dental health. Choosing foods and treats that are fortified and designed to keep their teeth and gums healthy are an easy way to implement dental hygiene into your dog’s life. Although professional cleaning by a veterinarian is an option, this should only be considered in extreme cases as unnecessarily having your dog anesthetized is not only expensive, but it also puts undue stress on your pet.

Cleaning Your Dog’s Teeth

Even if your dog is no longer a puppy you can train them to accept having their teeth brushed with some patience and perseverance. Both dogs and puppies alike can be acclimated to having the toothbrush in their mouths simply by starting out using your finger and a dab of peanut butter.

As your pet licks your finger and the peanut butter, begin rubbing the teeth and gums while offering plenty of praise. After a day or so of this, or as soon as your dog begins accepting this new process, use a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger and do the same thing as above. Rub the gauze around the teeth and gums using a circular motion as you would with the toothbrush. Once they are used to this, it’s time to introduce them to the real thing.

Never use toothpaste intended for humans on your dog as ingredients such as baking soda will upset their stomach. Also, dog toothpaste is specially formulated for their teeth and will have an appealing smell and taste to help make the process a bit easier. Start out by letting your dog lick a dollop of toothpaste off of the brush first, then use more to finally start brushing.

Lift the sides of your dog’s gums so you can access their upper teeth, aptly called the canines, and hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle for the best results. This allows you to clean the gum line as well as the teeth to keep the gums equally as healthy. Brushing two to three teeth at a time, brush in a circular motion anywhere from eight to ten times or so in order to get each area clean. A dog’s upper back teeth tend to be the most susceptible to decay and periodontal disease, so if anything, focus your efforts there first.

Dog teeth cleaning should always be a happy, positive event. However, you will want to remain upbeat, but also low-key to keep your dog on the same wavelength and from becoming overly excited. Usually no more than one minute or so is long enough before your dog loses interest, but after practicing for a bit, you’ll find that that’s all it takes to keep your dog’s teeth clean, keeping them happy and healthy.

You usually don’t need to be told when it’s time to give your dog a bath.  If your dog is overdue for his shampoo, take matters into your own hands and follow these steps. 

Step 1: It might sound odd, but the best way to start a bath is with a walk. Seriously. A walk will tire your dog out and make him feel grateful to you before you lather him up. 

Step 2: Brush out all the tangles that can be found on his body. There’s only one thing worse than dry tangles and that’s wet tangles. This might also be a good time to trim your dog’s nails as that is an essential part of dog grooming.

Step 3: Choose your location. Some people choose to bathe their dog outside because of the concern of the mess, but ideally a contained location such as an indoor tub is preferable. Also, water outside is typically cold and that can be very uncomfortable for your pet. 

Step 4: Gather your supplies. You will need a dog shampoo (we know from experience that human shampoo isn’t a good idea…), a pitcher or cup for pouring water and several soft towels.

Step 5: Get the running water to a lukewarm temperature before you place the dog in the tub. Once the dog is in the tub, pour pitchers of water over him until his entire body, with the exception of his head, is wet. Massage him while you do this so it feels good and he feels calm. 

Step 6: Put a small amount of shampoo at his neck and begin massaging, moving towards the tail. Lather his entire body with the shampoo, taking care to get his underbelly and underarms and legs. Afterwards, use the pitcher to pour water over his body, rinsing him clean of the shampoo. If you don’t thoroughly rinse the shampoo out of his hair, you will have one itchy dog!

Step 7: Step back. This is the time when your dog will shake all over and get you soaking wet. Hopefully, you’ll have put on old clothes for this task.

Step 8: Use the soft towels to dry him off. If possible, coax him to lay on another dry towel over the next hour or so. 

An important thing to remember after you’ve bathed your dog is try not to let him outside for two reasons: the air may cause him to catch a chill and he will definitely try to roll in the dirt, undoing all of your hard work.

This article was provided by pet-super-store which is an online pet shop featuring patio pet doors and large dog beds. 

 And for more on caring for your dog’s skin and coat – click here!

Love your clean dog!

Parvo is a deadly disease.  Do NOT attempt a home remedy for parvo if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing.  This article is about preventing parvo, as well as treating parvo, and its focus is on natural remedies (prevention and treatment).  Do NOT use ANY of this article as advice.  It is general information ONLY.  Please, click on the links and find out about your options, but if my dog already had parvo, I’d be seeing my vet immediately.

Before you look for a home remedy for puppy parvo, it is important to know what this condition is.  Parvo is a viral disease the affects dogs, generally puppies more so than adult dogs, but adult dogs are certainly not immune. The virus is attracted to areas of the body where there is rapid cell growth, such as the lining of the intestine. Here, the virus will attack and kill those cells. This can cause symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, depression and a drop in the white blood cells of the animal. Additionally, parvo can infect the muscles of the heart. When this occurs, it can lead to sudden death.

Prior to trying any treatment, you should know the symptoms of the condition. Because the virus attacks the lining of the digestive symptom, many puppies are unable to take in the nutrients and fluids they require, causing them to be undernourished. Other symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, and a high fever. In some situations, the puppies that go without treatment can face dehydration, which leads to shock and probable death.

There are prevention and treatment options. The most common parvo prevention is parvo vaccinations, which are commonplace all over the world. These vaccinations allow the body to receive a very small, weakened dose of the virus that allows the body to develop antibodies for it.  Yet, for many people, giving their pets these vaccinations is not acceptable or possible. 

In these situations, finding a home remedy for puppy parvo is important. One of the best solutions for preventing parvo, and indeed for treating parvo in puppies without a vaccination is to use Parvaid and Colloidal Silver, called CS. This type of prevention or treatment is an option for many people who prefer not to vaccinate their dogs.  With the use of this type of natural parvo prevention or treatment, you can see a good increase in the puppy’s ability to eat and to stop vomiting. The Parvaid products work well, either as a preventative, or when given to infected puppies quickly and with constant treatment.

If your puppy has not been vaccinated for parvo, your pet is at risk for catching this virus. It does not have to spread just from one dog to the next. In fact, if another animal comes in contact with the virus, they can take it into their homes and infect dogs this way. This highly contagious condition is not one to look at lightly.

The best, and most responsible, thing to do is to have your puppy vaccinated for parvo OR use natural “home” remedies for puppy parvo prevention. 

If you don’t take one of these options, or if the vaccination fails to provide adequate coverage (as it does – more often than people realize), your puppy may well contract this deadly disease.

If this happens, getting puppies urgent treatment for parvo is important. Home remedies for puppy parvo like Parvaid do work, but you still need to seek out medical attention for the pet whenever possible. If you plan to leave the pet at home alone while ill, he or she could die from dehydration (these pets will stop drinking water on their own). In some situations, the only way to get the treatments to work is through the use of IV fluids, which may need to be administered by a vet.

While the cost of vaccinating your puppy may be high, the risk of death from parvovirus is incredibly high. Take note of any symptoms in your puppy and get them help as quickly as possible.  Parvo treatment options for use at home are limited, but there is help in treating parvo is undertaken quickly enough.
 

Click Here!

Worming and “de-flea-ing” your dog are the commonest forms of dog care measures which you probably undertake yourself for your dog. Fleas infest almost every dog at some time. Sometimes a lot of the time. Dogs that socialize with other dogs outside your home tend to become infested more often than dogs that remain at home without any direct contact with other dogs.

Fleas can carry disease and other parasites, including tapeworm.  And fleas are extremely irritating for your dog. They often cause intense itching, which in turn can cause your dog to damage his/her skin by vigorous scratching.

Some dogs are allergic to flea bites. If this is the case with your dog, then even after the fleas have been doused with flea poison and killed, the cycle of itch, scratch, itch, scratch, can remain for quite some time, due to the inflammation from the allergy to the flea bites.

My Rottweiler has been terribly affected two or three times now by this self-perpetuating cycle caused by her allergy to flea bites. Most of the skin damage has been caused by Kara incessantly scratching and injuring herself.  When this has happened, it’s been necessary to treat the flea bites as well as get rid of the fleas.

Now I make sure I keep fleas away with natural flea prevention measures, so as to avoid the fleas in the first place wherever possible.A dog with an infestation of fleas is neither not a happy dog. And s/he’s not a healthy dog, either.

So at the first sign of a flea, it’s important to treat your dog for this very common problem. And those pesky fleas don’t always readily show themselves. So if your dog is scratching more than usual, the first thing to do is an extremely thorough search through your dog’s coat.  (Note that fleas can often be very difficult to see – it’s essential that you do look very thoroughly).

If you can see even one flea, treat your dog immediately. Some people treat routinely just because it’s flea season, and still others actually treat throughout the year. And of course, it goes without saying that if you have more than one animal, you must treat them all at the same time.

If you’re using one of the chemical flea treatments, you might be reluctant to treat your dog for fleas all year (I certainly would be).  But if you use a natural flea prevention and natural flea treatment regime, you don’t need to worry about any adverse consequences the chemicals may have.

Your dog’s paws take him everywhere. Unfortunately, there are times when your pooch may not feel like going anywhere because of paw pain. If you keep your pet’s paws regularly groomed, then you can prevent unnecessary injuries. However, accidents happen and sometimes you are faced with medical problems. If a problem arises, then you should know whether you can care for your pet at home or if you need to take him to the veterinarian.

In order to provide at-home care for your pooch, your pet should be comfortable with you handling his paws. That way if some sort of injury comes up, you will be able to help him out. Some pets love for you to touch their feet, while others hate it. Start with the handling at home. Take your pet to a quiet area and just give him a mini foot massage. Be gentle, and pet his feet just like you would his head. Try to work your way up to where you are able to touch his feet anytime you are petting him. He’ll soon get comfortable with the feel, so you will be able to examine his feet if you suspect a problem.

Accidents are out of your hands, but there are ways you can prevent unnecessary injuries. A pet can suffer greatly from long or broken nails. You must keep your pet’s nails clipped. If you go to a groomer regularly, then the groomer probably provides this service for you. If you take care of grooming at home, then you should be able to recognize when your dog’s nails need clipping and how to clip them. In addition to clipping his nails, the hair around and between the pads of his paws should also be clipped. Both the nails and the hair should be groomed at least once a month.

If your pooch is limping, holding one foot off the floor, refusing to walk, or is obviously in pain, then you need to check his paws immediately. Your pet is always barefoot, so paw injuries are not uncommon. Be gentle when you check the problem; your pet is in pain and he may snap or bite at you as a way to protect himself. This is where the foot handling that you have been working on comes in handy.

If you have had your pooch in the great outdoors, then he could be suffering from an object that is lodged in his toes. Thorns, spurs, small rocks and gravel can all be culprits. Grab a pair of tweezers and gently remove the item. Once removed, cut back the hair on your pet’s paw pad to keep mats and tangles at bay. If the item cut his paw, then wash his paw with soap and water.
In the summer, your pet can suffer from burning and blistering caused by hot surfaces. A burned paw may appear raw, while a blistered pay may have a loose flap of skin (just like when a human gets a blister). Don’t remove the blister, because it will come off naturally. Plus, the skin beneath the blister is still raw. Instead, wash the paw and wrap a clean bandage around it. Change the bandage each day for a couple of days until the blister heals. Dry, cracked pads can also be painful for your pup. If his pads seem excessively dry or are cracking, then buy a tube of paw cream from the pet store. It will help soften the pads of his feet.

As tough as it seems to be, the paw pad can also be cut. If the cut is deep or bleeding profusely, then you need to see the veterinarian immediately. If the cut is small, then clean out the wound with soap and water. Wrap the paw with a bandage, and change the bandage everyday or every two days. You may need to use a special collar during this time to keep your pet from pulling off the bandage. If the wound is not showing any signs of healing within three days, then take your pooch to the veterinarian.

Your pooch depends on his paws and paw pads, so you should take care of them. Being outside can pose many hazards for your pet’s feet, so you need to be able to prevent unnecessary injury and provide care in case of an accident. Blisters and lodged objects between the toes can be treated at home. Deep cuts or non-healing wounds should be treated by the veterinarian. Use your best judgment when caring for your pet.

This article was provided by pet-super-store.com an online pet shop featuring the latest in designer Pet Carriers and Dog crates.

And for more on dog crates, click here.

Many types of dog travel carriers are good for many different modes of travel. You will find some of the carriers for small dogs offer more ventilation. There are dog travel carriers for airplane travel, train travel, car and boat travel. You need sturdy dog carriers when traveling on public transportation.

In the car, you might need something to keep the dog calm and safe, so choose a dog travel carrier that will be comfortable to your pet. Some dog carriers for cars are designed for long periods of the dog being in the carrier. There are many carriers for pets that look very fashionable. Smaller dogs seem to have more to choose from where style is concerned. Some of the styles are the tote carrier, purse carrier, over the shoulder carrier and the carriers for larger animals.

The totes for small pets have different styles. There is the carrier with one, two or three viewing panels. These stylish dog travel carriers are for smaller dogs, but an individual can determine the size he or she will need. The carriers are made of durable materials and will hold up to twenty-two pounds in most situations. They come in different colors and have different looks. They also come with outside pockets for carrying along any necessary dog supplies. Airplane carriers for dogs in many situations have a rating for airplane travel and are approved by the airlines as a pet carrier.

There are dog travel carriers that are on wheels. These resemble the baggage totes on wheels and have panel openings for the pet to see out. This is sometimes easier on the dog if they can see where they are going. These carriers are great for airplane travel if the animal is traveling on the plane and not in the cargo area. In the cargo area, the carriers have to be made a certain way and a certain size for every dog. The other type of puppy carrier is the purse.

You may see many people walking down the street with a purse and a little head popping out. These are cute ways to tote around the little and other smaller dogs. Dog travel carriers are made for the dog to be comfortable and allow people to take his or her dogs to places that they otherwise could not. You will find some dog travel carriers in a wide range of colors too. You will find that they are just right for the type of dog you have.

Dog carriers can be found in many pet shops, pet boutiques and online at many pet web sites. You can find just about any type of dog carrier to make your dog’s travels comfortable. If you are looking for a dog travel carrier for using at home, many of the carriers are comfortable and have room for sleeping and a few toys if needed. These also have dishes for water and food. These are usually used for housebreaking, or essentially when you must leave the home for a while.

Well, our worst fears about the appalling practises of puppy mills have been confirmed.

Puppy mills breed puppies for profit. Pure and simple.

Most people are aware of this fact.

But what many people were not aware of is the cruelty practised by puppy mills.

Beautiful dogs that would love to be your pet are kept, sometimes in small, filthy cages, with little or no human contact, and often with zero veterinary care. Females are bred every time they come into heat (usually twice per year). They are kept not as pets, but as breeding machines in order to stock pet stores with puppies for sale. It’s an absolute crime. Many times by the time these poor dogs are 7 years old they have given birth to more than a hundred puppies. They are undernourished, their poor bodies are completely depleted from the repeated cycles of pregnancies and nursing. And when they’re not considered sufficiently good breeding material any more (at about the age of seven or eight), they are killed to make way for younger breeding machines. During the whole of their lives they are never nurtured or treated with any dignity or respect.
The U.S. Humane Society has been fighting the puppy mills for decades.

And now the truth is out.

Good on you, Oprah! Thank you for publicizing far and wide, in a way that probably no one else can, this terrible crime that is going on under our very noses. And that anyone who buys a puppy from a pet store is contributing to.

Yes, according to Oprah’s team’s investigation, 99.9 per cent of puppies sold in pet stores in the U.S. are bred in puppy mills. 99.9%!

Do what you can to STOP this practice. Don’t EVER buy a puppy from a pet store, or ANY products from a pet store that sells puppies. That’s the first step everyone should be taking.

If you buy a puppy from a pet store, you free up a spot for another puppy mill puppy to fill, you put profits into the hands of a puppy mill. and you encourage that puppy mill to continue breeding puppies for profit.

If you buy any products from pet stores that sell puppies, you tacitly give approval to what they’re doing, put profits into their hands and enable them to stock more puppy mill puppies for sale.

Don’t EVER buy a puppy from an online source without visiting the breeder yourself and checking them out. Often, online stores pose as reputable breeders, with stories and pictures that warm the heart. But it’s all a front. Puppy mills are now advertising their puppies online, with totally false information about who they really are, and many people are falling for the rort and perpetuating puppy mills.

Don’t EVER buy a puppy from anywhere, in fact, unless you have satisfied yourself that you are not putting profits into puppy mills.

How do you do that?

Rescue a rescue dog. If you particularly keen to have a puppy, there are plenty of them at dog rescue shelters. And if you want a purebred puppy, they have plenty of them too, with at least equivalent credentials to those bred in puppy mills. (Inbreeding is rife in puppy mills, so although technically you may be getting a purebred dog, it’s genetic makeup may well be compromised by the inbreeding).

So, consider an adult or older dog from a rescue first. They need saving, too.

If you want a puppy, you can also look in the animal shelters and rescue him/her.

If you do want a puppy from a breeder, make sure you’re dealing with a reputable breeder. Do NOT trust what they say in their advertisement, even if it’s on the internet and accompanied by pictures of healthy dogs looking happy and well cared for and living in the breeder’s home. Visit the breeder. This is an absolute must.

And visiting the breeder is not enough. Make sure you view the dogs – the puppies, and both the parents, and take a look at where the dogs live (whether in the house with the breeder, or otherwise). And look at how the breeder and the dogs interact. Ask to see the outdoor living quarters for the dogs if the dogs are kept outside. Ask to see outside in any event, even if the dogs appear to live inside the house. Is the area clean, and dog friendly?

Get a free copy of the Humane Society’s Puppy Buyer’s Guide – here – http://www.stoppuppymills.org/forms/free_puppy_buyers_guide.html
What else can we all do?

1. STOP buying ANY products from ANY pet store that sells puppies.

2. Do NOT buy ANY products from ANY online store that sells puppies.

3. Lobby your federal legislators – here – https://community.hsus.org/campaign/puppymills_oprah

4. Sign up for updates on the Stop Puppy Mills campaign by the Humane Society – here – http://www.stoppuppymills.org – Sign up is on the right hand side of the page.

5. Write a letter to your local newspaper voicing your concerns. All the major newspapers should be buzzing with this information right now – Thanks, Oprah – but the small local papers may not be. – So make sure yours is!

6. Read this online flyer - and then if you can, print out some copies and distribute them outside your local pet store, or at your local park, or drop some in letterboxes in your area. Take some copies to your veterinarian – if they’re not already publicizing this, ask them to display the flyers on their noticeboard and have copies available on their counter.

We call on ALL contribute to STOPPING puppy mills.

Do YOUR part now!

Other useful links to entities that work very hard to put a stop to puppy mills:

http://www.hua.org

http://www.bestfriends.org

http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/Hope.html

Take a look, and then take some action yourself to halt the appalling practises of puppy mills.

The treatment that is most effective for ear infections in dogs depends upon the severity of the condition. Home remedies for dog ear mites and regular grooming are effective methods to treat and prevent mild ear infections. Chronic and recurrent ear infections that do not respond to treatment may even require surgery. Vertical Canal Ablation and Lateral Wall Resection are designed to modify the anatomy of the dog’s ear to facilitate easy exit of fluids, much like as it is done in the human ear.

Total Ear Canal Ablation involves removal of the vertical and horizontal ear canal, the ear drum and part of the middle ear. It is the ultimate treatment when nothing else works. It removes the infected ear and allows fluid to be drained from the middle ear. The process involves removing the entire amplification system of the body and if this surgery is performed on both ears, the dog becomes deaf. To understand ear ablation, it is necessary to know the significant role that the structure of a dog ear plays in ear infections.

The anatomy of a dog ear is one of the major reasons behind chronic inflammation of the external ear. including externally visible cartilaginous structure and the ear canal. Unlike the human ear that has a short, straight and a horizontal passage leading to the ear drum, dog ear has an L-shaped passage. The vertical ear canal is shaped like a funnel and takes a 90 degree horizontal turn to end up at the ear drum. Any fluid that gets trapped in a dog’s ear cannot come out easily. The typical shape also makes it difficult for any medication to reach the ear drum.

The retained fluid and external parasites like dog ear mites lead to infection. A long standing infection triggers excess production of wax and other infectious fluids making the ear a welcome residence for ear mites and yeast. The resultant inflammation causes thickening of the skin that lines the external ear creating further problems in treatment.

Chronic ear infections often lead to injury in the middle ear cavity and can thicken the ear canal to such an extent that it becomes akin to a bone. Malignant tumors in the ear that have not metastasized through the cartilage or into the middle ear cavity too should undergo surgery.

Prognosis of Total Ear Canal Ablation is encouraging as long as the procedure is performed by an experienced veterinarian surgeon. This helps in avoiding any complications during this delicate procedure. Like all surgeries, the Total Ear Canal Ablation procedure needs to be followed up so that any post surgical complications can be addressed quickly. After an ear ablation, total or partial, your dog may live long but he may never be the same as before.

Your pet is your responsibility and when you bring a pet home, it is incumbent upon you to take proper care of its health. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you get down to thinking about it, whether it is dog or cat ear mites, the infection is initiated by poor grooming. Dogs and cats require help from owners. Regular and proper ear cleaning can save you a lot of expense and your pets from a great deal of discomfort.

Brought to you by Pet Alive

References:

http://www.southpaws.com/topics/ears.htm

http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/ear_ablation.htm

Hope you enjoy the following article by Nedda Wittels, who is an Animal Communicator, among other things. Enoy!

Telepathic Communication With Animals

by Nedda Wittels

Animal Communication, or telepathy with animals, is as common an occurrence in some people’s lives as it is an oddity in the lives of others. Telepathy is an energetic exchange between two sentient beings for the purpose of communication. Combined with body language and sometimes vocalizations, animals use this form of communication among themselves and even across species.

Only humans in Western Civilization in the last 2500 years have rejected this form of communication. Indigenous peoples all over the planet consider messages from animal guides a natural part of life, and shamans or medicine men and women, rely on their animal helpers in their spiritual service to their communities.

Native peoples around the world consider themselves part of the “web of life”. This web includes the subtle energetic pathways that allow for intuitive and psychic energy exchanges. This includes our auric field and the subtle energetic pathways known as meridians, as well as the ley lines of the Earth, who is thought of universally as our Mother, a part of us and of whom we are all a part.

Thus, shamans and other healers among native peoples expect to work with animal spirit guides. Hunters call on the spirits of the animals they hunt to ask for offerings of their physical bodies to feed the tribe. Young men and women being initiated into adulthood may expect to receive a communication or lesson from an animal.

Telepathic communication, then, is as natural as breathing. Many small children in our culture who have animals in their families communicate telepathically with them even in infancy. It is only in response to the pejorative comments of adults and older siblings, and eventually of their peers, that we either stop using our telepathic abilities or relegate them to the realm of imagination, i.e., outside reality.

Telepathy can be thought of as an expansion of intuition, which even in our modern culture is considered anathema, unless you are a top dollar CEO who is willing to admit that your best decisions are those you made based on intuition. For the rest of our society, intuition is often relegated to a place not remotely related to intelligence or sound decision-making. We live in a culture which teaches us to take pills when we are sick and ignore the subtle and not-so-subtle messages of our body telling us we need to rest and re-create itself. We rationalize that we must do this to pursue the almighty dollar. Being so out of touch with ourselves is a symptom of being out of touch with others.

Our educational system also rejects the intuitive, creative aspects of our intelligence as soon as budget cutting is required. Even in healthy economic times, we are taught to develop our logical, sequential, analytical thinking, focusing on mathematics and science as the most valued subjects, with the arts and music at the bottom of the pile.

How, then, can we restore our natural talents to include our birthright of telepathic communication? Spending time with animals and in nature is a beginning, but not sufficient. Learning to communicate telepathically requires breaking down limiting assumptions and beliefs that have caused us to reject this aspect of our Being.

Animals are spirit in physical bodies, just as humans are. The bodies they inhabit are very different in form and sensory systems from the human body, and that has a lot to do with how they experience the world. It also affects how humans and animals communicate with each other.

For example, if a dog is unhappy, he may whine or he may just look sad. He can’t cry with tears as a human would and he can’t speak the words to tell you that he’s unhappy. In the same way, if a cat has a urinary tract problem, the cat can’t tell you in words, “Hey, I’m in pain and need help.” Instead, the cat may start urinating outside the litter box to let you know that something is wrong. Animals have to improvise because humans, from their perspective, are “deaf” and “dumb” to telepathic messages.

Telepathic communication includes a wide variety of vibrational frequencies that allows for full communication at many levels. As a professional Animal Communicator, I receive information in a number of ways, including mental images or pictures; physical sensations; words, phrases, and even whole sentences; knowings; intuitions; and emotions. I actually experience in some way what the animal is experiencing. To communicate the message to another human requires that I translate what I receive into spoken language, which for me is English.

While animals who live with humans often learn to understand specific words in the preferred spoken language of the human, animals are simultaneously receiving our thoughts and emotions, which we broadcast unconsciously all the time. If our thoughts are jumbled and confused because of our frenetic lifestyles and mental states, the animal may not understand the message completely.

In contrast, animals tell me that the sounds they make when communicating with other animals are usually a form of emphasis or punctuation for a telepathic message which the sound accompanies. It is natural for animal mothers to speak this way with their young and for the young to continue to use telepathy for the rest of their lives.

Today can be your moment to awaken to the idea that the animals who live with you are more than child substitutes, more than “pets” kept for our amusement or our personal companionship. All animals are, in fact, sentient beings – conscious and intelligent, with life purposes and goals. They are aware of themselves and of their situations. They are capable of feeling the entire range of emotions we so arrogantly have labeled “human”. They make life choices. They often express unconditional love for the humans who are part of their families.

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Nedda Wittels, M.A., M.S., is a telepathic Animal Communicator, Spiritual Counselor, and Shamballa Master/Teacher, offering private sessions in communication and healing for humans and animals. She teaches workshops in Animal Communication, Communication with Nature, and Shamballa Multidimensional Healing. She can be reached at 860.651.5771, NeddaW@aol.com, and. www.raysofhealinglight.com

Published by permission of IdeaMarketers.com
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Interesting, huh? Let me know what you think of the article.

And before you go, check out the site of one of my Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter readers -
- Wynter Worsthome – www.animaltalk.org.uk. Wynter is in the field of Animal Communication as well, and she has a really interesting site!

When you have to move your dog in order to travel or relocate to a new destination, the last thing most of us want is to stuff him into a box and leave him in the cargo area during the entire flight.

Unfortunately, if you have no other choice but to use the airlines for your travel needs, dogs have to be placed in transport dog crates for the flight, and most have to travel in the cargo compartment.

If you have no choice but to travel with your dog by plane, you should make sure your dog or puppy is as comfortable as he possibly can be. Here are some tips to help you prepare your dog for the flight:

1. Dog owners who are traveling with their dogs must invest in USDA approved transport dog crates, or a kennel that is specifically designed for travel. Preferably transport dog crates should be custom fit to the size of your dog. Be sure that the transport crate unit is stable and provides enough room for your dog or puppy to stand up in, as well as offers the ability for him to turn around if he needs to.

2. Accustom your dog to the crate well prior to your expected date of travel. Never wait until the day of your flight to put your dog inside the kennel, as dogs do readily adapt to things that are out of the ordinary. It is therefore a good idea to ensure that your dog is comfortable with the crate so that he will be a little more at ease when you put him on the plane. Your dog should gradually become used to transport dog crates if you have him sleep inside the travel crate each night for a minimum of three nights before your travel date.

3. For flights longer than 10 to 12 hours, be sure to provide your dog with sustenance during the flight – a good way of ensuring this is to tape a small bag of your dog’s food to the outside of the crate, along with written feeding instructions for the person who will be responsible for your dog during the flight.

4. Loss of baggage, and in particular, baggage being directed to incorrect destinations, is becoming fairly commonplace for travelers. To avoid the small chance that your dog could miss his destination, write the destination of your flight on the top portion of the transport dog crate in large, bold, letters. Be sure to also include your full name and address, as well as a phone number where you can be contacted, attached in a prominent place to the crate.

5. It is best not to feed your dog within six hours of the flight. This will help reduce the chances of him having an accident and using the bathroom inside of the kennel, or vomiting his food if he becomes distressed at the commencement of the flight.

6. In case your dog or puppy does happen to have a mess while flying, prepare the crate with a light layer of paper and bedding so that the urine and stools can be absorbed as best possible.

7. To avoid your dog from becoming dehydrated during the flight, place two bowls inside the kennel, one filled with a small amount of water, and the other filled with ice. The ice bowl will melt away bit by bit and provide plenty of fluids hours later.

8. Last but not least, if you have a very small dog like a chihuahua or a toy poodle, see if you can arrange to have a small pet carrier or crate to put your dog in that can fit underneath your seat. Do not wait until the last minute to talk with the airlines about this arrangement. Find out if boarding the flight with your small dog under your seat is possible as early as you can. You’ll still need to arrange transport dog crates for these small dogs who are permitted to travel in the passenger compartment with you, but it will be a much more pleasant experience for your dog to be close to you throughout the flight.

Natural remedies for cleaning dog ears – and preventing dog ear infections

Dog ear canals are L-shaped to protect the sharp hearing capabilities of dogs. This unusual shape is nature’s way of protecting the ear drum. But this shape is also the major reason why an ear infection is common in dogs. This is mainly due to the fact that the structure allows the ear mites, moisture, ear wax and debris to accumulate.

When moisture and excessive wax accumulates in the ear, it can lead to severe infection of the ear, especially if there is also a prevalence of dog ear mites. Conventional medications that include antibiotics and antifungal drugs tend to weaken the immune system. Home remedies for dog ear mites, on the other hand, attempt to focus on the underlying cause without harming other functions of the body.

There are steps you can take yourself to lessen the likelihood of your dog suffering from ear infections. There are specific dog ear cleaning methods that will keep your dog’s ears infection-free. And some natural remedies for keeping ear infections under control.

* A yeast infection is indicated by an accumulation of brownish-pink wax. Dilute white acetic acid or vinegar in an equal quantity of water and pour a few drops in the dog’s ears. Massage the area mildly and then remove the loosened wax with a cotton swab. Do not use this remedy if there is an open sore wound in the ear. Vinegar us likely to irritate the dog. Use mineral or almond or olive oil with Vitamin C to loosen the wax so that it can be cleaned.

* Pau d’arco, an herb that comes from the inner bark of a South American tree is a natural antibiotic recommended for dogs. Tincture of pau d’arco with a little bit of mineral oil will go a long way to remove ear infections in dogs.

* The adrenal glands play an important role in containing ear infections in dogs. You can improve the function of the adrenal glands by giving a regulated dose of Vitamin C. Keep a watch on the bowel movements of the dog and manage the dose so that it does not lead to diarrhea.

* A natural healthy homemade diet is highly recommended to avoid harmful effects of commercial diets that use synthetic preservatives and additives. This will help to eliminate toxins, curtail the production of wax and also support the automatic immune responses.

* Dog breeds with long drooping ears are at a greater risk of developing ear mites. You can try tying a hand band to allow free air circulation of air in the ears, at least when the dog is indoors.

* Trim hair regularly during grooming to give an easy passage to air to get in and dry the inner ear thoroughly after a bath.

Cat ear mites are less common than dog ear mites but negligence in grooming can even cause rare conditions like cat ear mites to occur. Ear infections usually affect the outer ear and proper grooming can take care of practically all conditions. However, if your dog is still scratching ears too much, it is time to consult a specialist. Too much scratching can lead to a rupture of a blood vessel and cause a haematoma that may block the ear completely. Head tilting, clumsiness, walking in circles or drooping eyes indicates infection of the inner ear that should be attended only by a veterinarian.

Article courtesy of Pet Alive.

References:

http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/go/index.php/419/dog

-ear-infections/

http://natural-pet-care.com/natural-pet-health-blog/dogs

-puppies/dog-ears-antibiotic-cleaner/

http://lowchensaustralia.com/health/eareyes.htm

Designer Dog Beds

- click here for the most stylish designer dog beds available!

Gone are the days where a dog is just a pet that you keep outside only to be a guard dog.

Today dogs provide companionship for humans more than ever. Some are a big help for the elderly who have no one else at home with them anymore. Some provide eyes for the blind. Some provide love and companionship for children and in so doing help teach the child what responsibly means in caring for another living thing. Many pets are carried to hospitals today to help comfort a very sick or dying human being.

Our growing closer relationship with dogs and other pets has made us want to provide better car for those pets. And one of those provisions is to give them a very comfortable bed on which to sleep.

One of the problems is that dog beds are somewhat unsightly in our nice modern day homes and therefore we still find ourselves banning the dog to the basement or a utility room for the night; where we have hidden away their dog bed from the sight of visitors.

To the rescue comes Designer Dog Beds. This is such a growing industry and dog owners love it. With most dog owners it is a welcome addition to their designer dog collar and designer pet carrier.

Designer Dog Beds come in all different styles in order to fit in with your home décor.

There is a spindle wooden dog bed that looks just like a human bed and it comes in different sizes to fit the size of your dog. It has a specialized coil spring mattress for a more comfortable snooze for your dog. The difference between these beds and human beds are that they are wider than they are long because a dog tends to curl up where human stretch out. This type dog bed can fit right in with your bedroom furniture.

There are even a dog beds designed to look like a Mercedes Benz and a “Furrari”. These novelty beds will make a great conversation piece with any of your human visitors. Your pooch makes himself/herself comfortable in the soft interior car seat area. If these cars are too expensive for your taste then you might want to get the one designed like a New York taxi cab.

Then you have the cute puppy cribs designed like a baby crib, which come in both pink and blue. And if your puppy is not that old yet, then maybe you need the puppy bassinet for them.

There are a lot of different designer dog beds to choose from so you should be able to find one that is both comfortable for your precious companion and decorative for the décor of your home. After all they are a part of the family.

The author is a pet owner and loves to find special comforts for her pets. If you are interested in other designer pet items please visit: Designer Dog Collar

Designer Dog Beds

- click here for the most stylish designer dog beds available!

And if you’re interested in Healthy Dog Beds for your dog (which you should be!), you absolutely can’t go past Healthy Dog Beds – for more info, click here! You’ll find dog beds made from healthy materials, as well as a fabulous Cool Dog Bed – yes, it will actually keep your dog cool while keeping him/her comfortable!

Natural Arthritis Care for Your Dog
by: Brigitte Smith

Rimadyl was once hailed as a wonder arthritis treatment for pets when it came on the market in 1997. By the turn of the century, due in large part to the aggressive marketing campaign by Pfizer, the manufacturer of Rimadyl, this drug had been prescribed for 5 million dogs.

And wouldn’t you think, therefore, that this drug had been thoroughly tested before being unleashed on no less than 5 million dogs?

Well, you’d be wrong.

According to statistics compiled by the FDA (Food And Drug Administration), in 1997 alone, Rimadyl was implicated in 30 per cent of all veterinary adverse drug reaction reports received!

Side effects reported by dog owners who had been prescribed Rimadyl for their dogs, included gastrointestinal, renal and liver problems, and even death.

Within the first three years of Rimadyl use, 10,000 dog owners had reported an adverse reaction to Rimadyl, and there were at least 1,500 deaths or euthanasias attributed to the drug.

What’s more, since it is generally accepted that many adverse reactions to drugs go unreported, the real statistics are likely to have been significantly higher.

How is this possible? How is it possible that a drug that was so widely acclaimed could have such devastating side effects? Why were these significant side effects not ascertained before releasing the drug on the unsuspecting public?

Well, unfortunately, that’s the nature of drug companies – they do some testing – often not enough, and then, in effect, test the drug on members of the public who have not consented to being guinea pigs, but are nevertheless treated as such.

It’s happened several times even more recently, with pharmaceuticals for humans, that are touted as almost a miracle, and then later even withdrawn from the market due to the devastating side effects they are found to cause.

Back to Rimadyl as a supposed wonder cure for arthritis …

You may possibly remember the Rimadyl ads depicting older dogs bouncing around like puppies. Yes, there were some amazing success stories, but at what cost to the dog population generally?

Those bouncing dogs were the lucky ones.

Have you noticed that you no longer see those Rimadyl ads? In fact, you haven’t seen them now for some years.
Why? Quite simply, because Pfizer was eventually forced to remove the ads which were found to be misleading, due to the over-abundance of adverse reactions to this drug.

But even though the Rimadyl ads have long since been removed, many vets still prescribe Rimadyl, and often without giving the dog owner ANY information about possible side effects that can arise, and the fact that many dogs have in fact died as a result of using Rimadyl.

Unbelievable, but true.

It also goes under a number of different names, so you may be prescribed a medication for your dog and not know that it is Rimadyl, or identical to or similar to Rimadyl. It happened to me.

When my vet wanted to prescribe a medication for my dog when she had injured herself (thankfully just a minor injury, but it bothered her considerably for a couple of days). I questioned the vet as to exactly what the medication was. The vet was, I thought, very evasive in her answers. She was a locum vet who was perhaps not used to be questioned by me (all the regular vets at our local veterinary hospital are well aware that I’m apt to question them relentlessly if I feel the need), but all vets should be prepared to answer all questions from pet owners.

Because of the evasive answers, I then asked the vet straight out – “Is this Rimadyl?” Answer: “Well,…. it’s ‘like’ Rimadyl.” I asked what she meant by that, and she said it was made by the same company and contained “a similar formulation” to Rimadyl.

I said I had no intention of giving my dog Rimadyl, or anything remotely like it whilstever there was any alternative available.

The vet then told me there was no problem with Rimadyl and that she was not aware that any dog had ever died from the drug.

Either the vet was lying (which I don’t like to believe), or was unbelievably misinformed in relation to an issue that she should have been aware of. Thankfully I never had to see her again as she was a locum.

Otherwise, I would never have gone back to that veterinary practice.

So are there alternatives to Rimadyl? Alternatives that can provide such a marked improvement without the possible side effects? Or should you just take the risk that your dog won’t develop side effects to Rimadyl?

The good news is that Glucosamine, a natural sugar produced by the body and found in some foods, plays an important role in the production, maintenance and repair of cartilage. Supplementation with Glucosamine can therefore provide not only the pain relieving effects of Rimadyl, but also helps maintain existing healthy joint tissue and aid in rebuilding healthy new cartilage.

So why hasn’t Rimady been removed from the market altogether? And should it be?

There are certainly some cases where the use of Rimadyl may be warranted – severe cases of arthritis which have been left untreated, or which have not responded to Glucosamine or other treatments.

The results of using Rimadyl can in fact be very worthwhile, particularly when used as a treatment of last resort – rather than being used as the first option for pain and arthritic conditions.

But Rimadyl should never be given to a dog with pre-existing liver disease or kidney problems. Your dog should be tested for these conditions before being prescribed Rimadyl.

Many vets do not do this unless you ask for it specifically.

And many vets do not even advise that there is a natural arthritis treatment for dogs available. Not because it’s ineffective, but just because many vets, like doctors, are trained to treat symptoms with drugs.

And we shouldn’t be surprised by this phenomenon – the drug companies have huge budgets for pushing the benefits of their medications, both for humans and animals. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the drugs are better than the natural alternatives at all.

So ask for Glucosamine, unless your vet can give you a compelling reason why your dog should use Rimadyl. And you don’t even need a prescription!

For information on the most powerful Glucosamine formula, and why a liquid Glucosamine is by far superior to powder or tablet forms, check out the natural arthritis supplement for pets – with Glucosamine! – click here.

Trimming your dog’s nails is one of those chores that absolutely have to be done, but we often put off because it’s perhaps not something we’re comfortable with.

The main reason many dog owners balk at trimming their dog’s nails is from a fear that they might hurt their dog in doing so. And it’s certainly possible to clip your dog’s nails too short and cause injury to your dog – the nail will bleed if you clip it too close to your dog’s paw.

I’m actually fortunate in that I’ve never had to worry about clipping my dogs’ nails. If you have some concrete areas in your backyard or regularly walk your dog on hard surfaces, you may not need to clip your dog’s nails either.

But many dogs do need their nails clipped, and following is a useful article on how best to do this for your dog.

Answers To Important Questions About Dog Nail Trimming

Trimming your dog’s nails is not usually considered sharing “quality time” with your beloved pet.

But when done often enough, with the proper technique, and rewards for your dog’s good behavior, it should be one of those regular grooming events that your dog will tolerate if not look forward to. If not done often enough, with proper technique, and reward- training, it can be frightening and even painful for your dog.

In this article are answers to many common dog nail clipping questions as well as tips on proper equipment and technique that will give you the advantage when you approach this simple home dog-grooming necessity.Is dog nail trimming painful to my dog?

Dog nail trimming is not painful if you use a sharp nail trimmer and don’t clip the nails too short. A dull trimmer can put a lot of pressure on your dog’s toenail before it actually cuts through the nail. If this happens your dog may feel an uncomfortable pinching sensation. This is because the vein in the toenail is being squeezed. To avoid this always make sure that you’re using a sharp pet nail trimmer.What tools do I need to trim my dog’s nails?

You will want to have a sharp clipper designed for dog nail trimming. Dogs come in all sizes so choose a nail trimmer that’s right for the size of your pet’s nails. The most common types of nail trimmers are the guillotine, pliers and scissor styles.

Guillotine style dog nail trimmers require that the dog’s nail be inserted through a hole in the top of the trimmer. As the handles are squeezed together the blade comes down and cuts through the nail. Many people find guillotine style clippers more difficult to use on large breed dogs. Thicker nails can be more difficult to insert into the guide hole in the clipper. These dog nail trimmers have a cutting blade that must be changed frequently to maintain a nice clean cut.

Pliers style dog nail trimmers work similar to pruning shears. The two notched blades surround and cut through the nail as the handles are squeezed together. Some people like this style because they can see exactly where the blade will cut through the nail. If you have a large dog this type of trimmer works great on thick nails.

Just make sure to select a heavy-duty clipper designed to cut through the thick toenails of your large breed dog. Pliers style trimmers are available for small, medium and large dogs. These dog nail trimmers don’t have blades that need to be replaced but they do need to be sharpened when they become dull.

Scissor style dog nail trimmers work just like a pair of scissors. The two scissor-like notched blades surround and cut through the nail as the handles are closed. These clippers are for light duty jobs only. These are not actually dog nail trimmers. They are best used for cats, birds and other small animals. Some people do use them on small dogs. They’re usually labeled as cat/bird claw clippers. The style you choose for your dog nail trimming needs is a matter of personal preference. If the clipper is the correct size it will get the job done. Just remember to keep your nail trimmer sharp so that it makes a fast clean cut. A dull clipper can pinch the nail, which will result in discomfort to your dog.In addition to good quality nail trimmers, it is also recommended to have a pet nail file.

You’ll find that it is much easier to file down any rough edges with a nail file that has been designed for the shape of your dog’s nails.

Next on the list is styptic powder. It’s always a good idea to have it on hand for those occasional mishaps. A nail clipped just a little too short tends to bleed a lot. Applying some styptic powder will help stop the bleeding.

Finally, keep plenty of dog treats on hand to reward good behavior. You can also use dog treats to distract your pet during dog nail trimming. Treats work great to draw a dog’s attention away from a bleeding nail.Why do my dog’s nails need to be trimmed regularly?

When a dog’s nails become too long they interfere with the dog’s gait and as the nails continue to grow, walking will become awkward and painful. Untrimmed nails can also split resulting in a great deal of pain, bleeding, and a trip to the veterinarian’s office. In severe cases a dog’s nails can curl under and grow into the pad of the dog’s paw causing a very serious and painful infection. These types of ingrown nail problems are most common on the dewclaws.

The dewclaws are the nails located on the inside of the paw. Many breeders have the dewclaws removed shortly after puppies are born, so not all dogs will have dewclaws. If your dog has them remember to include them in your dog nail trimming routine. These nails don’t touch the ground, so they don’t wear down as fast as the others as your dog walks on rough surfaces. Trimming your dog’s nails regularly will easily prevent these problems.

How do I know when my dog’s nails need to be trimmed?When your dog’s nails are beginning to curve is one indication that your dog’s nails need a trim. And if you hear a clicking or tapping sound as your dog walks across a bare floor it’s definitely time for a nail trimming. But it is best not to wait that long – once or twice a month is usually a good rule of thumb for dog nail trimming.

If you let your dog’s nails grow too long then it could take some time to get them back to a healthy length again. Regularly trimming the tips of your dog’s nails is the best approach. Some dogs walk and run on rough surfaces and are able to wear down their nails, but most dogs will need some help. You will get to know how fast your dog’s nails grow if you routinely inspect your pet’s nails.

Even if you don’t actually trim them each time, regular inspection will help assure that your dog’s feet stay healthy. So, make nail inspection and trimming an important part of your dog’s routine grooming.

When should I start trimming my dog’s nails?If you’re starting with a puppy the answer is as soon as you bring your new puppy home. If you have an adult or an older dog the answer is pretty much the same – right now. If you start early it probably will not take too long for your puppy to adjust to a nail trimming routine. Make a habit of handling your puppy’s feet everyday. Nail trimming will be much easier if your puppy doesn’t mind having his feet handled.

Adult dogs, just like people, are usually set in their ways. So if your adult dog initially resists getting his nails trimmed you will most likely need to spend a lot more time getting him used to the procedure. As with a puppy, it’s a good idea to start getting your dog used to having his feet handled before you attempt to clip your dog’s nails. Be very patient and don’t rush into the procedure.

Bring out the clipping tools ahead of time and let your dog become familiar with them. It is important that you remain calm. If you’re nervous, your dog will sense it and associate fear or uncertainty with dog nail trimming. If your dog is nervous use gentle reassurance, but don’t coddle your dog. Let your dog know that you expect him to behave, but don’t push it too far.

If your dog can only manage to tolerate getting one toenail trimmed that’s all right. Just be persistent and try for another nail at another time. And always remember to reward good behavior with your dog’s favorite treat. How can I cut my dog’s nails when he doesn’t like his feet touched?

Have patience and start working on getting your dog used to having his feet handled. This must be done gradually, so don’t rush it. Try gently touching one foot while your dog is asleep. If your dog wakes up be very casual about it. Just remove your hand and act as if you didn’t even notice that you were touching his paw. Anytime your dog resists don’t react, just ignore the fact that you were even holding his paw and try again another time. Repeat this process and over time your dog will adjust to having his feet handled and you should even be able to start touching individual toes without an adverse reaction.

Whenever your dog allows you to touch his feet always remember to praise your dog and give him a dog treat. Your dog will begin to associate having his feet handled with a pleasant experience. Bring out the nail clippers when your dog is very comfortable with you handling his feet and you are confident that you have gained your dog’s trust.Will my dog ever adjust to getting her nails trimmed?

Many dogs may never like to get their nails trimmed, but if done regularly over time, dogs can learn to sit through this routine grooming procedure. Other dogs may never sit still. If you can’t get your dog to sit still you may need to recruit the help of another person to hold your dog while you trim her nails. While some dogs can be distracted by dog treats alone, others may also have to be held. You may want to try clipping your dog’s nails after a full day of exercise when your dog is looking to take a long nap. Tired dogs tend to be less resistant.

If you know that your dog tends to bite when stressed out, for safety sake you should muzzle your pet before you begin a dog nail trimming procedure. If the task of trimming your dog’s nails proves to be too much, find a professional dog groomer or veterinarian for this part of your dog’s routine grooming. If you can’t get your dog to cooperate it’s better that your dog doesn’t associate you with this negative experience. If you know that your dog tends to react in an aggressive manner, be sure to let your groomer know what to expect so that the necessary safety precautions can be taken before they begin a dog nail trimming session.What is the quick and what do I need to know about it?

The quick is the living part of a dog’s nail and has blood vessels running throughout. Cutting into the quick during dog nail trimming is painful for your dog and will result in bleeding. If your dog has light colored nails your job will be easier since you will be able to see the quick. It will be impossible to see the quick if your dog’s nails are black or dark in color. If your dog has at least one light colored nail you can usually use that nail as a guide for the others. If dog nail trimming is completely new to you, ask your veterinarian or groomer to show you how to trim your dog’s nails or consult a good dog care book.

Another important fact to note is that the quick grows with the nail. As a dog’s nails grow longer the quick will also lengthen. So if your dog’s nails are over grown you will not be able to clip the nails to the desired length without cutting into the quick. You will need to trim the tips of your dog’s nails often and over time the quick will shorten. To avoid cutting into the quick you’ll want to start by trimming small pieces of the nail until you get the hang of it.

Help, I’ve cut my dog’s nail too short and now my dog is bleeding! What do I do now?

Don’t panic. Your dog is in a little pain but the prognosis is good – your dog will live! You’ve cut into the quick, the blood-filled tissue in your dog’s nail. To stop the bleeding take a pinch of styptic powder and press it against the bleeding toenail. Now give your dog lots of treats. The nail should stop bleeding in about 5-10 minutes.Try not to baby your dog too much. You don’t want to bring a lot of unnecessary attention to the injured nail. You’ll be surprised at how easily your dog will be distracted by the dog treats if you’re not making a big deal out of the bleeding toenail. So just stay calm and upbeat and you may be able to finish your dog nail-trimming task.

If your dog is calm and enjoying the treats it’s best to continue trimming. If you didn’t finish with the paw that you were working on you may want to continue on another paw and come back to that one after you have finished the rest. If your dog is too excited you may need to try again at a later time. Don’t be discouraged, even professional dog groomers occasionally cut into the quick.

If my dog’s nails are over grown how can dog nail trimming get them back to a healthy length?You will need to trim your dog’s nails regularly. Start by clipping very small pieces of the nail tip until you can see a dark, round, kind of moist looking disk appear in the middle of the nail. This means you’re approaching the quick and the nail will bleed if you cut it any shorter.

Try trimming this far every week or two and the quick will gradually recede. Over time the length of the nail can be shortened. Cutting into the quick to shorten a dog’s over grown nails could lead to an infection. If your dog’s nails are extremely over grown and this condition is causing health issues consult your veterinarian immediately.

Trimming your dog’s nails is one of the regular home dog grooming tasks that helps to keep your dog healthy and active. As with most dog grooming tasks, rewarding your dog for positive behavior is an important part in your dog’s acceptance of the activity. It’s always best when your dog can associate the attention you lavish on him or her with a positive, happy memory. Learning the tricks to proper dog nail trimming, training your dog with positive feedback, and showing patience and love will make the time you spend together a reward in itself.

- by Teresa James, Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com

So there you have it – a complete guide to trimming your dog’s nails.

Of course, if you’re still apprehensive, you can always take your dog to the vet or to a dog groomer, who will cut your dog’s nails in no time, with very little fuss!

Pets give us companionship, loyalty, and unconditional love. In short, pets add a lot of happiness to our lives. That is why I find it so disturbing how so many people mistreat their pets. Pet owners often leave their pets at home all day without even considering options like hiring a pet sitter to take care of them. And if you’re going away, even for a night or two, unless you have a pet sitter, pet walker, or a particularly friendly neighbor to see to your pet, pet boarding is not just a consideration, it is essential.

Pets have been bred over generations to depend on human companionship, and in turn, pet owners should take pet ownership seriously. If we are going to have pets as companions, we owe them the loyalty of watching over their needs while we are not at home.

There are more pet boarding kennels in most cities than you expect. You see, pet boarding has become a bigger and bigger business. People are just now becoming aware of how much their pets are like them. Animals have emotional empathy, keen intellect, and even a well developed sense of self. Traditionally, pet kennels were only designed for extended trips. People would not board their pets for less than a day or two at a time, counting on the dogs or cats to be able to take care of themselves while their owners were gone. Today, however, there are more and more doggie day care places. These may be specialized pet day care facilities, or they may be integrated with the longer term pet boarding kennels.

Not all pet boarding facilities are the same, and you need to take into account your pet’s individual temperament when you choose one for your pet. For example, if you have a very social dog – especially if it is a medium-sized or large dog – you might want to take it to a service offering day boarding for dogs. Many of these places allow the dogs to socialize together, which can be quite fun for them.

For smaller dogs, or especially for cats, you might want to consider hiring an individual pet sitter. Smaller dogs often feel threatened by the larger ones and do not have much fun with them at pet boarding centers.

Cats are often not social creatures and do not do well in group pet boarding environments, unless they are specialized catteries.
However, these general rules don’t necessarily apply for all small dogs or all small cats. You need to observe your dog or cat with other members of its own species before you can really make an informed decision about what type of pet boarding is best for your pet.

Pet Sitters

What can you do to improve the health of your dog, its coat, and its skin that is cheap and effective? Grooming that’s what! The small investment of time and money involved for grooming can yield numerous benefits for your dog’s health! Is your dog’s coat looking dull, tatty and matted? Is your dog’s sad looking coat causing you to worry about his/her overall health? Sometimes the simple things can often provide very effective benefits, and in the case of the health of your dog, grooming is one of these simple measures that can yield big results.

Dog health and grooming go hand in hand as the act of grooming has numerous benefits that can help prevent many dog health problems before they arise. Like humans, regular grooming and attention to changes in the skin, eyes, and teeth can help maintain health and prolong the life of your pet, as many indications of possible health problems are noticed and addressed before they progress to something more sinister.

Health Benefits of Grooming

• Grooming removes dead hair leaving only the healthy hair behind, which immediately looks better. It also lets air circulate through the coat better reducing any odor, keeps the dog cooler, and looks cleaner. It is also a good idea to bath your dog regularly with a quality dog shampoo to further improve the benefits of general grooming.
• Grooming stimulates blood flow, which in turn improves blood supply to the hair follicles working wonders for the health of the overall coat.
• Grooming also stimulates the lymphatic system, thus having a positive affect on the dog’s overall health in the same way that a massage does for humans.

Residual Benefits of Grooming Aside from the more obvious physical health benefits of grooming there are other benefits such as: -

• Bonding with your Dog – While grooming your dog you are helping to create a bond between you and your pet because of the physical touching and interaction. This also has a positive effect on the dog’s emotional state as it feels more comfortable and safe in your hands. Dogs always love the attention they get during grooming.
• Knowing your pet – While grooming your dog you get to know your pet better and know what he/she likes or dislikes, and its favorite and least favorite places to be touched or brushed. Knowing your pet will help you to notice any changes that may indicate a health problem, for instance if your dog suddenly flinches when touched in an area where it usually loves to be touched would alert you to investigate the cause of the tenderness.
• Spot Possible Health Dangers – While grooming your dog you can check the skin for possible skin rashes and problems like hair loss or lumps. Also check for signs that your dog has been scratching a certain area of the skin which would indicate some sort of irritation such as worms, fleas, mites or ticks. Ticks in particular can be deadly if left undetected and a thorough visual check of the dog’s skin should be a regular part of your dog health and grooming strategy. It is a good idea to check the eyes for any signs of sight or health problems while grooming your dog. Also check the pads and nails of the paws for problems that may require attention along with the teeth for signs of decay or gum problems.

Possible Bonus Benefit for you If you find that you enjoy grooming and become quite competent, you may consider starting your own dog grooming service to make a few extra dollars or perhaps turn it into a full time business. Dog grooming services are in high demand and can be very profitable. There is nothing better than making a living doing something that you enjoy.

What You Need to Start? It is important to get the right grooming tools and information on grooming techniques. The internet has is a wealth of information about grooming along with numerous sites that sell a range of grooming tools. Other sources are local pet supply stores or alternatively most towns and cities have a local dog association where dog lovers can meet and exchange ideas. Public libraries may also have books on dog grooming. The benefits to your dog’s health by regular grooming far outweigh the small outlay of money for the grooming tools, and time spent grooming. Your dog’s coat will look shiny and healthy and the health of your dog’s skin will also be improved. Spend a little time on your pet and he/she will love you for it.

© 2006 Colin L Wolfenden

Colin L Wolfenden is webmaster for
http://www.impressiveebooks.com/ and
http://www.my-resource.com/ and is author of numerous health related articles

For more on dog grooming, and keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy, click here.

And for the best de-shedding tool on the planet, see below:

Furminator – Small – $ 39.99 Furminator – Medium – $ 49.99 Furminator – Large – $ 59.99 Guaranteed to reduce shedding better than any brush or comb, and helps bring out your pet’s natural oils, leaving a shiny, healthy, topcoat.

 

 

Do you have at least one framed photo of your dog somewhere in your house… or maybe in your wallet? Is your dog pretty darn close to being the very center of your universe? Do you love spoiling him, respond to his every whimper and cry, and spend hundreds of dollars on gourmet treats? To say that dogs are man’s best friend is anything but a cliché. You might be the most miserable person in the world without a friend to your name… but your dog will treat you like royalty every time you walk through the door. So how do you repay that unconditional love and devotion? There are hundreds of different ways!

1. Spoil him rotten.

A lot of people spend a lot of money at chic pet boutiques, dressing their dogs in hundred-dollar sweaters and paying for meticulous pawdicures. They buy diamond studded collars and give their dogs rooms all to themselves. You probably don’t have the budget for things like that, right? You can still spoil your dog with simple, everyday things that cost you the absolute minimum. Next time your pooch needs a bath, focus on giving him a massage while you’re working the shampoo into his coat. Take him out for a drive once each week and dress according to the weather so you can open a window and let his head hang out, his ears flapping in the breeze. Or you can…

2. Stuff him silly.

Your dog lives by food! It drives every thought he has, every impulse in his body. But you’re more rational, you know that food needs to be both delicious and nutritious to make sure he has as long and happy a life as possible. Why not try making some homemade treats and dog food that are absolutely packed with all of the vitamins and nutrients he needs? Bake him a delicious, healthy cake for his next birthday, then share a few cookies with him!

3. Prepare for the worst.

If you know exactly what to do in a tough situation or an emergency, you infinitely increase the chances that your dog will be around for a long time to come. Do you know what to do when he’s choking? You should lay your dog on his side and place one hand on his back and the other on his stomach just behind his rib cage. Using the stomach hand, push in and toward the throat twice, but without too much force. If you can see a foreign object, sweep your fingers through his mouth to remove it. If he’s still choking, place your mouth over his nose and exhale until his chest rises. Repeat once, and then thrust two more times. Continue until he coughs out the obstruction. Now consider what would happen if he started to choke and you had no clue what to do, then ended up spending 10 minutes calling vets and driving him there. Making sure you’re prepared to care for his health and wellbeing is a great way to show him how much you love him.

4. Speak his language.

Unless you believe in pet psychics, there’s really no way for you to read your pooch’s mind and figure out exactly what she’s thinking. The good news is that, like many dog owners, the problems you’re having can probably be traced to one simple thing: you’re trying to communicate with your dog from a human standpoint, and your dog isn’t a human. Rather than saying “no,” a word that doesn’t really mean anything to a dog, try growling in a deep, throaty voice the next time you’re unhappy with something he’s done. He’ll get the message immediately and you won’t have to go through a big, drawn-out battle of wills. He’ll appreciate you meeting him halfway!

These are just a few of the ways in which you can show your dog how much he means to you, and I’d love to share hundreds more with you. That’s why I’ve assembled the Dog Megapack, a collection of my hottest dog care titles – and you can purchase them directly from Brigitte from HealthierDogs.com!  From 101 Ways to Spoil Your Dog for Under $10 and Secrets to a Healthy and Happy Pooch, to 180 Gourmet Dog Recipes and Instinct vs. Man, you’ll be amazed at all of the information, tips, and ideas you never even imagined existed. Why not give it a try? Think about it – the Dog Megapack just one more way to show your dog how much you love him.

What a great dog Christmas gift, dog Birthday gift, or a gift just because!

Knowing what to do for your dog in various emergency situations is always useful – in fact, on occasion it could actually be life saving.

Here are some useful tips on what to do if your dog has injured himself and has a bleeding wound.

Knowing what to do when faced with a dog emergency, may mean the difference between life and death for your pet.

Dog owners, who spend more time outdoors with their dogs during the spring and summer months, should be prepared to face any injuries or emergencies that might happen to their dog.

Any emergency is stressful and scary, and that includes emergencies that involve your pet. The first thing to keep in mind is to remain calm. Not only will you be able to think more clearly, but it will have a calming effect on your dog during a time of high stress for them too.

The best way to care for deep bleeding wounds is to apply a clean cloth and hold it in place for five minutes, and then tape the cloth to the wound. The original cloth should never be removed, and instead be layered with more cloths if blood soaks through.Get your dog veterinary attention as soon as possible.

If your dog should get a hold of the wrong type of amphibian in his or her mouth, it could lead to poisoning. If you notice your dog drooling, whining, and wiping at his or her mouth, especially after a trip to the forest, get your dog to a clean water source and rinse their mouth thoroughly.

Calvin Brown of www.dog-owners-manual.com says “It’s pretty easy to clean most of the poison from your dog’s tongue and glands. But if the poison is left in your dog’s mouth it could be fatal. So it’s still best to get your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible.”  Mr. Brown goes on to say “The biggest factor in a dog’s survival, is how prepared the dog’s owner is to deal with any emergency that might happen.

- I couldn’t actually raise anything at the site referred to, but I’ve found an alternate resource with a similar title – the Dog Owner’s Guide.

See what you think.

If you’ve ever considered setting up a home based business in the pet industry but didn’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place.

Whether your interest is in setting up a pet boarding kennel, or how to start a dog grooming business, a pet sitting business, doggie day care business, or other home based business in the pet industry, there are plenty of ideas on pet related businesses available, including the following top notch training materials (click on the banner for more info):

Dog Emergencies – What to Do

Caring for your dog doesn’t only involve feeding, grooming, exercise, and ensuring that your dog has suitable space for living and running around.

Dog care also extends to health care, and perhaps even more importantly, keeping your dog safe from mishaps, and educating yourself so you’ll know exactly what to do for your dog’s care if an unexpected event, or even an emergency, happens.

Holistic dog care is a passion of mine, but there are things that cannot be prepared for in advance. You can keep your dog in great health, but even then, accidents and other mishaps can and do occasionally occur, and you need to know how to care for your dog in such circumstances.

Have you ever thought about what you need to do should your dog – or another dog – ever suffer a serious, life-threatening injury? What if they have a severe allergy to an insect bite or a bee sting? It’s great to know your vet’s phone number, but what if something happens during off hours? What if you don’t know where the closest emergency animal clinic is located?Any emergency is stressful and scary, and a dog emergency is no exception. The toughest of owners can be instantly reduced to helpless balls of mush if something is wrong with their dog and they are unable to figure out what to do.

1. Preparation is key.

The key to getting through a veterinary emergency is preparation. You may think you have that covered with a first aid kit and having the phone number to your vet handy, but what if there isn’t enough time to move your dog? You need to be well-versed in some of the more common animal emergencies just in case a situation ever arises. And hey, if a situation never arises, you’ll still feel more confident knowing that you have the ability to deal with one.

2. Know how to care for dog wounds.

Did you know that you shouldn’t use hydrogen peroxide on a bleeding wound? Nope. It slows clotting to the area, which means your dog could actually lose more blood than he would if you didn’t use the peroxide at all. In fact, the best way to treat a deep, severely bleeding wound is to apply a clean cloth and hold it in place for five minutes, then tape the cloth to the wound. That original cloth should never be removed – that also slows clotting – and should instead be layered with more clean cloths if blood soaks through.

3. Know what to do about dog poisoning.

Did you know that certain varieties of toads, salamanders, newts, and other amphibians are poisonous if licked? Hey, guess who loves to hold little woodland critters in his mouth! Your dog. If you notice your pup drooling, whining, and wiping at his mouth after a trip into the forest, get him to a clean water source and rinse his mouth thoroughly. While the poison can be fatal if left in the mouth, it is fairly easy to cleanse from the tongue and glands.

Now imagine all of the dog emergencies that can happen to your dog, from fractured limbs to choking. Do you really want to risk not knowing how to handle them? Well you don’t have to, since Paul Kleinmeulman wrote “Secrets to a Healthy and Happy Pooch” to help you learn how to cope with nearly any dog emergency as well as have the basis for handling all of the everyday and lifelong problems and situations you’ll face with your dog. From choosing toys, to cancer, and everything in between, it’s all in the book… as well as how to create the most effective dog first aid kit and handle the most common emergencies. Listen, even the most experienced dog owner needs a little help and advice now and then. “Secrets to a Healthy and Happy Pooch” can be that constant source of help and advice. If you a looking for a an informative book dealing with everything to do with dog health in a lighthearted, but informative way, than you can’t go past “Secrets to a Happy and Healthy Pooch.”

Let me know what you think!

Knowing about the options for flea treatment for pets is essential. Natural flea treatment is the option I personally go for, but I understand that many people either prefer the chemical Advantage flea and tick or Frontline flea treatment, or are simply not aware that natural flea treatments are in fact available.

Finding out what do fleas look like is important, because it’s not always possible to prevent every flea all the time. So it’s good to know how to kill fleas, both fleas on your dog and fleas in carpets, where you can unfortunately also find dog fleas when an infestation takes hold.

Following is an article on the topic of flea treatment for pets what you can do to get rid of fleas. Apart from the chemical treatments mentioned that I personally don’t like, it’s a really informative article.

Here it is:

Dog Care – Fighting Fleas

Fighting Fleas can be very frustrating. They multiply very quickly and if not caught early enough they will infest your dog and your home. Once infested it is not easy to get rid of them. If your dog is constantly scratching himself that is a sure sign that he does have fleas. Check his skin that is were you will be able to find them. There are different remedies you can try to kill or keep the fleas at bay

Bombing your house is one of them but you have to cover the furniture, leave the house for a few hours, who wants to do that? Luckily there are a few ways to stop the fleas before they get to the infestation point. There are many different types of medications that can be applied to your dog, chewable tablets, the old fashion pill form, prescriptions that you may get from your veterinarian and in powder form.

Flea and tick collars are also very helpful in keeping the fleas at bay. Here are a few examples: Advantix -A dog will be free from fleas in just a few days. Veterinarian recommended. Frontline – Lasts up to four months. Biospot – Kills up to 75% of fleas, eggs and ticks. It also repels mosquitoes, which causes heartworm in your dog. There are other flea killers that you can use, Hartz, Seargents and many more. Many repellents you just reapply directly to the skin. You can get up to six months supply. Remember to check with your veterinarian for recommendations.

Dogs just like humans have allergies so be sure to use the one that is best for your dog. There are natural ways to help fight against fleas. Vacuum your home frequently. Before disposing of the bag make sure you seal it tightly and be sure to double bag it because fleas will jump out. Fleas tend to breed in your dogs bedding. You must keep it clean, washing of the bed once a week with warm soapy water, vacuum the bed frequently and you may also spray the bed with cedar oil to keep the fleas at bay. Cedar is an excellent repellent against fleas and insects. Bathe your dog weekly with a mild flea and tick shampoo or use cedar shampoo. Fleas are attracted to dry skin, try using Linatone Oil mixed in his food. Not only will it help keep the fleas off, it is also works well for dry skin.

Brewers Yeast and Garlic tablets create an oder in pets that fleas are sure to avoid. Sold online in tablet, chewable tablet and powder form. Be sure to plant plenty of marigolds around the outside of your home, it repels fleas along with other types of bugs. The breeding season for fleas is in the summer months. If you see one, you know there are many more. Be sure to use one or more of these ideas to keep the fleas at bay. Remember you do not want your dog or your home to become infested.

If you are concerned about the mosquitoes causing heartworm in your dog, there are different sprays that you can buy from your pet store. Some are to be applied once a week, some may be applied more or less, be sure to read the instructions on the bottle or speak to your veterinarian about preventative medication. Heartworm can lead to different health problems and sometimes can be fatal. It can be detected by simple blood work. Keeping your dog healthy is your responsibility as a dog owner. Keep them safe, happy and healthy.

Michelle Johnson is highly respected in her community for her knowledge about dog care. She also owns www.tailwaggingprices.com. Pet supply store at discounted prices. While you’re at the website be sure to join her free newsletter for vital information on dog care. Also, you will be automatically entered into the monthly prize drawing.

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I actually couldn’t find Michelle’s site any more, but she presents some useful ideas in her article.

Feel free to leave any comments you may have below.

Dog eye care can be somewhat “hit and miss”.  It’s something dog owners generally take for granted unless your dog’s eyes start to show signs of infection, or perhaps there are signs that your dog’s eyesight is not as good as it once was.

We probably take dog eye care for granted because we’ve never stopped to consider that dogs don’t have an effective way of keeping his/her eyes clean.  After all, we simply wash our faces with a wet face cloth or by splashing plenty of water on our faces, including our eyes.  Dogs, however, when left to care for their own eyes, remove buildup by rubbing their faces on the carpet or against furniture, or perhaps with their paws.  None of these methods of “natural” dog eye care is particularly effective, and they’re not particularly safe, either.  Rubbing their eyes against surfaces or even their own paws can easily deposit dirt in the eye causing further irritation.

So we as pet owners need to provide our dogs with eye care on a frequent basis.

You should check your dog’s eyes at least weekly to ensure good eye care.

Healthy eyes in a dog are moist and clear.  Redness, swelling, mucus discharge or squinting may all be indications of the presence of eye infection in your dog.  If you see anything that is of concern, you should consult your vet.

But there are steps you can take yourself to improve your dog’s eye care, and ensure your dog’s eye health generally:

1.  Keep hair away from your dog’s eyes, as hair can irritate the eyes and can cause tiny scratches on the cornea of your dog’s eye.

2.  Particularly if you have a breed of dog that has long hair, you should regularly trim the hair around your dog’s eye.  ALWAYS use blunt-nosed scissors for this, or you could potentially cause severe damage to your dog’s eye if s/he moves while you’re cutting the hair away.

3.  Keep mucus to a minimum by using a sterile eyewash or eyewipes.  Mucus is not only unsightly, but can easily lead to infection.  Eye infections in your dog are often the result of bacteria that overgrow on mucus that is not cleaned away.

4.  Take care of your dog’s eyes when bathing your dog.  Use a mild, good quality dog shampoo of course – but even shampoos that are non-irritating to the eyes can in fact irritate the eyes if not washed out very well.  Help to prevent the shampoo getting in your dog’s eyes by using a protective ophthalmic ointment under the top lid of your dog’s eye before you bath your dog.

5.  If your dog is prone to developing “tear stains”, you should clean the hair in the “tear” area just under the inner corners of the eyes on a regular basis (at least once a week) with a tear stain remover product. Some breeds tend to develop tear stains more than others – e.g. Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Maltese.

6.  Older dogs can develop an opaque, cloudy look on their eyes.  This can be a normal sign of aging, but it may be caused by cataracts, which is a degenerative condition of the eye that can result in your dog eventually going blind over a number of years.  There are natural, homeopathic, eye remedies for dogs available that can assist, and even reverse this process.

Eye care for your dog is an essential part of your dog’s care. They’re not a part of your dog’s anatomy you want to take any chances with.

Choosing suitable dog boarding kennels is an issue that many pet owners have to face at one time or another – sometimes quite regularly.

If you’re lucky like me, you may have a neighbor who loves your dogs almost as much as you do and is prepared to look after them when you go away so you never need to worry about a pet boarding kennel.

But most people aren’t so fortunate. Perhaps you can get a professional pet sitter to sit in your house (a “house and dog sitter“), or a dog sitter walker who will feed and walk your dog daily, and for this there is a pet sitters association called the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters if you’re in the U.S. Or if you’re elsewhere, you can try Pet Sitters International.
But otherwise, you may well be looking for a dog boarding kennel as your only viable option when you go on vacation.

Pet Sitters 

Jean Morgan from NaturesHealthyPet.com has written the following helpful article on the topic of choosing suitable dog boarding kennels:

How to Choose a Pet Boarding Facility

Sometimes the most difficult thing a pet owner has to deal with is leaving their beloved companion behind while going away on a trip or vacation. Who do you trust? Finding a place where you know your pet will be happy and comfortable can make the whole experience less stressful for everyone.

Be sure to visit any pet boarding facility you are considering in person. This is an absolute MUST! Is the place clean? How do the animals look? Are they sitting in clean or soiled cages? If you are boarding a cat make sure the cats are kept in an area that is separate from the dogs.

Do not leave your pet anywhere that does not require him to be up to date on current vaccinations, including a negative fecal check.

A lot of veterinary hospitals offer boarding services. It may surprise you though that this may not be the best place to board your pet, UNLESS they have a separate staff and facility designated for pet boarding.

First of all, how would you feel hanging out in a human hospital for a few days? No thanks! Hospitals are just that – hospitals. Your pet is not going to have any fun staying in a veterinary hospital while you go away.

Most clinics are not setup well for pet boarding purposes. The hospital staff is often focused on taking care of sick patients. Chances are, if your pet is boarding at a hospital he will be taken care of only after all the sick animals have been attended to. Veterinary hospitals often are not staffed 24-hours, so your buddy may be spending a lot of quiet time alone. In addition to that, he may be hanging out with a bunch of sick pets. Not good.

However, many veterinary hospitals have a separate staff and facility designated for boarding. This could be an excellent option, just be sure to check it out in person.

When visiting a pet boarding facility make sure the animals are kept safe while spending time outdoors. They should never be left in any confinement area unattended for long periods of time. I’ve heard horror stories of dogs escaping from outdoor pens while boarding staff was inside cleaning kennels. Make sure all fences look secure, especially if you dog is prone to being “tricksy.”

Also make sure that your pet is not given any toys or bones he could choke on. Many pet boarding kennels have restrictions on the types of toys and treats you can leave with your pet which is a good sign because it means that they are aware of choking hazards.

When checking out a dog boarding kennel be sure to find out what kind of schedule your dog will be on. How often will they feed him? How often will he go outside? Do they allow you to bring his own food? Can he have his special blanket?

Ask your veterinarian if they know of any good pet boarding facilities. Often they know the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to kennels in your area. Just be sure to visit any kennel you are considering for your pet in person. You may even want to take your
pet along for the ride so he can tell you what he thinks of the place too!

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Hope you found that as informative as I did.

The only part of the article I am a little uncomfortable with is the suggestion that you should not leave your dog in any dog boarding kennel that does not require you to have your dog’s vaccinations “up to date”. I think the point the author is trying to make is that you don’t want your dog catching nasty diseases from other dogs in the dog boarding kennel. But the downside to this is, of course, that you will actually have to vaccinate your dog even if you’ve decided not to, just so s/he can stay in the pet boarding kennel of your choice.

If you choose to put your dog in a pet boarding kennel facility, or don’t have any other option, you’ll probably find you’ll be hard pressed to find a boarding kennel that doesn’t have a requirement that your dog has had recent [tag]vaccinations[/tag]. That’s a real downside to using pet boarding kennels – from my point of view, anyway – you probably know my views on annual vaccinations for pets, and if you don’t, you can read them here – Annual Vaccinations for Dogs – Are They Necessary?

And if you’re interested in house and dog sitters, click on the following picture for more info!

As with humans, there are certain types of dog health care issues that are peculiar only to female dogs, and others that occur only in male dogs.

The following informative article deals with female dog care issues such as spaying your female dog, canine breast cancer, pyometra – a serious condition of your dog’s uterus, and a canine version of phantom pregnancy.

Female Dog Care
by: Aki Desorcy

As there are certain health issues that affect only the female dog, care should be taken to ensure that these are fully understood before deciding whether or not to buy a bitch.

The most important dog health care concern is that of spaying.

Only those who are fully educated in all aspects of a specific breed and who have the time and energy to put into making sure that bloodlines are kept strong and healthy should ever consider breeding. With that in mind, most owners of female dogs will not be thinking of breeding and should therefore seriously consider having their pet spayed.

If the necessary surgery is carried out before your dog has her first heat cycle, the likelihood of her ever developing breast cancer will become almost zero percent. That alone is a very good reason to have your dog spayed as breast cancer is otherwise relatively common in older bitches. The chances of your dog developing pyometra, a disease of the uterus that can be fatal, is also greatly reduced.

Having your dog spayed will also relieve her of the twice yearly ‘season’ and the anxiety that often becomes part of it. She’ll no longer want to roam in order to find male dogs to mate with and you’ll no longer have to put up with the crowds of dogs who follow you during walks or who gather outside your home. And most importantly of all, unwanted pups will not become a problem.

If your female dog starts collecting her toys and treating them as if they were puppies, she’s almost certainly experiencing a false pregnancy. Fortunately, this rarely lasts more than a week and although the dog will become very protective of her imaginary offspring, treat her as normal and she’ll soon forget them.

If you’ve opted to not have your dog spayed, it’s important to understand how her heat cycle works. The first 10-14 days is the period BEFORE ovulation and this is the time during which she will bleed. Ovulation occurs as the bleeding stops so it’s important to understand that it’s during the 10-14 days following bleeding that she’s actually most likely to become pregnant. Far too many owners make the mistake of believing that their female dog is safe once the bleeding stops and over-filled dog pounds are the sad result.

Doggie diapers are available in most pet stores and come in a range of sizes to fit different breeds. These are designed to stop the dog leaving blood on your furniture and rugs but unfortunately, unless the dog has been taught to accept wearing them from a very young age, most will soon chew them off.

Female dog owners who choose not to have their dog spayed MUST monitor their dog regularly for any lumps in the breasts and remember that unless they’re serious about breeding, they have a duty to ensure that their dog doesn’t produce unwanted puppies who will eventually find themselves sitting in a pound waiting for their death sentence to be passed.

Female dog care is not something that I claim to have any specific knowledge or expertise on, even though all the dogs I’ve ever had (from when I was a child until now) have all been female.

If you have any comments in relation to the topics of female dog care mentioned in the article, please post them below.

Thanks!

Dog ear care is an important part of your dog care routine. It’s essential that you inspect your dog’s ears from time to time to ensure that they are kept reasonably clean and healthy.

A good time to do this is, of course, when you’re bathing your dog.

But some breeds of dogs do tend to be afflicted with ear infections, so with these breeds, you need to be extra vigilant. Breeds with floppy ears, and especially those with long, floppy ears, are more likely to have ear problems. But dog ear infections can occur in any dog, so ear care for your dog is not something you should overlook.

Importance of Regular Home Dog Ear Care

Routine home dog ear care is very important to the health of your dog. Performed between your regular checkups with the veterinarian, it will help keep your dog’s ears healthy and pain free. If you see signs of trouble you may be able to head them off before they require an extra visit to the vet. Excessive wax, foul odor, redness, constant scratching, excessive matting of hair in the external ear, rubbing the ears against other objects, head shaking, and disorientation can all be signs of ear problems.

Inspect Your Dog’s Ears Regularly By Using Your Eyes & Your Nose!

By performing a home dog ear care inspection; you will be able to detect problems early. Use both your eyes and your nose. If you need help seeing inside your dog’s ears you may want to invest in a pet scope. A tool very similar to the kind your doctor uses to check your ears. Check for redness, excessive wax build up or any other foreign matter.

Sniffing your dog’s ears is another way to detect problems early. Normally a dog’s ears shouldn’t smell foul in any way. If you see a dark waxy discharge this may be a sign of ear mites. On the other hand, if you see a pus-like discharge along with a foul smell this may be a sign of a bacterial infection.

Allergies are also known to cause some dogs to have smelly ears. If you’re new to this and are unsure have the vet check your dog’s ears. Right after the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health make sure you inspect your dog’s ears. This way you will learn how your pet’s ears should normally look and smell.

Is Your Breed of Dog More Susceptible To Dog Ear Care Problems?

Due to the warm, damp, and dark environment, as well as poor air circulation, your dog’s ear canal can be the prefect breeding ground for mites, yeast or bacterial infection. This is why, for certain breeds, home dog ear care is even more important. Some pets may require routine applications of dog ear care products to keep their ears free of mites, yeast or bacterial infections.

Some dog’s ears stand straight up which allows for more air to flow into the ear canal. Dogs with floppy ears, like spaniels and bloodhounds, are very prone to ear infections because very little air flows into their ear canals. There are also breeds, like the Lhasa, that have a heavy growth of hair inside their ears. This hair must be routinely removed as a prevention against chronic ear problems.

If Excess Ear Hair Is A Dog Ear Care Problem Learn How To Remove It

If you suspect that excess ear hair is a problem, you may need to pluck the hair that grows inside your dog’s ears. This is a routine dog ear care task that can be performed at home and is much easier then it sounds. You will want to apply dog ear powder to the inside of both ears. Make sure that the hair is completely covered, especially at the base. Once the powder has dried start plucking a few hairs at a time with your fingers or a tweezers. Plucking just a few hairs at a time will be less irritating for the dog.

You may want to stop a few times to give your dog’s ears a good rub. Make sure you give your dog lots of praise and a few dog treats too. Once all the inside hair has been removed, follow up by cleaning and inspecting the ears. If you are unsure about this dog ear care procedure, have your vet or a professional groomer show you how to do it.

Things You Should Know About Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears

Some vets recommend that owners routinely flush their dog’s ears with warm water at the slightest hint of odor. Other home dog ear care cleaning remedies include mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination of equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol. If your dog has open sores it’s best not to use the vinegar and alcohol because it will cause a burning sensation.If your dog is prone to ear infections you may want to use a pet ear care product that is specifically formulated to clean and dry up excess moisture in the ear canal.

A dog ear wash containing Tea Tree Oil, which is also formulated to dry the ear canal is an excellent choice. Tea Tree Oil’s natural antiseptic, antibacterial and fungicidal properties can help keep your dog’s ears problem free.It’s also a good idea to use a pet ear-drying agent after bathing or swimming especially if your dog’s ears retain moisture and don’t dry promptly. There are many good pet ear care products available for routine ear cleaning that will dissolve wax, remove foreign debris and dry the ear canal. There are also home dog care treatments available that will kill pesky ear mites and ear ticks.

A dog’s ear canal is L-shaped. It descends vertically and it makes a 90-degree horizontal turn before it reaches the eardrum. Even though your dog’s eardrum is better protected than a human’s, you should still proceed with caution when cleaning the ear canal. Many vets urge caution when inserting anything into the ear canal, especially cotton-tipped swabs. They can actually push dirt and foreign matter deeper into the ear if not handled properly. You can even lose the cotton tip in the ear canal.

Start cleaning the external part of the ear by swabbing inside the earflaps and all around the gnarled area at the entrance of the ear canal. If you choose to use a cotton-tipped swab you will need a long type since a dog’s ear canal is much deeper than ours. If your dog will tolerate it, gently and carefully swab the inside of the ear canal. A much safer method is to fill the ear canal with a pet ear cleaning solution and gently massage the outer ear. After a few minutes allow your dog to shake his head to help clear the ear canal. If you’re using a commercial pet ear care product be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Make Ear Inspections An Important Part Of Your Home Dog Ear Care Routine

Checking your dog’s ears only takes a few minutes so make it a part of your dog grooming routine. And when your dog’s ears need a cleaning don’t put it off.

Remember regular cleanings can prevent many common ear problems. If you think a problem may be developing that is beyond the scope of your home dog ear care routine, take your dog to the vet for a check up immediately. An infection, if left untreated, can be very painful for your dog and could even damage your dog’s hearing.

There are some good tips following for caring for small dogs.

One matter that I do take issue with that the author mentions is, of course, the food. He appears to advocate commercial kibble or canned food in the care and feeding of small dog breeds.

As you know, I’m not in favor of this for any dog.

Raw food for small dogs is just as desirable as it is in the care of larger dogs. You do need to adjust the type of raw food you give your small dog, though due to their comparatively small mouths, jaw and teeth.

So the answer is to cut up any bones you might give (or have your butcher do so), and for very small dogs you might only want to give chicken bones – preferably the wings – since the bones are pretty small, and they’re fairly soft as well.

You can chop up pieces of meat quite small, or even mince it if you prefer. And finely chopped vegetables are great when you’re caring for a small dog.

Otherwise, as I said, Blake, the author, has some good ideas on the care of small dog breeds.

Here it is:

Care For Your Small Dog With These Big-Impact Tips
by: Blake Kritzberg

Basic small dog care is much the same as for larger dogs, but owners need to make a few adjustments to best meet their small dog’s needs. Consider the following daily dog care routines, and how they’re adapted to meet the needs of your pint-sized pup.

Feeding Your Small Dog

Naturally you’re going to feed your dog daily, but the standard-size kibble at the grocery store may be too large for your small dog to eat comfortably. You’ll need to be sure to buy a kibble designed to fit his smaller mouth (these are easy to find among the premium dog food brands). Canned soft foods are also perfectly suitable for your small dog.

Containing Your Small Dog

All dogs need exercise and a safe place to potty outdoors, and a fenced-in yard provides all the security they need, right? Not necessarily when it comes to small dogs. A fence that adequately holds a bigger dog may have gaps large enough for a small dog to fit between or under, allowing him to escape. Fences also can’t provide overhead protection from large hawks, which sadly have been known to carry small dogs and puppies away. A covered kennel run might better meet your small dog’s needs.

Training Your Small Dog

Small dogs aren’t any harder to train than large dogs, yet the consensus of many pet experts is that many of them end up spoiled. No matter if he fits in a purse or a pocket, your small dog still sees the world in terms of pack behavior, and if you’re not leading the pack, he is. It’s a wise idea to make sure your small dog is thoroughly house trained, no matter how small and inconsequential the mess might seem when he misses. Dog experts also suggest you make your small dog work for you, to keep him responsive to your rules. Have him sit or do tricks before you give him a tasty treat or even his meal.

Grooming Your Small Dog

Small dog care includes some special grooming needs you’ll need to keep in mind. Small dogs require more frequent nail trimming than larger dogs, because they typically spend less time on rough surfaces wearing them down. You’ll also need to brush your small dog’s teeth twice a week if you’re feeding a soft canned food diet.

As you can see, small dog care largely follows the same route as care for any other sized dog. The differences may seem like minor details, but paying attention to them can make a big impact when it comes to meeting your small dog’s special needs.

So there you have it – tips on caring for your small dog.

If you have any other tips or ideas on this subject, please leave your comments below.

We’d love to hear them!

All dogs need some attention to grooming. When you think of dog grooming instructions, you may think only of brushing your dog’s coat. There’s much more to it than that, but here I’ll be talking about that one aspect of dog grooming tips – brushing your dog’s coat.

Of course, dogs with either long or curly coats such as the [tag]Shih Tzu[/tag], the [tag]Pomeranian[/tag], the long haired [tag]German Shepherd[/tag], [tag]Cocker Spaniel[/tag], and [tag]Poodle[/tag], as well as many others, require you to set time aside for brushing their coats. Brushing not only keeps their coats from becoming matted, but eliminates dust and dirt as well as parts of some plant material that tend to stick to the fur.

Elimination of dust and dirt is important for all dogs, of course, so unless your dog is a breed that has extremely short fur, regular brushing of your dog’s coat will keep it clean. It also helps stimulate the sebaceous glands which will benefit your dog’s skin at the same time, and bring some natural oils from the skin down onto your dog’s coat.

While you’re brushing your dog’s coat, you give your dog’s skin a massage with the brushing action at the same time. This is the sensation that many dogs love when you brush them.

Obviously, it’s important, then, to brush your dog’s coat as often as it needs to keep the coat free from matting, and to keep the dust and dirt to a minimum. This will necessarily require much more frequent brushing for dogs with longer coats. These breeds can benefit from daily brushing, while for dogs with shortish coats a weekly brushing may be quite sufficient.

Many dogs love being brushed, although those with longer coats that are not brushed regularly may intensely dislike being brushed, most likely because it hurts due to the fur having become matted.

And there are some dogs who are just too active to want to sit still while you brush them. They’ll squirm and struggle to get away, because they’re just too “busy” to sit still.

Grooming your dog’s coat can also assist in eliminating shedding fur before it ends up all over your carpet and furniture. The brushing action itself will collect much of the loose fur onto the brush, but if your dog has a particular problem with shedding, as some breeds certainly do, you may wish to purchase a specialized grooming tool specifically designed to remove the fine undercoat that most often is the part of the coat that sheds.

Either way, keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy from the inside out also helps immensely. A combination of Omega 3, 6 and 9 oils is fabulous for this purpose, and a great skin and coat formula that contains these essential nutrients is Dermatrix.

Part 2 of Dog Grooming Tips will deal with shampooing – another important aspect to dog grooming. So stay tuned!

 

Furminator – Small – $ 39.99 Furminator – Medium – $ 49.99 Furminator – Large – $ 59.99 Guaranteed to reduce shedding better than any brush or comb, and helps bring out your pet’s natural oils, leaving a shiny, healthy, topcoat.

 

 

Today I have some dog grooming tips for you – in fact, an article on grooming a dog, by Laura Wright. Laura is a life-long pet owner, who has worked as a veterinary technician for many years and has owned many animals from dogs and cats, to birds, rodents, rabbits, goats, and koi! Laura has faced all kinds of problems, and has come up with many inventive solutions when it comes to pet care. A native of California, Laura owns and shows Borzoi, and has won her share of ribbons in the ring. She currently resides in Mariposa, in the Sierra mountains, with her 3 borzoi, a dachshund, a corgi mix, and a species-confused cat named Harley.

Sounds like a very basic question, doesn’t it? Dog grooming is far more than washing your dog! You need to pay attention to all aspects of the dog’s anatomy, and now is the time to do it! Grooming is an important part of keeping your dog happy and healthy. I am constantly asked so many questions about how, where and when to groom, so I put some of the basics together for you here.

Grooming Basics

Starting at the top, and moving down, first check the eyes and ears. Are the eyes clear and bright? Is there any discharge, or excessive tearing? Once checked, apply a thin coating of Vaseline around the eye area, to keep water and soap out when you bathe.

Ear Grooming

Now, the ears. Most of us don’t pay attention to an animal’s ears, but there is a lot that can go wrong in there! First, look at the external ear. Is there dirt visible? If so, dampen a washcloth with warm water, and gently scrub. If there is a lot of grime, add a bit of shampoo. You can also purchase special cleansing cloths made for this job, but baby wipes work just as well, and are much less expensive. Use unscented, as the dog doesn’t like the perfumes in many baby products! Now, sniff. Smell the ear canal. If there is a foul or bad odor there, it could be trouble. Get your dog into a vet for treatment as soon as possible.

Dog Dental Care

A dog’s teeth need attention, too, though not as much as a human’s! Check to see the condition of your dog’s teeth. Are they discolored, or covered with tartar? Use of a dental product made to reduce tartar can do wonders! I love DentaBones, made by Purina. They are available in a variety of sizes, and really do the job. If there are teeth that look dark, or there is a bad odor, you may need a professional to tend to your dog’s teeth. Schedule a trip to the vet for a dental check-up. It isn’t expensive, and may end up saving your dog’s teeth. *

Coat and Nail Grooming

Brushing your dog before the actual bathing will help eliminate mats and stickers that are in there, as well as removing a lot of dead coat that can mat up when bathing. Now, check your dog’s toes. Check between the toes for foxtails and other weeds that can get wedged in there. Trim the nails if needed. Some dogs absolutely hate having their nails trimmed, and will put up quite a fuss. If it is too hard to do, take your dog to a groomer, or the vet. It is really cheap to clip the nails, and they can do it fast and easy. I have three dogs who make it sound like I am torturing them when I even think of trimming their nails! For about $10, you can have it done without the muss and fuss

Bathing Your Dog

First, wet the coat thoroughly. If the dog shakes off the water, wet it again. A great way to keep the dog from shaking off the water is to place your hand along the dog’s back. This usually works. Next, add the shampoo. Do this like you do to your own hair, by pouring some between your palms and applying to the coat. An easier way is to add water to the shampoo, and pour that over your dog. Do NOT apply straight shampoo directly to your dog, as it tends to ‘cake’ there, and won’t rinse off fully. Lather up, and rinse off well. Run your hands all over, to make sure all the product is off. When washing the dog’s face, gather up lather in your hands, and use that on the face and ears. It is easier to rinse off, and less likely to leave residue, and it cleans well.

Now, to dry! If you are lucky and have a blow dryer made for pets, you can dry the dog in a matter of minutes. I recommend investing in one if you have more than one dog. They can run a couple hundred dollars, but are a godsend, especially if you have a ‘coated’ breed, or one that sheds heavily. You can actually ‘blow’ the dead coat out easily, and get more out than by brushing or raking can. If you don’t have an air blower, a regular hair dryer will work. Make sure it is set on ‘cool’. Towel out as much of the water as possible, then blow the coat dry.

Now you’re ready to groom your dog like a pro! Good luck to you!
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Want more Laura? Click here for seasonal articles and links, emails, and more frequently asked questions

* By the way, I have NEVER had my dogs’ teeth cleaned.  I ensure that I give them plenty of bones which really do keep their teeth in great shape.  If I were to use something in addition, this is what I would use – http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/Oral – it’s completely natural, and is a liquid that you add to the dog’s drinking water, and the result – no dog dental problems.  I’ve had wonderful feedback about this product.   

Furminator – Small – $ 39.99 Furminator – Medium – $ 49.99 Furminator – Large – $ 59.99 Guaranteed to reduce shedding better than anybrush or comb, and helps bring out your pet’s natural oils, leaving a shiny, healthy, topcoat.

 

 

When you have a dog you know how important flea medicine is for your pet. There are many types of flea treatment for pets that you can use. Most people use the products that are recommended to them by their vet. Some of the products that vets recommend are Advantage flea control, Revolution flea prevention and Frontline flea control.

However, these may not be the right ones for you to use with your dog and the dog fleas that bother them. The flea medicine that you choose should be something that you feel comfortable using.

One of the things that are catching on with many pet owners is natural flea treatment. This is a much safer alternative for your pet and your family. When you use the natural flea treatments you don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals penetrating your dog’s skin, or leaching into the environment.

Besides finding the right flea treatment for pets, there are some other things that you will want to do that will help with your dog’s flea problem.

When using natural flea treatment for your pet you will want to go to a pet store that carries dog flea treatment products that are made from one hundred percent natural ingredients, or better yet, purchase your natural flea control products online for ultimate convenience.

These products are very effective for getting rid of fleas and they don’t contain any chemicals that can harm your dog or your family.

The natural flea treatment products that you will want to get are natural powders, shampoos, sprays and a flea brush. You may also want to look for a natural flea collar that will help to keep the fleas away. And most dog owners swear by garlic – or more specifically garlic and brewers yeast tablets to keep fleas at bay.

Besides the natural treatments you will want to make sure that you keep your dog clean. Give your dog a bath once a fortnight during flea season, using a good quality shampoo (see below for recommendation), and more often if you actually see a flea – and brush your dog daily. You will also want to make sure that you keep your house clean since fleas can get into your house. You want to make sure that you vacuum your carpet and wash anything that your dog sleeps on.

If you’ve already seen fleas in your carpet, or your dog has a number of fleas, you will want to pay attention to killing fleas in carpet. Before vacuuming your floors you can sprinkle some diatomaceous earth products or powdered borax products onto the carpet. This will kill any dog fleas plus the eggs. You want to let it stay on your carpet for a couple of minutes and then vacuum. You need to be sure that your kids and dog are not around when you do this, because of the potential for breathing the powder in.

Diatomaceous earth products can also be applied directly to your dog’s fur (you should wear a mask while you do this to prevent breathing it in, but this product is otherwise completely safe to use).

One other thing that you will want to do to help with the problem of fleas is to mow your lawn often. You also want to keep any trees or bushes trimmed. This will make it hard for the fleas to get anywhere near your dog.

The flea medicine that you choose is up to you. However, natural flea treatment will definitely be much better and safer for your dog and your family. So you want to make sure that you use the flea treatment for pets that feels right for you and your beloved pet.

I know which one I choose!

—–

My recommendation for a great quality dog shampoo and conditioner that are excellent as part of an overall natural flea control strategy:

ONP Herbal Defense Shampoo – $12.99 ONP Herbal Defense Conditioner – $12.99 Shampoo and conditioner for a luxurious coat and contain essential oils to help repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies, and other insects.

Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy – $14.99 Natural flea powder that safely eliminates fleas on your pets and in your home. It is completely non-toxic, chemical-free, and odorless.

Brewer’s Yeast & Garlic Tablets – $9.49 These tablets help boost your pets natural defenses, maintain a healthy coat, and are fortified with vitamins and beef liver for dogs and cats. And they taste so great, they’re like treats!

And for a flea care kit that contains everything you’d need, you can’t go past:

Mild Flea Care Kit for Dogs – $15.99 Moderate Flea Care Kit for Dogs – $48.49 Severe Flea Care Kit for Dogs – $88.99 Choose from 3 different kits based on the severity of your dog’s flea infestation. Hurry and stop the fleas before things gets worse!

Does your dog always having a lush, soft coat?

Does your dog’s skin remain rash and itch free?

If you said yes to either or both of the above questions, yours is a very fortunate dog.

More likely, like me, you said “No”, or, perhaps “Sometimes”. Most of our dogs suffer from a dull coat and/or dog skin problems or skin irritation of some type from time to time. Some poor dogs seem to be plagued by dog skin conditions, which often causes them to molt, or even to pull their own fur out in an attempt to relieve the itchiness.

This can be caused by a number of things, including a vitamin deficiency.

Even if you think you’re feeding your dog an ideal diet, it may not be so. For years my vet complimented me on the great health of my dogs due to the largely raw diet I fed them, but little did I realise that down the track they would begin to develop degenerative conditions which I can now only attribute to a failure to supplement with vitamins and/or other supplements.

Of course, diet can impact on your dog’s skin condition and the look and feel of your dog’s coat in a major way. But sometimes even an ideal diet is not enough in and of itself.

Kara, my Rottweiler, has pretty sensitive skin – she gets a rash from coming into contact with the pollen from certain plants, and she develops an immediate allergy to even one flea bite. And sometimes she’s itchy for no apparent reason at all. Yes, Kara really suffers from dog skin allergies, and often has incessantly itchy skin – poor dog.

My Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet, is more hardy in the coat and skin department. Jet’s pretty lucky. She doesn’t get incessant itches very often at all, although she has been known to molt once or twice in her 12 years. It hasn’t happened for several years now, though – not since I started giving my dogs supplements for their skin and coat.

So what is the most effective way to look after dog skin problems? Well, in addition to your dog’s diet, you should use a two pronged strategy – dog skin supplements and an excellent dog shampoo.

To keep your dog’s skin and coat in tip top condition and health, these two areas are really important:

ONE – to treat the skin from the inside – I recommend a wonderful fatty acid supplement which contains all the nutrients your dog needs for a healthy skin and shiny coat. It also reduces shedding if your dog’s coat is prone to that. These great tasting tablets really do reduce itchiness, and work on the cause of the itch – whether it be due to allergy or other skin condition. They contain Omegas 3, 6 and 9, plus OptiMSM and other Vitamins for a healthy coat.

   
 (Just click on the bottles of Dermatrix above, or click here).  You’ll love the results of Dermatrix on your dog’s skin and coat!

TWO – a good dog shampoo is the second really important aspect to a healthy skin and coat. When my dogs were younger I sometimes used cheap shampoos from discount stores. I came to the conclusion that this was really false economy. They cleaned the coat reasonably well, but weren’t particularly beneficial to the skin. Now I use a wonderful oatmeal shampoo which help relieve itching and dry, flaky skin. And the coat comes out really silky and it really seems to have a lovely shine. Oatmeal shampoo for dogs is also all-natural, and contains no chemicals.
 

Doc Ackerman’s Oatmeal Shampoo 20 oz. – $ 9.99 Doc Ackerman’s Oatmeal Shampoo 1 Gallon – $ 49.99  A penetrating shampoo that contains 3.8% Colloidal Oatmeal. Can be used for itching, dryness, scaling of dandruff, and certain types of dermatitis. Excellent for routine bathing to help control body odors.

Or if you really like the smell of oranges, there’s a particularly good dog shampoo and conditioner formulation. It’s called the Herbal Orange Cream Shampoo and Conditioner, and it’s a favorite with dog groomers and vets, and has been for 20 years. Again, it’s all-natural without any chemicals, and it also has a great aromatherapy soothing effect on your dog!

Doc Ackerman’s Orange Cream Shampoo – $ 9.99 Doc Ackerman’s Orange Cream Conditioner – $ 9.99 This shampoo and conditioner are used extensively by groomers and veterinarians. Deep cleaning, with a fresh citrus aroma, to give your pet the ultimate shiny coat.

Or, if you’re wanting to keep fleas at bay, try the herbal shampoo and conditioner below:

ONP Herbal Defense Shampoo – $ 12.99 ONP Herbal Defense Conditioner – $ 12.99 Shampoo and conditioner for a luxurious coat and contain essential oils to help repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies, and other insects

If your dog is anything like my Rottweiler, Kara, your dog’s fur is probably often dusty and not so great to stroke.  Kara loves rolling in the dirt outside.

When the dirt in the backyard is dry, I can brush out the dust and dirt without too much trouble. But when it’s damp, Kara needs to be washed to really get her coat clean again.

And when it’s been pouring rain for a day or two, I actually try to keep her inside the house as much as possible. Because, yes, she rolls in the wet, sticky mud, when she gets a chance. You should see the mess she gets in. She can be covered in mud from head to toe. And she’s most put out when I won’t let her in the house in that state!

That’s when the shampoo really comes in handy!

And for the fatty acid tablets which your dog will love to take, which will promote a lush, shiny coat and itch-free skin, you’ll want to try Fatty Acids for Dogs.

Let me know if you have any questions/comments/feedback.

I’d love to hear from you.

Just post your comments below!

Does your dog mind taking tablets?

I don’t know why it is, but medicines for both humans and our pets usually taste bitter or otherwise revolting. And dogs are notoriously suspicious when it comes to being asked to take tablets of any description. Remember, your dog has an acute sense of smell! It’s difficult indeed to persuade the average pooch to swallow any medication designed to cure any illness, disease or disability from which he/she is suffering. Your poor dog doesn’t understand that you’re trying to assist him/her. No, they invariably view such treatments with utter contempt and disdain.

My Rottweiler, Kara, is actually not too bad with tablets. Mostly I can easily prise her mouth open, drop the medication onto the back of her tongue and then hold her mouth closed for a few seconds, gently stroking her throat a few times, and she’ll generally swallow it without too much fuss. Or if it’s a really nasty tasting one, a lump of peanut butter around the tablet will generally do the trick quite nicely.

Not so my Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet. Oh no!

Fortunately Jet has been surprisingly illness-free during her 12 years. I can only hope this picture of health phenomenon will continue for the remainder of her days. Because on the odd occasion when I do need to have her swallow anything faintly resembling a tablet, oh my goodness, what a fuss!

I dread giving her tablets. You’d think that she’d know by now that I wasn’t trying to poison her. But no. She runs away and cowers in corner, slipping deftly away whenever I get close. And when I do catch her, and throw the tablet into her mouth you’d think Jet’s life depended upon her making every conceivable attempt to spit the tablet out. Peanut butter? Forget it – she just licks it all off and spits the tablet out. Tasty cheese? Same thing. Crushing it up and mixing it in with her raw meat/scrambled eggs/tinned tuna? Not a chance. Up goes her nose and away she trots.

So the only option is to hold that mouth closed until the tablet disintegrates, because oh my goodness, Jet is absolutely determined not to swallow. It takes several minutes of hanging on tight to her mouth and keeping it closed while I stroke her throat, and while she pushes her tongue out between the little gaps in her teeth over and over again making every possible attempt to disgorge the offending tablet, and when that fails, she simply froths at the mouth. And froths and froths and froths until I think she’s almost going to suffocate. And when it’s all over, she refuses to have anything to do with me (for at least 10 minutes until the terrible memory of it fades!)

I suppose I should count my lucky stars that one of my dogs is a pushover with the dreaded tablet taking scenario!

There is ONE type of tablet that my Jet LOVES to take, though – it’s not a “tablet” kind of tablet – it’s her delicious, chewable arthritis care tablet – Jet just loves them. She thinks they’re treats! Jet hasn’t actually shown any real signs of [tag]arthritis[/tag], but because she’s getting on in years, I thought she’d benefit from some arthritis care as a preventative. Check out the ONLY tablet my Jet will take here! (Click on the pictures below, or simply CLICK HERE.)

So if you’re concerned about arthritis in dog or have been looking for a dog arthritis medication that is natural and works, not only will this natural dog arthritis medicine do wonders for your dog’s arthritis, but your dog will LOVE taking these tablets as well!

What a bonus!

I have received more comments on the following short article than on any other article published over the last few years in the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter. It’s one of my personal favorites, as well. I just love it.

The Ten Things Your Dog Wants You To Know

If your dog could talk, these are some of most important things she would like to tell you…

1 – My life will probably only last 7 to 14 years. It will hurt me more than you know if I have to be away from you for longer than a day or two.

2 – If you have patience with me and give me time to learn what you would like from me, I can promise you, you will never be disappointed.

3 – Trust me with your life and have faith in our future together. If I don’t feel that you honestly believe in me, I will suffer great emotional stress. My sense of self-worth is totally dependent upon your confidence in me.

4 – Don’t stay mad at me for long or confine me to a cage to punish me. You have your friends, your job, and your recreation. I HAVE ONLY YOU!

5 – Talk to me about anything you want as frequently as possible. Even if I can’t comprehend your precise words, I can understand the meaning of what you’re telling me by the tone of your voice.

6 – Remember no matter how you treat me, I will NEVER forget it.

7 – When you consider raising your hand to hit me, remember I have teeth that could break the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

8 – Before you scream at me for failing to respond to your commands as I usually do, take time to think about what might be wrong with me that would cause me to treat you differently. Maybe I haven’t been eating right or drinking enough water. Or maybe my age is catching up with me and I just can’t do what I used to do.

9 – Take good care of me when I get old. Someday you will be as old as me and you will see how it feels.

10 – Be there for me through good times and bad. Never say you can’t handle taking me to the vets for stitches or surgery. Nothing could make me feel worse. Everything in my life is easier for me to deal with when I have you standing by my side. Remember my love for you is unconditional and it will last for your entire life.

Danielle Hollister (2000)Danielle Hollister is the Writing Host at BellaOnline http://www.bellaonline.com/career/writing.html

and Publisher of BellaOnline’s Writing Zine http://www.egroups.com/group/bellaonlinewriting

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If you like this lovely piece as much as I do, leave your comments below!

Many dogs suffer from skin problems. These can originate from a multitude of of causes, with the most common being skin allergies, which in themselves have a variety of origins.

But a fairly common skin problem in dogs that is not so widely known is the skin problem caused by a bacterial or fungal skin infection, the most common type of which is a yeast infection.

A yeast infection is of the fungal type. It is basically a naturally occurring organism that is always present on the skin, but has gotten out of control. Yeast lives on normal skin, as well as in the ears and in the anal glands. But it’s when the yeast starts to multiply that problems develop.

The first signs of a yeast infection will probably be a rash on your dog’s skin. The underlying cause for the proliferation of the yeast organism may well be an allergic reaction. But once the yeast starts to “overgrow”, it will cause health problems for your dog regardless of whether the allergen is still present or not.

Another common cause of a yeast infection is an immune system problem – an underactive immune system, or immune deficiency. Boosting the immune system can prevent yeast infections in dogs from developing.

So it’s useful to know what the underlying causes of the yeast infection are so that those causes can be treated as well. If they’re not, even after you’ve treated the yeast infection and got it under control, the infection can recur because the cause has not also been treated.

There are a number of dog breeds that are particularly susceptible to yeast infections (although any breed can, of course, suffer from this condition). These susceptible breeds are the Basset Hound, Cocker Spaniel, Chihuahua, Poodle, Silky Terrier, Australian Terrier, Dachshund, Maltese, Lhasa Apso, Shetland Sheepdog, German Shepherd, and the West Highland White Terrier.

Once your dog has a yeast infection affecting his/her skin, it’s very important to keep the oil secretions on the skin to a minimum, since the sebaceous oil produced by the skin will actually “feed” the yeast infection.

Sometimes a yeast infection in your dog will manifest as a localized rash affecting only a small part of the body, while other times the infection can affect the entire body, in which event, the infection may be accompanied by an unpleasant smell.

If the whole body is affected, then frequent bathing is recommended (twice per week, and leaving the shampoo on the dog for 15 minutes before rinsing), while for smaller areas you may be able to treat only the small area. One way of doing this is by dabbing diluted vinegar (half vinegar and half water) on the rash on a daily basis.

There are specific anti-fungal shampoos that your vet may recommend, that contain various chemicals, including some brands of human dandruff shampoo.

But you should also treat the problem from the inside out. Your vet may prescribe a drug treatment, usually Ketoconazole, which can have some nasty side effects. But there are some very effective natural remedies for dog skin conditions that can work just as well as the drugs, but without the undesirable side effects.

Click on the links following for more information on some products that may help:

Natural Yeast Infection Treatment for Dogs – Dog Skin and Coat Tonic

Toxin Remover – detoxes the dog’s system, which assists with allergies

Immune Support for Pets – a healthy immune system can beat almost any illness or disease