pet-news

Upside to Recession : Pets are Welcome in More Places!

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:47:40 +0100

The recession and changing attitudes about pets as companions have made some rules for dogs in public areas more relaxed. Most public gardens now welcome leashed pets. Many street side cafes no longer require you to tie your pet outside the gate. Almost all hotels will accept your dog, even those that have a "no pets policy" on the website. So before you decide your dog cannot possibly accompany you on a public outing, just give a phone call. You may be pleasantly surprised.

How to keep your dog's nose out of the trash!

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:33:10 +0100

It's lunchtime and you're doing your dog mother duty - coming home to walk Kingfish. You walk in, confident that the Kong filled with peanut butter you left kept him out of the trash. Suddenly, the stench of old bananas and stale milk reach your nostrils. There is trash strewn all over the downstairs. Kingfish is cowering behind a chair.

What will end this? Try being sneaky - when you leave the house, leave the door unlocked, hide behind the bushes for a few seconds, then burst back in. This way, you catch your dog in the act of sampling the trash and can reprimand him. Do this for a week and you'll likely find your dog cured. He may even start doing the dishes. ;-)

Calm your dog with Chamomile

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:30:09 +0100

Depending on the sensitivity of your canine, the sounds of airplanes, thunderstorms and even doorbells can cause a pooch panic. Although we can't always predict when a low-flying jet will pass overhead, there are plenty of resources to put us on alert when intense weather is in the forecast. This allows us time to both help relax and reward our dog with the help of chamomile.

Chamomile is a safe and natural sedative, derived from a daisy-like plant, that can be effective in calming an anxious dog. As our dogs can't exactly sip a mug of herbal tea, some innovative companies now offer chamomile-infused chews. Sam's Yams makes a treat that combines the nutritional benefit of natural sweet potato with the calming effects of chamomile. These antioxidant rich "Calmly Chamomile Yam Bones" should safely satisfy your dog's natural chewing urges while helping him to weather the storm.

An ancient yet futuristic dog chew

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:25:53 +0100

As the use of rawhide has faded, new and creative chews like dried sweet potato have emerged. Another newcomer is the Himalayan Dog Chew. These are preservative-free and made of cow and yak milk. And although raw dairy products are known to cause doggy digestion issues, many cooked cheeses are commonly used as training treats.

This product is not made to be attractive, but instead to appeal to a dog's natural urge to chew while avoiding the potential health and safety issues of rawhide. Whereas many rawhide replacements don't stand up to a tough chewer, Himalayan Chews are very hard without being prone to fragmentation. And according to the manufacturer, this product is actually a human grade product.

How to stop your dog from "yellowing" the lawn..

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:02:33 +0100

It's hard to have a nice lawn when Fido leaves yellow patches everywhere. Nitrogen is a common component in dog urine, and excess amounts can cause "burning" of grass. Here are some ways to keep your lawn free of yellowing:

1. Prevent your pooch from urinating in the same place.

2. Make sure that your pet has access to fresh water - this helps dilute the nitrogen.

3. Water the area where your pet relieved himself to lower the concentration.

4. Consider GrassSaver Supplement or GrassSaver Biscuits to help your dog's pee from being so potent.

Symptoms of a Flea Infestation

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:24:54 +0100

The summer months are prime time for fleas, which thrive in the heat. And if untreated, they can lead to tapeworms and other diseases.

Symptoms of an infestation can include: 1. Severe itching that causes a skin rash, legions and possibly ulcers, 2. dermatitis, and 3. scratching and biting at the inflamed area on the skin. Flea attacks are most common on your dog's, head, neck and tail.

The symptoms of fleas appear suddenly and range from very mild to severe. Be on the lookout for fleas crawling through your dog's fur, particularly in your dog's skin folds. Adult fleas are flat with 3 pairs of legs, brownish in color and 2 - 8mm long. Also look for "flea dirt" (excrement) in your dogs bedding and skin.

How to help an Arthritic Dog get comfortable..

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:03:14 +0100

Canine arthritis is a progressive condition that can occur within any joint, though the hips are most commonly affected. In addition to proper medical treatment, here are tips to increase comfort for arthritic dogs:

1. Help your pet maintain a healthy body weight. Leaner body mass relieves pressure on the joints. 2. Monitor your dog's exercise. Too much strenuous exercise can be harmful, while too little will weaken muscles and cause inflamed joints. 3. Do not encourage exertion such as leaping or extended running. 4. Prevent jumping up onto beds other places within your home. Consider a step stool to help your dog up to his/her favorite bed or couch. 5. Consider dog food and treats that are rich in glucosamine, cherry extract and other ingredients that help promote healthy joints.

Eight ways to deal with a Finicky Eater

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:34:51 +0100

You've likely had your dog on the same food for a while now so it's no surprise if he's starting to turn up his nose at it. Many dogs are finicky eaters, some breeds more than others. The Basenji, Siberian Husky, and the Yorkie are just a few. In the wild, dogs will eat most anything but, in our homes, they learn that some foods are edible and some are fantastic. Even if you're diligent about not feeding your pet people food, they smell it and see it on the dining table. Never feed your pet from the table as this whets his appetite for steak and lowers your position as alpha.

There's a difference between a picky eater and a finicky eater. A picky eater will only occasionally refuse to eat and can be easily tempted with a slice of cheese added to his bowl. A finicky eater is what we deal with here, a dog who has decided he's giving up dog food for good. First, you want to rule any health issues out first when a dog makes any behavioral change but if your vet gives your pup the thumbs up, there are several ways to get him to eat without disrupting his stomach.

Ways to Persuade a Finicky Eater

1. Tone Down the Treats - A finicky eater is more likely to eat if he's not comparing his dog food to a liver treat.

2. Feed Often - Try feeding smaller amounts of his regular food three or four times a day.

3. Exercise - It's good for so many things and it increases a dog's hunger. Try always exercising your pup before a meal.

4. Spay or Neuter - If you haven't already, fix your pup. Besides the many health and behavioral benefits, it can help prevent a finicky eater.

5. Make it Positive - Always make feeding time a positive experience. If your pup associates it with irritability or punishment from you, he will be less likely to want to eat.

6. Keep It Quiet - Feed your dog in a quiet area without children or other dogs mulling around.

7. Try Different Times - Some dogs eat better in the afternoon, others eat better an hour after you're home. Test it and see what time and situation work best for yours.

8. Resist Temptations - Try the other tips before giving into the urge to tempt your finicky pup to eat with people food. You'll find that a few pieces of cooked chicken will perhaps tempt him for a time but he'll soon grow bored of that, too.

The proper amount of food is essential for a healthy dog. A finicky eater can be underweight or even overweight because of the goodies his owner tempts him with. An underweight dog can have trouble with his bone density, and his kidneys and liver and are more prone to skin infections. An overweight dog can have heart trouble and joint trouble.

If all else fails, ham it up. Before you serve your dog his dinner, raise it close to your face and pretend to eat it saying "Yum!" and "Hmm, hmm!" You may feel silly but remember there's no one around and your pet won't tell on you.

How to keep your dog cool on car trips...

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:30:53 +0100

You might think you are going for a quick car ride with your pet, but perhaps there is a traffic jam, a road block, a detour or an air conditioning failure.

To avoid worry, pop into the drugstore today and pick up a couple of those disposable cold packs - the ones you break and shake for sports injuries. Then, if the temperature rises, you and your pet will still keep cool and relatively comfy with a chilly ice pack sitting on your hot necks.

What it means when your dog sniffs "down there", quite interesting..

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:28:40 +0100

Some dogs are so affectionate that they're not content with licking your face. They also want to share your more private smells which can prove embarrassing for you or an unsuspecting visitor.

Men and women alike are victims of this socially awkward behavior. Dogs do this out of a natural instinct to learn about this person (in the same way they sniff each others behinds) and out of habit. Keep in mind that dogs have a very strong sense of smell so they can learn a lot about a person through sniffing.

This strong sense of smell also leads to another reason canines might sniff that private area - because some dogs can actually sense prostrate cancer. They can detect a problem just sniffing people but, according to a recent study, can actually pick up the scent of chemicals associated with early prostrate cancer in urine.