How To Keep Your Pet Healthy

By Mr. John Sommer, PhD.

Being either a cat owner or a dog owner you will most likely know these 7 tips. But study shows that you are probably not aware of the importance of each them so in order for your pet to have the best possible health condition I am here to remind you.

* Exercise amount: Whether you have a cat or a dog it is vitally important that you make sure that it gets the right about of physical activity. Larger pets will require more exercise than smaller pets.

* Exercise type: Most cats will want to stay outside and as long as you let it do that itll do the necessary physical activity that it needs. For dogs you need to take them for longer walk once, twice or even three times a day. If you can take them for a swim occasionally that would be beneficial as well.

*Excess for is bad: Be sure not to overfeed your pet. Most cats and smaller dogs will only eat when they are hungry will many larger breed dogs will eat whatever you put in front of them and they can't stop until the food is gone.

* Proper nutrition: Make sure to provide your pet with healthy organic foods. If youre in doubt what would be right for your particular pet be sure to ask your VET. Dont guess and end up making vital mistakes.

* Love: Just like humans a pet will need love from you and from anyone else in your family. Without love a pet will lose the will to live just like a human would. Talk to your pet daily using happy words and make sure to keep a physical contact as well.

* Insurance and medication: Be sure to sign up for a pet insurance in case of emergencies. You never know what could happen and not being able to pay for proper surgery and medication will not be something you want to experience.

* Plan: Make sure you use a schedule for all major appointments. Be sure to note the regular VET check-ups and that your pet gets any medication or vaccines that it'll need. Small things like these will add up in the long run. - 31975

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Dog Behavioral Problems - 4 EZ Solutions

By James M. Hussey

Many dog owners are faced with bad behavior in their dogs, and if you're dealing with dog behavioral problems, it's advisable to act as quickly if possible. If bad dog behavior is tolerated, you may end up with a bigger problem on your hands. Thankfully, there are many no-brainer ways to adjust dog behavior issues in a humane and loving way.

Dog behavioral problems can vary from adorable, but annoying little problems, to full fledged threatening issues such as a dog attack. Though there are various causes of behavioral problems, the solutions are pretty consistent. The old saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," isn't an excuse and with consistent training, you can overcome dog behavior problems. Let's look at four user-friendly dog training tips.

1. Keep it Up. This is the non-negotiable piece of advice when training any pet. You may be tempted to let them slide every once in awhile, but this will only serve to undo your efforts. Be consistent with praise as well as with corrections and your pet will begin to understand that you are indeed the pack leader.

2. Positive Reinforcement is Vital. While many traditional dog training techniques, e.g.: putting your dog's nose in their mess, may be initially effective, they may actually produce more issues down the road. Building up and praising your dog helps your dog associate good behavior with good rewards, and is a very effective means of tackling even the toughest dog behavior problems.

In brief, positive reinforcement means that you reward a dog when he or she does what you are training him or her to do, and hold back the reward when they don't. Even the most stubborn pet will begin to respond to these methods, when they are applied consistently.

3. Get a Crate. One of the simplest ways to put an end to destructive behavior is to provide your dog with clear cut boundaries. Crating them while you're away, or when you need some space is an effective and humane method to control your pet. You may need to introduce them to the crate slowly, and give them time to get used to being confined. The key is to be consistent and reward them for controlling themselves in their crate. A crate should never be used as a punishment, insted as a quiet place for them to go and be at ease.

4. A last piece of advice for you and especially your immediate family members. Once the dog behavioral problems are addressed, and the corrective training has started, it is absolutely crucial that everyone who deals with the dog use the same-exact training commands and positive reinforcement. Everyone must be consistent in the handling of the dog. If not, your poor pooch will become very uncertain and may act out even more than before the positive reinforcement training was begun.

Once you have these methods in place, you can easily begin to solve dog behavioral issues without undue stress to you or your pet. A well behaved pet is a happy pet and you'll appreciate the lack of destructive and potentially harmful dog behavioral problems. - 31975

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7 Things That Can Be Deadly To Your Dog

By Ana Walsh

Since humans and dogs have a different bodies and metabolisms, dogs cannot eat the same things a human can. To protect your dog from some serious problems here are the 7 foods a dog should never eat.

1. Certain types of bones: It seems to be common believe that dogs can eat just about any bone. The truth, however, is that bones can be very dangerous to your pet, even deadly. Bones can splinter and cause obstruction or laceration to their digestive system.

Chicken bones and fish bones are by far the most harmful. Even the bones they sell at pet stores such as green dental bones and rawhide have caused some problems. If you insist on giving them a bone, make sure it's thick. The thicker the better. Do not give them bones that splinter.

2. Mushrooms: They may be yummy, but they can contain toxins that cause shock and possibly death in dogs.

3. Raw fish: While raw fish may not kill your dog in small amounts, it can cause a vitamin B deficiency when fed regularly, which will cause seizures, and possibly even death.

4. Anything containing caffeine (chocolate, coffee, etc.): Affects your dog's heart and nervous system, and can be deadly.

5. Alcohol: Getting your dog drunk is not going to be funny when they end up dying from it. Dogs can get alcohol poisoning very easily. Remember, their body size is much smaller than yours. Even large dogs are smaller than people (usually). Plus, a person can (typically) know when they've had too many drinks. A dog can't. Dogs have a tendency to get into people's drinks during parties. During parties, make sure to keep your dog somewhere they won't have any chances of accidentally drinking alcoholic beverages.

6. Human medications: Sometimes, a vet will tell you to give human medications to your dog. When this happens, you need to be sure to only give the exact amount the vet recommended. Never give more without checking with the vet first. Remember, your dog's body weight is much lower than yours. That tiny pill can cause major problems.

7. Macadamia nuts: No one knows exactly what is in Macadamia nuts that is toxic, but it is known they will cause cause locomotory problems in dogs, even if they only ingest a small handful.

These are just 7 of many substances that are dangerous for your dog. Dog poisoning is very serious and unfortunately, quite common. Hundreds of thousands of dogs die each year from poisoning. Many owners do not know what they can and cannot give their dog, and accidentally poison them.

Owners accidentally giving toxins to their dogs aren't the only cause of poisoning, dogs also get into things they shouldn't. Owners need to be more careful about educating themselves, and keeping dangerous substances out of reach. - 31975

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Flea Allergies And Your Dog

By Catherine V. Testaratti

If you have a dog that is driving you crazy up all night chewing and itching, then he most likely is suffering from an allergy to fleas. Sounds ridiculous but it's more common than you think. For some dogs, this can turn into a serious problem, especially if left untreated.

Flea allergies in dogs can begin as early as puppies but seems to be most prevalent in older adult dogs. Adult fleas will not live for a long time if they are not on a dog or cat. But that doesn't really reassure you now does it?

The adult flea makes the initial bite but when it falls off it dies. The eggs left behind will hatch and continue the process. Getting control of the infestation is critical to curing the problem.

Regular treatment and monitoring can keep your dog or cat free of fleas. Anyone who has had a pet that suffers from this condition can tell you that the constant chewing can be a total pain. Chronic conditions can sometimes lead to behavioral problems in your dog.

To determine if your dog is infested with fleas that might be causing an allergic reaction, you can look for flea dirt or fleas. The vet may want to test for mites if no fleas are visible. A noticeable increase in chewing and itching is a sure symptom of a flea allergy but can also be an indication of mites.

Fleas can also bite humans so if you think you might have an infestation in the house or yard, it's best to treat those areas as well. Really it only takes a couple of bites to set your dog's flea allergy in motion. Treating the dog without treating the home or yard can just lead to another infestation.

As you might imagine, a condition like a flea allergy can be extremely uncomfortable for your pet. Quick treatment like a dip or flea shampoo will bring instant relief. The application of a monthly topical applied to the back of your dogs neck will provide continuous protection.

Quick diagnosis and treatment will help relive your dog from his suffering. Chewing and itching along with hair loss are sure signs of a flea allergy. Additionally you might see lesions in numerous places over the dog's body.

Remember that continuous treatment is necessary to keep your dog flea free. Initially you might have to give your dog a couple of dip baths before you notice the fleas disappearing as well as treating the interior of you home. You owe it to your pet to be diligent in the battle to rid them of fleas, and they will appreciate you for it! - 31975

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What Causes Mange And How To Treat It

By Catherine V. Testaratti

Mange is an itchy, inflammatory disease caused by the mite Demodex. Making a determination of which mite your dog is infected with can determine the seriousness of mange. Typically mange in dogs is referred to as Demodicosis.

Mange can cause immune system problems, lesions and genetic disorders if left untreated. Both cats and dogs are known to contract this uncomfortable disease. Your dog's side effects will be different depending on which mite your pet is infected with.

There are two forms of Demodectic mange that can affect your pet. Localized will effect a specific area whereas generalized will be in many places over the entire body. Once the vet determines which type of demodectic mange your dog has, proper treatment will be determined.

Localized mange is the mild form typically appearing around the dog's trunk, legs or face with small patches of lesions. Generalized mange is mostly over the entire body in the form of patches of lesions accompanied by redness of the skin. There is no known cause for mange but some doctors believe that problems with the dogs immune system might predispose a dog or cat to this condition.

It has been determined that mange is caused by three identifiable mites. Transmission is unknown with two of the three. However, Demodex canis is a type of mite that gets into the hair follicle and skins and is likely to be transferred during nursing to the newborn from the mother.

There are a couple of ways to diagnosis demodectic mange in your dog or cat. Either a sample of urine can be tested if that is available, but also by testing a piece of scraped skin. Another possibility could be that your dog may have a bacterial infection of the hair follicle instead of mange.

Localized mange can be cured easily by itself over a period of time. The generalized mange can be more difficult to cure. Lime-sulphur dips and constant medication can relieve some of the symptoms. There are some cases that are more severe and you will need to weigh your options with the vet for the best solution for the dog.

Remember that if your dog is diagnosed with mange, you will need to continue to monitor the condition. If your pet requires treatment, you must continue to test skin scrapings for the presence of mites. As with generalized cases, medication must be administered regularly and continuously in order to control the spread of mange.

As with any chronic condition, it is suggested that you not breed a dog with chronic mange. Prevention may be as easy as maintaining the good health of your pet. Regular bathing and grooming and healthy diet can help prevent the onset of mange. - 31975

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Natural Flea Repellent for Dogs - Preferable to Commercial Treatment

By Larry Ginger

If your dog is tainted with fleas then you should know that there are better selections to the popular anti flea products that are obtainable in popular pet shops and grocery stores. These are natural flea repellent for dogs that are you can find in specialty pet stores and online herbal pet shops. A lot of people today are becoming mindful of the value of using herbal remedies to treat the different afflictions that are disturbing animals such as dogs.

Natural remedies are considered as healthy, not only to animals but also to humans and additionally to the environment. With the current condition of the planet, we need to all be instrumental to helping form a better environment for the present and future generations to enjoy. One way to do this is to patronize natural products that are obliging to the earth and will not give rise to contamination.

Natural flea repellent for dogs are composed with herbs and other offerings from mother nature that are competent in staving off fleas. These are ingredients that are harmless to humans and are actually pleasing to the smell but are annoying to infestations such as fleas. Your dogs will also like a natural flea repellent for dogs as a result of the fact that they don't embody material that could cause allergies and other discomfort.

Some of the most common components based in these flea repellents incorporate lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus which are all pleasant smelling ingredients but are powerful in eliminating fleas and other parasites. Lavender for example is a very fragrant ingredient but it is a substance that fleas really hate. The same is accurate with eucalyptus.

Another benefit of using a natural flea repellent for dogs is that they are best for the reason that they are designed to treat. This is because holistic treatments promote the general health and wellness of pets and not only treat certain symptoms the way conventional remedies do. Eucalyptus for example is not only beneficial as a flea repellent, it is also an powerful anti-inflammatory that is effective in caring for skin irritations.

The best reason though, to change from conventional flea repellents to natural treatments is for the fact that the latter is free from harm. Conventional treatments include chemicals and other synthetic ingredients that can be crude to the senses and can cause more harm than good before all else when used for a drawn out period of time. - 31975

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Your Dog Keeping You Awake

By Catherine V. Testaratti

Many new dog owners are totally unaware of the needs of their pet. They feel like they need to feed them, let them out in the yard and give them a little love and that's all. Well, there is a lot more to it then that.

A lot of new dog owners complain about their puppies or dog keeping them awake at night. As puppies they are so cute and we make the mistake of letting them sleep in our beds. Then as they get older, they either become too big or they just become bed hogs.

As we try and eliminate the problem of loosing our bed to the new dog, we are faced with another issue. The dog is not sleeping at night and spends it's time roaming around whining, barking and keeping everyone awake. Everyone is crabby and the house is up in roars.

Dogs can feel anxieties as we humans can. Sometimes your dog might be suffering from separation anxiety when he exhibits the whining and barking behavior when you are trying to separate them from the rest of the family at bedtime. Just moving his bed to your room or crating him in your room will solve this problem.

Many dog trainers are big fans of crating your dog. From the get go, keeping your dog in a crate for sleeping or when you are away will give them a sense of security. Don't feel bad when you crate your dog, you are really doing them a favor.

Try getting a friend for you dog. Doing a good thing by adopting an abandoned pet and providing your pup with a buddy can help relive anxieties when you leave. The dogs will play and tire themselves out which will help with nighttime sleeping.

Having a dog that is anxious and needy can also mean that they are not getting enough exercise. Exercising dogs, especially the hyper dog, is critical to a good night's sleep. Work your dog's exercise regime in with yours for a happier, tired dog.

During the day while you are at work, your dog is usually home sleeping. Then when you return home for the evening, the dog is wired for sound. Keeping your dog active is the key to a peaceful nights sleep.

Younger more active dogs are in definite need of exercising. As dogs get older, they will slow down but you still need to take them out for walks and socialization. Being a responsible pet owner will provide your dog with a happy and healthy life and afford you a good night's sleep! - 31975

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Your Dog and His Diet

By Catherine V. Testaratti

As pet owners, our primary responsibility to make sure we are doing our part to keep our pets healthy. Sometimes that is not such an easy task. Diet is a main source of their health but with so many different types of food available, how do we know what's best for our pet?

With our pets now being part of our family, we are more concerned about getting their needs met. With diet being a major factor in that, we will share some good facts to know. Of course, some dogs might require special diets so check with your vet for their opinion.

Something that we don't think about is that dog food for dogs have certain requirements. Being the carnivores that they are, we forget that they also need vegetables and grasses as part of their diet. Get familiar with what your dog's dietary needs are to make sure that they are being fed a healthy diet.

Back in the days before us humans got involved with prepackaged dog food, a dog's diet left up to their own devices would consist of something a lot different. They would be eating their own catch of prey, uncooked of course with a little grass and some seasonal fruits and berries. Today we scream and holler if they even remotely look like they are heading out for the kill.

Within society today, it is intolerable for dogs to hunt for their fresh prey to eat. We have domesticated them to a point where they are dependent on their owners for their food. We certainly do not see our sweet little dogs as the hunter's they were originally born to be.

The origin of the dog's breed as well as the lifestyle of the dog can determine the diet necessary. Lap dogs of course are not going to have the same requirements as a hard working police dog or say a dog from the Artic Circle. Make sure if you are not certain about the needs of your dog concerning it's diet that you check with your vet or the internet.

We are finding that many commercial premium brand foods are full of many of the proper nutrients required for a dog's healthy diet. The manufacturer does regular feeding trails on these foods and monitors the dogs used for the testing throughout their life span. Just make sure that you choose the more popular well-known brands of commercial food.

Some of the downsides to commercial processed foods are that they do contain preservatives that will break down some of the nutritional value of the food. Additives are usually added to meet certain nutritional requirements as well. If you are uncertain about the food, your vet will usually carry good premium brands so check with them.

One important fact to remember is that your dogs diet needs to be supplemented with vegetables and meats. In addition to diet, dogs need exercise as well as socialization. Our dogs are truly an addition to our family and they should be treated as such. - 31975

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Does Your Dog Pee When Excited or Scared

By Catherine V. Testaratti

There is a common problem among puppies or adult dogs that are submissive and it is spontaneous peeing when excited or scared. We are learning that these problems are easy to fix by following a few of the steps below. Remember to always be consistent when training or working with a dog to rid them of their bad habits.

After first taking your dog to the vet for a checkup to make sure there are not medical problems; then we know that your dog suffers from submissive/excitement issues. This is very common in puppies and very submissive adult dogs so don't worry, it can be fixed. You will be surprised at how fast we can correct this behavior.

Being dominant over your dog or looking into its eyes without any peeing we can determine that your dog's issue is with excitement. However, if you are noticing that the peeing is occurring when you are scolding the dog or it's in a dominated situation then it is safe to say your dog suffers from a submissive issue. Many dogs have these problems but they are easily dealt with.

First of all, never yell at your submissive dog because it leads to insecure behavior. Train your dog to roll over, shake or sit up and reward her with praise and a treat. Submissive dogs need more kit gloves, no yelling, get to their level when engaging and as always pet them by scratching under the chin; never on top of their head.

One thing to remember is that if they do have an accident, don't respond to it, just wipe it up. However, when they do go in the appropriate place, you need to praise the dog for a good job. Repetition of this behavior will raise the dogs self confidence and slowly correct the problem of submissiveness.

For excitement peeing, this typically happens with puppies that are less than a year old. With older dogs as well, peeing can occur when friends come to visit or when you arrive home from work. As with the submissive, do not react, just clean it up and praise positively when the dog or puppy pee's in the right place.

While playing with your puppy, he can get excited and pee so make sure you do all the playing out in the yard or in a protected area. As we mentioned before, if there are accidents, do not react and eventually you will see this problem subside. We can't use the word praise enough so remember to make sure you acknowledge the good deed.

When you arrive home, we recommend that you keep your greeting to a minimum. High pitched voices and rowdy behavior can trigger peeing so keep it to a minimum. We do suggest no immediate greeting when you get home as to not encourage the high energy behavior

Don't feel you are mistreating the dog, remember they are not humans. This can work to cure the excited peeing dog. Calm hello greetings when the dog is not excited, affirms the calm behavior, whereas the greeting when the dog is excited encourages the excited behavior, which makes perfect sense. - 31975

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Families and their Pets

By Catherine V. Testaratti

Getting a pet can be a big step for any family. What if you are a person who lives alone or a family that loves to take vacations? These are important things to consider before you make that important decision.

I bet we have all known people who have decided to get a dog before children just to see if they can handle that commitment. Well, pets can end up being with you a lot longer. Well, unless the run away or you decide you can't handle the responsibility that comes with having a pet.

I don't think people think about how long of a commitment it is to raise a cat or dog. Some can live 20+ years. That's sometimes longer than our children stay with us and you are feeding your pet, taking them to the doctor and boarding them when you take a vacation.

At least with children, there comes a time when they can stay on their own. Then they move away and go to college, eventually marrying and finally starting their own life with someone else. Well, I know that children do come and go and are always going to need us to some extent, but cat's and dog's can't survive without us.

So looking back on the idea of a pet to see how you would handle the responsibility of children might make you second-guess that decision right? We love our pets unconditionally and they bring us great companionship. But had we thought about the long-term responsibility we were going to have with a pet, we might have thought twice.

I have grown to love our cats and they are a great comfort to me in this quiet house. Little did I know when my daughter begged and pleaded for a pet that she would not take them when she moved out. She has gone on to college, loves her carefree life, and I am hiring someone to watch them so I can take a vacation.

Funny when you think about it. We look to those years when are kids become independent and head off to start their lives, little did we know that we were going to be here all alone with their pets. I find it kind of ironic but at the same time, it's a nice thing to have the pets here to keep us company now that the kids are gone.

All our pets desire is food, affection and a warm lap to sit in. Love your pets like you've loved your children and they will be there for you when the kids have come and gone. They are all gifts and we can't keep them forever, but we are lucky enough to have them for a time and that is the true gift.

Which brings us to the original questions; are you ready for a pet. I think the better question should be are the parents. This lifelong commitment is one that you will carry long after your children are gone but is also a commitment that can continue to give love in those quiet times and that's the best thing of all. - 31975

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