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

About the Author:

Author info: J. Sommer is amongst the top experts on pet health and will assist you in finding cheap pet insurance for your pet. Get valuable insights by visit his pet portal at www.petinsurancepro.com.

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

About the Author:

James M. Hussey loves his dog, no matter the dog behavioral problems. He freelances on Elance as "JamestheJust," writing killer web content and SEO articles for his clients. Dog Pet Stores is one of his recent blogs, and has answers to dog behavior questions and doggie goods.

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

About the Author:

Visit my website for more tips and tricks! I cover everything from paper training your dog to solving dog chewing problems at DogBehaviorExpert.com

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

About the Author:

Have an Animal that you Love? Visit Catherine's favorite Pet Supplies for Dogs website that uses nature's highest quality ingredients. They have the most amazing Natural Organic Dog Shampoos available.

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

About the Author:

Have a Pet that you Love? Visit Catherine's recommended Pet Supplies for Dogs online store that uses nature's highest quality ingredients. They have the most wonderful Natural Organic Dog Shampoos available.

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

About the Author:

So if you love your dog and if it's wellness is meaningful to you then you will give him a natural flea repellent for dogs. Some people don't realize that natural flea repellent are safer for your dog and work better than chemical based flea treatment. You can compare and choose at http://dogwithfleas.com

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

About the Author:

Have a Pet that you Care For? Check out Catherine's favorite Pet Supplies for Dogs website that uses nature's highest quality ingredients. They have the most wonderful Natural Organic Dog Shampoos available.