Saucy Pet

Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

The moment we start noticing that our dogs are scratching continually and they seem to be bad-tempered throughout the day because of itchiness, there is a very big possibility that our dogs are infected with dog fleas!

While nobody wants their dogs to get infected with this dreaded pinhead-sized pest (read more: Dog Flea Size), these pests sometimes do find themselves on poor unsuspecting dogs; and before we know it, our cuddly dogs are cuddly no more because of these fleas.

Before the swarm spreads, we should without more argument administer some flea control medicine to our dogs.

The Effects of Dog Flea Infection

Let us not be fooled. These pests may only measure about one-eighth of an inch but their effects can cause serious problems to our dogs and even to us!

Dog fleas do not only cause irritation and itchiness to dogs or other pets; these can also cause the same to the pet owners if both are unaware that there is already a small army of fleas living off on our dogs.

The skin of the dog can get so irritated by flea bites that they develop rashes in certain spots; the irritated skin can get swollen; and of course incessant itching will likely occur.

There could also be perceptible hair loss and blood loss if the fleas remain untreated for a long time. Over time, the injure can be so severe that death may even occur in excessive cases.

Treatment & Prevention

At the first sign of a flea infestation on our dogs, we should without delay take them to the vet as this is the safest and surest way to learn all about treatment and prevention of dog fleas.

Qualified personnel on animal care can tell us which products will work best for our dogs as there are other factors that we need to consider of before getting any flea control product off the rack.

Our dog’s age, size and sometimes even breed are taken into account in order to get the most effective flea control product for them.

Normally, these flea control products come in the form of spray, powder, collar and pills. There are specific tablets and sprays for certain ages of dogs as strong ones can be potent to a small dog.

The thing to remember is that we shouldn’t holdup treatment of the dog flea infestation as this can only get worse as days go by and the trouble could turn into something bigger if left untreated.

related readings:
Dog Pregnancy Length
World’s Smallest Dog

Not everybody can afford to pay a few hundred dollars per month to cover the pet’s grooming costs. People more willingly turn to pet grooming tips to care for their four-legged friends at home, as a form of saving money. Unfortunately, with more special breeds, home grooming is a nightmare.

Choose brushes carefully because they have to match the hair thickness and length. Maximum two brushes should do for regular brushing. For a good choice, read some pet grooming tips related to coat care specific for your pet’s breed. The pet supplies are not a problem with local pet stores and online dealers.

Read pet grooming tips about how to clean the pet’s ear. Wax, dirt and hair make a very unpleasant combination building up in the ear canals and thus reduce the auditive acuity of your pet. The hair needs to be carefully pulled out frequently, so that wax does not build up on it. Use some special accessories that you put on the fingers when gripping this hair, because both scissors and the naked fingers can cause damage to the tissues.

Clipping toenails is another challenge, and many home pet grooming tips can help you with it. Pet owners don’t like long claws because they mean damage to the carpets, floors and unpleasant scratching. You’ll just need a pair of nail clippers and a few pet grooming tips about how to cut the nails without hurting the pet and keeping the discomfort minimum. Read online materials and even ask the veterinarian for recommendations.

The eyes also require special care, particularly since pet’s tearing has a staining effect. While some breeds are prone to tearing, with others, tears are a sign of an existent medical condition. A bit of hydrogen peroxide in warm water should reduce the discoloration on light colored pets but you have to be extremely careful and not get too close to the eyes. This is not a standard pet grooming solution, but rather an improvisation that could prove a very bad idea on certain occasions.

Otherwise, with a little care and interest, you can implement many pet grooming tips successfully for your pet’s well being. Keep in mind the fact that grooming requires regularity, and you need to devote some time to it on a weekly basis. In the absence of proper care, nails and hair condition deteriorates rapidly, do not neglect their importance for your pet’s well being.

Once you have a puppy, you get familiar with the routine of daily feeding. An elevated dog bowl will benefit you and your dog in many ways.  The most common bowl that sits on the ground will always be a classic, yet, these bowls can be very dangerous on bigger dogs.

There are a number of medical issues that are associated with eating at such a low height, and the mess is greater as well.

Stomach Bloat
While rare, stomach bloat happens most commonly when dogs inhale their food from regular bowls. The next time your dog is eating, watch how his food will immediately disappear.

Yes, dogs are fast eaters by nature, you never know when the next dog will try to take your meal, but the posture they must stand to eat from a bowl on the floor adds to the problem.

By gobbling their food at such an angle, most dogs inhale a lot of air.  That air can inflate the stomach and even cause it to twist.  If your dog has a turned stomach, it is a very critical emergency.

Few dogs make it through this painful issue and most will repeat the twisting within a short period of time.  On a less serious note, there is also the gas to deal with, and that is uncomfortable for you as well as your pet.  Elevating the bowl eliminates the possibility.

Joints and Muscles
Older dogs have a little more trouble bending down to eat their food and is very harmful on joints and muscles.  The resulting pressure on elbows and wrists as they crouch over causes them to eat quickly or unfavorably.

Imagine attempting to eat while bent at the waist from a surface at arms length.  That is what dogs do every time they eat from a dish on the floor.  The position is bad for their posture and makes eating hard.  Raising the food helps decrease tension on those sensitive joints.

No Cleaning
A dog that is eating or drinking at the appropriate height makes less of a mess. There is no longer a reason to quickly throw the food back to the throat, and they don’t have to eat so frantically. 

With less pressure on their joints, dogs relax a bit and enjoy their food more.  If you have a dog that really bolts their food no matter what, consider adding a bolt preventing bowl to an elevated feeder.  It will force your pet to slow down.

Elevated dog bowls are easily found either at your local pet store or online.  To get the height to your dog, measure your dog at the withers.  The withers are the front shoulder joint.  Subtract six inches and you have the correct height for your dog’s bowl. 

Find a bowl that can accommodate that height and give it a try.  Both you and your dog will be happier about feeding time and as a bonus, you won’t have to bend quite as far to put the food in the bowl.

Everyone wants their pet to be healthy. The diet of your pet dog plays a vital role in keeping it healthy and happy. It is vital that you be extremely careful in picking the dog food for your pet. Read on for some considerations and recommendations about choosing dog food.

The 1st and the basic step in this direction is to watch out for the ingredients of the dog food. For this it is essential that you completely go thru the list of ingredient as mentioned on the product package. Ensure that the product is unfettered by any sort of constituents that might prove damaging to your pet’s health. Remember that any dog food that has chicken by-product, bone meal, birds derivative and meat by-product as the primary few ingredients on the list ; then such dog food is a total no-no.

Apart from the ingredients, you should also make a scheme to pay attention to other nutritive facets of the food you choose. For example, you should check the quantity of calories in a selected food item. If the food item is extraordinarily high on calories then you will attempt to skip using the product all together. Also, check if the product contains all the nutrients in acceptable quantities.

The dog food has to be better to the nutritive duty of your dog. This criterion of selection is critical because different races of dogs have the nutritive duty of nutrition. It has been noted the smaller dogs are more in need of carbs. On the other hand the dogs which are huge in size need more of minerals and vitamins quantity. So first update yourself about the nutritive wants of you dogs. Only then purchase a dog food which is able to meet the desired nutritional need.

In the procedure of choosing dog food, you must also be careful about the preservatives employed in the dog food. There have been cases of firms selling dog food with chemicals which are damaging for your dog. The common suspects here are BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. It is recommended that you select dog food that has Vitamin C as preservative.

Always select safer dog foods. For this it is essential You need to sometimes go in for foods that are APHIS approved. It’s been revealed that the foods which have APHIS validation are high on safety level as compared to the dog foods that have no such validation. This is so because APHIS approved foods have human grade ingredients in them. Such foods thereby give you a guarantee are not harmful for your pet. A trip to a vet can also prove very helpful as he/she may suggest the food brand that can work for you pet in the right demeanour.

Be truly carful when you are choosing the dog food. In reality, be as careful as you would be when you are be when you are choosing food for your baby. Remember that your dog also experiences discomfort but unlike you, it may not tell you when it is suffering discomfort. So it’s best to avoid any possibility of pain in the 1st place by making certain the best diet.

If you have a dog and allergies, there are a few accessories that will make caring for your pet and keeping your home much more friendlily for both the pet and your allergies.

You will need to provide your pet with their own bed. Allowing them to sleep in your bed is asking for your allergies to be set off. Dog beds are available in sizes from extra small to the extra large dog bed. Choose the one that is appropriate for your pet. If you find a bed that has a washable cover it will allow you to keep hair and dander in your home to a minimum. Occasional washing of the bed also helps smells down to a minimum. Be sure that you wipe down the washing machine before the next load.

You are also going to need a good vacuum cleaner. The vacuum helps to keep pet hair and dander picked up off of both bare floors and carpets. There is a Dyson upright vacuum cleaner made especially for homes that have pets called the Dyson animal. These particular vacuums have enough suction to pick up the hair and an effective filtration system that will keep it enclosed until the vacuum is emptied.

Many pets sleep in the laundry room. If this room does not have a vent that is attached to your home’s central heating unit, you may need to use a Delonghi space heater to warm that room so that your pet sleeps in comfort on those long cold winter nights. Set the heater to low and place it out of the pets reach. Am added bonus is that the heater will help to prevent freezing of pipes in the laundry.

If you plan to bathe your pet at home in the bathtub, a hand held shower attachment is very handy. The hand held shower is very effective at rinsing the shampoo from your pet’s hair. It also lets you use warm water for the pet’s bath. Warm water is much more effective at removing smells from the pet.

Pets also need their own food and water dishes. There are lots of inexpensive plastic dishes, but many tend to be tipped over very easily.

Ceramic dishes are heavier and less likely to tip, but are breakable. They can also be washed in the dishwasher.

Stainless steel food and water dishes are very long lasting and virtually indestructible.

If you are thinking about getting a pet then you might consider a few options. Common pets such as cats, rabbits, fish, hamsters and many others are good choices. However, if you are looking for an animal that offers you just about everything you might need, then look no further than getting a dog.

So why exactly is it that dogs are so good as pets? well, one of the best things they bring to the table is the fact that they are wonderful companions and are always very loyal to their owners. If you want to just relax on the sofa they will happily just sit there are your feet. If you are feeling depressed they somehow sense it and will try to cheer you up. Equally if you are happy, they are fantastic to have around and are always there to provide companionship and entertainment.

Another reason is that they are very good at guarding and protecting you. If you go for a walk and you feel a little bit isolated, then you will always feel better with a hound at your side to scare off any possible attacker. Furthermore, they are wonderful house alarms and will bark to high heaven if there are any unwanted intruders.

Dogs are also very good with kids. Whilst there are some breeds who may bite once in a while, for the very most part they are very gentle and will happily play with children in a safe way. As they play they will develop a close bond, making them a loyal and loving companion and guardian.

Last of all, they are not generally expensive to run. Some will cost a lot to buy but once that has been done there are only a few costs to maintain them. Food is the main expense but there are some superb options for cheap but nutritious dog foods available in most pet and food shops.

To treat them for being a great pet however, you may want to look to get them a toy or gift. For some getting some dog apparel or clothes is one way to treat them. You might also want to put in some extra thought or get some cushions for your dogs bed. However, always remember for those slightly more aggressive dogs to get a muzzle, which is essentially like a full face helmet, in order to stop them biting.

Dogs certainly make great pets and are a fantastic addition to any family.

Your diet plays a crucial role in understanding your overall health. The same is the case with your pet. Thus, it only makes sense if you pay a bit more attention while selecting dog food for your pet. These are some straightforward tips and proposals that will help you select the right dog food for your pet.

The first and the basic step in this direction is to keep a look out for the ingredients of the dog food. For this it’s important that you completely go thru the list of ingredient as discussed on the product package. Ensure that the product is unfettered by any kind of citizens that might prove detrimental to your pet’s health. Remember that any dog food which has chicken by-product, bone meal, poultry by-product and meat spinoff as the first few ingredients on the list; then such dog food is a total no-no.

Apart from the ingredients, you must also make an attempt to concentrate on other nutritive facets of the food you choose. For example, you should check the quantity of calories in a particular food item. If the food item is extraordinarily high on calories then you will attempt to skip using the product all together. Also, check if the product contains all the nutrients in sufficient quantities.

When choosing a dog food, you also need to make sure that the dog food of your choice meets the nuritional requirements of your pet. This is as different dog breeds have different nutritional requirements. While smaller dogs need more of carbohydrates, the larger ones need minerals and vitamins in a larger quantity. Check the nutritional requirements of your pet and select a dog food that suits the same.

In the process of choosing dog food, you may also be careful about the preservatives used in the dog food. There have been cases of corporations selling dog food with chemicals which are harmful for your dog. The usual suspects here are BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. It is recommended that you select dog food that has Vitamin C as preservative.

Look for APHIS documentation. Dog foods that are certified by APHIS are a safer bet than the ones that come without certification. APHIS permitted dog foods make use of human grade ingredients. So, with these foods, you may be completely assured that they won’t harm your dog. Besides, you may also consult your pet about the food brands that would work fine for your pet.

Selecting dog food with additional care and caution is critical. While the wrong dog food could deter the general fitness of your youngster, the right food can play a significant role in keeping your pet healthy. So, be careful when picking dog food.

Anyone thinking about buying a dog this Christmas should take the time to think about what exactly they’re letting themselves in for. Too many people buy a puppy and then find 6 months later that they can’t handle it anymore and they inevitably end up handing it in to a shelter. The dogs that don’t even get taken to a shelter just end up on the streets and die. Pet lovers find this thought very hard to deal with, but unfortunately it is a sad reality.

Pets bought at Christmas time are often bought on a whim and no-one considers the long-term impact of owning a pet. Any dog given as a present by a boyfriend should have a comfortable home life and be looked after. However, the best advice is to never buy a pet as a Christmas gift. The reason is due to the high number of people that split up in the New Year and they view the pet they have been given as a token of past affection. In some cases, the dog gets mistreated. Naturally, this is very sad, which is why the pet should never be associated with the person that gave it as a gift. The pet is a family member in its own right.

In many respects, what we need is a more pro-active approach to dog health care, so that the dog doesn’t get sent to a shelter or end up on the streets. Learn about what the dog needs and how it needs affection just like everyone else in the family. If you feed, play and walk it then these are the basic things needed. Spend some time with your dog and swot up on dog health care tips so that the chances of it ending up onto the streets are less likely, as you understand what it takes to care for your pooch. With rising dog numbers in shelters up and down the country, something needs to be done to stop people from buying pets when they can’t look after them properly. A pet only makes a lovely Christmas present if it is cared for properly and the dog health care is top of your priority list.

Pet insurance can actually be very important for many reasons as our house has just recently found out. We have actually had our retriever for many years now and he doesnt seem to have had that many problems which is always good, he has had a skin condition that is rather common with a retriever but other than that nothing.

Over a period of a few weeks his eye was weeping a lot and a black lump had formed over the eye which he didnt mind but it didnt look right. It didn’t seem to bother him or irritate him in anyway at all however it would seem that because we have to keep wiping it that it was starting to get to him which is why we thought we had better take him to the vet. the first time we took him they said he was fine but he would need to come back after we had used some eye drops on him.

To make sure that it stayed away they said that they would need to do a small operation on the eye. The cost was a very large £300. This may not sound much compared to what some pet bills come to but it is still a lot of money to fork out for over the Christmas period. All I can say is that we were very lucky we had some pet insurance as we were going to cancel it a couple of months back because it looked like we were never going to need it.

So it just goes to show that you may need insurance when you don’t think you do. You can even get things like puppy insurance which of course are based around the younger dogs.

If you are thinking about going away to a colder climate this year then make sure you do not forget your ski insurance.

Shopping for your favorite four legged family member this season can be easy. Gifts for dogs are numerous and of every color, shape and size. There are toys and treats, leashes, collars, apparel and bedding. The options are numerous.

If you are looking for a dog bed to purchase, there are many alternatives to choose from. Bedding collections are abundant and each has their own purpose.

Some dog beds are utilized for specialized reasons such as orthopedic or extra support. Some can be waterproof, medical grade or sturdy enough for being outside. Figure out what purpose and where this dog bed will be situated.

Dog beds can be filled with numerous types of filling. This is another aspect to consider when purchasing a dog bed. Some are filled with a polyester filling and are fluffy feeling like a pillow. Others are filled with cedar for odor control and have insect repellent qualities. There is a foam dog bed. This type of bed is an orthopedic bed for the dog with arthritis. They can be made of regular foam or memory foam, which is top of the line in support.

Once the type of bed and filling is decided, the next decision is what size to get your dog. There are some easy tips to figure out the best size bed for the job. First, measure your dog while he/she is lying down. Measure the length of the dog from nose or front legs to the rump or rear legs. Now add nine to twelve inches to that number. The resulting number will help you decide which bed will comfortably fit your dog.

Another factor in the decision is the dog’s weight. You can estimate it. It is always better to estimate on the large size than the small size. If you have a very large breed dog such as a Great Pyrenees then you will need an extra large dog bed. Most companies have a weight chart to compare which type of dog bed will fit which type of dog.

Buying a bed for the family dog is not a difficult thing to do. It does take some time and planning. Remember to consider why you are getting the bed. It may be for a medical purpose for the dog. If so shop around as there are different types of medical beds. Do your homework and you will be able to find a pet that your dog will love to sleep on.