Pet Supplies - Wholesale Prices on Pet Grooming Stores

Canine Synoviflex Joint Health Chewables

2009-02-25T06:57:00.000-08:00

Our best friend can get hurt and they do age with time. These problems can result in continued stiffness and joint pain. When this happens, reach for our Synoviflex joint health chewables.

PRODUCT ADVANTAGES:

Contains 3 of the best selling joint health nutraceuticals for dogs in the world today.
Contain Glucosamine HCl, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and Creatine Monohydrate, plus 4 other essential antioxidants.
Glucosamine HCl is an all natural joint health supplement to aid in proper joint health.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a specialty nutraceutical that is a sulfer rich compound that aids in proper joint health.
Creatine Monohydrate is an amino acid complex that helps supplement healthy muscles in dogs.
Great ROAST BEEF and LIVER flavor. Your dog will love it!

DESCRIPTION

Synoviflex joint health is truly innovative and can give your pet significant joint pain relief. Synoviflex offers a unique blend of ingredients that will provide vital nutrients to damaged joints, connective tissues, and muscles.

Additional benefits include:

Increased synovial fluid production within joints, allowing for greater joint mobility and decreased pain.
Increased connective tissue regeneration and repair, allowing for less stiffness of joints.
Increased muscular energy (ATP) levels, allowing for increased muscle strength and decreased muscle fatigue.

PRODUCT DOSAGE

Maintenance Dose (Week 6 & beyond):
Offer free choice or crumble and mix on the dog's food 1/2 to 3/4 of a chewable tablet daily for every 20 pounds of canine bodyweight.

INGREDIENTS

Each chewable tablet contains the following:

Ingredient	Amount
Glucosamine HCl	400 mg
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)	400 mg
Creatine Monohydrate	400 mg
Vitamin E	10 IU
Citrus Bioflavonoids	10 mg
Manganese (as Manganese Sulfate)	10 mg
Zinc (as Zinc Sulfate)	10 mg
Selenium	10 mg

Each chewable tablet has a great ROAST BEEF and LIVER flavor! Dogs love it!

Buy this!

Wobbler's Syndrome - The Basics

2008-10-09T03:12:00.001-07:00

By Hans Lynch

Wobblers Syndrome

Wobblers Syndrome also known as cervical vertebral malformation (CVM) and cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) is commonly seen among dogs. It is a condition of the cervical vertebrae in which the vertebrae is affected resulting the dog developing a walk that is both wobbly and unsteady, hence the name Wobblers Syndrome. This in actuality is a situation in which there are various factors that contribute to make the one condition. These include the disease of the major areas of the vertebrae such as the interspinal ligaments, and intervertebral discs. It is particularly found among the Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers dogs.

Causes of Wobblers Syndrome

Quoting the Merck Manual, "The cause of wobblers syndrome is unknown, although rapid growth rates and nutrition, mechanical factors, and genetics may be implicated." Others say the cause of Wobblers Syndrome in most dogs is partly genetic and as a result of a malformed vertebrae located in the neck region. This happens mostly in the spinal canal which is what houses the spinal cord encasing it and protecting it from harm. Normally the spinal canal has an opening that is relatively big. However, when a dog becomes infected with the Wobblers Syndrome, the opening shrinks causing it to add pressure on the spinal cord. This then hinders the spinal cord from passing and receiving impulses. This shrinking of the canal continues as the animal increases in size, weight and age. During this period too, there is a noticeable instability apparent in the neck vertebrae.

Signs and Symptoms

Wobblers Syndrome becomes apparent in less than forty eight months (four years) of age. In dogs such as the Great Danes, it becomes more evident at an earlier age. It takes quite a while to show in Doberman Pinschers. One of the initial signs that a dog might be suffering from wobblers syndrome is the dog's inability to bend its neck because of the pain it is likely to feel. Next is an apparent lack of muscular coordination and general weakness in the dog's hind limbs. This is closely followed by a gradual weakness of the frontal limbs too.

Preventive Measures

According to many experiments, it is possible that most dogs that end up having Wobblers Syndrome have a genetic predisposition to it. So it is advisable that you consider the lineage of the dogs you plan to breed be examined for any signs of Wobblers Syndrome. Others recommend that if the weight gain and growth rate are slowed down by reducing the quantity of not quality of high protein nutrition given, the dog(s) might just be able to survive and grow normally even if it had a genetic predisposition to it.

Corrective Measures

There are surgical procedures that can be done to either lessen the symptoms of Wobblers or even completely eliminate the symptoms. One such procedure is the surgically implanting gold beads in the spinal area.

Hans is the owner of http://www.lucysdoghouse.net and is a life long dog owner. Lucy's Dog House offers has Helping Hands and much more to make your dog's life happier and healthier. At Lucy's Dog House, a percentage of all sales goes to support Great Dane Rescues.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hans_Lynch

Great Free Pets - Dogs, Cats, And Other Animals

2008-05-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Manning
You really can get free pets if you know where to look. But make sure you're prepared before bringing a pet into your home.

You can find free pets being offered everyday in just about any newspaper and online at websites such as Craig's List. Of course, dogs and cats are the most common animals being offered, but you'll see other types of pets too. In my local paper I've seen dogs, cats, ferrets, goats, rabbits, snakes, parakeets, tropical and marine fish, hamsters, and even horses offered for free to a good home.

Why would anyone give their pet away? There are tons of reasons. They may be moving out of town and can't take it with them. The pet may have grown too large for them to take care of. They may have a new baby or a new job that takes all of their time. Or they may simply be tired of taking care of a pet.

You'll sometimes see relatively valuable animals offered for free to a good home -- pure bred dogs and cats, pythons, ferrets, horses, etc. The owners may have tried to sell the animal, but found no takers. And if they're really desperate, they may have to give the animal away for free or turn it in to an animal shelter.

Before bringing a free pet, or any type of pet home, make sure you're prepared. All animals require a certain amount of time (some more than others) and certain basic supplies.

Proper food and feeding dishes are a universal need for almost all pets. Dogs and cats will need collars and leashes. Snakes, lizards, and most rodents will need some type of aquarium with a top. And of course a bird will require a cage. Just think and plan out exactly what you'll need and have it set up and ready before bringing your new pet home. Trust me, it's no fun having to scramble around in a panic, rounding up supplies, after you bring a new pet home.

When going out to look at a potential new pet, be sure that you choose a healthy animal. A healthy animal will have bright and alert eyes. They won't have mucous (dried or wet) around their eyes, nose or ears. And they will have healthy looking fur and/or skin, with no visible sores. Use your common sense and stay away from any animal that looks sick, unless you're prepared to pay potentially large veterinary bills. Where possible, be sure to ask the owner for a health history and any available veterinary records.

Free pets can be a wonderful thing, if you're prepared to take your time and don't be in a hurry. You might find yourself stuck with someone else's problem.

Get information about Persian Cat Rescue and other pet care articles at http://www.petcarejournal.com - a website designed to provide you with information and resources that will help you get the most out of your pet keeping experience, no matter what type of pet you own.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Manning

Heat Stroke in Bunnies and Remedys

2008-05-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

By Trish Ratford
Heat or Sun stroke
Handy tip: - Always keep a bucket or two of water around in hot weather to be used in the treatment of Heat or Sun stroke like we do here in The Rabbit Patch.

First stage of heat stroke. Symptoms to look for:-

Bunny lying stretched out with his head tilted upward and his ears laid back down along his body with obvious panting.

Treatment.
Get the bunny cooled down as quickly as possible. Dunk him in a bucket of water that is sitting ready for such an emergency and hold him there long enough to thoroughly wet his coat including his head. Do not use cold water as this will send your little mate into shock and you will kill him rather than save him. Make sure that you wet his ears thoroughly as your little mate uses his ears to regulate his body temperature. If the day is particularly hot (we have days in excess of 40'C over most of our summer months) the water can be cooled down a bit, but don't make it cold for the aforementioned reason.

Second stage of heat stroke. Symptoms to look for:-

It will have all the signs of the first stage of heat stroke. Bunny lying stretched out with his head tilted upward and his ears laid back down along his body with obvious panting. Plus your poor little mate will also have wetness around the mouth and nose.

Treatment.
Urgently needs cooling down. Dunk him in a bucket of cool water several times as explained in the treatment for first stage of heat stroke. Also use a fan over him so that the slow evaporation of the water from his coat and skin cools him down more rapidly without risk of sending him into shock.

Third and last stage of heat stroke. Symptoms to look for:-

It will have all the signs of the first and second stages of heat stroke. Bunny lying stretched out with his head tilted upward and his ears laid back down along his body with obvious panting and wetness around the mouth and nose. Plus your poor little mate will have wetness around his neck and down his chest and breathing becomes more rapid as your poor little mate becomes more distressed.

Treatment:-
It is imperative that you immediately take steps to cool him down as explained in the first and second stage treatment of heat stroke. This is your last chance to save your little mate. If you leave the poor little fellow any longer he will start convulsing and when that happens he only has a few minutes to live and will die an agonizing death with the heat scrambling his brain.

© September 2007 Trish Ratford

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How to Find the Perfect Bunny For You

2008-05-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

By Trish Ratford
How to find the healthiest, happy and placid bunny for your family This is the question I am asked about most so I thought that I would share this procedure or method that I have devised so that people can make an informed decision on finding a healthy happy bunny and of finding the right breeder to purchase their bunny from.

I do think that a good breeder is still the best place to purchase your bunny because you can see first hand the bunny's parents and the breeders other stock and have all your questions answered whereas if you buy your bunny from a pet store where a good percentage of the pet shop staff knows nothing about rabbits or their care are unable to fill in the blanks for you.

So, now for the procedure to follow in finding a healthy and happy bunny: - make a list of several breeders in your area and ring the first breeder on your list and ask if you can come visit them and see the bunnies that they have for sale. You are going to test for smell, sound and handling.

When the breeder takes you down to their rabbit shed check for smell. If you get bowled over by the stench of urine from dirty un-cleaned cages this is not the place to find a happy healthy bunny so make a polite excuse and leave and go check out the next breeder.

If the breeder passes the smell test enter the shed and check out the bunnies whilst keeping your ears tuned for the sound of sneezing or coughing. If you hear a lot of sneezing or coughing once again make a polite excuse and leave and go check out the next breeder on your list.

If the breeder passes the smell and sound test you need to observe how the breeder handles their bunnies, and how the bunny reacts when the breeder opens their cage. If the breeder grabs the bunny by the scruff of the neck and/or the bunny lunges at the breeder, once again make a polite excuse and leave.

When you find a breeder who passes the smell, sound and handling of their bunnies test, you have found a person who looks after their bunnies. Now you can start handling the bunnies and see how placid the bunny is. Don't forget to handle the parents as well. A lot of breeders handle their bunnies on a daily basis and this ensures that most bunnies from this breeder will be gentle and placid.

In conclusion when you go to a breeder's shed it should be neat and tidy the bunny's water bottle should be filled with clean water with no green algae or other debris, the bunny cages should be clean and not stink of urine and faeces. The bunnies should look healthy and calm without any coughing or sneezing and the breeder should handle their bunnies gently but firmly and the bunny should be picked up as you would a small child, by placing their hands on either side of it. The breeder should be able to answer any questions that you may have in relation to bunnies, demonstrate how to hold them, and give you full care instructions. They breeder should also demonstrate how to clip your bunny's nails, carry out a health check and encourage you to ring them if you have any problems or further enquiries.

Don't forget to ask heaps of questions regarding the care and management of bunnies. A breeder who cares enough about their stock are more that willing to answer any enquiries that you may have.

I personally encourage people to check that the breeder only breeds for the love of the hobby and not breed for purely monitory gain. I personally dislike breeders who churn out bunnies just for profit without thinking of the bunny's welfare. By not purchasing any bunnies from this type of breeder you are sending them a clear message that you don't like their actions.

© September 2007 Trish Ratford

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trish_Ratford

Grieving For Your Pet

2008-05-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

By Jenny Jackson
Because pets live for a shorter time than us, pet owners are likely to experience the death of a pet or a number of pets during their lifetime.

You have a strong emotional bond to your pet. Pets often provide us with genuine and consistent unconditional love and acceptance, the sort of nonjudgmental companionship that can be hard for people to provide. Non pet owners may find it hard to understand these feelings.

Many pet owners see their pets as members of their family. Pets often enhance our quality of life. We are more likely to outwardly express affection to pets and they can increase the amount of joy in a household. Pets can assume great importance during difficult or stressful times, like illness, death of a family member or family break-up.

Grief reactions

It's hardly surprising then that you might respond to the death of your pet in the same way you would respond to the loss of a significant person in your life. The grief process typically starts with a sense of numbness and disbelief, followed by painful feelings of guilt, sadness and depression. Feelings of guilt may be greater if you feel somehow responsible for your pet's death or that you didn't do enough to protect your pet from harm. It is not unusual to feel anger as well, possibly directed at the vet if you feel he or she did not do enough to prevent your pet's death, particularly if the death followed an illness. You may become preoccupied with thoughts and memories of your pet and find it hard to concentrate on other things. Over time, you are likely to feel more acceptance of the loss and eventually feel open to having a new pet.

Everyone is different however, and some people simply feel the loss more intensely or for a longer time than others. The circumstances of your pet's death will also determine how it affects you. A sudden death may feel more intense than after a prolonged illness, or if you have made a decision to euthanize. If you have experienced your pet's loss after a number of other losses, animal or human, this can compound your reaction. There is also some evidence to suggest that women may experience grief over pet loss more intensely than men, although both men and women bond equally with their pets.

If you are grieving for a pet, you should know therefore that it is perfectly normal to feel this loss as intensely as you would a family member or cherished friend. It is difficult when others are insensitive to this and don't recognise the importance of your pet in your life. If you can, try to find people to talk to about it who love animals and can understand your feelings. The Internet can lead to you to wonderfully supportive communities of animal lovers if you can't find anyone like that around you.

Grief involves wanting to maintain a connection with someone who is no longer with us. Although you can no longer have the physical connection, you can keep pieces of your beloved pet's life around to ease the loss. Place a framed photo on your wall or shelf, keep your pet's collar and bowl. In time, you will look at them less and feel less pain when you do.

Go easy on yourself. Loving animals is a beautiful thing.

Jenny is a cat lover and webmaster of http://www.great-pictures-of-cats.com You are welcome to reproduce this article on your pet or family related web site, as long as you reproduce the article in full, including this resource box and link to her website featuring photo and video galleries of beautiful cats.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Jackson

Pets and Allergies

2008-05-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

By Debbie Foster
Are you allergic to your pet? Studies show that approximately 15% of us are allergic to dogs or cats. In fact, there's an estimated 1/3 of us who live with a pet that we are allergic to. So strong are our ties to our loving furry family members that we'd prefer to suffer than be without them.

So what can we do to ease our suffering and keep our pet's companionship? Well, there are steps we can take to reduce these allergy symptoms. One is to use a HEPA air filtration system in our home. We should also be cleaning frequently to remove dust and dander. This goes for our pets' things as well including their pet beds, dog carriers, cat carriers, any bolsters in dog crates, their toys if they are washable, etc. Having tile or wood floors helps in not holding onto dust and dander like carpet does.

Using a "microfilter" bag in your vacuum cleaner so you actually catch the dust and dander when you vacuum helps.

Now that you've got the house and fixtures clean, don't forget to bathe your pet weekly. Yes, even cats can get used to being bathed if you start early. Bathing your pet weekly can reduce the level of allergens in their fur by as much as 84%. Allergens are present in their fur because the glands in their skin secrete tiny allergy-triggering proteins, called allergens. These are present in their fur, saliva, urine and also float in the air. Different people react more or less severely to these allergens.

Another thing you can do to help reduce your pet allergy symptoms is to create a place in your home where your pets absolutely don't have access. Your bedroom is a good choice as there are special mattress covers available to reduce allergies as well.

For those that really do suffer with animal allergies but are unwilling to give up their pet, you can go to an allergist and get shots. These work by desensitizing your immune system to the pet allergens.

If you don't have a pet and are considering getting one, be sure you know if you're allergic first. If you are and are willing to do what it takes to keep your pet, more power to you. However, if you are allergic and unsure about living with the difficulties that may bring, it's best not to get one.

Debbie Foster is the owner of PetBedsUnlimited.com and an avid animal lover. You can find a wide selection of quality pet beds, dog crates, dog carriers, dog pens, cat beds, large dog beds, cat carriers, and pet strollers at http://petbedsunlimited.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Foster

Is Pet Parenthood For You?

2008-05-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

By Diane Pomerance Ph.D.
Are you thinking of adopting a pet? Are you seeking a loving, loyal and devoted friend, companion and family member? A confidant that will never betray you or reveal your secrets and idiosyncrasies? A fellow adventurer with whom you share many meaningful experiences and create many beautiful and joyous memories? One who is content to simply be by your side and who offers you unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness?

There are many reasons to adopt an animal companion. There is strong scientific evidence indicating that pets not only improve the quality of our lives but also actually increase our longevity. They improve our heart rate, reduce blood pressure and decrease stress, fear, anger, loneliness and depression. They also teach us much about life and death. They are a comforting, healing presence that provides respite from a busy, chaotic, tumultuous and challenging world.

The decision to adopt a pet may be life transforming and life-long. It requires considerable forethought and deliberation, and should not be made lightly or impulsively. A pet may live and be part of our hearts and lives for many years, and it is important to be cognizant of the commitment and obligations inherent in being a "pet parent." There are financial considerations for food, veterinary care, grooming, accessories and toys, etc., time and attention requirements (pets are sentient and social and require love, affection and interaction) in addition to appropriate exercise and appropriate and comfortable shelter and living space.

It is estimated that between 6-8 million unwanted pets are euthanized each year simply because their owners failed to carefully consider the obligations and responsibilities associated with adopting a pet. Sharing life with an animal companion may be one of life's most joyous, pleasurable and fulfilling experiences, but it is important to understand that pet parenthood is not easy or to be taken lightly!

DIANE POMERANCE Ph.D. is the author of six highly acclaimed books and numerous articles. She is an internationally recognized pet expert who has been interviewed on countless radio and television programs, newspapers and magazines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Pomerance_Ph.D.

Euthanasia And Your Pet - What You Should Know

2008-05-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

By Diane Pomerance Ph.D.
Under the best of circumstances, those of us who share life with an animal companion are fortunate enough to spend many joyous and fulfilling years together. Unfortunately, life is arbitrary and loss is inevitable, and we know that our pets generally lead far shorter lives than do we. Some of them die at a young age; other die in middle age or their senior years. Some die of illness or disease, accident or injury - while others die of congenital defects or of old age. As we observe their suffering and physical and/or mental deterioration, it becomes increasingly obvious that they may require our help, as their guardians and caregivers to provide them with compassion and selfless love to help them through their challenging journey and to achieve an outcome that is of greatest benefit for them.

So many pet owners are invariably faced with the decision regarding if and when to have their beloved animal companions euthanized. Yet people seem to know very little about the process and what it entails. For those unfamiliar with the term, "euthanasia" is the Greek term meaning "good death" inferring the least painful and humane means of dying and putting an end to the animal's suffering. Many people think that they are rendering a service to their suffering animals by letting them go "naturally" on their own. It is far kinder and more generous to help an animal who no longer has any quality of life to allow her to be euthanized - surrounded and comforted by loved ones and, if possible at peace in her home environment or special spot. The prospect and advisability of euthanasia should be thought about carefully and discussed with knowledgeable animal health care professionals including your own veterinarian who knows your animal's history and personality.

When is it appropriate to have a beloved animal companion euthanized? There are many criteria, which can help you to make this decision. Does your pet still have quality of life or is most of her time spent suffering, in discomfort and in pain? Is she still playing and interacting with you and other family members? Or is she isolated and withdrawn and detached from family and friends? Does she show signs of being in pain? Is she mobile, incontinent and unable to perform even the simple tasks she did readily and happily in the past? Does she sleep the vast majority of the time? Is she eating and drinking on a regular basis? Is she urinating and defecating regularly? Has she been diagnosed with a terminal illness for which there is no cure or treatment? Usually, your pet (with whom you have forged a beautiful and irrevocable bond of love and trust) will somehow let you know when she is ready to go...Our animal companions know us better, perhaps, than anyone else...

When the lives of our dear friends are dramatically diminished and no longer bearable, then we, as human beings, as guardians and caregivers are able to intervene and provide those in need with the greatest gift of all besides our love, loyalty and devotion, This is the gift of kindness, grace and mercy. It is the ability to eliminate their pain, to end their suffering. Although we are unable to heal or restore them to youthful vigor and vitality, we can bring then the gift of peace and a release from suffering.

Although few of us, if any, look forward to making this complex decision, we are able, through our love and compassion to offer this gift of grace and mercy to our faithful friends in need. It is, perhaps the kindest, most selfless and most humane decision we can ever make.

Dr. DIANE POMERANCE is the author of "When Your Pet Dies," "Animal Companions: Your Friends, Teachers & Guides," "Animal Companions: In Our Hearts, Our Lives & Our World," "Animal Elders: Caring About Our Aging Animal Companions," "Finding Peace After the Loss of a Loved Animal Companion," and her most recent book "Pet Parenthood: Adopting the Right Animal Companion for You."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Pomerance_Ph.D.

An Introduction to Pet Loss

2008-05-09T08:11:00.001-07:00

By Diane Pomerance Ph.D.
In today's impersonal, highly technological and complex society, more people than ever are enjoying their pets - regarding them as loved family members, cherished friends and confidants. Animal companions serve many important purposes and play many significant roles in our lives and provide physical and emotional well-being. Their presence has a calming effect; blood pressure is reduced as are loneliness and depression. There are a lot of reasons that are responsible for making the pet industry a 36 billion dollar a year business.

Grief is the normal, natural and healthy response to loss, yet we are seldom socialized to understand and cope with this powerful emotion. It is difficult enough for us to grieve and talk about the loss of a loved human being. It is far more difficult and embarrassing for us to discuss the loss of a pet. Yet for many of us pets are members of the family and psychologists have long recognized that the grief suffered by pet owners after their pet dies is the same as that experienced after the death of a person. In fact, many normal people can grieve more for a pet than a close friend or relative.

Often, people are embarrassed or ashamed to talk about the loss of a pet. There are no public rituals such as funerals and memorial services to comfort the bereaved. There are many emotions those grieving the loss of a pet experience: isolation/withdrawal from friends and family; depression, sadness; uncontrollable crying; anger at themselves, the vet, God; guilt that they did not do enough for the animal; anxiety; loneliness; inability to concentrate or focus; a short fuse; exhaustion; eating too little or too much; sleeping too little or too much, etc.

People who are grieving the loss of a pet need to understand that they are not alone - that there are many others who are grieving the loss of a pet. They need to understand that grief is normal, natural and healthy. They need to openly and honestly express their feelings to others who are sympathetic and empathetic. They can find local support groups and contact their local animal welfare organizations to see if counseling is available.

For so many of us who share our hearts and our lives with animals, we need to understand that when these pets die, there is a deep void in our lives. We have become accustomed to caring for our pets and spending quality time with them. They play an important role in our everyday lives and activities. When they leave us, we are left alone and lonely. None of us grieve in the same exact way - there is no allotted time for grieving. The duration and manner in which we grieve will depend on the meaningfulness and intensity of the relationship we have shared with our animal companion and upon how many other significant losses we have sustained."

Grief is one of the most complex, profound and painful emotions we will ever experience. Once we learn to recognize and identify our grief, it is important for us to express it in an empathetic and supportive environment with people who are compassionate and have experienced grief themselves. We need to read about and research the subject of grief and come to the realization that each and everyone of us will experience adversity and suffering, and that grief is an inevitable aspect of life on earth.

Dr. DIANE POMERANCE is the author of many books on the subject of pet grief and care, including "Animal Companions: Your Friends, Teachers & Guides", "Animal Companions: In Our Hearts, Our Lives & Our World.", Animal Elders: Caring About Our Aging Animal Companions", "Finding Peace After the Loss of a Loved Animal Companion", and her most recent book "Pet Parenthood: Adopting the Right Animal Companion for You.".

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Pomerance_Ph.D.

Read Before You Have Your Next Pet

2008-05-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

By Nasser Othman

Many people and families would like to have a pet. Yet not all people realize the responsibilities of raising a pet. Caring for a dog cat bird or a fish perhaps lies on all the members of the household. That's why the decision of getting a pet should be agreed upon by all the members of the family.

There are many factors to consider before getting one. First you must remember that you are forming a relationship with this animal. Like any relationships it requires caring loving nurturing and most of all time. This little animal depends on you for caring feeding and much more. The second factor is budgeting. Is it in your budget to buy pet food toys for your pet seek medical attention it the occasion arouse for. You know it cost money to raise a pet and that is extra expense on your household budget, can you afford it? The third factor is your home size; do you have the room or the extra space for your pet? You have to consider the space your pet will occupy.

Pet Dog:

A dog is mans best friend. Having a dog for a pet is a big responsibility; it could change your life style. There are some things to consider before you get a dog:

1- Dogs need considerable space to run around and walk.

2- You have to have time to take your dog for a walk out side 2 to 3 times a day.

3- Dogs diet requires variety of dog food, dog treats, and dog snacks. It is important to keep your pet healthy.

4- Dogs owner has to have their pet examined and vaccinated by veterinarian every year.

5- Having a dog for a pet is an expensive hobby.

Pet Cat:

Cats are great. Cats do not require as much care as a dog. Of course they do need some care. All pets need care. What you should consider before having a cat:

1-Cats need feeding daily and that require you purchase different type of cat food. You have to buy dry cat food and moist cat food. And cat food also comes in variety of flavors; you have to consider buying few different flavors.

2-You need to know that cats like to scratch their claws, and they will do that all over your furniture and doors.

3-Cats love to play so they need your attention and time to play with you.

4-Cats do get sick like every animal; visit to the veterinarian is inevitable.

5-You need to have cat food, cat treats, cat toys, cat bedding, cat litter, cat water and food bowls, cat charms.

Bird for Pet:

Birds are very nice and lots of fun, I have some. You have to keep in mind all pet need a clean environment no matter what they are or what size. Birds are the same thing.

1-Birds make mess in the cage and in the surrounding area. So you have to keep cleaning after them every day specially the surrounding area and clean the inside of the cage weakly.

2-Every morning you have to give your bird fresh bowl of seeds and fresh water. Keep mixture of seeds (bird food) always in your home.

3-Bird supplies consist of bird food (seed mixture), millet spray (bird treat), cutlet bone (calcium bone), bird toys you leave inside the cage.

At the end you have to prepare your self before you get your next pet. Pets are like children they need care and loving. Pets give pleasure and fulfillment to their owners, and that is why you want to have a pet.

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Pet Food Recalls - One Year Later, Has Anything Changed?

2008-04-02T06:15:00.001-07:00

It was just about a year ago when the pet food recalls began and we heard about cats and dogs dying of mysterious causes. With all the press and uproar about the tainted food manufactured for our pets, the problem's been handled, right?

Unfortunately, no. While there are no widespread recalls at this time, problems still exist. A Canadian boy contracted two rare forms of Salmonella from pork dog treats made by the Rollover Premium Pet Food company. (Treats from the High-River, Alberta, plant have been recalled.)

Regulations were passed in 2007 to require pet food companies to recall any food that was tainted. But critics say that this legislation is ineffective because reporting is voluntary - no Federal inspections are required on pet food products. This lack of oversight has prompted many people to buy organic or "natural" products for their pets. This sector of the animal food business has boomed since the tainted food recalls started in March 2007.

But are these products any safer? Many people feel that they are, since the "healthy" pet food companies are marketing "human-grade" meat and organic ingredients. And most of these producers have a better record. But the same problem exists for these companies - no one is looking over their shoulder to make sure the food is safe.

Some dedicated pet lovers have even gone to home-made or raw food diets for their animals. Before you make this kind of commitment, I recommend talking at length with your Veterinarian first to learn how to meet the nutritional needs of your animals.

The future of pet food safety may include stronger regulations. Some pet advocates are calling for the FDA to regulate the pet food industry and have access to production plants in China. On the bright side, pet food companies seem to be making an effort to keep food safe. After all, they are in the business of selling pet food, and the negative press is very bad for business. For now, keep an eye on the news for recalls and confer with your Veterinarian about safe and healthy foods for your pets.

Amy G. Casey is CEO of Pet Health Focus (http://www.pethealthfocus.com), and an award-winning science writer and author of numerous science and pet health books and articles. Amy's experiences with her dog's health issues brought her love of animals and her research and science experience together to help others care for their pet companions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_G._Casey

Pet Food - Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

2008-04-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

Pet food can be expensive, particularly if you follow the current marketing trends and buy the fashionable 'natural', 'holistic' or 'lifestyle' brands. These have been created not only to fill the need for better quality pet foods but also to persuade pet owner to trade up to more expensive products with a better profit margin. It makes good commercial sense!

Yes, feeding a pet can be expensive, particularly if you have a dog or cat, and there's plenty of advertising and marketing pressure to get you to part with a lot of money to feed the many different foods out there on the pet shop and supermarket shelves. Add the words 'Natural' 'Holistic' or similar to a brand and watch the price go up!

Bear in mind that big brands such as Pedigree, Iams, Eucanuba and Royal Canin spend £millions on advertising, research and sponsorship through the year (How much does it cost Pedigree to sponsor Crufts? A lot!) This money has to be recovered, and that's through increasing sales but also larger profit margins - it's common sense if you think about it.

However, there are several ways that you can feed a good quality food and save a considerable amount of money.

Buying a 15kg bag of dog food works out cheaper per meal than buying a 2kg bag (Eucanuba Adult is listed on one site at £39.99 for 15kg, £21.49 for 7.5kg and £11.29 for 3kg - do the maths and see what you save.)

If you can't carry a big bag home then have it delivered - several brands and online pet shops offer free or minimal postal charges, and you get the food delivered to your door. Other pet shops have their own delivery service in their catchment area - check them out!

Some shops offer bulk deals - Pet Planet in Jan 2008 list Eucanuba 15kg as buy 2 save £20!! If you can store it and use it in a reasonable time, then why not save a few well earned £££s?

If you are feeding a cat, the same applies - many pet shops or online stores will deliver tins in bulk. Ask, and they should offer you a quantity discount that you can offset against the delivery charge if there is one.

Some pet shops offer their own brands, particularly on bags of dog food. Are they cheaper because they are poorer quality than the more well known brand? Not necessarily, because of two factors.

Firstly, they are probably made by the same company that makes the well known brand! A handful of pet food manufacturers make food for brands like James Wellbeloved, Arden Grange and Burns Pet Nutrition but also make food for hundreds of other companies and pet shops, using the same machinery, similar ingredients and following the principles of the trade organisation PFMA. There are only a few manufacturers around, and plenty of brands - you might think that the brand you buy is made by that company, but you may well be wrong, it could well be made by the company that makes your local supermarket brand!

The easy way to check is look at the ingredient list and see what the food is made of, then compare the cost between the shop food and the branded food - similar ingredients but £s cheaper? Then why not try the shop brand - if it doesn't suit, a good pet shop will replace the food.

Secondly there's the profit chain. Pet Shop brands are cheaper because there are fewer middlemen taking a cut of the retail price (A prime example would be the new premium Pets at Home food in its shiny new bag. A 15kg of dog food retails at under £30, up to £9 cheaper than some others for a recipe which is as natural and hypo-allergenic as any premium food on the market - and a money-back guarantee!).

Then there's the range of products around - check out the different brands, and you'll be surprised at what's out there these days and the opportunity to save money and not compromise on quality. Check out recommendations on brands

You don't need to buy expensive treats for dogs. Have you discovered the delights of giving them small pieces of carrot or broccoli/cauliflower stalk?

No? Why not, because they are cheap, natural and actually do your pet a bit of good, unlike some of the other stuff on the market. These are all naturally sweet, and many dogs simply love them!

The author, who originally trained as a food technologist has, in his time owned dogs, cats, hamsters and birds, sold pet food and spent the past decade marketing it. Now down to one cat, one dog and running Pet Food Choice, a website full of information on pet food choices, money-saving ideas and much more - http://www.pet-food-choice.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Birch

I Do What Most People Wouldn't Do For A Living

2008-04-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

Animal Control officer is my title yet they call me a "killer". I am a mom a wife and a hard worker. I am also the last face most animals at my job see. I feed them and love them and speak to them words of kindness, yet this does not stop what is about to happen. These animals had owners, they have collars, but no tags. They have no understanding of why they were left behind and no one is looking for them. Most were a free puppy or kitten from a Wal-Mart parking lot and are "replaceable". Some run loose all the time and owners think they will come back in three or for days. However in our shelter time is precious. Most city shelters only hold animals for 72 hours and then they euthanize them. Everyday that an animal spends in our shelter is a day of waiting for their owner. Hoping that the next person that walks into the kennel will take them to a new home or their original home. However, eight times out of ten that does not happen. Please help stop the killing and spay and neuter your animals.

I have heard individuals state that they want their animal to have the first litter. Stating that it will calm down their female animal. Another person stated to me once that they did not even know why they wanted their female to have a litter they just thought it was "cool". How "cool" it is when part of the litter gets euthanized because they did not find homes for the puppies. Backyard breeding is very common. These individuals do not monitor their female animal and most often they breed with anything that is loose and jumps into the fence. Then they can't understand why they can't find homes for mixed breed puppies. I encourage everyone to please spay and neuter your pets and stop the killing. If you would like more information about the shelter I work for go to:

http://www.neblina14.com

Thank you, and God Bless.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teresa_Cabello

Preserving the Memory of a Pet via Eco-Friendly Cremation Pet Urns

2008-03-23T01:21:00.000-07:00

The concept of designing artistic pet cremation urns was founded on Western society's evolution in viewing death over the last century, since the first pet memorial park was established in the state of New York around 1917. Memorializing pets is growing in popularity and people are adopting more creative ways to preserve the memory of their beloved pets. Many are seeking ways that they can honor their cherished friends with artistic pet memorials that blend with the home and are also eco-friendly.

Pet cremation is just one of the categories in the pet services business. Forecasted to top $22 billion in 2008, the pet services market is the fastest-growth pet market of all, outpacing both food and non-food supplies. 63 percent of the U.S., or 71.1 million homes, own a pet. This is up from 56 percent in 1988. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) also estimated spending of $40.8 billion on pets in the U.S. in 2007. (Source: APPMA 2007-2008 National Pet Owners survey.)

Interestingly, out of this new industry, there are a number of successful artists springing forth. Artists like Métis Design & Culture is one company that is designing environmentally friendly pet urns and innovative products in harmony with society's openness as well as multiculturalism.

Today's innovative artists blend high-end industrial design and technology with traditional materials and ancient techniques, juxtaposing materials such as aluminum to lacquer, marquetry and veneer. Their work is art that celebrates life by using only sparse raw materials such as burled maple, grainy leather, and anodized aluminum.

There are hand crafted, unique pet urns, engraved stone pet memorials, pet memorial headstones and grave markers in marble, genuine river rock, cultured river rock, cultured slate, black granite or bluestone. Many pet lovers choose pet garden statues, hand-painted pottery pet urns, pet keepsake boxes, pet portrait and art, glass art, burial boxes, or custom engraved glasswork. One well known artist is offering abstract paintings with the cremains of their pet inside.

It's helpful for parents assisting children with the loss of a pet, there are also websites that provide grieving support so that people can find links to pet loss information and pet loss counseling websites to help them honor and say goodbye to a pet. Visitors can create virtual pet memorials with tributes and photof to share with family and friends.

Pet cremation services are offered through most veterinary clinics and although private crematorium prices vary, the average costs are between $75 and $350. Once the family chooses to receive the pet ashes back from the crematorium, they must decide on private burial, either in their yard with a custom pet grave marker or in a vessel such as a pet memorial urn to keep or for spreading.

Kristin Gabriel is a professional writer based in Los Angeles, CA who works with Peternity.com, a place where people honor their pets for eternity. Peternity provides custom products including pet memorial stones and grave markers, pet urns, garden statue pet memorials, pet memorial headstones, pet keepsake memorials, pet portraits, burial boxes, custom engraved glasswork, and other pet memorials. Call 877-PET-PEACE or go to http://www.peternity.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristin_DeAnn_Gabriel

Vacation Angst - Or What To Do With The Pets?

2008-03-23T01:18:00.000-07:00

What is more nerve wracking than arranging your travel tickets, finding a hotel and rental car for your trip, and packing your bags? Today, internet travel sites make all that simple and fairly stress free. The most nerve wracking part of the trip happens well before you leave: trying to figure out who will care for your pets!

Among the choices available to you are commercial cat and dog kennels. A clean, well run facility is indeed an option. But the average pet would prefer not to be caged in a noisy environment, far from home, and packed with strange animals. Wouldn't it be nicer if they could just stay home? Of course it would. Perhaps the neighbor kid would be willing to let the dogs out, feed them, and clean the litter box. Sounds great right?

But what happens when that neighbor kid is asked out on a date, breaks up with his girlfriend, or must stay after school? What happens is your pets might not receive the scrupulous care and attention you would give them.

The simple answer to these problems is to know your community's professional Pet Sitter. What separates a professional from the random person who watches pets? The keys are: integrity, attention to detail, commitment and a deep love for animals. The best pet sitters are also bonded and insured by professional associations such as Pet Sitters International. This group provides educational resources and insurance to pet sitters to make sure that you and your animals receive the best care...as good as they would get from you!

If you hire a pet sitter who is not insured and bonded, you'll have no way of knowing whether you have just turned your house and beloved pets over to an honest person. Bonding protects you against loss and theft from unsavory characters. Professional pet sitters want to offer you the best reassurance that they will treat your home and your pets just like you would.

The best pet sitters also study pet health and safety. I operate a pet sitting business in my own community, and I have studied with the Red Cross by taking their Pet First Aid course, and by taking the Red Cross certification. If something should happen, professionals like me would know how to best help your pet, and when to call for veterinary assistance. Will the child next door be equipped to handle an emergency?

Moreover, pet sitter do more that just feed and walk your animals! We also make sure they have quality human time, whether it be cuddling, playing fetch in the yard, or a long walk around the block. You don't even need to go on vacation to hire a pet sitter. If you work long hours, we can make a mid afternoon visit to be sure he get's a walk and a potty break.

Along with all that, while you're away from home, a good pet sitting business will also bring in your mail and your newspapers, water your houseplants, and turn your lights on and off. You're not only getting pet sitting...you also get a vacation security service as well.

All in all, it pays to know the professional pet sitters in your community. Use the internet to find bonded and insured professionals. Then invite them over for a brief interview and introduction. The next time you need to leave home, you can leave your pets behind with no worries.

Remaining home, comfortable in their own environment is healthier for your animals, and gives you greater piece of mind. When strange animals are grouped together, the chances for communicable diseases increase. So, too, does the stress level increase on your pets when they are housed in a noisy environment, in close proximity to animals they have never met before.

Marc Goldberg, CDT is a certified dog trainer specializing in the rehabilitation of difficult dogs and improving relationships. He is Vice President of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and Editor of SafeHands Journal. The author also educates professional dog trainers in his techniques. Visit him on the web at http://www.chicagodogtrainer.com/chicago_dog_trainer.html or http://www.dogtraininginchicago.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Goldberg

Dog Food Fundamentals

2008-03-23T01:17:00.000-07:00

All dog owners recognize that most dogs enjoy to eat, but oftentimes they come across themselves attempting to puzzle out which dog food to purchase. It has been said for the lengthiest time that dogs are our dearest best friends, but the truth presently is that dogs have moved up from being in the best friend category to the family member category. Since dogs are another member of our family we prefer to render our darlings the finest care and that likewise includes the best dog food.

Numerous dogs over time grow sick of consuming the same food, and they become fussy. The pet food that one day they enjoyed to eat, they don't even desire to flavor presently. It's natural for dog owners to look for dog food choices once their dogs do not want to eat their regular food. This is when problem can start out. This is when the dog owners may choose to begin feeding their pet's table food, and by doing so they could compromise their dog's nutrition.

When a dog owner is changing their dog's dietary habits they're vulnerable to giving their dogs additional treats and bites. Practicing this could cause the dog to get fat. Additionally, if the dog owner doesn't over compensate by feeding his dog these goodies or dog snacks, the dog will be pushed to go for what is given to him at mealtimes. It does not really matter if you want to give him raw dog food, premium dog food or gourmet dog food, what matters is to avoid giving your dog any snacks or treats when your dog isn't eating. If you do so, this will just promotes his fussy eating and will perpetuate the fussiness.

Feeding the dog the best food will guarantee that he stays happy , fit and healthy, and besides it helps keep the dog's coat lustrous. Amid the ingredients in almost 99% of dog foods are salt, corn, sugar, phosphates, colorings and artificial flavors.

There's nothing wrong by giving your pet homemade dog food, (this is the type of food prepared for animal pets at home) or holistic dog food (this is natural dog food) merely the dog owner has to be careful to feed the dog on food that will render him with enough nutrition. Numerous dog owners have even decided to feed their dogs' vegetarian dog food or even organic dog food. Feeding your dog with vegetarian dog food is yet harder for many as cooking vegetarian food for your dog could take a long time.

As your dog with home cooked food, the dog owner may want to include rice, corn, oatmeal or wheat. All these are good carbohydrates sources.

An alternative that dog owners could consider is to sum up the home made dog food to a medium quality dog food. If you choose to go this path, you might need to add some nutritional supplementation or vitamins. In that way you will be able to assure good nutrition for your dog at altogether.

Make sure that you scan the labels of the dog food prior to you buying it. It is best that the food contains as primary constituent beef, turkey, or chicken. Attempt to ward off vegetal protein as the principal component for the dog food. Vegetable protein, which includes wheat shorts and middling's, soybean, meal, peanut meal, peanut shells (same as cellulose), ground yellow corn and rice husks, is the pillar of dry dog foods.

Increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's dog health blog right now...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_John_Daniel

Dog Health - What You Need to Know About Allergies in Dogs

2008-03-23T01:16:00.001-07:00

The health of their dogs is a very important and crucial matter for the majority of owners. Most dog owners want their dogs to be healthy, fit, and to enjoy a long life. There is a major health issue that can affect a dog significantly, and this is dog allergies.

Allergies in dogs are among the most common health issues confronted by dog owners. This is genuinely something to worry about. It is a reality that nearly all puppies don't develop allergies in their 1st year. However, a lot of dogs develop allergies due to their environment. In case, your puppy exhibits any signs of allergy, you want to take it seriously and seek for treatment. Think that allergies will worsened over time if not treated properly on a timely basis. For very few fortunate dogs, allergies could get better overtime, but in general, once a dog develops allergy they are forever and they worsen over time.

You can spot allergies on your dog's skin in the form of rashes, scratching, skin eruptions, loss of hair, moisture, ear infections etc. When dogs develop allergy, they tend to over wash themselves, rub, chew or scratch. This is not a good sign since they can develop skin outbreaks via scratching. Dogs develop allergies because they're exposed to pathogens or other materials and affect them afterwards. There are a lot of things that could bear upon your dog and develop allergies such as grass, bushes, molds, trees, mites and fleas. Fleas are the most common cause of your dog's allergy.

You might not even be aware that your dog has fleas. Nevertheless, it only takes a brief period of time for your dog to get them. To preclude your dog from potential allergies, you should protect him against fleas. You could purchase some powerful products that you buy from the pet shop or your vets office to protect your puppy against fleas. These products could be used after a simple blood test.

Remember that fleas can attack from anywhere. Therefore you want to be doubly sure that your dog is living in a protective environment. If there are fleas in your environment you could see fleas in your garden, on your carpet, your furniture and even on your bedding. Hence, you would need to treat your house, pets and yards to eliminate fleas from the environment. The product, you select to use must be safe for the health of your pets. Make certain that the product you use is recommended by a professional veterinarian.

If your dog has been affected by small skin inflammation during the summertime, all you need is to give your dog an oatmeal bath and some antihistamines.

You might also want to visit the vet often if you need to give your dog steroids injections, steroid tablets, change their diet, get flea medicines, special baths and antihistamine. Some dogs also suffer from food allergies and need to be given special care.

You can purchase special diets for your pet dog in this instance. You also need to give only a particular diet to your dog for 60 days and withdraw everything else from their diet.

Allergy testing is the optimal way to learn what sort of allergy your dog is suffering from. You could as well conduct a blood exam to know precisely what they're hypersensitized to.

Whenever you observe signs of allergy in your dog, you want to take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. This is the best method to fix the problem. The earlier you detect it and try to fix it, the earlier your dog will get rid of the allergy.

Increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's dog health blog right now...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_John_Daniel

6 Things You Should Not Do When You Have A New Puppy In The Home

2008-03-23T01:15:00.000-07:00

Everyone agrees that training a puppy is imperative for him to learn how to behave and to teach him his boundaries, but there are some basic tips you need to know before starting your dog training. Magazines, books and online articles addressing the basics of acquiring a new puppy abound. They may all sound repetitive, and a lot of the tips and advice are actually simple and requires common sense, but they are vital nonetheless.

When you bring home a new puppy, keep in mind these 6 things you should avoid doing:

1. Never hit your puppy, whether with your hand or with a rolled up newspaper or any other object, regardless of what he does. Keep in mind that your puppy is like a baby -- it is very delicate and is easily injured. Hitting your puppy will only frighten him and be a traumatic experience for him that can possibly lead to behavioral issues when he is fully grown. Remember that being taken away from his mother and litter mates is a traumatic and scary enough experience for him so be a little patient with this new addition to your family. Your puppy will probably whine for a few days, but he will soon get used to his new family, and will give you all his love and loyalty.

2. If you have objects in your house that you cherish or have sentimental value, keep them out of your puppy's reach. Your puppy, and all puppies for that matter, will eat everything it can get its mouth on. If you want to keep your socks free from holes, don't leave them laying on the floor or in places where your puppy can easily reach them. If you smoke, don't throw the cigarette butts on the floor; your puppy won't think twice about chewing on those. The same goes for any gadgets you have that can be easily scratched and damaged.

3. Don't let other people, family members included, handle your new puppy -- at least for the first couple of weeks or so. It is better that you and another family member handle the new puppy first. If too many people are handling the puppy, he may become nervous and have problems socializing.

4. Avoid picking up the new puppy by his forelegs. Children tend to pick puppies up this way so if you have kids in your house, tell them they should not pick up the new puppy this way. Your puppy's legs are not strong yet and if he can get injured if he is picked up by the forelegs.

5. Don't leave holes inside your house uncovered. Puppies are incredibly curious and they will literally try to get into everything. It can be fatal if your puppy gets stuck in a hole.

6. Don't leave electrical wires uncovered or accessible to your puppy. Cover any exposed wires in your house because your puppy won't spare those. Many puppies have died from electrocution because the house they were living in were not puppy-proof.

Increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's dog training blog right now...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_John_Daniel

Dog Training - 6 Things You Better Do When You Have A New Puppy In The House

2008-03-23T01:14:00.001-07:00

Taking on a brand-new puppy can be among the most exhilarating things that could come about to an individual or a family, but that precious little fur ball can as well cause a great deal of tension, particularly during the 1st couple of days of coming to his new household. If you've just took in a pup, there are some things you want to bear in mind to make certain that this novel add-on to your family grows up fit, happy and healthy. Below are 6 dog training tips you ought to know for the benefit of the newly-arrived puppy:

1. Provide your brand-new puppy with a great deal of love and care, in particular when he does something "justly," especially after you start training your dog. When you begin training a puppy it is very important to communicate with him the instant you take him home. Do not await for your puppy to make a mistake or do something inappropriate prior to beginning communicating with him. Whenever you begin communicating with your puppy this way, you're fundamentally conditioning your puppy that you're good some of the times and not nice at different times.

2. Puppies love chewing therefore give your puppy a great deal of chew toys. You can make chew toys for your puppy or you can buy some from your local pet store. This manner your puppy understands early on to chew on his toys rather than your shoes!

3. Have comfy, warm bed for your puppy. If you expect for your puppy to live outdoors, make certain to provide him with weatherproof doghouse. The doghouse ought to be roomy too. If you resolve to allow your puppy sleep indoors, you'll be able to use a rectangular wooden box for his bed. You can also check out crates and kennels sold at local pet shops.

4. Observe your puppy when small kids are present. Puppies are practically no match for rambunctious little children. Puppies can easily become injured and even killed if they are left alone with youngsters. Small kids commonly do not understand that puppies are very delicate creatures and that they should be managed with additional care and gentleness.

5. Start your puppy on a steady feeding agenda the 1st day it comes in your home. If your puppy is six months old or younger, give him 3 to 4 solid meals daily. During each feeding, give your brand-new pup all the food he can eat within half-hour. After 30 minutes, remove any leftovers. It's really important that you allow for your puppy plenitude of fresh drinking water in between meals.

6. Begin training your puppy to go on steady bathroom breaks. Take your puppy to the same bathroom spot at the same times day-after-day, whenever at all possible. It's advocated that you take your puppy on bathroom breaks after every meal and two to three hours in between his meals, and after he's taken a nap. At nighttime, take your new puppy on late-night bathroom trips if possible. This will educate your puppy early on to go to his bathroom spot whenever he requires to urinate in the midst of the night rather than doing it right in his crate.

Remember that dog obedience training should remain consistent. When training a dog you do not want to do one think one day and something different the following day, this will just confuse the dog.

Increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's dog training blog right now...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_John_Daniel

Pet Health - Dental Disease Is Overlooked

2008-03-23T01:12:00.000-07:00

Dental disease in pets is actually one of the most common and most overlooked pet diseases. Proper tooth and gum exams are now part of a regular veterinary visit because dental health is an essential aspect of your pet's long-term health.

What are the symptoms of pet dental disease?

Bad breath is the most common symptom of poor pet dental health. Some other symptoms include swollen gums, difficulty or pain when chewing, excess tartar, poor appetite, and weight loss. If your pet has gingivitis, you want to make sure that it does not escalate to periodontal disease, which could cause the infection to spread to other organs.

How is it diagnosed?

Dental disease can only be diagnosed after a complete oral examination which is performed by a veterinarian. Following the oral exam most veterinarians will also look for other common signs of dental disease. Once the disease is diagnosed the veterinarian can then set up a treatment plan.

How is dental disease treated?

If your pet has a mild form of dental disease, such as tartar or gingivitis, the treatment is a simple cleaning plan, but if tartar or gingivitis is more serious, a veterinarian should perform a professional tooth cleaning. In such cleanings, your pet will be anesthetized to allow for the tartar to be removed from the teeth as well as from under the gum line. Once the tartar is removed, the teeth are cleaned with an antibacterial rinse and are polished to make it more difficult for tartar build up to start again.

How is it prevented?

Pet dental disease is easily preventable. In order to slow down the build-up of tartar and gingivitis, you should feed your pet a prescription diet and brush its teeth regularly. If you cannot brush your pet's teeth, you can feed them enzyme chews as a substitute. Whatever you choose to do, just remember that dental disease prevention is an important step to ensuring your pet's overall health.

Corner Animal Hospital : Pet Pharmacy & Veterinary Service
(http://www.corneranimal.com)

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Submitted by Victoria M. Brown at NewSunSEO.com

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Easter Chicks, Ducklings, And Bunnies

2008-03-23T01:11:00.000-07:00

It is traditional to buy cute little chicks, ducklings, and bunnies as gifts for children around Easter time. Nothing wrong with that - so long as you keep in mind that these cute baby animals will grow up and live through many more Easter holidays, requiring care - food, space, and time.

The easy solution, is not to buy a live animal at all, but one of the wonderful plush toys instead. In general, giving a live pet as a gift is a poor idea. If it is for your own child, consider the animals needs as far as care and whether or not you are able and willing to provide for it. If it is for someone else's child, consult with the parents first about whether they would welcome a new addition to the family.

However, if you do have the time, space, love and money to care for a new little member of the family and are willing to take the responsibility of doing so, here are a few care tips to give you a start.

Chicks and Ducklings

Baby chickens and baby ducks have similar needs. For the first few weeks baby birds need almost constant monitoring. For this reason, a slightly older chick is probably a better choice. The caretakers where you purchase your baby bird should know about how old they are.

Warmth - Baby chicks and ducklings need to be kept warm. Depending on the climate in your location, it will probably be a few weeks before they can be kept outdoors. Baby chicks need to be kept at 95 degrees the first week of their life, 90 the next, and so on, going down 5 degrees per week until they are 4-5 weeks old and fully feathered out. The idea source of heat is a red heat bulb, and you'll want a thermometer in their cage.

Food - Baby chicks have special needs as far as food, and the same is true for ducklings. No, they don't eat the same food. You will want to make sure you can purchase the proper feed for your pets, either where you purchased the pets, or at a local feed store. The local feed store will have a proper commercial feed for baby chicks and ducklings - but some do not keep it in stock past Easter. You will want to ask if they keep it in stock, and if not, purchase enough to keep your chicks or ducklings fed until they can switch to an adult feed.

You will also want to purchase a proper chick feeder. They will lose food tossed into their bedding, and tend to soil food in an open bowl as well as waste quite a bit as they peck through it.

Water - Don't plan on sticking any old bowl in the pen for chicks or ducklings. Baby birds need clean water. Baby birds also have a tendency to soil their water by walking through it, pooping in it, and throwing bedding into it. You will want to purchase a chick waterer from the feed or pet store. It will be built to keep the soiling to a minimum, but for the first four weeks or so you will have to check the waterer several times a day and provide fresh, clean water as often as necessary. When the chicks are a couple of weeks old, they will probably be big enough for you to set the waterer on a flat board or brick in the pen to elevate it from floor level (the water should be at the same level as the backs of the chicks) which will cut down on the mess a bit.

Shelter - For the first few weeks, a cardboard box with ventilation holes and sides at least 12 inches high will do fine as a home for your chicks or ducklings. A round container, such as a kiddie pool is better, as chicks and ducklings might tend to "pile" in corners and suffocate the bottom birds. Plan on giving them about 2 foot of space per baby bird. This sounds like a lot when they are 2 days old, but they are going to grow!

You will also need bedding. Wood shavings, such as the type sold packaged for small animal bedding, is the best. Plan on changing it every few days depending on the size of their pen.

When they are about 4 to 5 weeks old and fully feathered, they can move outdoors (weather permitting). They will then need a coop of some sort, and a pen to roam.

Company - Chickens and Ducks are flock animals. You don't have to buy more than one, but they will be much happier in the long run if you do.

Chicks and ducklings do, however, offer a very special reward for your tender, loving care. Last years Easter chicks will be laying eggs for this Easter's celebration!

Chickens and Ducks live for ten to fifteen years, and the females will lay eggs from about 5 months of age to approximately five years of age. Some will lay for a much longer time, although not as much as in their younger days.

Of course, Easter chicks and ducklings are not divided by sex, which means you will have males - roosters or drakes - as well as females. In the case of the male ducks, this isn't much of a problem. But we all know about roosters, don't we? At about the same time the hens start to lay, the roosters will start to crow. If you live in town, this can be an issue with the neighbors - not to mention the family. Not everyone thinks we ought to jump up out of bed at 3 am - but your rooster will.

In years past, the dye used to color chicks and ducklings often caused them to sick and die a few days after the holiday. This is no longer true, as a different process is used to dye the chicks and ducklings.

This is only a very basic outline of needs for chicks and ducklings. I strongly suggest you either purchase a book for their care, or at least check one out of the library.

If someone just dropped by your house and presented your child with a chick or duckling for Easter (it happens) - set them up with a cardboard box bedded with shavings or newspaper, a light for warmth (be aware of fire hazards and be sure it is out of the chicks reach), a bowl with fresh water, and get to the nearest feed or pet store for a waterer, feed and a feeder, a proper heat light bulb, thermometer, bedding, and a book on care.

There is of course, the possibility that you can keep the baby birds for a few months or weeks, and then place them with someone who wants chickens or ducks and has the facilities to care for them. If you want to do this - that's great - but I would make sure you have the arrangement made in advance. Depending on where you live, it may not be all that easy to find someone who wants them.

Easter Bunny

Aren't those baby Easter bunnies just the cutest? Sure they are! But they grow up into rabbits, and may live over ten years. They do not need quite so much intensive care as babies as the birds do, but their needs in the long run may prove more expensive.

And they don't really lay eggs, you know. ;)

Rabbits do make wonderful pets. However, they are not typically good pets for children, especially young children. If you are prepared and want to add a rabbit to your family, there's certainly nothing wrong with deciding to do it just in time for Easter. If someone just dropped by and handed your child an Easter bunny (a live one), you might have a bit of a problem! Yes, it happens.

Fortunately, most pet stores now carry all the things your new pet will need for his or her health and happiness. Basic needs for rabbits are the same as for all pets - shelter, food, and water.

In the case of a bunny, you will first want to decide if he or she is going to live indoors or outdoors. Domestic rabbits are not as hardy as their wild relatives. A pet rabbit really should live indoors, with or without run of the house. An outbuilding, such as a shed or garage is not ideal - ventilation and temperature must be considered, as well as whether other animals are able to get into the building. A rabbit can actually die of fear from the presence of a predator animal - such as the family dog. A caged rabbit will still need at least few hours a day of playtime a day in a larger area.

Indoors or out, you will still need to purchase a cage, or hutch. Even an indoor rabbit should have a cage for their own security and for times when you may need to confine them. A rabbits cage should be at least five times the size of the rabbit. In the case of a baby rabbit, you'll either want to buy a cage based on his adult size, or plan on buying larger cages as she grows. Your rabbit should be able to stretch out and lay down, and their head should not touch the top of the cage when they stand.

Depending on the type of cage you purchase, you will also need bedding. Cages with wire floors are very common - but also hard on little bunny feet. If you purchase this type of cage, you should layer some cardboard over the wire to make it more comfortable for your bunny.

When you purchase the cage, keep in mind the type of feeder and waterer you plan to use. The best feeders and waterers are those that fit onto the cage in such a way that they remain clean and sanitary. Thus it is probably easiest to purchase the cage, feeder, and waterer at the same time and place. Most pet stores and feed stores will have all of those items available for you.

Your rabbit will also appreciate a place to hide - or have a little privacy. A simple cardboard box with a door cut into that fits in the cage is fine, or you can buy something fancier if you wish.

Commercial feed, as well as treats, are readily available for rabbits these days. However, these foods should be considered supplemental to hay (timothy hay, or grass hay is better for rabbits than alfalfa), and dark, green leafy vegetables. As with any pet, fresh food and water should be provided daily.

If you are keeping the rabbit indoors and giving them the run of the house, you can train them to use a litter box. You will want to make sure you have "bunny proofed" the house. Rabbits chew - a curious nibble of an electrical cord could have terrible consequences.

Rabbits are social animals. Even if you, or your child, spends lots of time keeping bunny company - they would be happier with another bunny friend. Consider adopting two bunnies rather than one. They will be happier for it.

As with chicks, you will find numerous books and resources on the web concerning rabbit care. This is only a very basic outline. You'll have much to learn!

Although I mentioned that with chicks and ducklings you might consider keeping them only until they are grown if you can make arrangements for a new home for adult chickens or ducks - this is less of an option with Easter bunnies. If you are purchasing a bunny, please plan on keeping it for it's own life span. If someone just surprised you with a gift bunny, and you cannot or do not want to keep it, you will find many rabbit rescue groups listed online. Many local shelters also have facilities for rabbits.

Pets are really not suitable surprise gifts for anyone at any time. This goes for Easter chicks, Easter ducklings, and Easter bunnies. They are all cute babies, but they grow up and live from ten to fifteen years. They have needs and require suitable care.

I hope you didn't buy one on impulse, but if you did, I hope you will go on now to see that it receives proper care. If someone "surprised" you (or your child) with an Easter bunny or chick, I hope you will either step up to the responsibility (and perhaps be surprised by how rewarding they are!) or take the proper steps to find them a good home. And if, best of all, you decided months ago to add some chickens, ducks, or rabbits to your family and thought you'd wait until Easter to buy them and take them home, where their cage and hay, or heat lamp and feed are all ready and waiting for them - yay you, enjoy the new additions to your family!

Summer Fey Foovay is an artist, writer, and webdesigner as well as the webmaster of Animal Nerd. She has been involved in animal care, often professionally, since childhood. You can find more of her work at Demented-Pixie.com

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Importance Of Teaching Kids To Train Pets

2008-03-23T01:10:00.000-07:00

Most kids would love to have pets at home. Most kids like to have a dog or cat as a pet. Children will get a brilliant experience with pets. Pets help kids in learning about the responsibility, love, and care for a fellow living being. Parents have to give certain instructions or advice to their kids while dealing with pets. Social skills of kids can be improved by interaction with pets. Families will have a good time, where bonding can be enhanced while taking care of the pets. So many activities can be done by the families and pets together. For example, fitness can be gained by taking the pets out for a walk.

Parents can invite the kids to join them while taking care of the pets. By having a schedule for the pet care, it will become easy for you and your children in caring pets.

The responsibilities for the pet care can be shared with your children. Kids will be able to enjoy the work and makes them feel that their service is very much important to the pets. Discuss the works in prior with your children and ask them which tasks can be taken by them. Appreciate them for volunteering and remember not to force any work on them. The kid's age should also be considered while assigning the duties. The work that can be done according to their age should only be assigned to them.

The work done by the kids should be appreciated at every point of time. Parents can give their kids small rewards for their work. These activities help the kids to become independent and also to help others who depend on them. Parents should educate their kids about the importance of pets and animal life in the world. Kids should be warned and advised if they do any harmful activity to the pets. Children can be taught how to hold smaller pets by giving comfort to them. Supervise your kids while caring pets at each stage if your kids are too small. Ensure that they are not attacked by the pets. By involving kids in pet care they will get the chance to become closer with the pets and the pets too feel the same way.

Parents can teach the kids to feed them. So the pets will show a special bonding to your kids. Kids should be involved during the bath time of the pets. They can be taught about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene while caring pets. While doing the cleaning activities parents should tell them to use gloves. Children should be allowed to play with the pets as this is one way of pets getting bonded to the kids. Parents should keep an eye on them during the play time and make sure that pets are not harming the kids.

Children should be reminded once if they forget to do the committed tasks. Some kids will get bored of the repetitive tasks required during pet care. But parents should be able to convince the importance of these tasks though they are repetitive by citing few real time examples.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for kids toys, animals, and dolls.

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Pet Animals - Dogs or Cats?

2008-03-23T01:08:00.000-07:00

Most of us like to have pets at home, especially kids who get excited about the idea of having a pet at home. There are some pretty common pets that are usually seen in most houses and they are dogs, cats, rabbits etc. Dogs are preferred because they guard their master, and the house, and will never tolerate anyone misbehaving with their master. But if people are interested in having companions for them, they prefer cats, as they prove to be very good companions. There are some differences in the nature and habits of dogs and cats, and so it becomes quite personal as to what you are looking for in a pet.

The first difference that is seen in the dogs and cats is that dogs are social animals and like to live in groups. They like to follow the leader of the group and are termed as the happiest among all in this kind of environment. Cats are completely different by nature and they like to roam about alone and never like to follow anyone. Dogs can stay anywhere they go and will become happy after sometime but the cats will not feel happy if they are taken out of their environment even if they have the best of companions with them.

The eating habits of dogs and cats are different and it is easy to manage with the dogs as compared to the cats in many aspects. When it comes to food, dogs will eat almost anything and can survive without meat for few days. Although dogs need a good amount of meat protein to maintain their health but at times they can manage without meat. But cats need a fixed amount of meat protein daily and are not able to maintain good health without it. Dogs can also remain without eating for few days by utilizing the fat reserves of their body but even if the cat is overweight it cannot utilize its fat reserves and needs to be fed daily. In the absence of proper feeding their health deteriorates.

Dogs are very obedient and will follow your instructions in any circumstances and when it rolls over it shows its submissive nature. But when the cat rolls over it shows the sign of trust because cats are never submissive. Dogs like to roll on dirty things like the normal nature of the dogs that are seen in the street dogs. Whereas cats have the nature of digging the earth and then bury their waste in it so that no one can trace them. Both of them have their peculiar nature just because of the cause of survival, which is the most important point for all the species in this world.

Keeping in mind all the points of differences between a cat and a dog, now it is up to you what you decide. Some like cats because of their nature and habits and some prefer dogs for their obedience and guarding nature.

But probably the thing that attracts people to dogs as pets, the most is that dogs are loyal, after all they are often referred to, - 'as a man's best friend'. Irrespective of these things, it's basically a personal choice and both, dogs and cats both are kept as pets in homes.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for kids toys, animals, and dolls.

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Teach Your Kids About Wild Animals

2008-03-23T01:07:00.000-07:00

Kids are curious by nature, and get very excited to learn about those things that are not apparent, and that they are not able to see. When you ask them what stories they want to listen to, the most common answer would be that they would like to listen to stories of wild animals or some dangerous and exciting stories. Kids have their own world of imagination, and they are excited to add more knowledge to that. Children have the general tendency of sharing information with friends, and as soon as they gather some, they would like to share immediately. So, if you are thinking of teaching your kid about wild animals you better start with the stories about wild animals that will arouse their interests. They would become engrossed and would like to know more about the lions, tigers, wolves etc, after listening to such stories.

The next step that you need to take is show them pictures in books or on the internet and make your kids identify the animals with their names. You have all the information on the internet so show your kids, the origin of animals, their eating habits, behavior, likes and dislikes etc. You will see that your child is getting interested in the topic and then you can also tell your kids how these wild animals such as lions, tigers, wolves, etc are facing dangers these days, in this modern world.

One thing that you need to keep in mind is the age of your child. Your child should be old enough to grasp such things that your telling them. A smaller child might not be able to associate with such things and land up getting scared rather than interested. Thus you'll end up doing more harm than good.

It is always better to educate your child with pictures or with information gathered from the internet or magazines. Show them everything and explain it directly on the computer or books, so that they believe what they see. Children like to see pictures as it makes what your telling them all the more interesting. Explain to your kids all the information and patiently answer any questions that they may have. For sure they'll have plenty!

If you can manage, take your kid to a trip to any national park and learn about the safety tips before entering. This you can do if your child is big enough and will understand and cooperate with you to look out for wild animals. In fact even a zoo is a good idea to look at wild animals. The zoo probably is a safer bet, as the animals are confined to their cages or spaces and children feel more sage. If your kids are old enough to understand the effects of the modern world on lions, tigers and other wild animals, then you can explain that to them as well.

Teaching kids about wild animals can be fun and interesting, you can also explain to them the difference between a wild animal and a pet, that you keep at home.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for kids toys, animals, and dolls.

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Teaching Kids About Animals Is Fun

2008-03-23T01:06:00.000-07:00

Teaching kids about animals can be quite interesting, and if you add trips to the zoo for that purpose, it will be all the more helpful. They can learn there about how animals behave, their eating habits, from where they come from, and the sounds they make. Animals of various types are found in the zoo, and you might be able to show them the varieties of dogs, cats, rabbits, monkeys and lots more. So if you are planning to take your kids to the zoo in order to teach them about animals, try to visit the website and show it to your kids to create interest in the animals. When they will watch those animals live, they will find it very interesting and will be excited to learn more about them.

Before visiting the zoo you can also find out if there are any events being organized in the near future so that you can take along your child to enjoy the activities of the animals in a different way. Take print out's of pictures of animals in the zoo so that you can easily make the kid identify them. Some of the zoos also allow you to feed the animals so you can encourage your child to feed them and enjoy the fun and excitement in it. Let the child explore the zoo on their own by just keeping a watch on them and this will make chikdren take interest in the nature of different animals.

There are animals that can be tamed or can be kept at our homes, as pets. Pets need special care and before keeping pets like dogs, cats, rabbits or any other animal, you should be aware of of how to look after them. You should have a complete knowledge of their daily care, food habits and hygiene, which is very important as they are kept inside the house and children, too play with them. Keeping pets is the best way to teach kids about these animals, but it is not possible to keep so many animals as pets. However with pets children come to know about each and every detail of the behavior and the habits of the pet animals.

Taking kids to the animal show creates an interest in children for animals and they learn about varieties of dogs in a dog show or various other animals in different animal shows. Dogs, cats, rabbits etc are common pets found in many houses of which dogs are the most common. If your friends and relatives have pets you can take your child there and let him spend few days with the pet and know a bit in details about it. When the children play with them and watch them so closely they will learn very fast and with ease. This type of lessons is unforgettable and he will remember them for his lifetime. In this way you can teach them about animals and their habits especially about the dogs, cats, rabbits, monkeys etc.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls.

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Care For Chihuahua Dogs - Or Else

2008-03-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

Care for Chihuahua dogs is much like caring for any other dog with several important exceptions. Since Chihuahuas are members of the world's smallest breed, you must consider the small physical size of the dogs. Small in size but your pet isn't necessarily small in attitude. Like many small breeds Chihuahuas often make up for small size with a lively, terrier-like disposition. Of course, disposition of dogs varies widely. Some Chihuahuas are retiring and very quiet too.

Chihuahua training must be gentle but still insist on reasonable behavior by your pet. You determine what is reasonable too.

Chihuahua Potty Training

A first training step for Chihuahua puppy care is house training. Get house training done quickly and you and your puppy will both benefit. Make sure your pup is old enough to physically control elimination. Starting house training too early is a major source of frustration. Once you determine that your puppy is old enough for house training, you can choose from several different methods of teaching.

One of the most popular methods is called crate training. Most dogs have no desire to soil their sleeping and lounging area. If you confine a puppy in a fairly small area, like a crate, the puppy will usually hesitate when the time for elimination is at hand. That uncomfortable period, is your time to spring into action. Quickly remove the pup from the crate to the appropriate area. Repetition of this exercise will train most dogs that the right place to go is the place you have chosen. That's a mission accomplished.

This method does require your close attention for the training period. You must be right by your puppy watching for signs of discomfort. After a bit, you can probably predict when the time is right based on meal times and other time day.

Protection

For house breaking and any other training, always remember the small size of a Chihuahua. Tiny dogs can be injured in many ways. Accidentally step on your puppy or sit on a dog and you may do permanent damage or worse. And it is essential that no rough treatment is acceptable in any training. Any necessary discipline can be firm and consistent, but still very gentle.

Another protection required for your dog is protection from cold. Tiny dogs do not have the mass to deal with very cold weather. Their bodies are just too small and lack the fat cover necessary for dealing with cold temperatures. Leaving your dog outside in cold weather is a bad idea. Pet clothing in cold weather is not just for decoration, but for protection from chilling.

Feeding A Chihuahua

Another challenge of care for Chihuahua dogs is at feeding time. Chihuahuas, especially older dogs, become overweight quickly. Overweight dogs are subject to a whole list of health problems. Hypoglycemia, the difficulty in dealing with sugars in the diet, is especially common in overweight dogs. Avoid many problems by feeding a moderate, high quality diet and limiting snacks. Then provide plenty of exercise opportunities. A moderate diet and quality exercise will keep your dog fit and healthy for many years.

Puzzled about care for Chihuahua dogs? Need more information? Visit our site for care for Chihuahua dogs tips.

We invite you to visit http://www.ChihuahuaTips.com for answers to your Chihuahua dog questions.

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Jazz Up Pets With Jewelry

2008-03-23T00:59:00.000-07:00

Jewelry is something everyone loves wearing. Let it be stones, gold, silver or pewter, there is some sort of jewelry that everyone will like. Now, to make sure that all pets are not far behind in this race for jewelry, many people manufacture pet jewelry, yes jewelry for pets! Jewelry that includes chains, lockets, collars, and anything fancy one can envisage.

So today, the creation and manufacture of pet jewelry proves to be a lucrative business. In fact, pet owners love to spruce up their pets, and themselves, in pet jewelry. Instead of buying jewelry only for their pets, or for themselves, they now venture into buying matching jewelry for both of themselves. You can create any form of jewelry; made of sterling silver, pewter, or gemstones. Be as creative as possible to create jewelry designs that will entice both the pet and pet owner!

One of the most common pieces of jewelry is jewelry with a Celtic design. This jewelry can be attached either to the pets collar, or used as a pendant in the pet owners chain or necklace. Adding a special stone to the center of these pendants, make it even more attractive to your prospective customers. You can also create matching gold charms for their pets. Adding genuine stones to these charms make the charm more charming! To make the jewelry more alluring to the customer, you could offer the charm in a lovely gift box that matches the gold charm.

Another novel idea for pet jewelry is designer pet ID tags and pet ID jewelry. It is not that you have to create all this jewelry; there are many jewelry designers out there creating masterpieces out of jewelry; you could offer to sell this jewelry for these jewelers, and charge a commission for these sales, .925 sterling silver pet tags make a very stunning presence wherever the pet goes. So, instead of using a cheap, ordinary, plastic, or aluminum pet tag for the pet let pet owners have unique pets with these sterling silver pet tags.

Of course, whatever pet jewelry it is that you are creating or distributing, it is very important to have a web presence through which you can sell your pet jewelry. Create a website with pictures of this jewelry, and with information about it. Looking at the picture itself, the pet owner should feel like buying pet jewelry for their pets and themselves. Of course, the pets that are most likely to wear pet jewelry are cats and dogs. Sometimes pets require something more rugged looking, and something more masculine.

The costs for this pet jewelry should not be too high nor should it be too cheap. Sometimes it may go up to hundreds of dollars, while some jewelry may cost only $1! Remember to keep a reasonable price range so that both rich and poor pet owners can buy pet jewelry. Do not forget to mention the shipping and handling charges that have to be borne by the pet owner to receive the selected pet jewelry!

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Having A Pet Rabbit - Fun Along With Responsibility

2008-03-23T00:55:00.001-07:00

Rabbits are very cute and cuddly and many have the idea that it is very easy to have them as pets. Children love to play with rabbits and as they are soft and cuddly, children like to catch them or hold them. Before deciding to have a rabbit as a pet, you need to learn some points so that you find it easy to maintain them. The first thing that is important is to note that they bite and they don't like to be held or picked up when they are roaming about. So it will be a dangerous thing if you have a small child at home and if the rabbit is caught against their will, they may bite. You cannot train them not to bite in such cases.

Rabbits look very cute and it seems that they are the simplest of pets, as they just have to be caged. But the fact is that they have to be cared for a lot. They need to be taken out of the cage daily and they need to be exercised to keep them healthy. You will have to keep an area especially for them so that they exercise there daily and it should not have any harmful things. You should also keep away important things so that the rabbit doesn't bite and destroy them. Those who have studied about the behavior of the rabbits, are of the opinion that it will also get depressed if it does not get the human touch on regular basis. So you or your child will have to spare some time exclusively for the rabbit and play with it.

It depends upon the breed that how often you have to brush the rabbit because they have a tendency to swallow their own fur, which might lead to intestinal problem or even breathing problems in the rabbit. The rabbit's cage also needs to be cleaned either every day or alternate days. If taken care properly rabbits can live up to 10 years or even more sometimes. Buying a rabbit for a pet is a costly and time taking job. You will have to look after and take care of the rabbit and its habits so that they are maintained in a good health and in hygienic way. You have to take care of the type of food and the nutrition that is important for the rabbit too.

Rabbits are quite destructive sometimes and messy too, because basically it is mischievous. They cannot be trained, not to destroy anything so you will have to keep things away from their reach otherwise rabbits can go to the extent of chewing a shoe, cord or anything that they like. Also you will have to groom your rabbit regularly. Even then you should be prepared to clean up the fur, as they shred them here and there. There is one important point to be noted that most rabbits die of heart attack and they fear children a lot. So by keeping all the things in mind you can have a pet rabbit for your home.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for kids toys, rabbit, and dolls.

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Anesthesia, Surgery and Your Pet

2008-03-23T00:55:00.000-07:00

As pet owners, we are all concerned about the risks associated with anesthesia and surgery. Anesthesia and surgery is a more exact science than you might expect. The safety of general anesthesia is dependent upon the anesthetic agent, the equipment used, the methods of patient monitoring, patient status, and the expertise of the people involved. In fact, the safety of general anesthesia is dramatically improved by giving adequate attention to each of these areas.

To the doctors and staff of Research Pet and Bird Hospital, nothing is more important than taking steps to maximize the safety of a procedure. In fact, our core values demand that we use only the safest anesthetic agents, precise delivery systems, intense patient monitoring, and all measures available to improve the patient's status to make the procedure a success. For us, it is a mission. Our focus and intensity does not wane until the patient is fully recovered and ready to go home. Anything else is a complete failure in our minds and hearts.

If you are planning to have your dog spayed, cat neutered, your bird's broken leg fixed, the mass in your ferret biopsied, or the teeth in your rabbit floated, these procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Your pet's safety is our greatest concern.

Our goal is to minimize the risks associated with anesthesia. In order to make anesthesia as safe as possible, we use some of the safest anesthetic agents available. The use of precision vaporizers allows a constant and exact amount of anesthetic to enter the patient and allow rapid adjustments of anesthetic depth and rapid elimination of the anesthetic agent permitting quick recoveries. Our anesthetic machines also deliver 100% oxygen to provide adequate oxygen delivery to the tissues.

Our surgical nurses are the best in the business. They are hand picked to take on this profound responsibility. They understand this tremendous responsibility and they take it very seriously. We charge them with caring for the most important animals on the planet, your pet. To them, guiding your pet through the procedure to a successful conclusion is their single most important task. We train them to be the best. They are so good, our doctors ask for their assistance on their own pets. Our surgical nurses are intensely trained and care so much that often it may seem they are making too many recommendations. The reason is simple, your pet's safety is their responsibility and they want every advantage.

If you have ever seen us working on your pet under anesthesia, you would notice all the devices connected to your pet. We use state of the art monitoring equipment to provide up to the second information about patient status. Continuous cardiac and respiratory monitoring is performed and adjustments in anesthetic depth are based on objective measurements such as pulse rate, respiratory rate, % saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen (pulse oximetry), blood pressure, and electrocardiographic tracings. These measurements are balanced along with our assessments of patient status.

We take into account variables such as patient age, size, weight, and health as well as the nature and expected duration of the procedure and make adjustments according to changing observations or expectations during the anesthetic period. Without a doubt, one of the most important keys to the safe conclusion of an anesthetic event is understanding patient status. What we learn during your pet's history and physical help us identify the three greatest risk factors: the presence of pre-existing illness, organ dysfunction, or sensitivity on the part of an individual to a particular anesthetic agent. In addition, we strongly recommend pre-surgical blood screens or profiles for all patients for all anesthetic procedures. In some cases, we are already aware of a pre-existing condition that should be monitored by these tests. In other cases, these tests may reveal a hidden illness or problem that could increase the patient's anesthetic risk. Complications to anesthesia are rare, but some are serious and may result in patient death. Under no circumstances do we want to jeopardize your pet's health if we feel the risk is too high.

Pre-surgical testing decreases the overall risk of anesthesia and helps prevent unexpected complications to anesthesia and surgery. This helps to decrease the risk of anesthesia by identifying problems before the procedure, instead of finding out about them afterwards. Typical tests are a complete blood count (CBC) to identify hidden infection, anemia, potential bleeding problem, or immune suppression. It also includes chemistry tests to avoid stumbling into situations where inadequate organ function impairs anesthetic elimination or increases the likelihood of complications. An EKG is a simple way to screen patients for heart disease and potentially life threatening heart rhythm abnormalities. The testing is designed to complement the doctor's assessment of patient status and risk of the anesthetic procedure. It is used to uncover undetected illness or to monitor known problems. It provides valuable information that may prevent us from unnecessarily endangering our patient. The likelihood that the findings will impact our decision to perform a procedure in healthy adults is small, but this does happen and there is no question those patients will be better off in the long run with that information. In some cases, a decision is made to postpone the procedure and try to resolve the problem first. In other words the pre-surgical testing decreases the overall risk of anesthesia and helps prevent unexpected complications to anesthesia and surgery. This type of testing is needed and is extremely important for any patient that will be anesthetized.

Intravenous catheters are always recommended to provide immediate access should emergency measures or other medications become suddenly necessary during the procedure. The administration of intravenous fluids during anesthesia is known to improve patient recovery and is a wonderful way to improve patient status.

If we made the recommendation for your pet to have something done with general anesthesia, you can be sure the benefits outweigh the risks and that we will do everything possible to bring about an uneventful recovery.

Some of the agents we use for anesthesia are Sevoflurane and Isoflurane (anesthetic gases) and Propofol (an intravenous induction agent to take the patient from awake to anesthesia). Some of the other medications we use before and during surgery are sedatives, tranquilizers, and pain medications may be given alone or in combination. We use tranquilizers such as valium or acepromazine; pain medications such as buprenorphine, morphine, butorphanol; and non steroid anti inflammatory drugs such as Rimadyl or Metacam. Patients are maintained on anesthesia by driving the anesthetic agent with oxygen through an airway tube known as an endotracheal tube. Species of animals we perform anesthesia and surgery on include dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, and chinchillas, lizards, snakes, and turtles.

Common procedures include spay, neuter, endoscopy, lump removal, tumor biopsy, intestinal biopsy, liver biopsy, pancreatic biopsy, intestinal obstruction, foreign body removal, mass removal, tumor removal, fracture repair, bone plating, knee surgery, ACL repair, tracheoscopy, esophagoscopy, rhinoscopy, nasal biopsy, lymph nod biopsy, radiography, contrast studies, dewclaw removal, abscess surgery, urethral obstruction, bladder stone removal, fustula removal, resection and anastamosis, intussusception, perineal adenoma, perineal urethrostomy, perineal hernia, abdominal hernia, diaphragmatiac hernia, inguinal hernia, dentistry, dental cleaning, dental prophy, tooth extraction, oral surgery, periodontal therapy, root planing, gingivoplasy, external fixation, vaginoscopy, urethroscopy, cystoscopy, cysotomy, gastropexy, gastrotomy, feeding tube placement, jejunostomy, mast cell tumor removal, bile duct surgery, gall bladder surgery, corneal and eyelid surgery, enucleation, bulla osteotomy, lateral ear resection, total ear canal ablation, pelvic surgery, correctional osteotomy, and surgical sexing of birds.

Dr Paul Skellenger is the Veterinarian for Veterinarian Care us and has over 20 years in Veterinarian medicine and experience with Anesthesia, Surgery and small animals. For additional information you can contact one of our Veterinarians in your area.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Skellenger

Pet Urinary Tract Infections - UTI Solutions

2008-03-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

Pets can also contract urinary tract infections, much like humans do. Most likely, cats are more prone to bladder infections than dogs and these could have a debilitating effect on the felines mobility and overall systemic health. If you have previously received treatment for an infection of this sort and endured all the related discomforts, imagine how much more painful this condition would be for a little kitty; to urinate amidst a buildup of crystallized urine passing through its tiny urethra.

At a glance, it would be difficult to determine if poor kitty is suffering from a bladder infection, much less notice the minute urine crystals discharged. Should you suspect a UTI condition, you could buy a urine pH test strip and administer it at home over a sample of your cats urine. Nevertheless, bladder infections can be directly observed through the aberrant actuations of your pet that constitute as symptoms to this disease. Symptoms may appear as gullible as the repeated self-licking of genitals; frequent urination that is more indicative of the infection; and the more obvious symptoms of pain while passing urine and in case cloudy or bloody formations become discernable over urine. Whatever the case may be, these symptoms are telltale signs of a bladder infection that should signal an immediate trip to the veterinarian for immediate consultations. Otherwise risk the complications that would go from a simple loss of appetite, to fevers and acute infections.

It is common practice to administer antibiotics to kill the bacteria-causing infection spawning within the confines of your pets bladder or kidneys. Yet recent medical findings reveal how prolonged use of anti-bacterial drugs can disrupt the delicate balance of your pets immune system in the course of providing relief. When this happens, poor kitty may not fully recover from the infection to instead suffer the ordeal of recurring UTIs throughout its lifetime.

Homeopathy is a fast rising, alternative treatment to synthetic drugs that is proven safe and effective for the treatment of your pets disease, even for prolonged medication. You might want to try herbal remedies such as Berberis Vulgaris with its potent extracts acting as naturally occurring anti-bacterial agents that not only stunt the growth of bacteria but also enhance the immune function. The Arctostaphylos uva ursi is another popular herb used as an antiseptic that is known effective in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Nowadays, herbal remedies are conveniently available through bottled medications. To obtain the therapeutic benefits contained with the abovementioned herbs, one could try a product such as a PetAlive UTI Free. Makers claim it is safe, free from undue side-effects and completely cures urinary tract infections in both cats and dogs.

Consider clearing your pets bladder infections the natural way and help your cat purr its way back into health.

Bruce Maul is a partner in Goldf Flax Seed, Inc. which provides only top quality Flax Seed, Herbal Remedies and other health related products. Learn more about Herbal Remedies by visiting http://www.myherbalremedystore.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Maul

How to Give Your Pet a Balanced Diet

2008-03-23T00:38:00.000-07:00

Just like all other living creatures, pet animals like dogs and cats require a combination of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, proteins, minerals and water. This balance can be achieved by creating a balanced nutrition diet, providing sufficient calorie amounts to meet the daily needs of the animal for activity, growth and repair. While many pet food bags claim that they are "complete nutrition" foods, this claim means absolutely nothing unless the nutrients within are in a form that the pet can absorb into their system.

For example, since the hemicelluloses and celluloses of plant cells is not digestible in raw forms by dogs and cats, foods that are based on grains as a primary source of protein and carbohydrates absolutely must be processed in a manner that allows the nutrients to be extracted by the animal's digestive system. Not only do most major pet food companies work hard to balance their pet foods, but they also make every effort to provide ingredients in the most usable form possible.

Pet foods must contain vitamins and minerals in concentrations that are balanced as well. If there is too much of one mineral or vitamin, it may actually have interference against the absorption of another vitamin or mineral. Too little of a vital nutrient can interfere with vitamin or mineral use. Major pet food companies generally strive to provide the most balanced proportions of minerals and vitamins and other nutrients based on years of studies, and most pet food companies are constantly fine tuning their recipes to benefit the pets that their foods feed.

There are differences in the way that each pet food maker processes their food, and in the quality of ingredients they use, which can contribute to the balance of the food's nutrition. There are also finished product, storage and ingredient humidity and temperature changes that contribute to variation in the quality of the food. Some pet characteristics affect nutritional needs in food, including age, breed, activity level and level of health. More and more pet food companies are coming out with specialised foods for certain animal breeds, activity levels (overweight, sporting, working), size (small dog formula, large dog formula) and age level (senior formula, baby formula) and so on.

For some pets, a balanced nutrition requires an anti-allergen food, such as a duck and potato blend for dogs and cats with allergies to certain grains.

The best way to determine what the right balance is for your dog or cat is to speak to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will have a good idea of the myriad of food choices out there, and will be able to recommend a food that will offer the right nutritional balance for your pet. It might be fruitful to explore a second opinion, or even a third, because some veterinarians give preferential treatments to certain food brands and may be making a somewhat biased decision.

However, slight differences in processing temperatures, in quality of the ingredients purchased, and storage humidity and temperature of ingredients of the finished product can cause variations in the quality that may affect a particular dog, a particular breed, or a particular line of dogs within a breed. In addition, some breeds or groups of breeds may require slightly different percentages of particular nutrients. Therefore, all dog foods are not perfect for all dogs, a factor that leads to the production of a plethora of different foods, claims, and processing methods.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For advice on pet food, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's leading suppliers of pet supplies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers

How to Adopt a Webkinz

2008-03-23T00:35:00.000-07:00

Still wondering what "webkinz" are? Your kids want them but you have no clue as to what they are. Well, then welcome to the world of new age toys. Webkinz are these incredibly cute stuffed extremely huggable toys that have a secret code attached to it. Entry into the Webkinz World is only possible with that exclusive secret code; and then just watch your toy come alive. Your toy is no longer just a toy but instead becomes your pet that you can take care of. It is amazing to know what all you can do for your plush pet. Starting from purchasing furniture for the room to clothing and you can even select the kind of food you'd like your pet to have. Each and every toy differs from the other in its hobbies, habits and they even have their own favorite foods. It is in fact as good as having a live pet

Adopting our webkinz online can now be done with the secret code you are provided with in the beginning. Ms. Birdy will be delighted to welcome you and will assist you through the entire procedure of adoption. Make sure you have a great name ready for your webkinz, whether it is a boy or a girl.

The best part about it is that you can adopt as many pets as you want. It does not stop at just one. All of them need to be loved and cared for so collect them and give them a home. At the end of you adoption process you will receive an adoption certificate online which you may print out. This authorizes you as the rightful owner of your newly adopted adorable pet.

You must be very careful while purchasing your webkinz. It should always come with a secret code that is attached to the ankle of your webkinz. Incase you have purchased one without a secret code immediately take it back to the place you bought it from and ask for a replacement. This special code is the key to all the fun that you can have online with your webkinz. And never lose your secret code. If you do you will not get a replacement. So make sure to keep the code in a safe place at all times.

Watching your pet come alive virtually is such a joy. If you still have not adopted your first webkinz then what are you waiting for? Go out there and get yourself one. Your kids will love it and so will you.

For More information, please visit: Webkins Cheats and Webkins Codes

Dixita is an article writer for various organizations across the globe. This is the first time I am trying out article writing for myself. For more information about me, do visit: Webkinz Cheats

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dixita_Dutt

How To Manage Pet Allergies

2008-02-28T04:34:00.001-08:00

During your first day of having a puppy in the house, you just might notice that you keep sneezing and coughing whenever the little pup comes near you. Should the condition worsen, you might have to fact the possibility of having a pet allergy. As unfortunate as it may seem, pet allergies are quite common all over the world, and even amongst pet owners! This is because most pets are guilty of carrying dander. And this is the primary allergen you have to be wary about when you have pets in the house.

Constant exposure to dander can trigger episodes of sneezing, itchiness, wheezing, and having such watery eyes. These allergic reactions can vary from being mild and tolerable all the way to being severe and extreme. But if you are an avid lover of dogs or cats, what are your chances to having such pets in spite of having pet allergies?

There are actually a number of methods that you can employ to deal with pet allergies. First and foremost, there is the need to reduce the onset or episodes of allergic symptoms manifesting themselves. Thus, there is a need to reduce the existence of allergens in your environment. To do this, you can have your pet sleep in an area that is separate from you. No matter how tempting it can be, do not let your dog or your cat sleep with you on your bed. Well, unless you are ready to face the consequences of sneezing and wheezing the very next day. For severe pet allergies, you just might have to declare your room as off-limits to your pets. Also, you may need to have your pets off your furniture in all of your rooms.

By brushing the hair or fur of your pet regularly, you also lessen animal dander. But be careful as to where you brush your pet's hair because animal dander can stick to just about any surface. Your very own carpet can be laden with much animal dander right at this moment, so you have to vacuum it regularly as well.

You can also choose pets that carry less dander than other pets. For this, you can consult your local veterinarians for the different breeds of dogs and cats that you can go for. Just explain your pet allergy case to the vet and he or she will definitely help you in every step of the way. With that kind of support on your side, you can certainly get the pet you want and stay healthy at the same time.

Are you suffering from Pet Allergies?

To Find out more about choosing the right Allergy Treatment for you, Click Here

Jen Miller is a health and fitness enthusiast. She is also an allergy sufferer and currently runs a website providing allergy information and allergy remedies at http://www.allergyremedy.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jen_Miller

Should you buy pet insurance?

2008-02-28T04:34:00.000-08:00

With vet bills soaring and fancy new treatments available, it's an option more owners are considering. Plus, eight ways to cut the cost of keeping a healthy pet.
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By Liz Pulliam Weston

A few years ago, pet insurance would have ranked right up there with policies on children and dread disease coverage on my list of insurance you don't need to buy.

Now I'm not so sure.

I still believe most people are better off forgoing the policies and instead putting the money they would spend on premiums into a savings account. Pet insurance can cost $2,000 to $6,000 over the life of an average pet, and the chances are slim you'd ever have to shell out that much for treatments.

But if you're the type of person who would do anything to save your pet, including spend thousands of dollars on medical treatments, pet insurance might be a preferable alternative to going into debt.
New tests, treatments, monstrous bills
What's changed in recent years is the state of veterinary science, as well as the economics of running a veterinary practice. Vets today can offer treatments that were unheard of just a few years ago -- and at prices that could make you howl. Consider:

o Treatments once reserved for humans, from radiation therapy to kidney transplants, are currently available for pets. That means once-fatal conditions are now treatable at costs ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 or more.

o Vets have access to increasingly sophisticated and costly diagnostic tools such as MRIs. Such screenings not only boost the cost of exams but often detect problems that once would have gone unnoticed, and untreated.

o These expensive tools and procedures have helped create health-care inflation in the pet doctor world.

That inflation has helped fuel a significant rise in the pet insurance industry. American Demographics magazine estimates that 5% of American pet owners have the insurance, up from less than 1% in 1995. Insurers have teamed with the American Kennel Club and Petco Animal Supplies to offer the insurance, while several major employers now provide the coverage as an optional employee benefit.
Deductibles, exclusions and surcharges
The oldest company, Veterinary Pet Insurance, has seen its revenues climb at a 40% annual rate since 1997 -- the year it finally broke even after 15 straight years of losses, according to founder Jack Stephens. VPI, which has about 85% of the pet insurance market, had gross sales of $110 million in 2005.

Pet insurance is far from a cure-all, though:

* The policies typically have deductibles, co-pays and caps that limit how much will be paid out annually.
* Pre-existing problems and hereditary conditions, such as hip dysplasia in German shepherds and retrievers, are normally excluded.
* The older your animal, the more you'll have to shell out in premiums. Some insurers don't cover pets older than 9, while others levy a stiff surcharge.
* Industry leader Veterinary Pet Insurance offers two levels of coverage that pay 50% to 90% of covered treatment costs after a $50 deductible. Here's how the numbers work out.

Premiums and coverage for pet insuranceItem Standard plan Superior plan

Deductible

$50

$50

Co-pay*

10% to 50%

10% to 50%

Cap per accident/illness

$2,500

$4,500

Annual cap

$9,000

$14,000

Kitten premium**

$93

$162

Mature dog premium***

$254

$471

Adult cat****

$94

$164

Adult dog*****

$134

$239

*The co-pay varies by condition, level of coverage and vet costs in your area. The standard plan pays $780 for removing a foreign object from an animal’s intestines; the Superior plan pays $1,363. *Kitten premium: Annual premium for a domestic shorthair less than a year old living in Los Angeles. ***Mature dog premium: Annual premium for an 8-year-old Labrador retriever living in Los Angeles. ****3-year-old adult cat in Seattle. *****3-year-old adult mixed-breed in Seattle.

Source: Veterinary Pet Insurance

Since insurance is best used as protection against catastrophic expenses -- not those you could easily pay out of pocket -- the question becomes: How deep in the hole would you go for your pet? And then could you afford to pay those costs yourself?

Pet insurance is a nonstarter for many pet owners, simply because they take a pragmatic approach to their animals. If the cost of treatment got too high, they would choose to put the animal to sleep.

"About half see the pet as disposable. If it got really ill they just wouldn't treat it," said Stephens, whose company conducted research on the issue. The other half "were willing to treat, whatever it took."
Going the distance for Fluffy
If you're in the latter category and you don't have sufficient savings to cover the treatments, you might consider pet insurance. But do your homework before you buy:

Shop around. Policies and premiums can vary widely. Note not just the monthly or annual cost but the differences in deductibles, co-pays and caps, which may limit payouts by incident, annually or the animal's lifetime. Ask whether the insurer offers discounts for insuring multiple pets. Some of the companies to check include:

* PetCare Pet Insurance, (866) 373-7387
* Petshealth Care Plan, (800) 807-6724
* Veterinary Pet Insurance, (800) 872-7387

Check with state insurance department. Like human health insurers, pet insurers should be registered with your state regulators.

Scrutinize the policy and understand the exclusions. Remember, the conditions most likely to afflict your pet are often the ones most likely to be excluded from your policy.

Beef up your savings. A Consumer Reports analysis found that pet owners with insurance may actually spend more over time on their animals than those without.
8 ways to keep overall pet costs low
Whether or not you opt for pet insurance, you can help control how much your animal costs you. Here are some other ways you can trim vet bills:

Use low-cost clinics for shots. Your vet may host one or two such clinics each year, or you can call your local Humane Society, animal control department or veterinary hospital for leads.

Get second opinions. You'll have time, with most conditions, to consult another vet before committing to expensive treatments or drugs. You also can consult The Merck Veterinary Manual online for a rundown on your pet's condition and recommended treatments.

Ask for samples. Your vet may have free starter packets of many popular medications. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Shop around for meds. You can call around to other vets, check out pet catalogs or search the Internet. Discountpetmedicines.com has links to sites that offer lower-priced medications.

Don't cheap out on pet food. An investment in better-quality food can pay off in fewer health problems, particularly with cats, which can be more susceptible to urinary tract infections if fed inexpensive cat food. Check with your vet.
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Keep their weight down. Just as with people, obesity in animals can trigger more health problems.

Keep your pet indoors or on a leash. Free-running animals have more accidents, contract more illnesses and take a bigger toll on the environment than pets that are kept under control. (In other words, Fluffy will live a longer, healthier life indoors, and the songbirds of the neighborhood will thank you.)

Consider a cat -- or a mutt. Next time you're in the market for a pet, remember that dogs tend to wind up in the vet's office twice as often as cats, and that purebreds tend to have far more hereditary weaknesses than your average pound puppy.

Liz Pulliam Weston's column appears every Monday and Thursday, exclusively on MSN Money. She also answers reader questions in the Your Money message board.

Nutritional Therapy

2008-01-26T09:09:00.000-08:00

Author: Douglas
Nutrients are the chemical components of diet and are essential to life and health.

Nutrients are classed as either macro nutrients or micro nutrients:
macro nutrients are carbohydrates (sugars and starches), fats (including essential fatty acids), proteins (including essential amino acids), and fiber
micro nutrients are vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that cannot be manufactured in the body, and so must be eaten daily.

If micro nutrients are absent or too low, illness results, Scurvy, for example, is a disease resulting from lack of vitamin C. It used to be the curse of sailors who had to make long trips at sea with no access to fresh fruit or vegetables. Once the connection between scurvy and fresh fruit had been made, and the sailors issued lime juice to drink, scurvy virtually disappeared.

Micro nutrients have only been identified extensively and researched since 1913 when an American biochemist, Elmer McCollum, discovered the first vitamin, vitamin A. Their use in treatment has now become a major, and rapidly growing, therapy in its own right throughout the world. Another nutritional therapy is mega vitamin therapy, established by the Nobel prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling in the United States. He believed that schizophrenia and other mental problems were the consequence of vitamin deficiency and originally called his therapy “orthomolecular psychiatry.”

The therapeutic prescription of nutrients is known as nutritional therapy, and practitioners specializing in it are nutritional therapists. Nutrients prescribed in this way are called “dietary” or “food supplements,” and they come in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, or liquids. Nutrients may sometimes also be injected for greater effect, but in most countries only conventional medical doctors may do this.
About Author
Douglas Adams is the owner of http://www.allwellbeing.com , a website dedicated to increasing knowledge of health related issues.
For high quality health care products http://www.shaklee.net/douglas_adams

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-douglas-165.html

PET CARE

2008-01-26T09:08:00.000-08:00

Author: LaQuishe C Wright
Free pet care pet parenting info on cheappetstore.com. Buy all kinds of pet products online and get attractive discounts. Call at 866.697.3899 and place your order online

Pets are truly the members of the family. People generally think of keeping dogs and puppies as their pet. This is because they are easily available and are believed to be faithful and hence provide safety and security. Cats are usually not preferred as it is believed to bring bad luck. Rabbits are avoided to be kept as pets. The reason being the rabbits breed faster and require frequent changes in the cages they are kept. However, besides this they do not require any further looking after and are healthy and do not suffer from many ailments. The other animal kept as pet is guinea pig. It is easy to tame and control it. They are easy to maintain. But they prefer cooler climates and need a lot of space to exercise. Fresh vegetables, pellets and water are required to feed them. Birds are also kept as pets. They require a cage and proper bird food.

Just as weather affects humans, weather also affects pet animals. The difference is only that the humans can take needful actions with the changing weather, but the pets animals can’t. They are dependent on the pet owners to do so. Therefore, it becomes very important to take special care of pets as per the changing weather. Different animals have different requirements for different weathers. For example, it sometimes becomes necessary to shave off some of your pets hair during summer. The hair retains too much heat. But at the same time some hair is beneficial to provide protection from the heat of the sun. The pets cannot speak but they express their needs through panting, staring expression at you, not obeying commands, rapid heart beat, dry skin. The temperature inside the pet shelter should be properly maintained. You can find all the information regarding on pet care from cheappetstore.com.

If your pet lives outdoors, make sure there is adequate shelter and shade during summers. Outdoor kennels should be well ventilated. Make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water for your pet. Avoid excessive exercise during summers as it causes overexertion and heat stroke. During winter, it is very important to keep them indoors because their body is not accustomed to the outside temperature. If you keep them outside then make sure that they have a warm and thick bedding.

Cheappetstore.com offers all these services and pet products at a discounted rate and hence at a cheaper rate than most of the large pet stores. They offer pet supplies for animals like dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, farm animals, horses, cattle, pigs, monkeys, goats, alpacas, llamas, sheep, rabbit, and guinea pigs among others. It provides various pet care products for different pets. For dogs and cats it provides dog poncho, carrier, grooming comb, dog collar, beds, kennels, feeders, clothes, food, odor and stain remover.
About Author
I, LaQuishe C Wright, write articles on pet care and pet parenting. For further details please visit the site http://www.cheappetstore.com.

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com

Diet Pills- A Comparative Study

2008-01-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

Author: Gelsey
Phentermine medication works on the nervous system of the body which causes suppression of appetite reducing total food intake in the body which ultimately causes body weight reduction.Phentermine diet pills work as appetite suppressant which reduce the quantity of food intake

Today let us discuss about a study of the diet pills which have become a craze for people to be slim.

Floods of advertisements in all possible avenues of media make people puzzled to select the right diet pills for weight loss.

So we will put a few words regarding functioning of different diet pills to enable people for a right choice of the same.

However, it should be kept in mind that treatment of obesity by this type of medicinal methods should be used only for the people who have become terminally ill due to obesity and overweight. The diet pills should never be used for cosmetic purpose. A doctor is the best person to judge whether you should take diet pills or adopt other method for your weight loss.

We can mention a guideline in this respect. Diet Pills should be used for the persons with body mass index of 30 or more. However, if the person is suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol etc which may cause heart problem, the medicine can be used if the person has lower body mass index of 27 or more.

If the diet pills are properly used with supplementary balanced diet and regular exercise, we can expect a weight loss of at least 5 pounds in the first month and an overall 10 – 15 % of initial weight can be shed with continuous use of diet pills. But you should remember that weight loss occurs only when you are using diet pills. You will regain weight if you discontinue taking weight loss drugs.

Now let us have a look towards functioning of different kinds of weight loss drugs.

There is one kind of weight loss medicine which causes the body to feel stressed. In fact this is the side effect of the medicine which causes rise of blood pressure.

Actually this kind of medication works on the nervous system of the body which causes suppression of appetite reducing total food intake in the body which ultimately causes body weight reduction. Phentermine diet pills work as appetite suppressant which reduce the quantity of food intake

Phentermine diet pills are of this category of medicine. So when you buy Phentermine diet pills, your doctor should monitor your rise in blood pressure due to use of Phentermine diet pills.

Meridia also falls into this category of diet pills.

We want to put a caution that due to media publicity, people are aware about their body weight. However, in order to tempt people to buy cheap Phentermine, lots of advertisements are coming up in TV and Internet. Also phentermine online are offered in the Internet Stores with down to earth price. We will suggest common people to check whether the drug is approved by FDA or not. If it is approved by FDA its quality is assured.

There are a few other kinds of weight loss drugs. One of them is Xenical of Orlistat group. This medicine prevents absorption of fat in the body which ultimately reduces body weight. Common side effects of this medication are gas, cramps or diarrhea. It is not difficult to under stand that the unabsorbed fat passes away from the body causing this diarrhea.

This medicine is highly effective in reducing body weight with minimum side effects. But some times many kinds of vitamins are also passes away from the body with the unabsorbed fat which may cause vitamin deficiency. So a vitamin and calcium supplement while taking Xenical are recommended.

Our space is limited to discuss all the aspects of different details of diet pills. If we get chance in future we will discuss in detail.
About Author
Gelsey Simmons is an associate editor to the website http://www.phenterminehome.com. The website offers complete Phentermine information through breaking news, personal views, and articles on weight loss. We also provide requisite information about the numerous weight loss pills Phentermine.Your feed back comment and suggestions will be highly appreciated at gelsey.simmons@gmail.com

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com

Choose The Right Vet Your Pet s Life Rests In His Hands

2008-01-26T09:04:00.001-08:00

Author: Paul Wilson
One of the most crucial and important of decisions a pet-parent makes it that of choosing a vet. It is the vet who will understand your pet when he gets ill and care enough to practice what is now popular as preventive health care.

One of the most crucial and important of decisions a pet-parent makes it that of choosing a vet. It is the vet who will understand your pet when he gets ill and care enough to practice what is now popular as preventive health care.

Never choose a vet because he has a nice smile or a beautiful office or is cheap. Choose a vet who thinks about your pet the same as you do and always keeps the best interest of the pet ahead of all other considerations. The vet must love the breed that your pet is and:

• Be kind and gentle when handling the dog. He must not leave diagnosis or check ups to assistants.

• He must always stay ahead of developments in medicine and update his skills and knowledge constantly.

• The vet must be able to stand by you through thick and thin and proffer timely advice.

• The clinic must be spik and spank and have space for overnight stay with clean kennels, space to run, and staff who love animals.

• It is ideal if the clinic is located close to your home and if it offers health care plans for your pet.

• Ask the clinic if they have emergency contact numbers so that you can call if an unforeseen problem occurs in the middle of the night or on a public holiday.

• Check if the clinic has specialists consulting with them like orthopedic doctors and eye specialists.

As a concerned pet parent you must make a list of questions you need answers to. And spend a little time on finding out whether you would be more comfortable with an allopathic vet represented by the American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA or a holistic vet represented by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, AHVMA.

While allopathic vets practice conventional medicine, a holistic vet will use medicinal herbs, nutritional changes or supplements, vitamins, and enzymes, chiropractic manipulations, homeopathy, Bach flower remedies, as well as massages for treatment. And, if need be they will prescribe allopathic medicines. They try and treat the cause not just the symptoms of any ailment.

It is essential for you to choose a vet who will work along your side in caring for the pet. He must be patient, love the animal, and make time to explain things to you as well as take your opinion of things. After all, no one can know your pet better than you. A vet must care for the pet for at least 10-15 years. He must be organized and maintain health records in great detail from the day the pet is born to the day it dies.

A pet will lead a complete existence only if you, the vet, and trainer work in harmony and side by side. So, choosing a suitable vet is an important decision that must be done after weighing all the pros and cons.
About Author
Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Discuss.com/pet/ , the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Pet Forum including topics on pet health, pet care and nutrition, grooming pet at home, dog, cat's health issues and more. He also freelances for the premier Search site http://www.Bavoo.com

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-paul-wilson-7.html

Diet Pills A True Friend of Flab Haters

2008-01-26T09:02:00.000-08:00

Author: Kim Parker
When was the last time you got a compliment for your healthy body? Couldn’t recall? And if the trend continues you never could because the unwanted flab that got accumulated in your body would just not go away.

When was the last time you got a compliment for your healthy body? Couldn’t recall? And if the trend continues you never could because the unwanted flab that got accumulated in your body would just not go away.

Your daily fitness regimen, which includes cardio exercises, diet management, carbs control et al, is not showing the intended results. The feeling of despondency is gradually gaining ground in the helpless mind. There’s no way out! Yet there is.

The general physicians the world over prescribes diet pills to tackle extreme obesity (where the BMI Index exceeds 30). The prescription diet pills have been found extremely beneficial in patients whose weight refuses to subside even after exhausting all the natural modes of weight loss.

Some of the weight loss pills – like Phentermine, Adipex, Didrex, and Phendimetrazine etc. – are sympathomimetic amines. These are “anorectic” or “anorexigenic” drugs that stimulate the central nervous system, which in turn, increases the heart rate and blood pressure and decreases the appetite. These diet pills are prescribed as a short-term treatment of obesity. These are habit-forming drugs and therefore should be stopped gradually.

Being appetite suppressants, the diet pills indirectly assist you in your weight-loss endeavors. However, there are other diet pills like Xenical, which works slightly differently. Xenical stops the body from absorbing about 30% fat already consumed. In turn, this excess fat is released through natural bowel movements of the body.

The efficacy of the weight loss pills can be verified by visiting the nearest pharmacy. Various online pharmacies also provide the diet pills review which is very helpful in deciding the right medicine for your condition. In addition these online pharmacies also encourage you to buy diet pills online, which you must desist. The reason is simple. The working of these pharmacies is unregulated and thus they pose serious danger to the health of billions.
About Author
“Kim Parker” is an associate editor to the website http://www.hateweight.com. It is committed to provide visitors with complete information on weight loss, diet pills, obesity and phentermine. We also provide articles on health related topics. Your feedback & comments will be highly appreciated at email editor@hateweight.com

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-kim-parker-262.html

Control obesity with diet pills

2008-01-26T09:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Charles Jones
Obesity is a word that is becoming popular. Today, even a young child will know its meaning much before it comes in his/her vocabulary text. It isn’t astonishing as in the last decade itself we have seen the number of obese people jump by nearly 50% and not even the children are spared.

Obesity is a word that is becoming popular. Today, even a young child will know its meaning much before it comes in his/her vocabulary text. It isn’t astonishing as in the last decade itself we have seen the number of obese people jump by nearly 50% and not even the children are spared.

The reason for people becoming obese today is generally categorized into 2 sections; one who have a genetic tendency, a hormonal imbalance to become obese and the other is people who have no control over their lifestyle and food habits.

To become obese can be easily measured by the BMI index, a reading of over 30 makes you obese. And other than the number of people who are obese, there are many who are in the verge of becoming obese.

Control on oneself is essential but today’s lifestyle only makes is more difficult. If one wants to control obesity it can be achieved successfully by using FDA approved prescription diet pills.

Diet pills that gives the sensation of being full, hence hindering the person from over consumption of food. It is one of the most effective methods regarding excessive weight gain, and Phentermine is a diet pill which has done its job.

Phentermine, one of the most successful anti-obesity diet pills is known all over the world. It is usually taken daily either once or three times a day, 30 minutes before meals for maximum effectiveness.

Phentremine diet pills known as an appetite suppressant is available with your pharmacist with the production of a prescription as it is not an OTC drug. But you can buy cheap Phentermine diet pills online without a doctor’s prescription.

Obesity is a menace to the society and every individual suffering from the same can benefit from the Phentermine diet pills to transform their lifestyles and to get out of their hiding into a fat free open world.
About Author
Charles Jones publishes interesting and informative articles on diet pills. For more information on diet pills visit http://www.slimtour.com

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-charles-jones-291.html

Online Pet Supply

2008-01-26T08:29:00.000-08:00

Author: LaQuishe C Wright
Discount pet supply - CheapPetStore.com - provides quality pet information, and pet friendly communities for dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses, reptiles, small pets, breeders, groomers, veterinarians, and pet lovers

Pets have proved to be the humans’ best companion. They are truly the members of the family. About 60% of the households have at least a dog, cat, bird, fish, monkey or any other pet in their house. Pets are kept for different reasons and the reasons would vary from one home to the other. Usually people keep small pets for companionship as they provide joy and unconditional love. In some cases it also provides a sense of safety and security. It is always fun to have a pet and it makes you feel good.

Owning a pet is a great experience, but at the same time, it is loaded with a lot of responsibility. Before making a decision as to which pet to buy, it is very important that you take some time to consider as to which pet will best suit your family. It is very important to consider your needs, concern, fears and medical history of all your family members. You should divide the responsibilities and the amount of time that needs to be spent with pet before buying it. Your budget, lifestyle and the living space are the deciding factors when buying pet animals.

There are certain necessary steps you need to follow for pet care, if you own a pet in your home. First of all, you should visit a veterinarian with your pet in order to ensure that your pet is healthy. You must discuss proper nutrition and feeding measures in order to keep your pet healthy. All the necessary vaccinations must be provided to your pet. Before you bring a pet home, you must prepare a proper place for it to eat, sleep and exercise. The necessary accessories should be bought like collar, litter box, crate, bird cage among others. Maintain a daily schedule of exercising for your pet.

It is very essential to provide your pet with the required warmth and comfort which you would to any new family member. Right pet care is extremely important. You must provide a loving and safe environment for your pet. The pets should be provided with proper pet toys that don’t harm their digestive system. Also, the pet should be provided with proper dental care to ensure that they do not suffer from plaque or tartar or any other disease. Moreover, you should provide your pet with all the essential nutrients required for their growth. The pets can be trained as per your choice but it needs to be done with special care and attention.
About Author
I, LaQuishe C Wright, write articles on pet care and pet parenting. For further details please visit the site http://www.cheappetstore.com.

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com

Pet Fish Stores

2008-01-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

Are you looking to buy a pet fish but don’t know where to start? Here are some things you should look for in a pet fish store.

Common pet fishes and more. A few goldfish do not make a pet fish store. The real deal should offer you a whole array of aquatic animals that live not only in fish bowls and aquariums, but even in ponds. Look for pet fish stores that sell varieties such as Fancy Guppies, Koi, Betta Fish, Angelfish, Mollies, Oscars, African Cichlids, Puffer Fish, and even Eels, Piranhas, and Sharks. Some even carry frogs, shrimp, and crabs for ponds.

All kinds of fish food. You want your pet fish store to be your one-stop shop for all fish needs, especially food. Remember that different kinds of fishes have different dietary requirements. There are vegetarian, omnivore and carnivore types.

Mollies, for example, eat plant material in the form of flakes, pellets or tablets. Do not buy large quantities of fish food because they tend to lose nutritional content over time. Omnivore fishes, on the other hand, eat almost everything, such as freeze-dried foods, bloodworms, tubifex worms, brine shrimp and krill – all of which you should be able to find in your pet fish store. You also need to be able to buy prepared meat sources such as beef heart for your carnivorous Oscars, piranha and eels. The store should likewise carry liquid and gel diets for baby fishes.

Other essentials. A pet fish store must also carry basic fish tank accessories and furniture, filters, air pumps, cartridges, water Pumps, diffusers, tubing, heaters and chillers, to name a few. If the store does not sell these, it should at least be able to order them for you.

If you think that it’s easy having a pet fish, think again. Fishes can actually be quite high-maintenance – they need as much time as you would devote to any other pet. You have to keep its living conditions clean and healthy for it to live a long life.

Pet Stores provides detailed information on Pet Stores, Pet Supply Stores, Online Pet Stores, Pet Fish Stores and more. Pet Stores is affiliated with Free Pet Tags .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Gluckman

How to Find a Certified Dog Trainer

2008-01-03T07:09:00.002-08:00

Are you in the market for a dog trainer? Do you want your dog to learn from a top notch certified dog trainer? You may have dreams of seeing your dog in professional dog competitions and shows. Therefore, you need to have your dog trained by a certified dog trainer to ensure the best results.

Why should you hire a certified dog trainer instead of a basic dog trainer? A certified dog trainer is one that takes their dog training career seriously enough to become certified. You can feel comfortable in the fact that they have met high dog training standards and passed certification exams and tests. You don’t want a fly-by-night dog trainer, but a certified dog trainer that is in it for the long haul.

How do you find a certified dog trainer? There are numerous dog trainers available in the market place today. Dog trainers range in age, skill level, and experience. Your neighbor might tell you that they are a dog trainer because they have read a few books on the subject and taught their dog to fetch the newspaper. This is not sufficient dog training experience.

You should consult a variety of resources. Try asking your dog breeder, groomer, and veterinarian. They can direct you to local dog training schools that have certified dog trainers on their faculty. Various pet supply stores have dog training programs that train and certify their dog trainers. Example pet supply stores include PETCO.

However, research what they mean by “certification”. Is the certification by PETCO standards only or by a universal certification? Find out what the requirements are for their certified dog trainers. Only then can you determine if their dog trainers will supply the skill level and experience you desire.

You need to find a dog trainer that has had comprehensive training and can proudly demonstrate that they are a certified dog trainer. Be aware, though, that there are many “certified dog training” schools and home correspondence courses available. Not all of these schools are credible nor do they provide proper instruction. You need to find a dog trainer that has certification as described by the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers.

The Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers is a well respected organization that provides testing and certification services for dog trainers. They administer specific dog training tests in various states around the country approximately twice per year. These intensive tests root out the professional dog trainer from the average dog trainer. Check out their website at: http://www.ccpdt.org/.

The Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers also provides a listing of certified dog trainers. You can search through this listing to find a certified dog trainer in your area. This roster of certified dog trainers comprises certified dog trainers all over the world. The certified dog trainer list will give you their contact information including name, city, phone number, and e-mail address. Another great feature is that they list the date the dog trainer became certified. This will let you know how many years they have been in the dog training business. Peruse the list at: http://ccpdt.org/rstr/index.html.

Certified pet trainers do not only need to pass a certification exam and testing, they must also continue their education through workshops, conferences, and other means. When selecting a certified dog trainer ask them about the extent of their continuing education. You want a certified dog trainer that continues to hone their craft. They should actively learning about various dog training methods. This demonstrates that they are committed to providing the best dog training.

A certified dog trainer should have at least three to five years of dog training experience. This is especially true if they charge higher fees. You can take the plunge with a newly certified dog trainer if cost is an issue. Newly certified dog trainers may charge lower rates in order to establish a list of clients and garner experience. “Master” certified dog trainers are those that have twenty to thirty years of experience. They may have great skill and in depth background experience, but may come at a higher price.

You have the beginning knowledge regarding finding a certified dog trainer. Spend time searching resources available through your dog breeder, veterinarian, and pet supply store. Scour the book store, library, and Internet for detailed information. You can find a certified dog trainer in your area as well.

You wouldn’t go to an unlicensed doctor would you? So why would go to a trainer that is not certified? Certified dog trainers are out there and ready to help you and your pooch learn valuable skills. They are committed to your dog, their career, and learning everything they can about becoming a top notch dog trainer. Who knows, your certified dog trainer may help your dog win the Westminster dog show. Not only would your dog be trained well and achieve glory, but the expense would be well worth it.

Visit the dog products website to research dog breeds & get free tips on dog training, dog health, dog grooming & how to find dog sitters & dog walkers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K_Brandt

Does Discount Pet Supply Offer "Tree" Training?

2008-01-03T07:09:00.001-08:00

Are you one of those dog owners that takes long walks with your dog? Have you found that as long as you continue moving, your dog seems fairly content, but if you stop for a moment you have a struggle to get him going again? This can be the most frustrating process when it comes to teaching your dog how to “walk” properly. Remember that having the proper equipment is the first step. Retractable leashes are fine on large dogs or smaller dogs as far as controlling potential rope tangles, but offer no control in restraining your pet. If you have a big dog, a lot of leverage on the leash is in the dog's favor which makes it very frustrating and defeats the purpose. For that matter then, a good long rope works just as well. You can purchase either at an online pet supply shop or department store.

Another device used is a body harness. While it is great for securing your dog to an inanimate object you will be in for a bit of a surprise when it comes to walking your dog. The body harness, which is available at any online pet supply store, is ineffective as a training tool. It is actually designed to maximize your dog’s pulling power when hauling a load behind him, not to minimize his power so you can control how you would like your dog to behave.

A standard, nylon dog collar and a six-foot leash is all you need when it comes to making a training exercise simpler. You will find plenty at an online pet supply store. One excellent method for leash training is called the “tree” method. All you have to do is become an immovable object until your dog ceases to balk at the leash and will allow a slack to develop. Consider the following scenario. Stand in place and allow the dog to decide which direction it would like to go. While standing still, allow the dog to pull, but neither correct nor enforce your dog's actions. When you find that a looseness is evident in the leash, move in the direction your dog wants to go, enforcing the slackness of the leash and praising your dog loudly. Remember to stop short as soon as your dog starts to pull on the leash again. Doing this daily will train your dog to be your best walking partner ever!

By Terry Price- Remember to visit http://www.pet-supply-discount.com/pet-doors.html for a great resource on dog leashes and for all of your online pet supply needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Price

Celebrity Pets - Pet Supplies for the Rich and Famous

2008-01-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

Life is good for most celebrity’s pets. It seems to be a fad these days to flaunt your pet in public if you’re a celebrity. The most popular is the canine. I am not sure who was the very first person to start it, but it definitely caught on like wild fire. A movie in Hollywood that definitely influenced this trend was Legally Blonde. Reese Witherspoon’s dog Bruiser in the movie went everywhere with her. She dressed him up in clothes and jewels. She pampered him as if he were a child. Not only did movies influence this trend, but so did the real life celebrities. Paris Hilton was one of the first that most people probably remember. Paris and her Chihuahua Tinkerbell make the pages of several magazines every week. She turned a simple dog into a fashion accessory. If you can believe it she actually takes her dog to get a pedicure and that's definetly not at a discount pet supply store. Most people think this is crazy, but more and more celebrities join the tabloids with their pets.

Celebrities buy all kinds of bling for there pets. They get things like diamond studded collars and leashes to designer clothing for their pups. Celebrities such as a Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears take their pooches everywhere with them. Not only are the Louis Vuitton purses a fashion craze, but the Louis Vuitton dog carriers became a hot item in Hollywood due to pop stars. Mariah Carey lets her dog Jack bathe with her, boy does he get the royal treatment. She spends hundreds of dollars on pet products each month just to groom Jack.

One of the craziest stories in circulation is about a fashion designer who was hired to make costumes for Tori Spelling’s dog Mimi LaRue. Some celebrities just have more money than they know what to do with. Does your dog really need custom pet apparel? Another celebrity that never seems to shy away from being the center of attention would be Sean “Diddy” Combs. He actually dressed his Maltese Sophie identically to himself for fashion week 2004 in New York. I wonder what his pet supply budget is!

Celebrities such as the Osbournes took on reality television on MTV and their pets became stars as well. People that watched the show knew the pets by name. They watched as the dogs got pampered every week as though they were human. The Osbourne dogs definitely wore some fancy bling and lavish pet attire. Sharon! Have you seen the %@!%&* pet supplies!

One of the most popular things right now to do with your pooch, is to get dog training from Cesar Milan “The Dog Whisperer”. Oprah and Denise Richards are among the many celebrities that have joined in on this movement. They invite Cesar into their home to help them with any problem they may be having with their dog. Cesar offers his opinion on training and pet supplies, but more often then not he trains the owner.

Some celebrities go a bit overboard and take things to an extreme, but others just spoil their pet just as you and I would if we had the extra money to do it. Pink for instance gives her Bulldog “Elvis” only bottled water. Oprah only buys her dogs’ designer collars such as the Burberry collar she bought for Sophie. These are just a few of the celebrities that are constantly in the news for being crazy about their pets. One thing is for sure, if I was an animal, I would want to be a Celebritys' Pet.

Dawn Rose is a pet enthusiast and avid pet advocate. She runs a blog and pet news site called Front Page Pets. She also writes articles for the Pet Super Store. Many of the Pet Supplies she writes about can be found there.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Rose

The Best Pet Products For Your Pet

2008-01-03T07:07:00.002-08:00

The love for pets pushes their owners to try to do everything possible to keep them healthy and fit. The best pet products from the best pet supply stores are needed and a lot of research has to be done to offer the right care to those animal members of the family.

Although not a primary concern for many (because they are not aware of the existing dangers), pet nutrition plays an important role in the care of an animal. Many pet owners go to a pet supply store and buy pet products, but they are not always very careful. They sometimes make mistakes by buying canned food and thinking that it is equivalent to meat. Feeding their pet with that food every day is not a good idea, because it may contain toxins and preservatives that can harm their pets. Some of them are dangerous even for the owners. So, when you decide to buy food for your pet, be very careful and avoid those containing organophosphate pesticides (Ops). The seven OPs that must be avoided are: hlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, tetrachlorvinphos, malathion, diazinon, phosmet, and naled.

The ideal food for a pet is the one made at home and combined with several vitamins bought from a pet supply store. But in many cases the owners do not have the time to prepare the food themselves. Luckily, there are some alternatives such as ready-to-eat freeze dried and frozen materials or raw meals. Pets will just love this kind of raw food. These food products have supplements and can be a good substitute in case you can’t feed your dog with bones for example. They can also be found in any pet supply store so there is a double advantage: they are nutritious and easy to buy.

One must give special attention to the pet supply store from where you buy the food. A pet supply store situated in a good area can provide food of higher quality and the risks of this food being expired or rotten are substantially reduced. Of big importance is the producer of these food products. Some of them may seem a little expensive, but, in most cases, they are better than cheaper products. Made from natural food (for example from chicken raised without steroids and hormones) and containing important vitamins, fats, minerals and fatty acids, these products are important for the health of your pet. The assistance offered by the employees of your pet supply store is also very important in deciding what kind of food is suitable for your pet.

If you are not satisfied with what you found in different stores or you just don’t have the time to search, the internet is a very good alternative. You can look for advice regarding the best food and the best pet products and find out that everything can be available very quickly at the push of a button. Buying for your pet online is very easy. All you need to know is what kind of food you want and then start filling your cart. If you are unsure what kind of food or other pet products are good, just use an internet search engine and type “pet products” and you will be given a list of websites that offer pet products. They will help you find out more about the food suitable and also other important advice regarding the health of your pet.

Online shopping for your pet doesn’t refer only to food. It also gives you the opportunity to find other pet products. This kind of shopping gives you access to online forums with veterinarians or food experts. This type of shopping is for those who prefer staying at home with their children or even with their pets than going into a pet supply store. The only major disadvantage in online shopping is that you can’t see the products with your own eyes until they are delivered. In some cases one can be disappointed by the delivered pet products. In a pet shop, products can bee seen and no surprises can be expected. However, if a surprise can occur in a “live” store, you won’t be able to detect it right then and there. The expired products will surely affect your pet. This is why online stores are better.

The time of delivery is also very important in the case of online shopping. If bought from the nearby area, the products are delivered immediately and help save time for searches and bargains. The search is a lot more pleasant because it is done from the comfort of your own home. But, if the pet products are ordered from a different area, it can take some time until they are delivered. Then there is the problem of shipping fees which are cheaper if the pet products are purchased directly from a pet supply store. However, online shopping saves time and a lot of headaches. In many shop, especially on the web, there are a lot of special offers for pet products. Although they are appealing, the owner must be very careful if he wants to buy a large quantity of food or other pet products. The expiration date needs extra attention. One must also check the products to find out if they are OPs free and in case of some pet products, such as leashes, he must make sure that they are not dangerous for their pet and for the other members of the family.

If you’ve decided to buy online for your pet, be sure you can find hundreds of pet products and lots of advice for pet owners. There is a lot of information available. Pictures together with pet products that have a very friendly design will make your online visit a delight. If you are not satisfied with your findings, you can always use the internet search engines and look some more for the perfect pet products. You will eventually find exactly what you want.

If you don’t know what the best Pet Products are or what Pet Supply Store to choose, don’t worry! You’ve found the right place to start looking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amelie_Gam

Online Pets Supply Tips And Considerations For Our Kids, I Mean Our Pets Of Course

2008-01-03T07:07:00.001-08:00

Most of us love to fill our homes with pets. In no time they become just like a member of the family and your home turns out to be their home too. Your pet is just like a baby who needs to be cleaned, fed, and looked after. But do you know what food and other pet supplies to buy for your pet?

Pet supplies have become a massive multi billion dollar market in the last 50 years with pet stores abounding, including a vast, 'online pet supply store' market. However, be careful while buying any pet supplies. Whether your pet is a dog, cat, fish, bird or any type of pet. They all need proper care and attention. So with that said, a huge factor to help narrow down where to shop, whether online or down the street, is to find knowledgeable providers of all your pet supply needs.

Here are some basic things to take into consideration regarding the supplies your pet may or may not enjoy.

Yummy Pet Food:

Where diet supplies are concerned, it is advised to use natural diets, that are preservative and chemical free with quality vitamins and nutrients. Using natural diet supplies will minimize the probability of any health problems like allergies and digestive disorders, keeping your pet healthy and in high spirits. Using natural diet supplies also helps your pet to live longer. Consult with your veteranarian for precise requirements for you exact pet. Afford them with their own bowl to eat food and drink water too.

Pet Sleeping Desires:

Pets such as dogs and cats like cozy comfortable places to lie down and call their own. So why not afford them with their own cat bed or dog bed? Take some time to do some research into pet beds. One may be cheaper, but the one that costs more is usually better constructed for the long run, easier to keep clean and the best for your pets comfort. I've found my own pets like to be up off the floor so cat perches and a pet bed off the floor may get used more frequently than the simple ones on the floor.

Pet Grooming:

Your pets grooming is also very important and the right supplies are a must. For example a dull nail clipper could cause pain and discomfort when trimming nails. Grooming not only helps your pets overall look, but helps prevent disease and promotes overall health. Just like we like to go to the salon for a hair cut most pet's enjoy the extra attention of a day at the salon too.

Yes, Pet Clothing:

Clothing your pet can be a lot of fun, but it can also be practical. Dog shoes for example, can protect your dogs feet from some harsh climates. Certain breeds have more sensitive pads on their feet and can be more prone to freezing. Look for a shoe that has a reputation for staying on well as some can slip off easily. Sweaters and are variety of other garments have now been made for pets as well. Much of which you might find unpractical and mostly for show. For example the little pink leather jacket for a small dog like a chiwowa.

Get Help With Pet Supplies:

Purchasing supplies like toys, tags, grooming supplies, even clothing can be less overwhelming to decide upon when talking to knowledgeable staff from your local pet shop or well written advice from an online pet supply store.

These pet supplies can either be bought from any pet supply store or through an online pets supply website. Take some time and do some research for the products your looking for. Also, do a search online for a wholesale pet supply business. You never know untill you look but there's a really good chance you'll find some superb deals out there.

With such a competivive market, you are very likely to not only find useful product information for pet supplies, but also find an affordable price range for your supplies so that each one of you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Above all enjoy your pet, their for having fun with and getting away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

Submitted by Chad McDonald for pet owners looking for a cat bed locally or searching the net for a special designer cat bed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chadder_McD.

Have You Ever Heard of These Dog Foods?

2008-01-03T07:06:00.000-08:00

If you have not heard of Life's Abundance All Natural Premium Dog Food the reason is NOT because Life's Abundance is a NO GOOD dog food. The reason is that it is ONE OF THE BEST Dog Foods on the market today, and one of the most unique. Large supermarkets and even national-chain pet supply stores don't sell THE BEST OF DOG FOOD ON THE MARKET. They rely on lower-cost, lower-quality products from gigantic national food makers. The benefits to the supermarkets and large chain pet supply stores are many.

Benefits to the supermakets and large chain pet supply stores to carry a lower quality of dog foods are:

The supply is reliable.
The distribution channels are well-established.
The markup is greater.

Companies who make the ABSOLUTE BEST DOG FOOD are few. They are not able to manufacture huge amounts of their products for the chain stores. Instead, they concentrate on making small batches to insure greater quality and fresness to their customers. They do not stock huge inventories of dog food in warehouses giving you a greater chance of getting hold of out-dated dog food.

THE BEST DOG FOOD tend to be very expensive, so stores can't mark them up so much to make their huge profits.

THE ABSOLUTE BEST DOG FOODS are sold in small, individually owned "boutique type" pet stores, groomers, holistic vet offices, independent distributors and directly from the manufacturer.

People who shop at health food stores for their own food "understand" that food meticiously manufactured in small batches out of the finest ingredients, is more expensive than food that is made by huge businesses like Supermarket Chains and Pet Store Chains.

Many people who switch over from these Supermarket, large chain Pet Stores to the Individually owned "boutique type" pet stores, groomers, breeders, holistic vets and independent distributors will tell you they have seen remarkable improvement in their pet's health, energy levels and shiney hair. They will be able to tell you: Pay more for the food now, or you can buy the cheap stuff and try to save on pet food expense but you will pay later with even higher vet bills.

Hey! I am a Boutique person. I like getting the best for every dollar I spend.

I recommend HealthyPetNet, Life's Abundance to my customers/puppy buyers and whomever I meet that has pets.

Read the labels. Do your homework about dog food, and purchase from the boutiques, and independent distributors for better health and longer life spans of your precious companions. HealthyPetNet is dedicated to producing Dog Food from the very finest of ingredients. You won't see this brands of dog food on the Supermarket Shelves and Huge Pet Store Chains. You can purchase them from Independent Distributors who are breeders like myself, holistic vets, and grooming shops. They are produced in small batches and delivered fresh to your door.

At Stain Glass Shih Tzu our main priority is Good Health and producing puppies who are healthy with long life spans. We would not think of purchasing anything else. Once you make the switch to a higher quality Dog Food and Treats, you will be hooked for life.

Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Coupons for shih tzu puppies and other products are offered to subscribers. Updates of available puppies. Sign up at http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

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Pet Supply Stores

2008-01-03T07:05:00.002-08:00

More than 50 million people in the United States have pets, and pet supply stores are competing to get their fair share of this lucrative market. If you are a pet owner, this is great news. Pet supply stores are continually improving their products and services, and you can choose from among many of them the right one for you.

Free delivery. You love your pet, but sometimes, you just don't have time to drop by a pet store to buy food and supplies. No problem - you can have everything delivered right to your doorstep. Most pet supply stores now offer free delivery of the freshest pet food and newest supplies. Steer clear of the inconvenience of pet supply shopping, or running out of pet food. Just order either online or from a catalog.

All-natural pet food products. People are becoming more health-conscious, even with their pets. That is why some pet supply stores now claim to only carry naturally-preserved pet food that do not contain artificial coloring, ingredients or byproducts. Some pet supply stores limit their selection only to pet foods that have passed complete feeding tests ongoing quality assurance checks.

Carefully-chosen pet supplies. There are now many pet supply stores that only sell 100 percent safe and non-toxic pet supplies, especially for dogs. These stores have only clinically-proven safe pet shampoos, creams and medicine in stock. You can also buy harmless pet toys and accessories from such stores.

Veterinarians on call. Most pet supply stores now have in-house veterinarians who can help you choose the right products for your pets. These vets are also on-call to help you if your pet suddenly reacts differently to a product. Best of all, these vets are just great sources of free advice. Just pop in the pet supply store and chat with them - you just might get free opinion on common pet problems.

Pet Stores provides detailed information on Pet Stores, Pet Supply Stores, Online Pet Stores, Pet Fish Stores and more. Pet Stores is affiliated with Free Pet Tags .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Gluckman

An Introduction To Pet Supply Stores

2008-01-03T07:05:00.001-08:00

Pet supply stores are getting better than ever. They are now more than just a dependable source of all basic pet needs such as pet food, pet medicines and pet accessories - they offer a whole "lifestyle" experience for your pets, as well.

Walk-in stores. Most pet supply stores now allow you to bring your pet in the store to try out products. There's no more need to guess. Bring your pet to make sure that the accessories fit and look good and also to see if your pet likes your selection.

Pet spas. Now, you can get your pets groomed and cleaned right in some pet supply stores. Some stores give free dog shampoos or cat nail clipping when you their grooming products and/or reach a minimum amount of purchase.

Value-added service. Some pet stores go the extra mile of tracking your pet's needs so that you don't have to. Just sign up for their free complete care packages and the store will send you pet foods and supplies on a regular schedule, before they run out. Having trouble keeping track of vaccinations and regular checkups? Let the pet supply stores do it for you. They will give you a call or send you mail when your pet needs to be taken for health checks.

Online presence. Most pet supply stores now have Web sites from where you can shop. Say goodbye to traffic, heat or cold and long checkout lines. Just log on, order, and your pet supplies will be delivered to your doorstep. Best of all, shopping online lets you quickly check out several pet supply stores and compare prices and brands in just a few clicks. Prices of online pet supply store products are also very competitive - they are competing, so they are forced to offer the lowest price they could to get your business. Most of them even provide free shipping when you meet minimum order requirements.

Pet Supplies provides detailed information on Pet Supplies, Pet Supply Stores, Discount Pet Supplies, Online Pet Supplies and more. Pet Supplies is affiliated with Wholesale Pet Products.

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How to Find Discount Pet Supplies

2008-01-03T06:39:00.000-08:00

I love my pet, but I hate the high cost of pet supplies.

Can you relate to the constant drain on your wallet? Would you like to reduce the cost of your pet supplies?

If you too love your pet or pets and would like to benefit from some ways I save money on pet supplies then take just a few minutes and let me share some cost saving ideas that can really lighten the financial drain for those pets that we consider a integral part of our family.

One of the problems with the cost of pet supplies has become the increasing cost these past few years. It can add up fast. In my house we actually have a line item in our monthly budget because we actually have 3 pets (2 dogs and a cat). In this article I hope to help everyone who loves pets but would like to save money on pet supplies.

Most of us are genuine pet lovers. We love to keep animals as pets for our enjoyment and companionship. Over time, these pets become a regular part of the family. Our pets deserve the very best care just as anyone in the family would. Because of our love and commitment to care for our pets, We're constantly looking for little nick knacks we can buy while shopping..

The pet supply and pet product industry has grown quite a bit over the past decade. Thus a large number of new pet stores have opened up all through out the country. There are many pet products and pet supplies outlets available in the market today including where you live or at least over the Internet. As a Pet lover, you can buy these products from discount pet stores or order online from the comfort of your home of office.

The goal is sorting through these new shopping options in search for the true values, the genuine best and Lowest discounted prices available. In terms of pet supply inventory, this too has increased dramatically over the past decade. Today there are virtually endless products and pet food options available. Most of the discount pet supply stores have a large assortment of these different products that offers a variety of sizes. In addition they carry a growing selection of pet supplies and pet gifts.

There are a wide variety of online and local discount pet stores for you to choose from. Both online and traditional discount pet supply stores offer a growing selection of items for the pets that you love. The online pet discount stores carries a wider range of product for your pet because their not limited to physical shelf space. These online discount pet stores are a great resource for checking out a discount pet supplies and price comparisons without the need to actually visit stores in your area. Online stores are easy to use as they are easier and more convenient to order from. When purchasing anything online including pet supplies or pet foods you can save money by not having to pay sales taxes in most cases. In addition, you can have many online pet supplies stores offer free shipping to first time buyers or in many cases for a specific period of time of if your order exceeds a certain dollar amount.

Most of the pet supply discount pet stores are pet friendly. They are designed to provide a nice comfortable place for the pet owner and your pet while your buying pet supplies. Some of these discount stores offer many additional benefits and services in addition to the normal services you've come to expect. Some of these extra services include pet grooming services, pet photography and veterinary services, Community services such as obedience classes, pet adoption clinics and seminars on pet care are also offered.

Well I hope this article has helped you and I hope it has shed some light on the challenge of saving money on your pets supplies regardless whether you use a local regular pet supply store or an online store. This may take a little research and price comparison on your part but the savings will be well worth it.

Find more information about discount pet supplies by visiting http://www.petsintheknow.com, a popular Discount Pet Supply website that specializes in Discount Pet Supplies and ratings on the most popular traditional and online discount pet supplies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bernardo_Fernandez

An Introduction To Pet Supply Stores

2007-12-28T08:26:00.001-08:00

An Introduction To Pet Supply Store

2007-12-28T08:26:00.000-08:00