Pet Health Guide

Canis Familiaris - also known as the common and tamed family dog, is quite the remarkable creature. Down to his furry coat (and in some cases, not-so-furry coats), his adoring eyes, white dagger teeth, four stubby paws and tail; dogs have long known to be man’s best friend.

It is, in fact, this reason, why I am continually adopting “rescue mutts,” and puppies who need a good home. Just the other day, I made the mistake of shopping in a local natural pet supply shop. Not a large store, (about the size of a Dollar General), I strode inside. With merely the intention of purchasing natural dog food for the other five dogs that reside with me, I happened to pass by a small enclosure at the very front of the store.

Inside the pen were 6 butterball-sized pups. Only 6 weeks old, they had the charm of a panda bear and the personality to match. Peering over the litter, I saw a small sign that the store owner had erected describing the age, litter parents and information about their shots, etc. Of course, what made matters worse was the fact that my 13-year old daughter had tagged along and had fallen in love with the huddled brood.

There, in the midst of the slumbering pups, was one in particular that we took to immediately. A white dog with black cow markings — both halves of his face were black with a white streak down the middle. And in the center of his forehead was a distinct, black ink blot. On his pudgy back was a long and wide, ebony patch that indented in areas. He lay there, grunting as he snored; and was simply adorable.

Now, my first thought was to head to the other side of the store, away from these incredibly cute pups. However, my heart melted at the site of them. Making certain that my husband and children were in complete agreement (as dogs are a BIG responsibility), we decided to add yet another new member to our very-growing family.

With a long and satisfied sigh, my daughter retrieved the pup who was later to be named “Thor.” A rottweiller/bluetick hound/lab mix that was positively irresistable, was officially adopted and a permanent family member. When we brought “Thor” home, our gamut of dogs came running to see their newest “brother.”

Sniffing him from head to toe, our Chinese Sharpeis, our rottweiller-shepherd dogs, and our rottweiller-doberman dog all welcomed “Thor” with remarkable acceptance. Having had him in the house now for just two days, Thor has adapted well to his new surroundings and family. He is a quick learner and follows the lead of the rest of our pack when it comes to house training, and eating routines. Play is always abundant as the other dogs, myself, and my other family members are always at Thor’s and our other “childrens” disposal.

This doesn’t go without saying that all of our pets are neutered or spayed, receive all of their necessary vaccinations, routine heartworm medication, flea & tick treatments, weekly baths, monthly nail trims and deworming meds. Each week, our pets eat an average of 50lbs of natural dog food, (and of course people-food for treats), have a very large, enclosed yard to run and play in, our house to slumber in, and individual collars, leashes, pet toys and food bowls. Not only this, their toys are always stored in a box where they can retrieve them at will.
Many potential pet owners think that owning a puppy is cute — or that having a puppy is all fun and games; when in fact, puppies grow up to be sometimes very big dogs. All pets, whether it be a cat, a dog, a ferret or a bird, animals need lots of love, undivided attention, continuous maintenance, healthcare, and training.

Futhermore, if more than one pet is owned, it is vital that good pet owners spay or neuter their animals to keep the pet population down. Adequate shelter, sufficient food and health maintenance is crucial to our furry friends. If you’re like me, your heart sinks like a rock when you see lovable, huggable puppies. The key to being a good pet owner is knowing your limits — financially, mentally, emotionally, and physically. If you’re going to own pets, you have to be financially responsible for them. You must also realize that pets demand and need a lot of your patience, understanding, love and attention.

Getting back to “Thor –” I have ultimately decided that Thor was to be the last of our doggie-adoptions. With each dog having his or her own buddy now, we are whole and complete. The animals in our lives are essential to our minds, hearts, and souls — and in closing, my hope is that each pet (globally) who becomes adopted has the equal opportunity to have a happy, healthy and loving home as well.

Copyright — All Rights Reserved
To have or Not to have — How Many Pets should an Owner own?

by C. Bailey-Lloyd

About the Author:
C. Bailey-Lloyd - Author of “Somewhere Along the Beaten Path”

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All of us dream of parenting the perfect dog, a pup that is a CGC or canine good citizen and is well behaved and dependable at all times. Well dreams do come true if the training is done with care and dedication. Remember pups learn from day one and need to be taught what is right, what is wrong, and proper socialization.

Pups are like children, they need constant supervision and training. Training a pup need not be an ordeal all you need to keep in mind are a few simple rules:

Until your pup learns you need to keep an eye on him at all times. When you cannot then you must crate him. Create a schedule for the pup this will help the pup settle down quickly. The schedule must include things like hourly bath rooming visits, eating times, rest periods, walks, play time, training, and so on. A pup that has a busy day has no time to be bored and get into mischief.

Teach the pup to respect you. Dogs live in packs and instinctively follow a leader. If you establish your leadership in no uncertain terms then training will become easy as the pup will obey you at all times and not challenge your authority.

Use only positive training methods. Never shout at, hit, or punish a dog. It is not just cruel but can lead to behavioral problems. Use of electric shocks, prong collars, sprays, and so on could hurt the animal.

Teach the pup “nothing in life is free.” This is a system that is widely acknowledged as a useful training tool. If you practice this, the pup will learn that to get something like love, a walk, or treat, he must behave well.

Teach the meaning of “No,” from day one. Do not encourage behaviors like jumping, mouthing, tug-o-war, barking, or running out of open gates and doors. Praise good behavior and ignore or walk away when there is bad behavior. The pup will learn that if he misbehaves he will loose his companion/playmate.

To correct a behavior you must catch the pup in the act and startle him by rattling a can of pebbles. Once you have done this make him correct his behavior and immediately offer him a treat and praise. Pups do not recall what happened earlier so scolding him after an event is of no use.

Always call/use his name positively. Never say “Bad TOM,” or “No Tom,” this will cause confusion and the pup will think that if you call his name then it is something bad. The pup must associate his name with happy events like hugs, petting, walks, treats, and such. If this happens he will come willingly when you call out his name.

Create a training schedule that is short and sweet say 10 minutes thrice a day. Long repetitive lessons can be boring and the pup will loose interest in learning. Make learning fun and use trick training to teach commands like sit, down, come and so on.

Bond with the pup and both of you will enjoy your lessons. The pup must look forward to spending time with you and not avoid you by running away or hiding. Be sure to socialize the pup early. Socialization is one of the most important lessons. The pup must learn to be around other animals, people, sounds, vehicles, and other activities. So, slowly introduce the pup when he is little to everyday activities and sounds. Take him to the mall/ park, introduce him to children and other pets, and make him unafraid of the vacuum and garden hose.

Learn all about crate training, leash walking, house breaking, as well as food training. These are kindergarten lessons that every pup must master. Know about all the idiosyncrasies as well as peculiarities of the breed this will give you valuable insights on how to successfully train the pup.

As a pet-parent you have many choices. You could choose to train the dog yourself or register at a professional training school. Training a dog has many stages: kindergarten, obedience training, doggy sports, showing and conformation, as well as other aspects like therapy dogs, hearing dogs, and so on. What level you choose to train depends on you as well as the learning abilities of your dog. As you know, different dogs like humans have varied talents. Choose well and both you and your pup will have fun times together.

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 Data Recovery site http://www.1888DataRecovery.com

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Therapy dogs are dogs that are canine good citizens and are well trained and of a nature that is suitable for interaction with humans who are unwell. Studies have shown that interaction with pets and the special bonding it brings, helps the sick heal faster and trauma patients are known to come out of silence, grieving, or shock by interacting with pets.

An innovative program set up by Therapy Dogs International is “children reading to dogs.” Handlers and their dogs visit libraries and schools regularly and interact with children who have trouble reading. The dogs make friends with children who are encouraged to read the dog a story. The friendship and bonding between the child and dog as well as the non judgmental attitude of the happy animal encourages the child to read aloud to the dog who sits with a smile on his face and a wag in his tail. The interaction instills confidence in the child as well as improved learning.

Therapy dogs also provide valuable relief during disasters by helping affected families and persons as also relief workers. The animals provide comfort and an understanding that is invaluable in sad situations. Petting and hugging or grooming the dogs provides release of anxiety and stress. Dogs help heal and overcome problems and grief. It is unbelievable the kind of understanding a dog can show. So, dogs regularly work at bombing sites, earthquake affected areas as well as places whether flood or hurricanes have struck.

There are therapy dogs who regularly visit hospitals, old age homes, and nursing homes to help heal. The interaction with dogs brings a smile to face of patients and many dogs participate in physical therapy programs as well as in children’s wards where there are many children fighting illnesses. The dogs instill a positive attitude in patients and many look forward to the visit each day. Patients are encouraged to talk to the dogs, pet them, or even groom them. Bonding with the dogs speeds up healing and brings happiness. Many of the dogs are natural clowns and perform tricks to entertain the sick.

To be a therapy dog, both the handler and dog have to undergo special training, be of good health, be well groomed, and be dedicated to the cause. The dog must have a clear health certification and not be shedding his coat or have any allergies. The dog needs to be calm and obedient as he will have to take hospital activities and noise in his stride. The handler will need to devote time in training the dog, enjoy the work, and take insurance against unforeseen accidents. Owners interested in pet-therapy work will need to register with a group in the area where they live and find out from their dog club or trainer whether the dog they have is of a suitable nature and breed to be a good and successful therapy dog.

Therapy dogs show great patience, love, and understanding and the interaction is magical as even terminally ill patients are known to get better. Dogs boost morale, provide affiliation and touch, encourage love and communication, stimulate activity and exercise, help patients deal with depression, loss, and grief, and lower hypertension as well as blood sugar levels.

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 Web Directory site http://www.1866Webdirectory.com.

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The keyword pet meds is abbreviation of pet medications. The pet medications or meds include the pet drug or pet medicine especially compounded for the pets. These are those med pet supplies that are essential to keep good pet health.

Pet keeping is very much in vogue all over the world. The pets are domesticated for companionship or amusement, so, it becomes the duty of the masters to take proper care of their pets and keep them in good health.

Pets are pets after all, they easily fall prey to numerous pet diseases and ailments. The major cause of pet illness is careless pet grooming and lousy pet cleanliness or hygiene.

The pet meds play cardinal role in pet grooming and keeping good pet health. A master needs to have a professional savvy about pet medication or pet medicine or pet drug. There is a great plethora of pet medicines available on the counter. One needs to have ample of knowledge to pick the right and effective ones.

These pet medications are sometimes quite expensive and they force people to search for discount pet meds or discount pet drugs, even cheap pet medications some times. One can have access to the online pet medication.

The pets are the important members of society. They should always be kept in good health. Their disease should be nip in their buds, as these may be transmitted to humans also.

About Author: The author presents you a website on Pet Supplies which offers you a valuable guide on pet meds, providing worthful tips on pet health and pet grooming. Get Pet Meds will always be at your service to facilitate you buy best pet meds besides offering tons of info on pet pharmacy and pet medication. You can get more information about Pet Meds.

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Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs. You can and should do something about it. Overweight dogs may live shorter and less healthy lives and your enjoyment of their unconditional love and companionship may be shortened because of it.

Extra pounds place an excess burden on bones and joints and can make arthritis problems worse. Overweight dogs are less able to exercise and play comfortably and their breathing may be labored. Their bodies may be less able to resist infections, and they may be at greater risk for problems during surgery and anesthesia.

Potential health problems include:

• Joint or Locomotion Difficulties. Extra pounds add stress to joints, bones, ligaments and muscles. Conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, spinal disc disease and ruptures of joint ligaments may be caused or aggravated by obesity.

• Heart and Respiratory Disease. Excess fat tissue in the chest cavity and around the muscles of the heart can decrease the efficiency of the heart and lungs. Your dog’s heart and lungs have to work harder to provide adequate oxygen and circulation.

• Diabetes. Just as in humans, diabetes is much more common in obese dogs.

• Liver Disease. Obese dogs are prone to liver disease.

• Heat Intolerance. The insulating properties of excessive fat make it harder for obese dogs to tolerate heat and they feel uncomfortable.

• Skin Problems. Obese dogs may have trouble grooming because the rolls of skin built up by fat deposits can often harbor dirt, bacteria and other harmful organisms.

• Gastrointestinal Disorders. Inflammation of the pancreas is frequently found in obese dogs. It is painful and can be life threatening.

How Dogs Become Overweight?

Dogs most always become overweight from lack of good exercise and from eating more food than they require. Food calories, which aren’t burned during their daily activities, are stored as fat.

Overeating can result from greediness, boredom, or overfeeding. Feeding leftovers or giving frequent snacks or treats often contributes to excess weight problems.

Over-fed puppies tend to become overweight dogs. They also have a greater risk of developing orthopedic problems. Properly feed puppies will be less likely to suffer from weight problems later in life.

Occasionally, metabolic disorders can cause a dog to become overweight. But overfeeding and under exercising are much more common causes of excess weight. If your veterinarian suspects that a metabolic disorder is causing your dog to gain weight, he or she will test for that disorder and treat it accordingly.

How Can I Tell if My Dog is Overweight?

A quick check to determine whether your dog is overweight is to feel his ribs with the flat palm of your hand. If you have difficulty feeling his ribs, then your dog probably needs to lose weight.

Helping Your Dog Lose Weight.

Weight loss for most dogs involves increased exercise and eating food with fewer calories. It’s generally easier to feed normal amounts of a low-calorie dog food than to feed much smaller amounts of his/her regular dog food. In addition, your dog will not feel as hungry when fed a normal amount of food

Dieting for Dogs.

Your vet will help set a weight goal for your dog and will recommend how much food he should eat each day. A special diet may also be prescribed. The food choice should be designed to satisfy your dog’s appetite and provide him all the vitamins and minerals he needs while at the same time helping him to lose weight.

Your dog may need a gradual transition from the old to the new diet. So, you would feed him increasing amounts of the new diet while decreasing the amounts of the previous diet each day over several days until the transition is complete.

To help keep your dog from begging, feed him before your family eats, and keep him out of the room during your meal. It is also a good idea to feed overweight dogs at the same time as other pets to help prevent food stealing from their slimmer companions. Always provide plenty of clean, fresh drinking water.

Regular exercise, such as walks or runs, is good for most dogs because it increases the number of calories they burn. If your dog is old or in poor health, check with your vet before increasing exercise.

The time period your dog will require to lose weight depends upon how much weight he is required to lose. Your dog may need 8 to 14 weeks or longer to reach his target weight.

What Type of Dog Food is Good for Weight Control?

A dieting dog has special nutritional needs. His diet should be balanced with a proper ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates. The diet should also provide a normal volume of food to satisfy his hunger and the food should also provide quality nutrients.

Weight loss plans don’t need to include high levels of fiber. Fiber is not necessary for weight loss in pets, and in large amounts, it may have side effects such as increased feces and lack of interest in the food because of its poor taste.

We recommend Canine Zone - a revolutionary weight loss dog food based on Dr. Barry Sears’ Zone Diet. Millions of people all over the world have improved their health and have lost weight on Dr. Barry Sears’ Zone Diet. Now you can get your dog in “The Zone”. Canine Zone is based on the Zone’s 30-30-40 ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates. This revolutionary new dog food will help your dog achieve a balance so his or her body can operate at its maximum efficiency while shedding unwanted pounds.

Always consult with your vet before you start a weight loss program for your dog.

About The Author

Bev Storer is a writer and researcher in the field of nutrition and nutritional supplements. To learn more about Canine Zone, go to http://www.dog-food-zone.com or e-mail her directly at info@dog-food-zone.com.

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The requirement for pet insurance can be easily justified, and after a few regular visits to the vet, it is not difficult to understand why. The cost of vet care can come across as a little unreasonable for routine visits, and even more so when it is due to an unexpected visit. With a pet health insurance plan, you can drastically cut these costs down to a level that you can afford. It takes very little time for us to become attached to our pets, and we grow to love them more than was thought possible. However, being a pet owner can be quite a hefty responsibility, as they become dependant on us for food, affection, care and their well-being. It is not possible with a busy lifestyle to constantly keep our animals out of harms way, and unfortunately, mishaps do happen. Pet insurance or a dog insurance plan can help with the financial burden of costly medical bills.

Absolutely free non committal pet insurance quotes are there to assist you in finding the best deals, and applications are very user friendly for your convenience. Within a very short time, our pet helth insurance specialists will find you the best possible rates, which will surely save you money in the long run. For as little as under ten dollars per month, your pet can be covered for needed treatment due to broken bones, swallowing of foreign objects, cuts, scrapes, vaccinations, dental care and some diseases. Plans do varry, and it is encouraged to shop and compare to find the appropriate coverage for you. Our pets spend a considerable amount of time alone, and can sometimes get themselves into hairy situations. Dogs are a good example, and the high demand for dog insurance among dog owners is no surprise, as they are commonly exposed to potential dangers.

We want to take as good a care of our pets as we can, and pet health insurance is very useful to hep us do that. Our pets rely on us, and we have a duty as responsible pet owners to come through for them in times of need. Animals get sick or can require emergency surgeries just like people do, and veterinary bills can accumulate to levels that can add a great deal of stress, as misfortunes usually have a habit of appearing at the worst of times. Such large sums of money can leave us torn between postponing your pets needed treatment, which can potentially put your pet through unnecessary pain and suffering, and exposing yourself to serious financial hardship. For a very small monthly fee, you can avoid having to make this decision with a pet insurance or dog insurance plan.

Dean Cecere is author and owner of insurancecoverage-quotes.com where you will find useful information regarding various types of insurance coverages.

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