petcarefun.info

May 24th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Arthritis affects not only people but also their dear pets as well especially pet dogs. Statistics say that in US about 25% of pets are affected by arthritis. As a dog owner and lover, you should pay attention that your non-human friend is always in good mood, playful and that it eats well and healthy food. But if you do see changes in your dog’s state of physical activity and mind like difficulty just sitting down, even standing up, or even finds it also difficult to climb stairs or if it gained weight or its attitude changed you should most likely that you need to pay your vet a visit. You friend could have painful dog joints or arthritis. Some owners who are emotionally attached to their pets have not second thoughts in bringing their beloved to the vet. The veterinarian will do an examination and an X-ray to your dog. And when everything is done, he can prescribed some over-the-counter medications for your dog. However, not all medications or dog arthritis treatment is best for the health of your pet. These drugs can do amazing things but they might have side-effects, too, just like drugs for humans. That’s why, you can hear your vet saying that you have to make sure you give the right dosage or else…

Now, that is a very dreadful part. If you can’t manage to give your dog the right amount of medication it needs, it will be perilous for him. For some people, medications are not good for both humans and dogs alike that’s why, they would resort to other things and those other things can come in the form of a natural dog joint supplement and right now, there are virtual pet stores on the Internet that offer these kinds of herbal medications for dogs.

But the only problem is, because of so many choices, the owner of a dog with arthritis can have a hard time choosing for the best and of course, the safest product. That’s why, it’s always recommended that he should try to read first some product reviews and/or testimonies for other dog owners on what kind of arthritis dog supplement is best for their furry best friend.

May 24th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Loving your dog is one of the easiest things to do until you find out that he has chewed up your favorite pair of shoes or some of your sofa cushions.It doesn’t matter what they chew, the fact is that it can be irritating even for the most even-tempered of dog owners It can also be something unreplaceable like your mail that has a check in it for money or tickets for the best show in town. Dog chewing is annoying but there are ways to get a handle on it so that you can have a positive relationship with your dog, not one filled with resentment.Chewing is a natural outlet for your dog and he will exercise this right to use his mouth even he is given free rein in which to do so.

Let’s face it, you don’t have to have a jury trial to convict your dog as the guilty chewing criminal, but you also cannot sentence him on the spot and throw him in his kennel either. Reinforcing positive behavior is a way for you to train your dog by replacing a good behavior he can perform for the bad one that he has been exhibiting Chewing is a natural activity for you dog It is up to you to teach your dog early on that there are certain places and certain items that are off limits when it comes to chewing When he has something else to do to occupy his time, he will not be so focused on chewing  

There are a combination of training tactics that can be used when approaching dog chewing Some dogs are chronic chewers and don’t care what they chew and will destroy your home if allowed Licking goes right along with chewing and when you apply chew prevention products to things your dog likes to chew,the minute he licks it he will back right off. These substances come in different forms from sprays to ointments and they work to discourage your dog from going back to that area because the taste is very bitter and bad to your dog. Pet stores and catalogues sell them and one of the more popular flavors is bitter apple.

When your dog runs out of things to do and needs to channel his energy somewhere,chewing is a very common outlet for this type of boredom. Leaving your dog home all day alone while you are at work is unfortunately one of the dog owner’s many plightsCrating your dog can be a solution while you are away from the home, providing it is only for short periods of time. Leaving your dog in his crate should feel familiar and calming for your dog. Most dogs look at their crate as a den and become very relaxed and fall asleep. If left some chew toys while in his crate, he can busy himself with these and not focus on destroying things It is not fair to your dog and is somewhat cruel to expect him to stay in a crate for more than a couple of hours at a time. A dog needs to exercise and relieve himself throughout the day and it is not healthy to keep him in a crate for the entire day. If your dog isn’t crate trained yet visit dog obedience university for instruction on this.

Dogs are opportunistic creatures so they cannot be expected to ignore temptation.When I drop a morsel of food on the kitchen floor, it is gone before it hits the floor The same can be said of tempting chewable items. When you leave items on the floor on low lying coffee tables you are extending an invitation for your dog to grab it and do what he wants with it. After all, it was left there for him , wasn’t it? I had a friend who left her expensive pair of Oakley sunglasses on her weight bench and she came home to find her Wiemeriener happy to see her and $200 tangle of chewed plastic. The way a dog explores his world is by using his nose and his mouth.  Try to remember to put things away that you value , out of your best friend’s reach.

Exercising your dog until he is tired out can go a long way to solving bad behavior issues When a dog is tired he is less likely to get in trouble. A tired dog is a happy dog. A happy dog means a happy owner.

When you dog has free range to run loose in the house make sure that he has plenty of chew toys, such as kongs, rawhides, and dental chews to gnaw on There are some really cool puzzle toys out there that let you put a treat inside of them that make it so your dog has to roll it around on the floor and really work at it with his tongue to get the treat inside out. When he is busy with such things, he won’t be eyeing your chair legs the same way.

A dog is a dog but some breeds can be a bit more prone to chewing than others. The key to how to stop your dog from chewing is to find out “why” he is chewing in the first place Is he bored? Does he have to much freedom? If you have to leave him home all day and it is too long to crate him, consider bringing him to one of the many doggie daycares available for the day. Not only will this tire him out, but he will be getting socialized as well. He will be so worn out by the time he comes home, the last thing on his mind will be chewing anything!

For other excellent solutions and guidance that go into more detail about dog chewing and how to deal with it check out the best dog training courses found online today.

May 24th, 2009 by KittyKitty

While many people falsely believe that Rottweilers are ferocious dogs, the fact is that while dominant and aggressive Rottweilers can be extremely loyal, loving, protective and caring. Also called the Rottweiler Metzgerhund or the Butchers dog, this breed is sturdy and has a lot of strength and doggedness. They generally prefer colder climates those that have been bred in warmer climates tend to lose their waterproof undercoat over generations. Rottweiler puppies are adorable, but when they grow up they make great protection dogs.

Feeding and Grooming

As with most medium sized to large dogs, adult Rottweilers need only one large meal in a day. However being an athletic work dog, a Rottweiler needs a balanced diet that can be provided by fresh home food that includes meat, vegetables and whole grain. These fresh foods contain antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and probiotics that ensure the overall health of the breed.

With a small and hard outer coat, minimal grooming is required for the Rottweiler even when it is shedding. Daily brushing with a bristle brush and occasional wiping with a wet towel is all that is required. A bath can be given once every month. Cleaning the ears about twice a week should help in keeping them free from infections. Leaving a Rottweiler out in cold or moderate weather is perfectly fine since it also allows for more exercise. In hot climates however, your Rottweiler is likely to feel uncomfortable. While grooming levels required for the Rottweiler are low, it needs more than adequate amount of training and exercise to control its aggressive and dominant temperament.

Exercise

Since the Rottweiler is a working dog breed and an aggressive dominant one at that, the level of exercise required for this breed is fairly high. Simple walks in the park may not suffice and you may need active periods of games, ball catching and other exercise regimes to keep the temperament under control. Having a yard in your house can help lessen the load on you to some extent. Mental forms of exercise are also required for a Rottweiler. Obedience training can fulfill this need adequately.

Special care and health concerns

A Rottweiler’s life span ranges from 8 to 11 years. Some of the major issues that this breed can face are cardiac health disorders and elbow dysplasia. Sometimes cataract and epilepsy have also been observed.

- SAS – A heart related disorder, the Sub-Aortic Stenosis (also called SAS) is a congenital disease that has been observed in many Rottweilers. The issue is further complicated due to the fact that the disease does not show any specific symptoms and therefore is extremely difficult to detect.

- Gastric problems – Rottweilers tend to suffer from gastric problems like inflammation of the small or large intestines. These result in spasms, vomiting, diarrhea and pain. Your Rottweiler pet is unlikely to take in adequate amounts of nutrition during these times of pain.

- Addison’s disease – Rottweilers are prone to both kinds of Addison’s disease – Primary and Secondary. These are caused due to inadequate secretion of hormones by the adrenal glands and show symptoms like laziness, vomiting and poor appetite.

May 24th, 2009 by KittyKitty

A toy breed, Maltese has long silky hair and do not shed too much. Sweet and cuddly lap dogs, this breed is gentle and caring. It is well behaved and not disruptive at all. Playful, yet self-confident, a Maltese is fairly naughty, something that it does not give away from its innocent looks. Being a small dog, this toy breed is suspicious of strangers and tends to bark excessively as a show of aggression. Prone to being pampered, this breed is jealous and over possessive of its master. Even though a Maltese is gentle, they are impatient with children since they do not like being ruffled. Truly a royal, pampered breed, a Maltese performs tricks only when rewarded adequately with a treat of its choice. Breeders usually sell Maltese puppies at 10-12 weeks old.

Feeding and Grooming

While feeding is not an issue, Maltese tend to be intolerant towards rich diets or those that have large amounts of cereal content. Other than that, three small portions of meat and vegetables or a diet rich in protein and fat in a day is the recommended diet for a Maltese adult dog.

To keep the Maltese hair long and silky, brushing the coat and detangling is required daily. Since the toy breed tends to jump into puddles, just for fun, frequent bathes become necessary. Quick and effective drying and a warm environment after a bath are required to keep the dog from catching pneumonia. While the tediousness of the grooming rituals may peeve some owners who may try and trim the coat, the shiny coat is the mainstay of the Maltese. Regular cleaning of the eyes (due to tear staining) and ears is essential.

Exercise

Exercise needs for Maltese is limited and therefore while grooming takes a lot of time, walking the dog every day for long periods of time is not required. It does well in apartments since scampering in the apartment is enough exercise for the toy dog. Outdoor walks can be included in the schedule for fun and explorations. Since outdoor exercising is not essential it is recommended that they be kept indoors in extreme cold weather since they are not comfortable with cold and damp environments.

Special care and health concerns

A Maltese is generally a healthy breed with less number of potential problems and can live up to 15 years. Some of the potential health issues that a Maltese may face are:

- Retinal atrophy – This condition leads to a reduction in vision, especially in dim light and can result in partial or total blindness if not addressed quickly.

- Respiratory issues – Cold and damp environments can trigger off breathing problems in Maltese.

- Luxating patella – A dislodged knee cap, this condition is considered to be hereditary but can even occur from an injury.

- Liver shunt – A condition wherein the circulatory system is not completely developed, a liver shunt has been seen in some Maltese dogs.

May 24th, 2009 by KittyKitty

A Pug is a small breed that has a short muzzled face and a lot of wrinkles. While the breed has a sullen sad expression, the name of the breed has been means a frisky and prankish little devil. The Pug is a sociable dog and fairly charming. A Pug needs lots of attention and tends to get agitated unless attention is showered by the owner. The life span of a Pug is generally between 12 to 15 years and while there are no major issues with the breed, there are a fair number of minor health issues that the breed is prone to. Pug puppies are very cute.

Feeding and Grooming

Pugs are hungry and greedy dogs that tend to eat more food than they require if it is made available. This can result in obesity and heath issues associated with being overweight. While most adult dogs should be given one or two meals in a day, Pugs should be offered food two to three times a day. Smaller portions should be made available so that the dog eats only a specific measured amount. Fresh meat and vegetables make a good meal for Pugs. Use only the best brands of commercial food if you are not able to provide home food for your pet.

While the short coat of a Pug is generally easy to maintain, the wrinkles need special attention.  Brushing and combing should be done at least a couple of times a week, while making sure that all the folds are attended to. While a bath is not necessary and a dog shampoo should be used only when absolutely necessary, cleaning the folds daily is required to prevent skin infection. Clipping the nails regularly is also required since Pug nails tend to grow fairly quickly.

Exercise

Being a small dog, the Pug needs relatively lower levels of exercise. A walk in the park is enough to keep them fit. However, this needs to be combined with diet regulations since Pugs tend to overeat. While exercising your Pug, make sure that you do not leave them in the sun for too long since Pugs are not accustomed to extreme heat or cold.

Special care and health concerns

- The wrinkled face and large eyes of the dog combine to create a situation where the drainage from the eyes can get caught in the folds of the skin. Dust particles and other dirt can also get inside the folds of the wrinkles and start to cause infections. Therefore the folds of a Pug’s face should be cleaned carefully.

- While obesity has been mentioned above, it is important to reiterate that obesity can cause other health issues that may be fatal in the long run.

- The long palate accompanied by the short snout causes Pugs to ‘reverse sneeze’. This manifest itself in gasps and snorts that emanate from the Pugs mouth from time to time. While some owners tend to feel that their pet is asphyxiating, there is actually no reason to worry about a ‘reverse sneeze’

- Pugs are also more susceptible to eye injuries like puncture wounds and scratched cornea.

- Demodectic mange is another health concern with Pugs. The weakened immune system causes Pugs to catch diseases more easily than other dogs.

- Since Pugs have a short snout and smaller breathing passages, they tend to have breathing issues too. This also causes the additional concern with being able to use panting effectively to regulate temperature. Extreme heat can actually result in death and therefore it is essential to keep your Pug in areas that have proper cooling or have a temperature that does not go beyond 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

- Pugs are also known to suffer from an inflammation of the brain called ‘granulomatous meningoencephalitis’. This chronic condition is specific to Pugs and is also called ‘Pug dog encephalitis (PDE)’. The cause of the inflammation is considered to be hereditary in nature and there is no cure. In most cases, the pet either dies or is euthanized in a few months.

- Another health issue that Pugs, like other brachycephalic dogs, are vulnerable to is hemivertebrae. While the screwtail is also a hemivertebrae, when this occurs in other places, it can cause severe pain and then paralysis. However, it should be noted that this defect is generally congenital and can be detected with an x-ray as soon as a Pug puppy is born.

- Special care is required for Pug female dogs during pregnancy and childbirth. Small dogs such as these may require a Caesarian section and sometimes Pug female dogs also show apathy towards their newborns.

May 24th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Also called badger dogs, wiener dogs and sausage dogs, Dachshunds are short legged dogs that have a long spine. They are known to belong to the hound family even though some feel that their temperament and nature has certain similarities to the terrier too. This breed was actually developed to hunt rabbits and scent and chase badgers. With a muscular built, Dachshunds are bold and curious little things. They enjoy a lot of digging and so if you have a nice backyard, it will do you good to train your pet to dig only in specific areas. While this breed is fairly individualistic, they like to play the family too at times. Care should be taken with children around since Dachshunds tend to become irritable and jealous at times. Dachshund puppies are absolutely adorable.

Feeding and Grooming

A small dog, the Dachshund should not be overfed. Even though the breed is frisky and energetic, the hunting dog tends to get obese if it is offered larger quantities of food. Since the Dachshund came from areas where natural food is high on Vitamin A, this breed requires a diet that is rich in Vitamin A. Natural and fresh foods are preferred and a high fat and low protein diet that is generally given to puppies is recommended throughout the lifetime of a Dachshund.

The level of grooming required for a Dachshund depends on the variety that you have. Dachshunds with a short-haired coat need to be brushed less frequently while those with long hair need to be attended to and brushed at least twice a week. The wire coat Dachshunds also need to be trimmed occasionally. Stripping, once in every six month can help in removing dead skin.

Though a bath needs to be given only when necessary, make sure that ears are checked regularly to watch out for mites, fungus or bacteria growth.

Exercise

A certain amount of exercise is necessary for this frisky and tenacious dog and modest levels of exercise will suffice to keep it healthy. Make sure that the spine is not over worked or stressed since this is a weak point in the Dachshunds body. Avoid excessive jumping, especially from higher areas since this can cause irreversible damage to the spine. The short legs of the Dachshund are not strong enough o support the entire spine adequately.

Special care and health concerns

The most prominent health issues that are associated with this breed are intervertebral disk disease or IVDD and other spine related issues. This occurs due to a long spinal column that is supported by a short rib cage and short legs at either end. Obesity issues, excessive levels of exercise, jumping and rough play can increase the risk of a spine related health condition to surface. An injury may necessitate crate confinement and a series of anti-inflammatory medicines that may be prescribed by a veterinarian. Serious cases can result in the need for surgery and some unfortunate cases can also result in paralysis. Dachshunds are also vulnerable to disc degeneration. Telltale symptoms of disc degeneration are slow movements, touch sensitivity, pain or discomfort while moving the head and poor appetite. To prevent issues related to the spine, proper handling of your Dachshund is a must. This means holding the pet from the chest and at a horizontal position.

Heart diseases and diabetes have also been seen among Dachshunds and therefore the diet and exercise levels should be regulated.

Dachshunds are also prone to displacement or dislocation of the patella or the knee cap, deafness and blindness.

May 24th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Sometimes called the Pom-Pom or Pom for short, the Pomeranian is a Spitz type toy dog, this breed has a soft downy coat and needs extensive grooming every day if you want it to continue to look ncie and clean. Grooming can take a lot of time and this is an aspect that needs to be thought about before actually opting to get home a Pomeranian. Pomeranian puppies are especially adorable.

Feeding and Grooming

Most breeders today use and recommend fresh homemade food as against commercial foods that are available. While raw meat is not recommended, lean meat cooked at home with vegetables is the best choice. If commercial food is what you are opting for, make sure that the brand that you choose is approved and a reputed one. This breed is also prone to skin allergies and breathing problems that are caused due to grain intolerance.

Brushing a Pomeranian daily is essential if you want to keep the hair from matting. Brushing also activates glands and keeps the skin from getting dry. Many Pomeranian owners give their pets a ncie ‘puppy cut’ which is essnetially a short coat. Ear and nail inspection daily should also be part of the grooming routine. It is not required to bathe your Pom more frequently than once in a fortnight since bathing and shampooing can devoid the skin of essential oils. This breed is also prone to dental issues like tartar, plague and bad breath and therefore the teeth should be brushed at least once in a week. Vitamin and dental treats can help in managing dental problems better.

Exercise

Even though a Pomeranian is an active breed, its size does not necessitate outdoor exercise. A short walk for fun or indoor activity is enough. Since the breed is sociable and likes to spend time with humans, personal attention and involved activity is a must for proper stimulation.

Special care and health concerns

With a life span of anywhere between 12 to 19 years, Pomeranians are generally healthy dogs. However there are some potential health issues that may arise.

- Hip dysplasia – A dislocation of the hip bone and socket joint that can be caused due to herditary factors or environmental accidents or injuries.

- Patent ductus artriosus – A congenital heart disease that can be tested for before bringing a puppy home.

- Collapsing trachea – A serious condition that can casue sever breathing problems.

- Skin diseases – Grain (wheat, soy or cereal) intolerance can cause skin diseases in a Pom. Additionally, unless the long coat is groomed properly every day, ticks, matted hair and other skin diseases can manifest themselves.

- Follicular dysplasia – A specific skin disease also called alopecia X can result in chunks of hair falling off.

- Hypoglycemia – A poor diet can rsesult in extremely low levels of blood sugar. I fthe levels plummet, your pet can actually go into coma.

- Hypothyroidism – Caused by an underactive thyroid gland, low levels of thyroid hormones can result in many typical symptoms.

- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – A degenerative eye condition that can lead to total blindness.

- Dental issues

- Luxating patella – A slipping kneecap, this condition is generally caused due to some injury or excessive exercise or running.

- Black skin disease – Usually present in the male of the breed, the black skin disease is one where shedding is not necessarily followed by regrowth.

May 24th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Siberian Huskies are used in the Iditarod because they are some of the most energy efficient dogs out there They have the ability to run hundreds of miles and not show the normal signs of fatigue

Could their ability for burning fat be the key to treating obesity in type 2 diabetes?

Michael Davis, a professor who has studied exercise physiology in sled dogs, is on the road to find out. Davis recently completed the preliminary research phase of examining how Siberian huskies training for the exhausting Iditarod, become “insulin-sensitive” and effortlessly change fat into energy.

“If we can figure out what exercise is doing to start the process, then we may be able to find how it can be applied to everyone, whether or not they are physically able to exercise,” he says.

Approximately twenty million Americans have diabetes. By maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise it is possible to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation has contributed one-third of the $30,000 research grant. Oklahoma State University is bankrolling the remainder.

Insulin, a hormone created in the pancreas, typically helps the cells in the body extract glucose from the blood stream and turns it into energy. People with type 2 diabetes often have problems absorbing glucose.

In January, Davis chose sixteen dogs in Iditarod that were in excellent shape from the kennel of one of the recent racers and had the huskies run for twenty-two miles at a fast speed of eight mph. Half the dogs were anesthetized for five minutes while researchers took small muscle biopsies from their legs; the other half were measured for insulin sensitivity using catheters.

Davis hopes to be able to understand how cells are reacting under various physical conditions by calculating the same dog’s metabolic stress on their muscles again after the summer, when they are no longer in shape.

The research he is doing spured the attention of at least one animal rights group that opposes experimentation.

In response to their comments, Davis mentions that compares to smaller animals such as mice and rats, dogs share more DNA with humans. “There is a greater likelihood that something you discover in dogs will be directly relevant to humans,” he says.

May 24th, 2009 by KittyKitty

The Wonderful Basset Hound is a dog that weighs on average 60 pounds and around 13″ in height and fits in to the category of a medium to large dog. The Basset Hound is long and low and because of their build this makes their already short legs look even shorter. In fact, their name comes from the French word “bas” which means low.

Their gentle, loving, patient nature makes them an excellent companion dog for the home while their keen sense of smell and hunting instincts continue to make them excellent hunting companions.

In 1885 the Basset Hound was recognised by the AKC, It’s colouring normally stems from a variety of Hound Dog breeds which is typically white & chestnut or sandy coloured. The fairly dense coat is short, straight, hard and lovely and smooth to the touch. Basset Hound grooming is easy and only requires brushing and shampooing every now and then.

This loving, gentle dog is ideal for family life. They are excellent and patient with small children, even if normal day to day life does not include children. They are affectionate with their family and love to be around them. They are great with other dogs and pets as well, although early socialization is good for non-canine pets because they might chase them due to their hunting instincts.

They are easy going and fairly inactive when they are inside, making them great for apartment life as they enjoy relaxing and laying around inside. They are more active outdoors and require regular play, exercise and time to run. If you don’t have a garden, you should plan to at least take them on a daily walk. It’s usually a simple task to train them, but if they are on the trail of a scent, they will not pay any attention to you. For this reason, a fenced in yard is best. Keep an eye on how much they eat as they can put on the extra pounds quite easily so giving them ample exercise is important.

The Basset Hound originated in France and dates back hundreds of years. Their ancestry can be traced back to the Bloodhound. Originally used as hunting dogs, the Basset Hound uses its excellent sense of smell to track animals. Even though they can still be used for hunting, they are seen more as companion dogs today.

Few breeds equal the Basset Hound’s gentle, forgiving, laid back nature. They are the ideal dog for busy family life and for those that just enjoy an occasional walk provided their Basset Hound can have daily outside time.

Whether you have small children or other pets or dogs, the Basset Hound can fit into just about any type of family dynamic with little to no adjustment problems.

May 24th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Today, more and more pet lovers are aware that training their dog by themselves can have more benefits than ever imagined. The idea of hiring a professional dog trainer is the only effective way to fully train your dog but that was a long time ago. Now, owners can give personal dog training for their pets especially with their dogs. Everybody knows how angelic a dog looks like but in the package is included a little devilish smile and attitude but what else can you do? Dogs are dogs and the only way to “straighten” them out is to train them in the best possible way and you, the owner, can learn in time how to. Here are some of the best book guides for training your dog the DIY way.

Talking about DIY or do-it-yourself, there is a book guide called DIY Complete Dog Training. This program includes not just a guide in the form of a book but it also comes with audio clips that will really help you learn how to train your dog in a very logical way in spite of what dog breed you have.

Another one is called The Dove Cresswell’s Dog Training Online Program. According to a Dove Cresswell’s Dog Training Online review, if you don’t like reading a book then you might like reading and learning something online and this one is your best pick. The best thing about online tutorials is they can be updated anytime and so, you can also update your dog training, too.

Last but not the least, you can go for videos if you don’t like reading at all. This Instant Dog Training Videos will surely knock you off your feet. Many pet dog owners are actually very familiar with Debbie Jean, the person behind this project. But because there are many who are waiting in line to have their dog trained personally by her, she came up with videos. You can read an Instant Dog Training Videos review so you can get a better perspective of what Debbie Jean can offer you and to your dog.