Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category

Healthy Homemade Dog Food - Preventative Care Of Good Food

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 5:05 am



by Adrian Fletcher

For many dog owners there is often concern about what goes into the pet food that one can buy in the shops. Whilst not all brands are bad, there are some that come chocked full preservatives, flavor additives and artificial colors. There have been cases where some foods have been recalled because of the additives and this has led the public to be skeptical about commercial dog food and pet food in general. The more you read, the more you wonder if healthy homemade dog food is a better choice.

Many brands of commercial dog food are made with cheap, low grade meats and other parts of the animal carcass. Some are imported from other countries where costs are lower but so are manufacturing standards. When you make your own healthy homemade dog food, you won’t have to worry about where the meat from your dog’s food came from.

Making healthy homemade dog food really isnt a big deal. You’ll want to consult your vet for his or her recommendations before looking for recipes though, since you need to know what ratio of protein to carbohydrates is most desirable. You can expect to get an answer based on the age, health, and particular breed of your dog.

Begin by searching for healthy homemade dog food recipes. Building a recipe collection is simple; either search for recipes online or purchase a collection. Be sure to review each recipe you find carefully as they might not have all the necessary ingredients your dog requires. Be sure to compare each recipe to the guidelines provided by your veterinarian to make sure the recipe complies with those nutrition guidelines.

High-quality ingredients will make your homemade dog food better for your dog provided you get the balance of proteins and nutrients right. Although the types of nutrients and levels of protein that a dog needs are different to that if humans, human-grade meats would be best. It’s fine to take advantage of cheaper priced meat when you make your pet’s food as long as you know where it comes from. For instance, you could ask your butcher about any cuts of meat that may be suitable for your pet. In this way you could find out where the meat comes from and exactly what it is composed of. The butcher may be able to offer a reasonable discount if you plan to become a regular customer.

It’s actually quite straightforward to prepare healthy homemade dog food in your kitchen. If cooking is a bit of a chore to you, why not cook it as you prepare the family meal. You can create a large batch and use some and freeze the rest for previous weeks. If you prepare a large quantity in the first week of the month and freeze it, it could well last for the rest of the month. Good planning can make the preparation of healthy homemade dog food a breeze.

Its makes sense to take the time to prepare food that provides good nourishment for your dog. Concentrate on recipes that use top quality ingredients. Ensure that they are balanced in terms of proteins and fats. Youre sure to notice that your dog is happier and more energetic when hes eating healthy homemade dog food prepared especially for him.

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Feline Acne: Symptoms and Treatment

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 4:54 am


by Kurt Schmitt

The specific causes of feline acne are not known. Cats with weakened immune systems are more susceptible, but otherwise healthy male and female cats of all ages may be affected.

There are a number of factors that may contribute to the development of the disease, including poor grooming habits, abnormal sebum production, and stress.

Lesions vary in severity, but are typically mild. Itching and pain are uncommon unless there is a secondary bacterial infection present. Lesions usually initially present at about one year of age, and remain cyclic for the life of the cat. Pain and/or itching are not common unless there is a secondary bacterial skin infection.

Your veterinarian will determine whether or not treatment is required. This will depend upon the severity of the symptoms, and whether or not any secondary conditions exist.

Feline acne symptoms and signs — Acne in cats may include lesions on the chin and lower lip, as well as swelling of the chin and around the mouth. Your cat may display dark brown comedones or crusted reddish papules.

In more serious cases, there may be a secondary bacterial infection present. Signs of this may include edema (swelling) of the chin area, or drainage of the lesions. In these cases, antibiotics, both systemic (taken internally) and topical, may be prescribed.

Sometimes, bacterial skin infections may appear to be acne, but are not. Sometimes ringworm or yeast infections may be mistaken for acne as well.

Treatment of feline acne — Treatment is often not necessary, except in more severe cases. In fact, skin lesions can be made worse by overtreatment.

Your veterinarian may recommend topical therapy of some kind to help remove the comedones (blackheads). Depending upon the severity, more aggressive treatment may be recommended.

Excess skin may be removed from the lesion area to aid in cleaning, as well as the application of topical medications. In order to prevent infection and injury to your cat, only your veterinarian should perform this procedure.

Treatment may include the use of antiseptics, such as Listerine or alcohol. Antiseborrheic shampoos may help as well. Some of these contain salicylic acid, which is a common component of human acne treatment formulas.

As with acne in people, topical benzoyl peroxide solutions are often prescribed. These are available in small animal strength formulas, which is one-half that of the human preparation, in shampoo or gel form.

Never use preparations designed for humans on your cat unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian. Even the animal formula benzoyl peroxide treatments may be irritating to your cat’s skin when used repeatedly.

Cats with acne who have weakened immune systems may receive steroid therapy. Additional supplements, including off-label drugs, may be used as well.

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Know What It Takes To Keep Rottweilers

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 4:51 am


by Sharon Davies

When you want to be sure about what it takes as far as good Rottweiler breeding goes, you need to make an assessment of its past such as considering its parents and looking for a good temperament. Of course, every dog will have a fault or two and so you need to be sure that you can live with these faults in your dog, and you may want to also see whether the Rottweiler parents have pedigrees and have participated in competitions which is very important to Rottweiler breeding.

It is necessary to know about Rottweiler care and breeding because how successful your ownership of the pet turns out to be depends on its breeding and more particularly, its genetic past history, early conditioning as well as its ability to socialize - all of which depends on how it has been bred. In the recent years, the popularity of Rottweilers has grown tremendously and you need to only open a dog magazine and you will find many advertisements offering well bred Rottweilers for sale.

In any case, you need to be wary about those Rottweilers that are being offered for sale at very low prices because these could be the result of poor Rottweiler breeding. If breeders offer you guarantees in writing, it is a welcome thing though not a guarantee that their dogs are of adequate standards. So, watch out for unscrupulous breeders of whom there are many.

Bringing a Rottweiler home means having a companion for the next ten plus years and thus it bears keeping in mind that you need to be able to ensure proper Rottweiler care and also that your new addition is a product of proper Rottweiler breeding. And, to help you choose a good Rottweiler, you should be well informed about its past ancestry and also learn about particular Rottweiler characteristics that can help distinguish a well bred Rottweiler from one that is not well bred.

So, the next time you are at a dog show, you should talk to the various Rottweiler breeders who will have quite a few of their Rottweiler bred dogs on show. Or, you could talk to other Rottweiler owners and ask about buying a Rottweiler from them. In any case, you should be aware that Rottweilers generally stand about twenty-four inches to twenty-inches tall at the shoulders and weigh about a hundred pounds, though females are smaller by a few inches and also weigh about twenty pounds fewer.

A Rottweiler may not look too tall or imposing, but it is certainly a very strong animal and they were also at one time used for pulling carts, which has made their bodies very muscular and strong. They can easily knock a full-grown person down and thus must be kept away from older people who could come to harm as a result of accidental bumps. However, the Rottweiler will respond well to obedience training and thus can be kept under control quite easily.

You need to ensure that before buying your Rottweiler you do not buy from breeders who do not show respect to the breed and will indulge in indiscriminate Rottweiler breeding and thus produce Rottweilers that have more than the desired numbers of problems. Don’t be fooled by low prices and look to see that the Rottweiler has good black coat or even one that is of tan color, is strong looking and has an athletic build, while its movements are supple.

Because of its strength and generally imposing demeanor, there are many that are scared of the Rottweiler and even have gone as far as wanting Rottweiler breeding to be stopped. These people obviously do not know this great German breed is a superior animal and has been bred for more than two thousand years. The only problem with regard to this excellent creature is that improper Rottweiler car and training can cause more aggressive than is required.

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Learning Behavior Training for Dogs

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 4:41 am


by Marian

Dogs love to please. Puppies need to begin their training as soon as possible. It is easier to learn a behavior than to unlearn.

Where you begin training is important. Having too many toys and too much noise can make training difficult. Dogs do get affected by their enviorment.

Picking a person to train the dog. Once you have chosen the person you want to train the dog. Keep that person in the forefront of the dogs training. Allow the person you want to train the dog decide on the method. As you slowly introduce others into the dogs training. Make sure that the method used for training is the same for everyone.

Attitude is very important. A firm but kind voice should be used. Yelling will only bring fear. It will not create a cooperative behavior in your dog.

Be patient. Each dog is an individual and will learn at their own pace.

Consider the breed of dog that your are working with. Some maybe more high strung than others. As an example the border collie is good at agility. Each breed has their own strong points. Use those to your advantage.

Decide what training method is best for your dog. Some trainers use food and others may use clickers. Other methods are also available. Find out which method the dog responds to best.

Do not try to work on many different behaviors. Focus one one at a time and you will be more sucessful.

The steps I have explained to you will go a long way to a well behaved dog. Love your pet is the most important step of all.

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Rottweilers Make Excellent Companions

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 4:37 am


by Sharon Davies

One thing that immediately strikes you when you look at the Rottweiler is its robust nature and the power in its body and the next thing you will come to realize is that it is a very loyal creature that has good protective instincts as well. That is what makes the Rottweiler an excellent guard dog and besides, it is also a very good companion, which with proper Rottweiler care will be an asset to any home. However, given its special traits and because, thanks to good Rottweiler breeding, these animals are strong of a good size. This means that you need to shoulder a few more responsibilities in raising these breeds than is the case with other breeds. As a person interested in owning a Rottweiler, it would pay for you to learn about good Rottweiler breeding so that you can find out exactly what it takes to make a good Rottweiler, and thus make an informed decision when purchasing the breed.

Other considerations that you need to be on the lookout for include American Kennel Club registration papers and also Orthopedic Foundation for Animals certification. Genetic problems present in the Rottweiler, its health history and also that of its parents which should show whether the pup has been wormed and been given its shots.

However, you need to be careful about the various breeders offering Rottweilers for sale and be sure that they offer written guarantees covering hip dysplasia and other health related problems. Though guarantees are not what you really because it is much more important to look for proper breeding practices to avoid the problems completely..

Bringing a Rottweiler home means having a companion for the next ten plus years and thus it bears keeping in mind that you need to be able to ensure proper Rottweiler care and also that your new addition is a product of proper Rottweiler breeding. And, to help you choose a good Rottweiler, you should be well informed about its past ancestry and also learn about particular Rottweiler characteristics that can help distinguish a well bred Rottweiler from one that is not well bred.

Dog shows are an ideal place where you can view and also find good Rottweilers that have been well bred and since such shows are sure to have many Rottweiler breeders showing off their puppies and dogs, you could make contact with them and thus find a good Rottweiler for yourself. If these Rottweilers are the product of good Rottweiler breeding they will stand about two feet tall and weigh about a hundred pounds though the females will be slightly shorter as well as a bit lighter in weight.

Because Rottweilers have a history of being put to use in the fields in Europe and they are in fact much stronger than you may expect, be prepared for a pet that will be compact in size and very muscular as well. In fact, they are strong enough to cause harm and though they are generally not overly aggressive, older persons for fear of unintended injury should not keep them. There is also great need for proper Rottweiler obedience training so that they will learn to do as they are told to do.

As with most forms of dog breeding, Rottweiler breeding also suffers from the fact that many of the breeders are less than scrupulous about how they breed their Rottweilers and often, have only a profit motive at the back of their minds and thus do not pay enough attention to proper breeding methods. So, if you come across Rottweilers being offered at ridiculously low prices, stay clear of such deals because they will most probably mean that you are being offered ill-bred Rottweilers.

Because of its strength and generally imposing demeanor, there are many that are scared of the Rottweiler and even have gone as far as wanting Rottweiler breeding to be stopped. These people obviously do not know this great German breed is a superior animal and has been bred for more than two thousand years. The only problem with regard to this excellent creature is that improper Rottweiler car and training can cause more aggressive than is required.

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Beagle Health Tips

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 4:36 am


by Michelle Adams

The first concern anyone has when they take on a new pet is how to properly care for that new pet and owning a beagle is no exception. The biggest concern for any beagle owner should be beagle health and there are many simple ways to maintain your beagle’s health that can allow you to make sure that your beagle is always safe from harm. When it comes to your pet’s health never guess or think you know something. If a persistent problem arises then contact your vet right away.

One thing people always wonder about is what is considered a healthy diet for your beagle? Dogs in general benefit from a healthy diet of vet approved dog food but you should augment your dog’s daily diet with other foods as well to help them grow healthy. Properly cooked meats and even raw vegetables and fruits are wonderful for a dog’s health. Remember that human beings have not cornered the market on eating food and that all animals eat food, it is just a matter of feeding your animal the right kinds of food.

Some of the most important beagle health tips are also some of the simplest tips as well. It may not seem like much but you need to bathe your beagle at least once a month or more often if your beagle is an outdoor dog or spends a lot of time in dirty situations.

Beagles have very thick coats and their coats can gather a lot of dirt and other problematic elements that can potentially cause problems with your beagle if these go unchecked. Along with that is the contact your beagle will have with your family and if you allow dirt to collect in the beagle’s coat then eventually everyone suffers.

Proper grooming is also very important to your beagle, as their thick coat can be a problem for them. You should plan on regularly brushing your beagle as their thick coat can sometimes get tangles and snarls that can cause potential health issues down the road. Another very important part of beagle health is maintaining the length of their nails. If you are going to try and clip them yourself then be very careful because beagles are notorious for hating getting their nails clipped.

Beagle health concerns are much more than just providing a balanced diet and bathing. Your beagle’s ears are famous for not only their look, but also their ability to block the proper airflow in and out of the dog’s ear. Check under you beagle’s floppy ears regularly and if you see any build up then contact your vet right away.

Your beagle’s teeth need cleaning too. You need to get them used to teeth cleaning at a very young age by rubbing your finger gently over the beagle’s teeth every once in while.

If they are okay with this then you can probably move on to a dog toothbrush. Always keep an eye on your beagle and make sure you make their health your primary concern for your pet’s sake and your family as well.

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Golden Retriever Grooming For Coat And Skin Health

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 4:32 am


by Carol Matthews

Matting, shedding and hot spots are the hurdles for the Golden Retriever owner when it concerns Golden Retriever grooming. Not only that, puppies should be accustomed to Golden Retriever grooming supplies at an early age so they will welcome grooming sessions as they mature. Young puppies do not need grooming yet you should groom the puppies anyway with the array of proper Golden Retriever grooming supplies.

Regular Golden Retriever grooming will prevent and reduce the occurrence of matting for feathery-coated Golden Retrievers. The correct smooth coated Golden Retriever is also prone to matting if its undercoat does not receive regular brushing. A thorough session of Golden Retriever grooming takes one half hour to perform. An owner with a feathery-coated dog should devote time to daily grooming to prevent matting. Once a week, a thorough grooming should be done for smooth coated Golden Retrievers. During shedding season, these dogs will shed a large amount of hair, which can be controlled with daily grooming. Hot spots are an irritated skin condition to which Golden Retrievers are prone.

Correct Golden Retriever grooming is important to the appearance of the dog’s coat. Depending on the type of Golden Retriever, the coat may be the feathery or the proper smooth coat. The feathery coat is prone to matting and you should devote time everyday to Golden Retriever grooming if your dog has feathering. Both types may mat if the dog is not groomed regularly, once a week or more with Golden Retriever grooming supplies. For matting problems, grooming must be done frequently to prevent and reduce matting.

Once a mat starts, it will irritate the dog and eventually become painful as it pulls more hair into itself as the mat grows in size. A mat can cause skin irritations if it is not removed. In addition, fleas will migrate to mat spots. The places, where most matting occurs, are behind the ears, rear, tail and at feathery spots. Mats can happen overnight to some dogs with feathering. If matting is occurring regularly, you will have to brush the area frequently or trim the hair regularly.

You will need a few Golden Retriever grooming supplies to deal with mats. A mat must be carefully untangled with a wide toothed comb by starting at the edges and then working into the mat. Plain water will tighten the mat so you may use oil or detangle formula conditioner to untangle the mat. A mat can be cut away easily and safely with a mat breaker. Try to avoid using sharp edged scissors on a mat, use rounded edged scissor if necessary. Use the services of a groomer as necessary. With the right Golden Retriever grooming supplies, you can groom your dog well.

Two brushes will be good additions to your Golden Retriever grooming supplies toolkit. The slicker brush has a wide head with short bristles and can be used on a wide area. The pin brush has wide set long bristles for feathering. Give your dog a thorough brushing before a bath or wetting its coat.

Brush your dog thoroughly before a bath or wetting the coat. Tangles tighten with water. A vegetable oil or detangle solution can help to detangle tangles. Avoid too much bathing or using detergent based shampoo because of undercoat fall out or skin irritation. Brush dirt from the underside and legs for spot cleaning and wet as necessary.

Use a flea comb to detangle mats and check the skin for hot spots or other irritated spots. Clip the nails when necessary. Check and clean the nails and ears once a week. Include all these Golden Retriever grooming tasks in your Golden Retriever grooming plan to maintain your dog’s health.

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History Of The Rottweiler

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 4:32 am


by Sharon Davies

The dog breed known as the Rottweiler has developed a bad reputation in recent years. It is ironic because the descendants of this large and noble breed were useful and respectable dogs for almost two thousand years.

The exact history of the Rottweiler is unknown, but the breed is thought to have developed in ancient Rome around 74 A.D. These mastiff-type dogs helped Roman armies conquer much of Europe. They were used by the military to herd cattle and to protect cattle and men. The breed fell out of favor in the 1800s due to no longer being needed to herd due to advances in technology and farming. Rottweilers began to be used by the military in World War I and II as police and guard dogs. Unfortunately, many also were trained to be hostile and aggressive to dogs and people. The present day Rottweiler dog is named for Rottweil, Germany where the breed again gained support and favor.

The personality and appearance of the Rottweiler dog breed make it unique. Surprisingly, one of the first adjectives used to describe the Rottweiler’s personality is calm. The breed is known to be an excellent, relaxed family pet. In fact, a calm, courageous and confident temperament is the breed standard according to the American Kennel Club, which registered the Rottweiler in 1935.

Surprisingly, the American Kennel Club, which judges purebred dogs on not just physical traits but also behavioral characteristics, defines the breed standard for Rottweilers as calm, confident, and courageous. Rottweilers are actually known more for their laid-back nature than aggression. Problems in behavior may stem from Rottweiler dogs’ natural tendency to protect their owners and families.

The Rottweiler’s strong physical traits also define the breed. All purebred Rottweiler’s have distinctive coloring with an all black short coat with brown markings in specific areas of the cheeks, muzzle, paws and legs. A strong and large dog, the Rottweiler is muscular and has a broad head and chest. Its tail is generally docked to give its body a longer, more streamlined appearance. Rottweilers are easily differentiated from other dog breeds due to their physical and personality traits.

It is important to clarify that the natural temperament of the Rottweiler dog breed leans more toward calm than aggression. A potential Rottweiler buyer should research the breed and make sure he can handle a large, active dog before buying. However, a buyer should not be more afraid to buy a Rottweiler than any other dog breed.

Steps a buyer can take to ensure he purchases a physically and emotionally healthy Rottweiler include researching the breed first and know what breed standard traits to look for, research breeders to find an ethical breeder of purebred Rottweilers, visit the breeder kennel to see how Rottweiler puppies are raised, obtain pedigree information to determine lineage, obtain health information to ensure the Rottweiler has been evaluated for genetic problems, ask the breeder to provide Rottweiler information, specifically on training and discipline, and lastly make sure the buyer’s household is appropriate to meet the Rottweiler’s social and activity needs

Breeders should also be willing to provide advice, Rottweiler information, and training tips and will have buyer sign a contract to give the dog back to the breeder if the buyer cannot keep the dog

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Where To Go To Find Yorkshire Terrier Puppies

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 4:27 am


by Susan Bailey

If you are thinking about getting a new pet, you should definitely consider Yorkshire Terrier puppies. These dogs are small, adorable and loving, but they also make great watchdogs. This is because they are constantly on alert and because they are so protective of their owners they will be sure to notify you whenever there is a noise or movement around your home.

Yorkies are known as being one of the smallest dogs on earth and even fully grown they usually weigh no more than seven pounds. Although they are incredibly small, they are certainly not lacking in personality, and in fact they are often described as being a big dog personality in a small dog body. They are very alert and make great watchdogs.

If you have given it some thought and have decided that you are in fact interested in getting Yorkshire Terrier puppies, then you will want to get right on it and know where you can go to find one. Basically you can purchase Yorkshire Terrier puppies from a shelter or from a breeder. There are really pros and cons to both options here, but going with a breeder is usually always the best choice as long as you take the time to find a good, reputable breeder.

It does not have to take long for you to determine the good breeders from the bad, just make sure that you do your research and that you ask lots of questions.

Any reputable breeder is going to be more than willing to talk to you and answer any questions that you may have, and so be wary of those that steer away from your questions or even refuse to answer them.

Yorkshire Terrier puppies make for great pets, and you are sure to fall in love with them the second you get them home.

As long as you have taken the time to find a proper breeder with a Yorkie puppy for sale and then go through and get the puppy all the necessary vaccination shots, then you should have no problems and should have a puppy that lives a long, healthy live.

Keep in mind however that your dog may have adverse reactions to this or other shots, as it is possible that your puppy could have an allergic reaction to particular vaccination. There are a few different reactions that your puppy may experience including a fever, depressed appearance or decreased appetite. If you ever notice any of these symptoms in your puppy you should bring them in to see the veterinarian as soon as possible to make sure that they are okay.

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Purchasing Quality Pet Meds Online

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 4:15 am


by Debra Dyson

You will love your shopping experience with entirely4pets.com because they offer top quality pet meds online. You can buy discount pet medications online. Never before has it been easier to get cheap pet meds online to meet your pets’ needs. The site is simple to use and you can shop without ever leaving your home.

A great number of pet owners are of the opinion that they can only get their pet medications from the local vet. You will need a prescription form the vet but you don’t have to always buy from your local vet. You can buy discount pet medications online that are of top quality and will meet your pets’ needs. This type of shopping will mean you save money.

We are constantly rushing about our day. It can be a challenge to find time to go by the local office and pick up your pet medications. Now that you can buy discount pet medications online, you don’t have to fit in a trip to the vet for your schedule. It’s simple, quick and easy to do online.

Does your pet simply need a refill of a current prescription? Many medications are refilled monthly. The vet just needs to verify the refill and you can buy discount pet medications online. This means you do not have to take your pet to the vet if it’s a refill and no office visit is needed. Your pet will be less stressed and you will save time and money when you buy discount pet medications online.

You might wonder why stores can offer cheap pet meds online. The biggest reason for the discount is because there is no overhead. Vet offices must pay someone to deliver the meds. They must stock the meds. They even have to pay the receptionist to take your money for the medications. There are building fees, utility bills, employee wages and more when you run a vet office. You can buy discount pet medications online because there are no overhead costs.

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