Monday, 10 September 2012

How Much Water Does My Pet Need?


Another informative article for Dog owners written by a person named Stephanie


Pets are always said to be wonderful playmates for kids, they will also keep accompany for the older, they can actually bring happiness to us all. I believe only a few will refuse the fluffy and lovely pet god has brought to us. Here I will talk about how to take care of our cute pets, and the first one I want to discuss is how much water dose a pet need, now follow me!



Water, simple but essential, it is a must in everyday life for people as well as for our pets. We all know that it is quite important for one person to obtain enough water a day, this is the same with our pets, they need lots of fresh water to stay healthy and hydrated. It is really a task for us to feed proper amount of water for our pets, so we must learn how much water do our pets need. For most pets, the amount of food is limited, but this is not the same with water, water is never enough.

Pets are living things, they do know how to take care of themselves even in the dangerous wild, so we do not need to be with them for exactly every minute and do exactly everything for them. If they feel thirsty, they will go and find water themselves. In reality, we can not be around our pets for like every minute, what if our pets are left home along and can not find fresh water to drink. Now you just need to prepare a automatic water feeder.

There are many kinds of pet water station like automatic water feeder, drink well or fountain with hydrate filtration systems. Do not take the idea that it is enough to prepare a bowl of water for your pets, sometimes you will have no idea how thirsty they will be after they have taken some exercises by themselves. Most pet water stations sold online are simple and cheap, you just need to install the machine in accordance to the instructions, then your pets will have enough fresh water everyday. Besides, water movement increases your pet's natural instinct to drink more water, and activated carbon filter removes chlorine, odor and other small particles, thus fresh and clean water is guaranteed!

The function theory of automatic water feeder is actually very simple and easy. As the specific weight of air and water is different, air will always stay above water. When the bottle mouth stays out of the water, air will enter the bottle and form pressure, then the same volume of water will come out of the bottle. When the bottle mouth stays in the water, air will have no way to enter into the bottle, then water will still stay in the bottle. Quite easy to understand and easy to operate.

Attention here! We need to know that not every pets need a water feeder. As some pets do not drink water directly, they obtain water right from their food, mostly vegetables, so now you do not need a water feeder, it all depends on which kind of pet you have.

At last, I want to say that it is indispensable for you to know your pets well and learn how to keep them healthy. Not only how much water they need a day, but also other basic questions. Different methods are taken for different pets at different ages. You can always search for answers on the internet, follow my articles and you will learn more!








 
   find it under the Feeding and watering supplies link on the index page of my website
 
 
 
 
 
 


Could your Dog be Suffering from Canine Acne?




The following informative article was written by a vet named Dr. Matthew Homfray. See the about the author under the article.


Everyone knows of acne as a human condition suffered by unfortunate teenagers during adolescence, but it is in fact quite common in certain breeds of dog too. The most susceptible breeds are young adult boxers, English bulldogs, Doberman pinschers, Great Danes and Rottweilers. The condition starts at puberty around 5 to 8 months of age. Most dogs improve with age and the condition typically resolves after one year of age, though some dogs can develop chronic acne.


Dogs with canine acne develop multiple comedones (blackheads) on their chin, lips, and muzzle. Plugs of debris made of natural substances such as keratin and sebum block the hair follicles, causing focal swellings which can rupture to form scabs.
Dogs with this condition have swellings, scabs and blackheads on their lips, chin and muzzle. These usually do not bother the dog unless a secondary bacterial skin infection develops. This can cause pain and itching, leading the dog to scratch at his/her face or rub it along the carpet.
Diagnosis is usually straight forward: the characteristic appearance described above, in one of the known susceptible breeds is usually sufficient. Your vet may decide to take a skin biopsy for confirmation, which can be done under sedation, local or general anaesthetic and then sent off to a histopathologist for analysis.
Treatment
Canine acne cannot really be cured, but can be controlled. Mild cases are usually not treated. The first step is always to rule out other conditions such as demodecosis (a mite infestation), ringworm and puppy strangles. The latter also causes anorexia and depression so if your dog is bright with a good appetite, it is unlikely to be this. Also important is to uncover any predisposing factors such as underlying allergies. Some of the breeds mentioned above, such as Boxers, are particularly susceptible to food allergy. Regular cleaning with anti-acne products (eg benzoyl peroxide) or mild anti-seborrheic shampoos will be required to decrease the bacterial load of the skin and remove cellular debris which could contribute to blocking the pores.
If pustules have ruptured and a secondary bacterial infection develops, your dog will need to take antibiotics for 3 or 4 weeks. Most broad spectrum antibiotics are effective, but to avoid any resistance problems a bacteriology swab is advisable so that a suitable antibiotic can be chosen with certain efficacy against the bacterium in question.
If a dog is scratching at his/her face a lot, an anti-inflammatory drug such as a one off steroid injection is probably indicated to alleviate the discomfort.
Refractory and recurrent cases can sometimes respond to retinoid therapy, similar to the human drug Roaccutane, which essentially stops the sebaceous glands in the skin from producing sebum. This however requires a veterinary specialists consent.



About the Author                                                                        

Matthew Homfray

Dr Matthew Homfray is one of the experts at www.WhyDoesMyPet.com - Expert Answers for all your Pet QuestionsVisit them today, you will be impressed by the quality of their pet experts and the speed with which your question is answered!

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Pet Insurance and Why You Can’t Afford To Be Without It


Pet insurance has been and still is a growing concern with pet owners alike, due to the increasing amount of necessary trips to the veterinarian. Some of these trips can be extremely expensive depending on the reason for your visit. Routine check ups as well as emergency visits can be a costly expense that can be greatly minimized by simply opting into a basic pet insurance plan. Pets are often exposed to situations that can cause illness and accidental injuries. Lets face it, you can’t be with your pet all the time, and like children, pets can get themselves into dangerous situations. Unfortunately, these situations can sometimes lead to vet bills reaching hundreds, sometime thousands of dollars. When you take into consideration routine check ups, medicines, preventative measures, exams and surgeries, you can imagine how quickly this can add up.

There are a number of options available concerning pet insurance and dog insurance that are very affordable to keep your pet well taken care of when those unexpected veterinary pet care bills arise. Complete pet health insurance plans can start as low as 10 dollars per month, which is a small amount to keep your loved pet safe and healthy for years to come. Dog insurance and cat insurance plans can save you a lot of money and stress.
What would you do if your pet suddenly became ill and you needed a thousand dollars for the treatment of your pet? Would you be able to cover the costs without pet health insurance? For some people, this may not be a problem, but for most, this can be a devastating unexpected expense. We love our pets, that is why we have them isn’t it? It would be very difficult to have to let your pet go because of not being able to pay the medical bill. That wouldn’t be an option, besides, how would you tell your children? Absolutely right, you couldn’t. So, for as little as it costs, why not bring piece of mind into the household and make sure your pets medical expenses are covered with pet insurance plan. Believe me, there are many advantages to a good dog insurance plan. Don’t take the chance, and risk finding out the hard way, it’s just not worth it. It’s cheaper to have a pet plan than it is not to have one.

Pet Safety At Home – What You Should Know


Your pet is precious, and like your own family member. Like you it needs to be cared for and protected and, of course, loved unconditionally. It’s like a small child, which is curious and can get up to all sorts of mischief. This is why you must maintain pet safety at home.


Pet Proofing Your Home


a good veterinarian for a curative remedy. Moreover, keep your pets clean, and give them a bath at least twice a month.

A Pet in Your Home
As aforementioned, treat your pet like a respected and loved family member. You must teach your children to be gentle with the pet, and to enjoy their company. Also, teach the children how to take proper care of the pet, but care must be taken, not to leave a young child alone with a new pet. This is when accidents can occur, if the child teases the pet, or does something to the pet that it dislikes.

Checking the Pet CollarRegular inspection of your pet’s collar is necessary for maintaining the pet’s safety. Pets outgrow their collars rapidly. If not replaced or loosened, they will tighten themselves around the neck of the pet, and will grow right into it. A tight color will give excruciating and constant pain to the pet.
Inspect the collar on a weekly basis. You will get some
indication as to whether the pet is comfortable with the collar or not. Adjust it accordingly. Also, remember to put an ID on the collar of your pet, which will help you find him/her in case they get lost.

The String and Your Cat
You must have seen innumerable pictures of cats playing with string. They look cute don’t they? Well, if you are a stickler for pet safety, then you won’t allow your cat to play with a ball of string without supervision.
If left unattended, cats are quite likely to eat the balls of string, and as can be imagined, this is not conducive for the good health of the cat. However, if your cat has swallowed the piece of string, here are a few considerations:
* If the string is still protruding from the mouth, don’t pull it out. If you pull the string, it might lead to a sawing of the intestinal wall, leading to a medical condition called peritonitis.
* Take your pet to a veterinary specialist on an immediate basis.

Pet-Inside or Outside
There is a school of thought that proposes that, pets must spend most of their time out of doors and not inside the house. However, this can be true for some pets, especially some breed of dogs, but the “thought” cannot be generalized.

It is a fact, that there are dozens of dangers in the world outsides, especially for pets. Take the case of cats. Cats are better off inside the house then outside. Cats like fighting for territory and will pick a fight at the drop of a hat. This is just one of the reasons, why cats are safer in the precincts of a home.
Dogs are no better and most of them are liable to get into trouble when they are out of the house. Of course, this does not mean that pets must remain cooped up all the time. They need their daily dose of exercise for a healthy life.

A Matter of Individual Perception
In the end, pet safety is all about awareness about the pet you own and its intrinsic behavior. There are pets that are docile, and there are others that are mischievous. After taking care of the standard safety measures, you will need to incorporate a few special safety features, in cases of pets that have a habit of getting out of hand.
Once you get a pet, its best to focus on the pet safety aspect before, something untoward happens.

Monday, 26 March 2012

Information about Chihuahua Rescues and Adoptions

    Unfortunately not everyone treats pets and animals inside a humane way and that includes Chihuahuas. That is why you need to always look to get a Chihuahua rescue centre if you ever see a Chihuahua which has been abused or abandoned. You will find things that every Chihuahua rescue centre ought to have and do not be discouraged in the event you do not readily discover a Chihuahua rescue middle near for you. You will find options and other issues you are able to look for to obtain some help for your little dog and you should not give up searching because it is the life of the residing animal which you are combating for.

The very first place you want to go when it comes to the well being of any pet or animal is a vet. Your vet, or the closest vet to you, if you do not have pets and do company with a vet, will be extremely worried about abandoned animals and can probably have very useful information for you personally on exactly where you can take the little dog. A good rescue centre will have a close relationship with a vet for medical services so a vet ought to have the ability to help you discover one.


groups in your area. It tends to make lifestyle so much easier for animal rescue com. A great Chihuahua rescue centre will have some sort of operating connection with local law enforcement authorities. It's almost not possible to actively rescue small Chihuahua canines without some sort of assist or help from local legislation authorities. It is not to suggest that they go about breaking within the doors of abusive owners, just that a great rescue centre will want the back up from the law and also the ability to report criminal elements to the proper authorities because animal neglect and abuse is against the law.

A
Chihuahua Rescue centre can also be likely to have a near working relationship with other animal rescue and adoption panies when they are all working with each other to provide services for your numerous animals they cope with. Numerous rescue centers aren't adoption companies so they'll obtain the animals, look after them, and then function with an
Chihuahua Adoption team to locate a new home.

It isn't something everybody thinks of but a Chihuahua breeder might be prepared to act as a Chihuahua rescue centre occasionally. It by no means hurts to inquire and many reputable breeders do not wish to see a Chihuahua endure any more than you do, as well as they have the resources to complete something about it and help the little canine discover a brand new house. Don't anticipate it all of the time but if you see an abandoned or abused Chihuahua then get in touch with a breeder to see if they will assist.

Don't allow
abused animals suffer. In many cases all it takes is an easy telephone call to obtain assist for the poor animal and then you can know you did a fantastic factor by giving a pet a second opportunity. So in the event you know of abuse or see an abandoned pet don't flip absent, just choose up the phone and call someone simply because pets are worthy of equally as a lot of the opportunity to live a happy lifestyle as you do.
As a
dog lover the Sandra Dean has spent time studying the background of dog breeds. The Chihuahua is really a various breed suitable for particular kinds of homes. As a bold breed, the Chihuahua is highly protective and dependable of their proprietors. Understanding Chihuahua information can assist you to figure out if it's a breed correct for you personally.

































Monday, 19 March 2012

When we grieve for our pets

The loss of a pet can affect animal lovers just as profoundly as their human loved one’s passing. For me the loss of my 11 year old cat Toby on St. Patrick’s Day in 2010 was the last thing I needed after losing my husband and father in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The worst thing about losing Toby was I had to watch him die over a very short period of time. He had coughed up a blood clot and rushed him to the vet in mid February or thereabout. The vet had no idea what was wrong and offered to do a series of very expensive tests that she said may or may not tell her what was wrong. She then said given the fact that he was 11 years old they couldn’t cure him they would only be able to make his last days comfortable. Then she proceeded to say I don’t think he’s going to die tomorrow or anything. I was livid about her attitude and made the decision not to put him through all the tests that may or may not show what was wrong because I knew he would be scared going through all that and took him home where he would be comfortable. Over the next few weeks he stopped eating almost completely and I knew in my heart that his time on this earth was coming to an end. And it broke my heart then and it still affects me to this day. I made him as comfortable as I could, carried him upstairs with me at night and watched to make sure he was in no pain. By the last two weeks of his life he spent most of his time on a folded up blanket in the basement where he loved to spend hours sleeping. I knew on that fateful day in March that he didn’t have much time left and made the decision to have him put down. The thought of putting him into a carrier and driving him to the vet did not appeal to me at all. I knew he would be scared. As I decided what to do I went down to where he lay semi-conscious in the basement and told him it was ok to go. Just a few hours later he died peacefully in the very spot he loved to be in life. That was the best way for him to die. Not in the sterile and frightening vet’s office on a table. Toby was a big gentle cat and not too bright but I will never forget him. I will say that there are days like right now that I still tear up thinking about my lovely Toby and it’s been almost two years since he’s been gone. I was lucky that he passed here at home and I am aware that I may have to make a decision of euthanasia for my other pets when the time comes but if I had a out.He was concerned that her paw had bled for so long and took a blood test. Meachoice the best option is for them to pass peacefully at home where they are comfortable.
Just recently in February of 2012 I had to make the heart rending decision to have my old cat peaches put down because of a probable cancer diagnosis. She was a rescue and she had been in my care for 15 years. Her inevitible death came a a shock because up until about three weeks before she was put to sleep she seemed perfectly fine. I found out that she had asthma during that three week period and she also accidentally declawed herself about three days before she had to be put down. Four days before she died she got a claw caught in a blanket on my bed. As I tried to remove her claw she jerked her paw the opposite way and the whole claw got yanked out. At the time I had no idea that her claw came out but she bled so much that I had to take her to an emergency vet hospital. During this time she had stopped eating for the second time in three weeks. When the bleeding had not stopped two days after her emergency vet visit I took her to my own vet to get checked because she had vomitted blood early the next morning. Having some knowledge of human medicine and my experience with my cat Toby I knew right away that vomitting blood was very serious and knew that I would have to put my beloved Peaches down as she had still not eaten  for going on the third day in a row. I called my vet for the second time that week and took her in to have her put to sleep. It turned out that her blood tests showed that she most likely had cancer. I decided that putting her down instead of letting her suffer was the most humane thing I could do as she had already stopped eating anyway and I knew in my heart that she had decided that it was time to go. It devastated me and more than a month later as I recall her last days my heart is broken and i am in tears thinking of my beloved girl. She was one of a kind and I adored her. Don't let anyone who doesn't have pets tell you you are silly to grieve the loss of your pet because you feel the loss of your pet just as you feel the loss of a human member of your family.


 

Our pets are part of our family

In recent years the pet apparel industry has grown exponentially! The reason for this is people now consider pets one of their own kids. Those four legged "kids" need to have appropriate outfits for special occasions, inclement weather and just for every day! Some dog owners go a wee bit overboard by claiming that their dog is equivalent to a small person so they need to wear a different outfit every single day just as our human kids do. I am a dog owner but I don't put little dresses on her but because she is a short haired toy mixed breed I do put raincoats and winter coats on her for her walk because she would be cold in my Canadian climate without a coat. I'm sure there are some toy breed parent's who spend thousands of dollars for their 4 legged "child's" wardrobe. Believe it or not  hockey jerseys from your favourite Canadian hockey teams are also available for your favourite 4 legged hockey fan. No matter what pets are a great source of companionship for people of all ages. It has been proven that just petting an animal can bring your blood pressure down and will reduce stress. Our pets show us unconditional love and can sense when we are feeling down or sad and have the ability to make us feel better when we are not feeling wonderful. did you know there was such a thing as a snuggie for dogs? Check out the picture below. Absolutely adorable!


Product Details
Noreaster Blanket Fleece 2 sided Jacket XLarge

Noreaster Blanket Fleece 2 sided Jacket XLarge
From Zack and Zoey

Price: CDN$ 20.99


Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Ships from and sold by Happy Dog Place

Product Description


Solid color water resistant shell that reversible to soft plaid fleece for all weather occasions.
Reflective stripe and paw print detailing on back with neck and belly Velcro closures for adjustable fit


Size Fits Length Fits Necks Fits Chests
X-Small Up to 8" (Up to 20.3cm)6" - 8" (15.2-20.3cm)10" - 12" (25.4-30.5 cm)
Small 8" - 12" (20.3-30.5cm)8" - 10" (20.3-25.4cm)12" - 16" (30.5-40.5cm)
Medium 12" - 16" (30.5-40.5cm)10" - 12" (25.4-30.5cm)16" - 20" (40.5-50.5cm)
Large 16" - 20" (40.5-50.5cm)12" - 16" (30.5-40.5cm)20" - 24" (50.5-71cm)
X-Large 20" - 24" (50.5-71cm)16" - 18" (40.5-45.7cm)24" - 30" (71-76.2cm)






Chilly Dog Wool Flags Sweaters 100% wool Medium Canadian Flag

Chilly Dog Wool Flags Sweaters 100% wool Medium Canadian Flag
From Chilly

Price: CDN$ 35.99


Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Ships from and sold by Happy Dog Place

Product Description



Our sweaters are hand-knit and 100% wool. The dyes we use for our wool come from plants and are natural. The sheep who provide the wool live great lives and are mostly free range. Because our natural wool is not treated with chemicals they are both warm and dogs love them on their bodies.
Chilly Dog Sweaters is the original Eco -friendy hand-knit dog sweaters.
Don't let your dog be left out in the cold! Chilly DogHANDMADE WOOLDog Sweaters are one of the highest quality and warmest dog sweaters made today.




Edmonton Oilers - Dog Hockey Jersey - X-Large

Edmonton Oilers - Dog Hockey Jersey - X-Large
From NHL

Price: CDN$ 62.99


Availability: Usually ships within 3 - 4 business days
Ships from and sold by Petacular


Product Description

Your dog can feel like part of the team with an Official NHL Dog Jersey! This mid-weight jersey is made of breathable, wrinkle-resistant Air-Knit® polyester, just like the Big Dogs, and has reinforced stitching on the shoulders and leg-holes. These officially licensed NHL Jerseys proudly display the embroidered twill team logo on the back.











Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #6819 in Kitchen & Housewares
  • Size: X-Large
  • Brand: NHL

Features

  • Edmonton Oilers embroidered twill logo
  • Mid-weight breathable, wrinkle resistant Air-Knit® polyester; Reinforced stiching
  • Officially licensed by the NHL
  • Sizes: X-Small - up to 14" girth, length 12-14"; Small - up to 16" girth, length 14-16"; Medium - up to 18" girth, length 16-18"; Large - up to 20" girth, length 18-20"; X-Large - up to 22", length 20-22"; XX-Large - up to 24" girth, length 22-24"
  • Measuring: For a proper fit measure the length from the back of your dog's neck, at the start of the shoulders, to the base of it's tail. For girth measure around your dog's chest at the widest point. If the measurement is borderline between sizes, we recommend the larger of the two.











Product Details
Snuggie for Dogs Pink Colored Fleece Blanket Coat with Sleeves (Small)

Snuggie for Dogs Pink Colored Fleece Blanket Coat with Sleeves (Small)
From Telebrands

Price: CDN$ 8.96


Availability: Usually ships within 2 - 3 business days
Ships from and sold by Galactics Canada

Product Description

The Snuggie for Dogs Pink Fleece Blanket with Sleeves is the ultimate in cold weather doggie accessories. Featuring a bright pink color and designed for small dog breeds, the small Snuggie for Dogs works great for a Bichon Frise, Chihuahua, miniature Dachshund, Maltese, Pekingese, miniature Pinscher, Toy Poodle, or miniature Toy Poodle. Whether worn indoors or outside, the Snuggie's adjustable Velcro tabs ensure the perfect fit for your dog, and gives him complete freedom of movement.











Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #480 in Pet Products
  • Model: SN181116
  • Format: CD-ROM
  • Dimensions: 10.30" h x 7.90" w x 1.20" l, .20 pounds