Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

Anyone wanting a new kitten should be a cat lover. Let’s face it, folks, cats are just different from dogs. Cats do not usually perform any special tricks, and they certainly do not guard your possessions while you are away. In fact, the only thing you can be guaranteed of by having a cat is that a mouse won’t last long if they creep into your home.

Cats are loved by many because of their independence. Cats have a life, so to speak. Most cats do not follow you around the home with their tongues hanging out of their mouths waiting on your attention. While they do love their owners fiercely, cats will not grovel like a dog and worship and fawn over their owners. Cats are perfectly content simply being themselves–and they do not seem to need constant reassurance, unlike canines.

This does not mean cats do not need love and affection, it simply means cats are not “fragile” characters. In fact, cats exude a self assurance which can often be misunderstood as aloofness or coldness. Yet, cats are far from aloof or unfeeling. They feel deeply and love deeply. If a cat comes to sit on your lap, you know you are truly loved.

Anytime the family thinks about bringing a new pet into the home, it is exciting. Cats are a favorite of many because as kittens they are so entertaining to watch. Cats have a mind all of their own and only a true cat lover can even claim to understand the psyche of a feline. Cats are mysterious animals, which is part of the draw to them. While cats have been brought into the home, their instincts still remain. Cats adopt their owners and will even go out and provide “dinner.” Many cat owners have stepped out on the stoop to find a dead mouse, opossum, or mole waiting for them. Now, that is love and loyalty!

If you are planning to bring a cat into your home, you should look at it as a life long commitment. Cats can live fifteen years and beyond. You should also understand that as cats mature, they will often sleep and laze around the home. If you are wanting a cat to entertain you throughout her life, you should seriously think about whether a cat is the pet for you. Kittens are very entertaining and young cats are always curious and open for a challenge. However, older cats aren’t easily excitable and usually prefer to watch the antics in the home from a distance.

When you have made the decision to bring a new cat into your home, you will have to decide between a domestic or purebred cat. If you choose to go with a purebred cat, you can be guaranteed of size and appearance, and possibly temperament. There are more than 40 breeds to choose from, so do your homework. You will want to research the grooming requirements of the breed you are considering, along with the general disposition of the breed.

Domestic cats come in all colors and shapes. When you look at any cat, there are some things you should consider. For instance, while all cats are fairly in proportion to each other, there are some cats which are more lanky and lean than others. These cats will be the ones who may be more interested in running and exploration. The chunkier, heavier cat will probably be more laid back and not get into too big a hurry about anything. You have a choice between a domestic long hair or domestic short hair cat.

When picking out your kitten, you should understand that kittens should not have an odor. While puppies do tend to have a smell about them, kittens do not. You should observe the entire litter of kittens. Do any of them have crusty eyes or a runny nose? If so, you may want to reconsider choosing a kitten from that litter. You certainly shouldn’t take one home simply because you feel sorry for it, either. Especially if you have other pets in your home. All of the kittens should have bright and clear eyes and be very alert.

You should handle the kittens. Their fur should be soft and silky, and never stiff or dry. Likewise, their coat should not feel oily or greasy. When you are petting the kitten, you should run your hands along her skin to ensure she has no sores. When you are holding each kitten, place them up to your face and nuzzle them. Listen for any breathing noises. You should not hear any raspy or breathy breathing. If you do, this is possibly a signal that the kitten has a respitory infection.

After visiting with the kittens, instinct will usually dictate to you which kitten is your match. You may feel the rowdy, rambunctious kitten will fit the best into your lively home. Or, you may decide the laid back kitten is more your speed, especially if you have a quiet home. Once you have made your decision and chosen your kitten, you should have a kennel waiting for travel. You should never try to ride in a car with a cat unless they are restrained or in a kennel. While most dogs love car rides, cats tend to scare. They can cower under your feet and this can lead to a wreck.

When you bring your new kitten into your home, you should immediately show her where the litter box, food and water are located. You should also have a supply of cat toys on hand to distract the cat from missing her mom and litter mates. While this cannot entirely be avoided, lavishing attention on a new kitten will do wonders in the transition to her new family.

You should expect your new kitten to explore every nook and cranny in the home. This is a necessary part of a kitten’s disposition. (Even older cats seem to perk up when a new piece of furniture is brought into a home they have lived in for years.) You will want to kitten proof your home. You should keep the lids down on the toilet, and you may want to remove potted plants and the like until your cat learns the rules.

Read the rest of this entry »

Healthy Pet Food- Premium Dog Food All Natural Cat Food Holistic Pet Supplies

Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

By: Shannon Lueck

The outer ear, middle ear and the inner ear are the three parts that make up an ear. The one most likely to get an infection is the outer ear. It is reported that about 90% of infections happen in the outer ear.

Infections of the outer ear canal are common among dogs. Dog ear infections, or Otitis Externa, occur frequently in dogs because of the way their ears are designed. The horizontal and vertical components of a dog’s ear make it difficult for particles such as water or debris to drain out.

Signs that Your Dog Has an Ear Infection:

* Your dog is constantly and excessively shaking its head.
* There is yellow to brown discharge in your dog’s ears.
* Your dog’s ears have a yeast-like smell.
* There is redness and swelling on your dog’s infected ear.

Possible Causes of Dog Ear Infection:

Dog ear infections are caused by a variety of things. However, allergies are the typical cause of dog ear infections. If your dog has allergies or is highly susceptible to allergies, your dog is likely to have ear infections.

Water getting into the ears is another common cause of ear infections among dogs. So if your dog likes to swim, it is prone to ear infections. This is because of the way your dog’s ears are designed. When water gets inside your dog’s ears, the water can’t properly drain out. Thus, your dog’s ears become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. This doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t allow your dog to swim or play in the water anymore. It just means that you should thoroughly dry your dog’s ears after to prevent ear infections.

Cleaning Your Dog’s Infected Ear:

Regardless of how much you take care of your dog’s well being, your dog will most likely eventually have ear infections. When this happens, you need to know the correct way of cleaning your dog’s ear before putting medication.

1. Put a few drops of ear cleanser into your dog’s infected ear.
2. Next, gently rub or massage the ear to loosen any debris that is stuck in there.
3. Using a soft cloth, gauze or cotton ball, gently scrape and wipe the dirt out of the infected ear.

Medicating Your Dog’s Infected Ear:

After thoroughly cleaning your dog’s infected ear, apply medication according to the veterinarian’s instructions or the instructions found on the label.

Your dog’s veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate treatment based on what has caused your dog’s ear to become infected. For instance, if your dog’s ear infection was caused by a yeast infection, the veterinarian will prescribe an anti-fungal medication. If the infection was caused by a bacteria, your dog will be prescribed antibiotics.

Medications for dog ear infections are typically applied directly into the ears. However, if your dog has a severe ear infection, the veterinarian may prescribe oral treatment. The veterinarian may also clip the hair around your dog’s infected ear to allow more air to circulate in it. Surgery, for reconstructing the ear canal so that it drains better and easier, is the last recourse when topical and oral treatments have failed.

While all dogs are prone to ear infections, those belonging to breeds with large ears that flap over the outer ear canal as well as those breeds of dogs with very small ear canals are most susceptible. As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to take care of your dog’s well being. Take proper care of your dog’s ears and learn how to detect the early signs of ear infections.

�

Healthy Pet Food- Premium Dog Food All Natural Cat Food Holistic Pet Supplies

Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

Spaying your female pet has many benefits, both for you, as a pet owner, and for your pet. Besides preventing unwanted litters of puppies or kittens, spaying can also help make make it possible for your female pet to lead a longer and healthier life.

Let’s start at the beginning. Spaying your pet means removing the female reproductive organs, specifically the uterus and ovaries, so that your pet can no longer become pregnant. The more technical name for a spay is an ovariohysterectomy (or OHE, for short).

Obviously, if breeding your pet is a priority for you, spaying is not an option. However, any female pet which is not a breeding animal can benefit tremendously by being spayed.

What are the benefits of spaying your female pet? Well, of course, one of the most obvious benefits is that you will no longer need to worry about your pet becoming pregnant. You also will not have to worry about your female pet coming into “heat”. This means, for a dog, no bleeding or mess associated with your dog being “in heat”.

For a cat, it means not having to tolerate the unpleasant behaviors that your cat experiences while being “in heat”. For those of you who have never been around a cat “in heat”, these behaviors include loud and frequent vocalization, which can disrupt your entire household, pacing, and urine marking in your home. Unspayed female cats can come into “heat” every few days. This behavior is often a deciding factor for cat owners when considering whether or not to spay their female cat.

There are a number health benefits for your spayed female pet also. If left unspayed, female pets often develop a condition known as pyometra. Pyometra is a severe, life-threatening infection of the female uterus. It is frequently a fatal condition if left untreated. Even with treatment, some female pets do not survive a pyometra infection. Because your female pet’s uterus is removed when she is spayed, the possibility of developing a pyometra is completely removed. Spayed female pets cannot develop this disease.

In addition, because your female pet cannot become pregnant, you don’t have to worry about complications which can occur during or after the birth process of pregnant female pets. There is no need to worry about puppies or kittens being to large to pass through the birth canal, or in the wrong position to be born normally. Conditions such as metritis (an infection of the uterus which occurs after pregnancy) and mastitis (infection of the mammary glands, or breasts) cannot occur in spayed female pets either.

Another benefit to spaying your female pet is a lower chance of developing breast tumors later in life. This primarily applies to pets which are spayed at a young age. If spayed before the first “heat” cycle, the chance of your pet developing breast cancer later in life is very low.

It is a proven fact that pets which are spayed lead longer, healthier lives. Some estimates indicate that spayed females can live as long as twice as long as unspayed females.

Spaying also tends to make your pet calmer and more affectionate, without the mood swings that can accompany the “heat” cycle.

As you can see, there are many strong reasons for spaying your female pet.
�

Lorie Huston has been a veterinarian for over 20 years, working with both dogs and cats. She emphasizes the use of routine preventive pet health care to keep your pets healthy and safe. Lorie is the owner, editor, and webmaster of The Pet Med Site where you will find a library of information pertaining to pet health care, including free audio recordings describing the secrets to keeping your dog or cat healthy. For more information, visit http://www.thepetmedsite.com/
�

�

Healthy Pet Food- Premium Dog Food All Natural Cat Food Holistic Pet Supplies

Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

by Kelly Marshall

Gone are the days when dogs were simply bathed in a tub in the backyard with a bar of hand soap. Now there are shampoos, conditioners and coat care products designed to help your dog have a healthy, clean smelling and shiny coat. It is important to note that dog’s hair has a different pH than human hair, and products designed for us will not work as well on dogs and can, in fact, lead to skin rashes and hot spots. Use only those products that are indicated for use on dogs.

Shampoo

There are many different types of shampoos for dogs ranging from flea and tick shampoos to dandruff control shampoos. There are also products that have herbal ingredients and those that are guaranteed to be safe for even those dogs that have an allergic reaction to other shampoo. Spa type doggie shampoos for those that truly want a pampered pooch come in lavender and mint scents or in exotic floral combinations.

When purchasing a dog shampoo be sure to read the instructions completely. One of the major factors is to be sure to completely rinse all the soap or shampoo of the skin and hair before applying conditioner or drying the dog. Residue from shampoo is the leading cause of rashes and dry skin patches that can lead to inflammations and bacterial infections.

Conditioners

Crème style conditioners are used to help dogs with short or long hair have a healthy coat even if they are outdoor dogs. A good quality pet conditioner works to strengthen the hair shaft, helping to minimize and prevent breakage during drying and grooming. In addition the shampoo will strip some of the natural oils and moisture from the coat and the conditioner helps to replace this until the skin is able to secrete natural oils.

Conditioners, like shampoo, need to be well rinsed from the hair prior to drying. Leave-in conditioners are sometimes spritzed into the coat when grooming and drying, especially for dogs with long coats that tend to tangle and easily mat.

Detangler

A misting bottle filled with detangler is a handy item for grooming long-haired dogs or dogs with fine hair. A good detangler can be used diluted and will not need to be used full strength. Regular brushing and thinning of the hair (stripping) can be done to prevent tangles and mats from developing. Always brush the dog before the bath to prevent tangles and knots from getting worse as you wash.

Dry Cleaners

There are several dry powder cleaners that can be used between baths to freshen up the dog and help to clean dirt from the hair. The powder is simply sprinkled on the coat and brushed out. Dirt is trapped with the powder and brushed out of the coat. Since many of the breeds do not stand constant bathing a dry powder cleaning is a great way to keep the dog clean and fresh and avoid over-drying the coat.

Shine products

Shine products are spritzed or misted onto the coat during grooming when the dog is completely dry or just slightly damp. They are not a styling product; rather they work to enhance the shine of the coat. Usually used prior to showing, shine products really can make a huge difference in the gleam of the coat.

There are many different products available to care for a dog’s coat. Do some experimenting and request some free samples of the internet until you find what works best for you and your pooch.
About the Author
Find hundreds more articles like this at www.ohmydogsupplies.com, where you can also find unique dog beds, dog supplies, and pet furniture that you’ll never find at your local pet store. In fact, if you later find your order being sold at your local Petco, we’ll refund your purchase plus an extra $20!
�

Healthy Pet Food- Premium Dog Food All Natural Cat Food Holistic Pet Supplies

Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

Preventing your dog from becoming overweight is much easier than loosing the weight once it is there. Dogs, like people can put on the pounds if they consume too many calories. Age and activity level are the two most important values in determining how much we should feed our dogs.

The calorie requirements change for all dogs during their life. Younger dogs and puppies require the greatest amount of calories, proteins, and minerals due to their growth and almost unlimited activity. Older dogs require less due to their lowered activity level. The exceptions to this would be dogs that spend most of their time out of doors especially during colder weather.

Feed your dog like you would another person. Provide food as a meal instead of having a full food bowls all the time. Dogs have different personalities; some are finicky eaters, while other eat everything in sight. The quality of the food should be considered next. Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of a long and healthy life. Not long ago, most pets were fed mostly table scraps which were usually too high in calories for their metabolism.

Today our dogs spend more time indoors with us, and it has become more practical to feed them commercial dog foods. While the quality of nutrition for dogs has improved considerably with prepared pet foods, there remains a great deal to consider when choosing the proper diet plan or formula. Choose a food that best matches your dogs age group, size, and activity level by reading the manufacturers label.

Next, try to limit or eliminate treats and table scraps. If you can’t resist the temptation when their begging begins, at least find a treat that is high in nutrition, such as liver treats that trainers use. And last but never least, plenty of exercise! Most dogs would rather have your attention than a treat any day. It releases their energy, keeps muscles toned, relieved boredom, and keeps their minds active. Best of all, you will both enjoy it.
About the Author:

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the latest fancy dog beds and more. Check it out at http://www.joncopets.com

If your dog is overweight, stop and take a few moments to learn about Canine Zone … a Revolutionary Healthy Weight Loss Food based on Dr. Barry Sears’ Zone Diet

Healthy Pet Food- Premium Dog Food All Natural Cat Food Holistic Pet Supplies

Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips

Many dog owners love to spoil their dogs once in a while with a special treat. However, with all the different treats to choose from, how do you choose the best treat for your dog? How do you know what is safe and what isn’t? If you decide to make your own dog treats, how do you know what ingredients won’t be harmful to your dog? Should you give your dog new toys for treats, or special food? With so many kinds and types of treats on the market, one can easily become overwhelmed when trying to decide what is best for their dog.

You should choose a dog treat that you think will suit your dog best. All dogs are different, even dogs of the same breed, so you should your dogs individual personality and health in mind when selecting a treat. You should think about how active your dog is, what you plan to use the treats for, your dog’s health, any known food allergies that he may have, and how big he is.

Many pet stores carry treats that are specially formulated for certain dog breeds. They are made with ingredients that are guaranteed to be safe for your dog to consume, and easy for him to digest. Even though they are a little on the expensive side, these are the safest option for giving your dog a dietary treat. You can basically be one hundred percent sure that these treats will cause no problem for your beloved pet.

If your dog is really active, or competes in shows, he may need to have more fat and protein in his diet than normal dogs. Extra fat and protein will help give him the energy he needs to be able to do his routines. So if your dog needs a lot of energy, or is involved in any kind of competitive shows, or exercise regimens, then you probably should choose treats that have extra protein and fat that he can turn into extra energy.

You should keep in mind what purpose you intend the dog treats to serve. Are they just a nice way to spoil your puppy? Are you going to be using them for training purposes? Will they be used as something to help keep your puppy satisfied while you are busy or have to be away? If you are giving your puppy a treat just to be nice, then make certain that the treat you give him is healthy and low in fat, especially if you plan to give them to him on a regular basis. It is very easy for dogs to become obese, which can result in a whole slew of health problems.

Giving your dog treats for training purposes can help reward him for good behavior, just make certain that you get him a small treat, something that he can he in one bite. It should be a treat that he really likes, and can eat fairly quickly, so you can continue training. Only allowing your dog to have this special dog treat as a reward for training will give it extra purpose.

In the event that you are busy, or have to be away from home for a while, it is a good idea to leave your dog a treat that will keep him busy during that time. Small bits of food, will not suit the purpose, as these will probably all be gobbled up before you can get your car out of the driveway. Bones and rawhide chews are usually good for this purpose. It can take some dogs hours to get through a rawhide bone, and while giving him something that occupies his time, you are also giving him something that helps maintain his dental health as well. Try to pick the bone that is the correct size for your dog, if you one that is too small it will not last long, and you also run a risk of him getting it lodged in his throat. If you get a bone that is too big, he won’t be able to manipulate it so that he can chew it. It is important that you choose something that will not break into smaller pieces, as these can be potentially fatal choking hazards for your dog, especially if he will be left alone with his treat.

Always keep your dog’s health in mind when purchasing treats, and remember to read the labels carefully. If you know that your dog is allergic to a particular food, learn how to read labels and all of the possible names that it may be hidden as. Your veterinarian can help you learn what to look for to make sure that what you buy is safe for your dog.

If you are trying to treat your dog but still protect your budget, you may want to consider making your own dog treats from home. Many treats can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and that are numerous resources available on the internet that can give you recipes and directions. There are some foods that are very dangerous for your dog, so make certain that you double check all of your ingredients first, just to be on the safe side.

Not only can making your own home made dog treats can save you a considerable amount of money, you will know that all of the ingredients are of high quality, and that there is nothing in the treat that could possibly be harmful for your dog.

Don’t allow your dog to eat table scraps, and never let him have any food that contains onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, caffeine, or any kind of dairy products. These can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from stomach upset, to death. If your dog has any allergies that you know of, be careful not to include anything that could cause a reaction in your homemade treats.

Remember, that treats should be given as they are intended, and are not meant to be a staple in your dog’s diet. Your dog still needs to maintain a healthy diet and weight, to ensure he has a long healthy life. Treats should not be more than ten percent of your dog’s daily diet, less if he already has a weight problem. If you have further questions or concerns, consult your veterinarian.

Love your dog with Dog Treats today! Find out more information for FREE at Gourmet Dog Treats

By Joseph Then
�
Click Here For All Natural Pets Teats

Healthy Pet Food- Premium Dog Food All Natural Cat Food Holistic Pet Supplies

Holistic Pet Care Articles and Tips