January 2010
M T W T F S S
« Dec   Feb »
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
Recent Posts

Archive for January, 2010

postheadericon Guinea pigs are one of the most popular household pets, next to dogs and cats

Guinea pigs are one of the most popular household pets, next to dogs and cats.  These fluffy little creatures require very little care and take up hardly any space.  Given proper care and nutrition, they can live for many years and we can form quite an attachment to them.  A proper diet that mimics as closely as possible is the best way to insure that your pet guinea pig lives out all his years in good health.

Guinea pigs have diets in nature that are extremely high in fiber.  This fiber is essential to the proper workings of a guinea pig’s intestines and digestive system.  They require both fiber that is indigestible, that helps move the digestive process along as well as digestible fiber for nutrition.  The proportions should be near equal in ratio, so it’s important to feed the guinea pig the right mix of the two foods in order to avoid problems.

The best and easiest way to ensure that your pet is getting the proper nutrition is to feed them a high quality pellet specifically designed for guinea pigs.  These animals cannot produce their own vitamin C and therefore they require supplements.  Specifically designed guinea pig food allows for this through supplementation.  These pellets are a mix of a wide variety of plants, seeds and vegetables.

The pellets alone provide satisfactory nutrition, but you are free to spice up the diet with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables..  Carrots, lettuce and broccoli are good choices and help provide additional nutrition as well as variety.  Guinea pigs can eat almost any vegetable so don’t be afraid to experiment with different things.  Fruits are also a welcome treat for guinea pigs.  Strawberries, melon and apples are some of their favorites.    Some form of hard to chew food should be given since the pigs need to grind down their constantly growing teeth. A fresh supply of hay will help with this, round out the diet and keep the animal healthy.  Uneaten food should be removed from the cage before it begins to decompose and become a health risk.

Processed human foods should be avoided.  Even cereals that are mostly grain contain fillers and sugar which will not be good for the animal.  Just like humans, guinea pigs will quickly develop an affinity for these types of junk foods and will forego eating the healthy food they are given.

Last of all, fresh drinking water should always be on hand.  A high fiber diet requires a lot of water to digest.  Follow these healthy diet tips and enjoy your guinea pig’s company for many years.

postheadericon What you do not know about dog cooling products puts your pet at risk for heat difficulties and discomfort

What you do not know about dog cooling products puts your pet at risk for heat difficulties and discomfort. Pet products manufacturing and modern thermoregulating technology have joined to make available dog cooling jackets and cooling pet beds to aid in your dog’s safety and comfort. Dog cooling beds, jackets and other products represent technological advances in protection against heat exhaustion and heat stroke in dogs.

Your dog has a fur coat. Summer days can be annoyingly uncomfortable for your canine, but thermoregulating technology in a cooling pet bed surface can have far reaching benefits to the health and well being of your canine.

When dogs look for a cool surface area to lie on to cool their bodies they will usually find a spot on the tile, stone, or wood floor, surfaces that are hard on the canine’s bones and joints. However, those surfaces quickly trap heat and warm up, the refreshment is short-lived and the pressure on the bones and joints has a cumulative damaging effect.

A cooling pet bed is a solution. Canines only perspire around their paws, not enough to cool the body down. They rid themselves of excess heat by panting. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body; as it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. This is an efficient way to control body heat, but severely limited in areas of high humidity or in close quarters.

Cooling pet bed technology is perfect for regulating dog discomfort from heat.

Brachiocephalic (pug-nosed) dogs are more prone to heat discomfort and heat stroke because their nasal passages are smaller, making it more difficult to circulate sufficient air for cooling. Overweight dogs are also more prone to heat stroke because extra layers of fat act as insulation, trapping heat in their bodies, restricting breathing.

Age is a factor in a dog’s tendency to overheat and suffer heat stroke. Puppies may not have fully developed temperature regulating systems, and older dogs’ organ systems may not function at peak levels. All reasons to take advantage of the wonderful cooling pet bed technology.

Some dogs thrive around water and often make good companions on boats. However, a boat for a dog can become sweltering. To a dog or pet, boat surfaces, such as fiberglass, can get extremely hot in the sun. Dogs absorb heat through the pads on their feet so be sure to protect them. Heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion are real dangers for dogs on boats, especially for overweight animals.

Providing a shaded area on the boat for the dog is a safe and responsible thing to do, and if you provide your boating pal with a cooling pet bed it can make a world of difference to its comfort and safety.

The advanced cooling pet bed does not work on electricity or batteries. The thermoregulating cooling pet bed creates a dry, room temperature cooling effect by passively removing heat from the dog’s body, which escapes into the surrounding air without electrical or mechanical devices.

The cooling pet bed utilizes a combination of specialized foam, fluid and a shapeable outer membrane to create a unique and superior molding effect that conforms to pressure points. The Canine Cooler® pet bed contains a unique filling that becomes gel-like when activated with water. It is paw-puncture proof, easy to clean. Fleas hate the cool surface but dogs love it!

Place the cooling pet bed on a solid cool surface out of direct sunlight, preferably in one of your dog’s favorite spots. Your pal will probably discover the cool dog bed on its own when it feels hot, and will keep coming back to experience the same refreshment.

The canine cooling pet bed offers unparalleled body support because of the advanced fluid-based design, providing comfort for dogs with hip and joint ailments as well as skin problems from allergies to hot spots. The cooling pet bed is desirable for treatment and comfort of Cushing’s disease — symptoms of panting and restlessness are alleviated by the cooling effects. Similarly, it helps reduce the panting, pacing and restlessness typical of canine autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The cooling capability of the pet bed is therapeutic for post-surgery recovery, dysplasia, post-chemotherapy and other health conditions in which a soft, cooling effect is needed.

For the senior dog, this bed is very low profile, but incredibly supportive; easy for the animal to get on and off. The Canine Cooler® pet cooling bed is ongoing health therapy for the animal and is the most comfortable and innovative bed that you can give your dog especially during the summer season. This cooling pet bed is a powerful tool against the dangers of heat stroke. It carries the best warranty and it’s made in America!

postheadericon When it comes to finding the best organic pet food for your dog, you have to sort through a lot of hype and claims

When it comes to finding the best organic pet food for your dog, you have to sort through a lot of hype and claims. One of the biggest and most confusing claims you will find is the difference between “all natural” and “organic.”

Many people will mistakenly believe that organic and all natural mean the same thing. Each designation, however, will lead you down a path to a very different road. Although there is some cross-over, you need to know the difference.

The Difference Between “Organic” and “Natural” –

Pet food is not regulated as strictly as the food made for human consumption. This means that producers can take organic vegetables add some non-organic beef and chicken and some toxic ingredients like chemicals and preservatives and still call it “organic.”  Basically, this means that a pet food does not have to be 100% organic to be called “organic.”  The USDA seal means that 70% or more of the food is organically produced.

What you have to check out is the company (their website and their reputation); you need to check to make sure there are no animal by-products, no chemicals, no pesticides, no herbicides, and no fillers. A good quality organic pet food will list this right on the website. They will want you to know and make it clear that they do not put any of these cheap or harmful ingredients in their product. It won’t be hidden.

It is Hard to Prove but Easy to See –

It is impossible to prove a company does not use anything improper. However, pet foods that are organic will want you to know. They want you to know they are completely organic and so will other people. People talk about the results from the organic pet food and often leave reviews on web sites about how well their dogs do. If your dog does well on the dog food, leave a review for others to see as well.

The best way to for the best organic dog food companies to survive is by word of mouth. Let other people know how well your dog did while eating a particular organic dog food. This way others can share in your knowledge and your great find.

Where to Find the Best Organic Dog Food –

Generally, you won’t be able to find the best dog food in your grocery store. You will need to look online. Ask your friends for recommendations because sometimes the best dog food is found by word of mouth. When you do find one that works well with your dog, by all means spread the word. Let everyone know – that way other dog owners can benefit from your great find.

postheadericon All dogs are not created equally, and not all dogs will follow through with all of the standards of the breed

All dogs are not created equally, and not all dogs will follow through with all of the standards of the breed. We all know of the snappy Golden retriever or the affectionate poodle that goes against everything that you thought you knew. And while there is always the exception that proves the rule, there are enough of the dogs that do follow standards and traits to make them worth exploring when you are considering adding a dog to your family. Remember, dog breed traits are merely guidelines and may not fully and adequately describe each individual animal. Always evaluate a dog on its own merit, keeping in mind any potential traits that might seem troublesome to you.

Some dogs are known for being hyperactive, rambunctious creatures that have the potential to be destructive, incorrigible and potentially nuisances if they are not properly trained and monitored at all times. These include the Jack Russell terrier, the Labrador Retrievers, and the collie. Jack Russell Terriers also tend to dig when bored, while the lab will show his unhappiness by refusing to be fully housebroken. (Again, these are just generalizations, I am sure your lab is a perfect angel and only piddles outside!)

Some breeds are rampant barkers, or even worse, howlers. Vocal dog breeds include the Boarder Collie, who has a sharp, hard to take bark, the bored beagle that howls and, of course, the yappy poodle. Timid dogs tend to overreact to every sound or movement and will bark as well. This behavior is usually found in the smaller breed dogs, including the Chihuahua, the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso. The Chihuahua is also notoriously stubborn with housebreaking and tends to be a bit of a biter. (Mine would lay outside on a sunny porch for hours, get up, stretch and then dash inside to pee on my floor, so do not get me started.) Hound breeds tend to be the howlers, especially if they hear trains or sirens. Hounds in the city are bound to be miserable, and freak out all of the neighbors.

There are some breeds that no one would say a bad word about, and then there are the opposite- the breeds that no one would say a good word for. Golden retrievers are generally highly praised dogs, quiet, good natured and gentle, but there is bound to be a barking, biting golden to deal with. And of course, we all know that it is the pit bulls and their close cousins that get all of the negative press. While these are the dogs most affected by negative press and bad ownership, it is still probably worthwhile to consider owning these only if you are willing to properly, and gently train them, and learn everything that you can about the breed.

———————————————————————————————————-

Is your best friend getting older and having problems with pain or arthritis? Take a look at Pet Bounce.  Have a wonderful day!

postheadericon Without the proper cat litter and trays , a cat can create quite an unpleasant odour in the home

Without the proper cat litter and trays, a cat can create quite an unpleasant odour in the home. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right kinds of cat litter trays and cat litter from the start. Knowing what kind of litter absorbs best, what kind of odour control works best, and what types of trays are available can be an easy choice when you know what to look for. Here are some tips and trick for finding the best cat litter and trays for your pet.

Cat litter that absorbs moisture and odour from your cat’s urine is the very best type of litter to choose. If the litter does a poor job of doing these two things, then the cat litter trays can become an odour trap. No matter how many times you clean it, the smell can remain. Fresh n Easy Cat Litter Granules prevents that from happening because the granules please even the most finicky cats with its comfortable texture and by stopping odours before they start. Moisture is wicked away into the granules, leaving a fresh scent in its place. Clean cat trays make for a clean-smelling home!

Cat trays come in all shapes and sizes, both with and without covers. Many people prefer to buy an uncovered toilet litter tray for their kittens so that they can easily get in and out of the trays without hurting themselves. However, when kittens grow into adulthood, covered toilet litter trays are often the preferred style. These types of trays offer the safety and privacy of a cover and offer the added benefit of keeping litter odours in check. Some cat trays come with flaps and filters for maximum control of odours.

Cat litter tray accessories such as odour control and bags can help owners keep their home from smelling like a toilet litter tray. Products such as the 10 X Extra Large Litter Tray Bags offer a quick and easy way to dispose of cat waste so it doesn’t stay in the litter tray for too long. Also of great help with odour control in your cat litter trays are tray liners. The New Igloo Cat Litter Tray Liners Pack 5 product (which works with the Igloo cat litter tray) is a great way to keep your cat’s tray smelling like new. The liner keeps your litter tray clean. Spare filters for the “Bill” Cat Litter Tray are another type of superior odour control product available.

A Cat Litter Tray Toilet Clean Mat can keep the litter inside the tray and prevent it from getting tracked all around the house. With special raised “nubs”, these mats help gently open up your cat’s paw pads to release the litter before it gets deposited on the floor. Another great way to keep odours at bay!

Choosing the right combination of cat litter trays, litter scoops and mats, and accessories can keep your home smelling fresh any time of the day. Buy products like these and your home will never give away the fact that you have a cat!