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By domesticating the dog we have slowly and drastically changed their everyday lifestyle in terms of the way they eat and exercise.  Just as in us humans the lack of physical activity, departure from nature, more reliance on chemicals, synthetic nutrients, and processed foods has made it difficult for our dogs to maintain a healthy body.  In general the amount of calories they need from their natural environment has decreased which means we have to figure out how to supply them with all the nutrients they need to maintain a healthy body from less food.  Unfortunately this is happening as the dog food industry is using more food processing, packaging, and storage techniques that are depleting many of the nutrients that are dogs need.  It would be optimum to return to natural, fresh and raw foods that are dogs are genetically prone to but in most instances this is just not feasible. Most of us do not even do it for our own diets so we cannot expect to do it for our dogs. This dictates that for your dog’s best possible health, it is necessary to provide nutrients via dog supplements.

Just as in our choice of whether we eat natural whole fresh food or processed prepared food, we have a choice in the type of supplements we use in provide needed dog vitamins and nutrients.  There are natural vitamin supplements and synthetic supplements. The latter are manufactured in laboratories from bio-chemical processes that produce the same molecules and organic substances found in nature.

Natural vitamins on the other hand are derived from food sources. This underlying fact is crucial in the effectiveness of the vitamin supplement. Vitamins are a critical element of the essential body metabolism that supports life. They do not act alone but in conjunction with other nutrients that occur in their natural food environment.  Much of this interaction is still not understood. There actually could still be nutrients and vitamins that have not even been identified in this complex molecular structures. Therefore as the synthetic vitamins are chemically the same as natural vitamins and can supply any basic deficiency in the body for that vitamin your dog does not get any of the whole food catalytic processes which initiates the body’s chemical reactions or enables it to proceed under different conditions.

In addition synthetic supplements are usually packaged with filler which can contain preservatives, starches, glutens, coloring, or other additives.  Vitamins obtained through natural whole foods are “packaged”  by being bonded to proteins, carbohydrates, and bioflavonoids.  This is also why it is suggested that if you provide dog vitamins in supplement form you do so with their normal diet. This could supply the necessary other natural enzymes  that are needed by your dog’s body to effectively absorb the maximum benefit of the vitamins.

The following gives both natural food and herbal sources for the 13 identified vitamins:

Vitamin A

(Animal sources  contain significant more  than other sources)

animal livers, fish liver oil, apricots, asparagus, beet greens, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, collards, kale, kelp, dulse, garlic, mustard greens, papayas, peaches, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach, spirulina, sweet potatoes, swiss chard, turnip greens, yellow squash, egg yolks

alfalfa, borage leaf, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, dandelion greens, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, horsetail, lemongrass, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, sage, uva ursi, violet leaves, watercress, yellow dock

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

brown rice, chia seeds, egg yolks, legumes, wheat germ, whole grains, rice bran, pork, liver, fish, yeast, dried beans, peas, peanuts, poultry, soybeans

asparagus, brewer’s yeast, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, dulse, kelp, oatmeal, plums, dried prunes, spirulina, watercress

alfalfa, bladderwrack, burdock root, catnip. cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, clover, rose hips, sage, yarrow, yellow dock

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

cheese, chia seeds, egg yolks, fish, legumes, meat, milk, poultry, spinach, whole grains, yogurt

asparagus, avocados, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, currants, dulse, kelp, mushrooms, nuts, watercress

alfalfa, bladderwrack, burdock root, catnip. cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion greens, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, ginseng, hops, horsetail, mullein, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, sage, yellow dock

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

asparagus, beef liver,  brewer’s yeast, broccoli, carrots, chia seeds,  cheese, corn flour, dates, eggs, fish,  kelp, milk, peanuts, pork, peanuts, tomatoes, wheat germ

alfalfa, burdock root, catnip. cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion leaf, eyebright, fennel seed,  hops, licorice, mullein, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, slippery elm, yellow dock

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)

beef,  brewer’s yeast, chia seeds, eggs, kidney, legumes, saltwater fish, liver, nuts, torula yeast, mushrooms, pork, whole rye flour, whole wheat

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

brewer’s yeast, chia seeds, carrots, chicken, eggs, fish, meat, peas, spinach, sunflower seeds, walnuts,  wheat germ

avocado, bananas, broccoli, brown rice, cabbage, cantaloupe, corn, dulse, plantains, potatoes, rice bran, soybeans, tempeh, whole grains

alfalfa, catnip, oat straw

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Brewer’s yeast, chia seeds , cooked egg yolks, meat, milk, poultry, saltwater fish, soybeans, whole grains

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Asparagus, barley, beef, bran, brewer’s yeast, brown rice, cheese, chia seeds,  chicken, dates, green leafy vegetables, lamb, legumes, lentils, liver, milk, mushrooms, oranges, split peas, pork, root vegetables, salmon, tuna, wheat germ, whole grains, whole wheat

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)

Brewer’s yeast, chia seeds,  clams, eggs, herring,  kidney, liver, mackerel, milk, dairy products, seafood

Dulse, kelp, kombu, nori, soybeans, soy products

alfalfa, bladderwrack, hops

Vitamin C (Asorbic acid)

Asparagus, avocados, beet greens, black  currants, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, collards, dulse, grapefruit, kale, kelp. lemons, mangos, mustard greens, onions, oranges, papayas, green peas, sweet peppers, persimmons, pineapple, radishes, rose hips, spinach, strawberries, swiss chard, tomatoes, turnip greens, watercress

alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, pine needle, plantain, peppermint, raspberry  leaf, red clover, rose hips, sage, skullcap, violet leafs, yarrow, yellow dock

Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol Ergocalciferol)

butter, cheese, cod liver oil, eggs, fatty saltwater fish, fish liver oils, halibut, kelp, liver, milk, oatmeal, salmon, sardines,  sweet potatoes, tuna, yogurt,.

alfalfa, dandelion leaf, horsetail. nettle, parsley

Vitamin E (Tocopherols Tocotrienols)

Brown rice, dulse, eggs, kelp, milk, oatmeal, soybeans, sweet potatoes, wheat germ, watercress, corn, nuts, legumes, flaxseed, spinach, seeds, asparagus, vegetable oils

Alfalfa, bladderwrack, dandelion, dong quai, nettle, oat straw, raspberry leaf, rose hips

Vitamin K (Phylloquinone Menaquinones)

asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, egg yolks, leaf lettuce, liver, kelp, oatmeal, oats, rye, safflower oil, spinach, soybeans, wheat, yogurt

Alfalfa, green tea, nettle, oat straw, shepherd’s purse

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!

You bring your cute, fun loving puppy home for the first time and of course you want your him to sleep with you. All furry, cute, warm and snuggly. But that is not the best thing to do for you or your hound. You really need a dog bed to establish correct behavior at the outset. It may be OK now, but when your dog grows to his full size at over 100 lb, will it still be fun?

Now that we have established that a dog bed is an essential item for your pet, what type do you get and what kind of things are you looking at?

How Do You Pick a Dog Bed?

First off ask yourself these questions. Does he like to be able to rest his head with a view of the entire room? Does he hang his head over the edge? Does he avoid the bed because he needs to cool off? Watch your dogs behavior and you’ll quickly learn which type of dog bed best suits him

Benefits and Features of a Dog Bed

The Indoor/Outdoor Bed is tough, water repellent and can be used inside or out. Orthopedic foam tends to provide additional warmth too so if you live in a warmer climate, your dog may prefer a cooling bed like the Canine Cooler to the traditional orthopedic bed. Using a dog bed in your home can help reduce injuries to your pet such as jumping off the couch; which is probably your canines favorite place to lie, especialy when you are away.

Picking the right dog bed will help with your allergies and even clean up. Using a dog bed provides you with one area where the majority of the shedding and/or dander is contained. Just pick up the bed, (or bedding), and put it in the washing machine. Of course make sure it’s machine washable first!

It is important for an older hound to have a comfortable rest area. Senior dogs over the age of 10 are similar to a seventy-year-old person. Can you imagine your grand parents curled up on the floor for the evening? Quality beds such as the Memory Foam Bed or the Thera Ortho Mattress are designed to relieve sore joints, bones and other problems that may arise due to your pets age or weight. They even make orthopedic dog beds now to help address this issue. Similar to humans, dogs also experience changes as they age. Their joints can stiffen, or their bones become thinner. If your older hound has slept in a kennel his entire life, it is good to learn that there are beds specifically designed for use in canine crates.

How to measure your dog for a bed: Different dogs sleep in different positions, as humans do so look at how your canine sleeps and determine the best size bed for your dog. Measure your dog when his is comfortably sleeping and add about 5 inches to ensure that he has enough room in his bed. Watch your canine sleep. Does he usually curl up or stretch out? If he’s relaxed to his maximum size, make sure the bed is big enough to support his entire body.

Spend some time determining which bed is best suited for your dog, keeping in mind that this will become a favorite resting place for your pooch! If your dog likes his head on a pillow, try a lounge bed or couch. Beware, low quality beds are easily torn and fall apart. They never really offer your hound the benefits of a higher quality bed.

Think of your dog bed as an investment, any number of high quality beds will last the lifetime of your canine, and so will their benefits!

Once all the research, planning and waiting is complete and the aquarium is full of water and has finally finished cycling you will finally be ready to introduce your first fish.

It is important to ensure that you make the right choice though as there are some fish which are suitable to be added at this stage and there are fish which are not.

Do you know what you are looking for in the selection of your first fish?

Firstly and foremost the fish you choose must be relatively hardy. The reason for this is that the saltwater aquarium is new and the water will not be completely stable. Another reason is that as aquarists we all make mistakes at one time or another and with having a hardy fish they are more forgiving to these mistakes.

You will probably have an idea as to the type of fish you would like to keep in your aquarium therefore it is imperative that this fish you choose now will be compatible with future tank mates. If you added an aggressive fish for example at the start then whenever you decided to add a new fish there would be fighting in the aquarium. Not what you want at this stage really is it.

Which fish are good fish to start with?

Below is a list of what I believe to be good starter fish for a saltwater aquarium. They are all relatively hardy, peaceful and none of them have special feeding requirements.

* Clownfish
* Orchid Dottyback
* Royal Gramma
* Blenny
* Chromis
* Firefish

Lets have a look at each of these in a little more detail :

Clownfish

The clownfish to me is a fantastic little fish. The way it swims, the way it lives in corals etc and especially the colours – a great addition to any aquarium. They are also one of the most popular starter fish. They are quite hardy and are very well suited to captive life in an aquarium.

You can keep these singularly or you can keep them in pairs. When kept in pairs the most dominant fish sometimes will turn into a female and the two may even end up breeding.

There is a mis-belief that clown fish must be kept with an anemone. This simply is not the case. Clownfish will be more than happy in an aquarium without one. Anenomes are quite hard to keep and at this stage of the aquariums life the aquarium is not yet ready for one, possibly neither are you.

There are various species of clownfish, however the best ones to start with are :

* Common clown (Amphiprion ocellaris)
* Black and white clown (Amphiprion ocellaris)
* Percula clown (Amphiprion percula)

Clownfish can be purchased tank bred and if this is an available option it is recommended that you follow this option.

Orchid Dottyback

The orchid dottyback (Fridmani pseudochromis) is a relatively peaceful fish which grows to around 3-4 inches in length. The good thing about the orchid dottyback is that they can be purchased tank bred.

One thing to be noted is that you should not mix this fish with other fish of the same shape (ie the royal gramma below) or with other dottybacks.

Once the fish has become accustomed to life in your aquarium it will become quite bold and swim happily around the aquarium.

Royal Gramma

Royal grammas (Gramma Loreto) are a peaceful fish with the exception of their own kind and are very colourful fish with the colours changing from purple to yellow along the fish’s body.

There are other fish which can easily be confused with the Royal Gramma as they look very similar so ensure that it actually is a Royal Gramma prior to purchasing it.

Blenny

There are a couple of blennies which in my opinion make good additions to the aquarium as starter fish and there are the Midas Blenny (Ecsenius midas) and the Bicolour Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor).

These are both fantastic to watch. They both like to either rest on a ledge or find a hole and simply watch the world go by.

Chromis

Chromis (Chromis viridis) are great to add to an aquarium. They are relatively hardy and if you have a larger aquarium then you can add a small group. They normally come in two colours (blue and green).

One of the good things about chromis is that they do not grow to be that large. They normally do not grow larger than 2 inches in length.

Firefish

The normal firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica) and then purple firefish (Nemateleotris decora) are great starter fish to add to the aquarium. Both of these are very colourful fish which grow to a maximum size of about 4 inches.

The firefish has a large dorsal fin which it uses to lock itself into a hole in the rocks which is normally down at the bottom. This hole is where the fish retires to when the lights go out but it also uses it when it becomes startled. These fish are prone to jumping when startled therefore you need to take care to prevent this.

Unless you can locate an established pair I would recommend that these are kept singularly.

Here are a few reasons why I like the UgoDog dog litter box. I’ve seen a lot of boxes and this one really impressed me.

First, what I really like about it is how it is made. it’s hard to find a dog litter box that will support a dog that might be heavy. They use an injection molding process to make the UgoDog and because of that, it can be used by dogs of all weights and sizes. So you don’t have to worry about a maximum weight limit. Now that’s nice if you have a heavy dog!

Next, I like the grate system that they use. It is a very small grid and a dog or puppies’ paws cannot get caught in it. So it’s very safe for your dog. The urine goes through the grate and the dog’s paws stay dry. That’s a great feature because with newspapers or pee pads, a dog will step right in it and can track it throughout the house. That can make a big mess…been there, done that!

Another thing that impressed me is that it is environmentally friendly. You just use newspaper in the bottom and change it out daily. No messy litter to deal with. Newspaper is completely biodegradable and I am really into recycling and the environment.

Did you know that when you use pee pads they are just like a baby diaper and do you know how long they say it takes for a baby diaper to decompose? 500 years give or take! So needless to say, this is a great feature and something to really think about.

Finally, I like the fact that it’s simple and easy to keep clean. I like simple and I love easy! You spray or wipe it down, put in some fresh newspapers and your are ready to go! Now that’s really nice!

Well, that’s my take on the UGoDog dog litter box and I hope it gave you some things to think about.