Archive for February, 2010
Pet Insurance for ‘a’ Pet or ‘this’ Pet Is a Decision
When you apply for a job at a large company and are hired with benefits offered in a package, inquire if they offer pet insurance. This is gaining in popularity and the percentage of companies doing so is growing. Rather you are willing to take care of ‘a’ pet, or ‘this’ pet, is a big decision you must live 
with. If you just want ‘a’ pet for whatever reason, and are not willing to give the care and attention your pet deserves, do not do it. If ’a’ pet gets sick and down and out, you will most probably have this pet euthanized, because you are not willing to spend money to take care of them. Purchasing ‘a’ pet should not be considered if it is to satisfy his or her own wants and desires, but giving a loving home and taking care of ‘this’ pet will give you enjoyment and happiness. Yes, there are times when there are no other alternatives other than to put your pet down, and you will know when that time comes.
A good candidate for purchasing pet insurance for ‘this’ pet is the one that is willing to do what it takes to keep them healthy and safe. A dollar amount is not set when ’this’ pet is part of your family and I am sure you would not make a decision of this kind when ’this’ pet is in need. Taking care of them is a lifetime experience, worrying when they get sick or have an injury or a serious illness. This is natural for the person who has love and compassion for any living thing, whether it is human or animal. It is understood that with the economy the way it is now, every dollar counts. I have heard 
people say “I can’t even afford my own insurance, much less a dog’s,” and this is understandable. If you already own a dog, do the best you can and talk to your veterinarian if you are experiencing financial problems. If you do not have a dog, do not get one, at least not now if things are tight. When this economy started going downhill, there was not much we could do about it. So do the best you can under the circumstance. Be Happy!
Install An Underground Dog Fence, You Won’t Be Sorry
It does not matter what kind of dog fence you have for your dog, but that you have one if your back yard is not fenced. There are many types of dog fences that can be installed and vary in cost of the installation involved. Wire, wood, brick, decorative, or fences that are 
underground, are critical for pet owners. Whatever is decided upon, each has a purpose. Avoiding accidents, keeping your dog safe in an area you choose, is an excellent way to confine your pet for peace of mind. If possible, with cost effectiveness in consideration, an underground fence is your answer. Underground dog fences can be installed very easily with less effort than building any other kind. The pet containment you choose will relieve constant worry about your dog getting out side and running off or hit by a car. You still need to monitor them as to there whereabouts.
Underground dog fences are installed in and around areas that you do not want your dog to get into, such as your garden or flowerbeds that you have worked so hard in establishing. You certainly do not want your dog galloping all over the place, destroying what you are proud of. Underground dog fences are placed a few inches below the surface, and have a special collar that can be programmed within the perimeter that you decide upon. It is important to decide where you want to place the transmitter into the electrical outlet. A signal is transmitted to the 
underground wire that will send a warning beep to your dog’s collar, cautioning your dog not to go any farther. Training flags are set several feet apart where the underground wire is buried, and this indicates to your dog just how far they can go. The signal can be anywhere from four to 15 feet from the wire. Just a short anecdote to the underground dog fence was an idea that I had. Traveling with my dog to visit relatives I decided to take his collar and the flags that I used to train him with, placed the flags around the perimeter of the back yard, and bingo. My boy (dog) actually thought that he would get a warning beep if he went to close to the flags. It was unbelievable to watch him. Here he was in a place that he was not familiar with, but still respected the flags. He was either a very smart boy or I was a brilliant pet parent. Either way, it worked. Be Happy!
Is There a Difference Between a Dog Kennel and a Dog Crate?
Not really, but to begin with, on this subject, never, never use a dog kennel or crate for 
punishment. There have been many questions about the difference between a dog kennel and a dog crate. There is no difference between dog kennels or dog crates, except that dog kennels are usually constructed with wire that can be disassembled on all sides, and will lay flat for storage. Because of this type of construction, they are well ventilated, and your dog can enjoy the sights around them to keep in touch. A cover of some kind could be placed over the top to hang down a bit for privacy, but don’t cover the entire kennel. There are steel framed crates with fabric covers that can be included as additional décor in your home. What fun it would be to cover the kennel with some wild colored material, or pictures of doggies playing. Kennels can also be plastic and attractive and are of different sizes. They should only be used for short periods of time because of their size. Traveling with one of these is handy, especially if your pet is rather small. Making visits for checkups to the veterinary’s clinic is so much easier with small pet kennels. These small kennels can be used for your kitty too. Years ago out in the wild, dogs would make a den of some sort for their protection and comfort. It is not any different today because if you have ever noticed, sometime your dog may lie under a table, under a stairway, perhaps even under a chair where they feel safe. My dog lays under the coffee table much of the time himself, which is funny to watch because he is a large dog. The best part is him getting back out from under the table. That is a sight to see.
It is a natural instinct for dogs to keep their area clean. Their mother taught this to them. Wearing breakaway dog collars should be considered when your dog is in their kennel or crate. They could accidentally strangle themselves. Things happen when we least expect, so keep that in mind to protect your dog. Choose a location for the dog’s kennel where they can enjoy the activities around them. In addition, you may want to have an extra one that can be placed in the bedroom during the night. They will feel close and secure knowing their pet family is close by. Dog kennels can be used inside or outside in your back yard, especially if they are larger than what you want to put in your home. Be Happy!
Consider Using a Pet Crate For Your Dog
Pet crates have several purposes in using them to contain your dog, whether you are a working pet parent, have a new puppy that will need potty training, or use the pet crate as a confinement tool to make sure your dog 
stays where you want them to stay. Punishment should never be used to coincide in using a pet crate. Pet crates can be used to contain your dog from special events where they may become a nuisance around crowds of people, or just when you have guests for dinner. Whatever works well for you and your pet is important, and it will allow your dog to come and go whenever they please. Pet crates can be a comfort zone and a place to relax and take a snooze. Various sizes of pet crates are available for different size dogs, with enough room for them to move around comfortably.
I recently read an article about a man having an older dog that was accustomed to their pet crate during leave of absence of their pet parent. The dog always went into his crate while the man was at work. The man 
would go home during his lunch hour to make sure the dog was okay and had enough food and water, and perhaps had to go outside. Well, one day the man decided that he would just leave his dog loose in the house while he was at work, because he was an older dog that could be trusted not to get into trouble, and did have medical problems. Big mistake! The pet parent came home later than usual and his dog did not meet him at the door as he always did. Searching around the house, he found his dog in the bathroom with the door closed in a small area. The dog most likely tried to find food and water because of the length of time his pet parent was gone, turned around and accidently pushed the door closed and could not get out. Panic, scared, and not being in good health was just too much for the old dog, and passed away in front of his master. What a horrible thing to have happen to his best friend who had lived to be a senior with just one mistake of his belief his dog would be okay. That is why a pet crate is one of the most trust worthy reasons in having piece of mine. Be Happy!
Try Homeopathic Treatment for Your Pet’s Arthritis
Arthritis pain affects pets just as it affects human beings and is just as painful. Sometime the cold weather is a big problem causing pain more so than warmer days and lots of sunshine. Joints start to ache, and swelling become evident particularly in humans. Recognizing any swelling in your 
dog is difficult, but paying close attention and observing their mobility that changes are beginning to take place, is a warning sign that medication will become necessary. The sure signs of arthritis when your dog’s joints are irritated and painful, they will begin licking their joints and will sometime run into furniture, or do not always hear you right away. The treatment of homeopathic pet meds is capable of curing a number of illness and diseases in animals, such as, acute diarrhea, asthma, skin irritations, bites and stings, bleeding, chronic ailments, allergies, cancer, chronic gastric and intestinal problems, and arthritis.
Homeopathic treatment in dogs will help to calm their pain by using this remedy. Humans have used this method for centuries, however success has been gained in using a few drops a day of medication containing a minute dosage which stimulates the dogs body by healing themselves. Popularity has increased with homeopathic pet meds. Homeopathy is a natural therapeutic method opposed to highly expensive prescribed medications, and stimulates the dog’s body into healing or at least alleviating some of 
their pain. Centuries ago, animals healed their wounds by seeking out healing herbs of many varieties, but this is not to say that you should not contact your veterinarian. If you are in doubt what medical issue is affecting your dog, have them checked out. Depending on the severity of the illness, must be the guide for the pet parent to discuss methods of urgency care in order to keep your pet safe. If you are a cat lover, consider this method as well. Let no stone be unturned. Be Happy!
Dog Ramps Help Mobility
Your dog may be aging and wants to go for a ride with you. If you are like me, I love to take my dog with me, but he has a hard time getting into the SUV. Jumping up into a vehicle is very painful for a dog if there is a 
problem with their joints or hips. Arthritis may have started to become a health problem and moving around will be difficult. Watching your dog trying to walk around is heartbreaking, and because your aging dog is part of your family, you want to help them as much as possible to make life more comfortable and enjoyable.
There are many products designed to help your dogs mobility and will enable them to move around easily with less pain. Dog ramps are great to help them get into your vehicle instead of jumping up to get inside. Jumping is painful so as your dog ages, you must always be aware of your dog’s discomfort. The dog ramps are usually about 6 feet long, but can be longer to accommodate the slope required for them 
to walk up and down comfortably. There are telescopic dog ramps that slide inward for maneuvering easily, and are lightweight. There are ramps that fold, and are longer and wider, but this depends on where you need to use it. The slope is important in deciding the length, depending if your dog likes to ride in the back of a pickup truck, a boat, an automobile, or an SUV. Whichever you choose will be affordable and you and your dog will get many fun times together, going for a ride. Be Happy!
Does Your Dog Need an Indoor Safety Gate?
When pet parents are out of the house, the doggy must play, can be a big problem if your pet is inquisitive. Dog indoor gates are a blessing to keep the little stinker out of trouble. If you work away from home and are gone most of the day, the trouble your pet could get into may be overwhelming 
when you arrive back home. Thinking about just closing them up in a spare room is not a good idea; they can become terribly bored after awhile, and feel abandoned. The indoor dog gates should be placed within areas where they can still see what is going on in the home while they are alone. The gate allows freedom to some extent and they can still move around at will. A dog safety gate placed across indoor spaces or hallways, will limit your dog’s access. If you have a stairway, this is a good place to put up a gate. The designs are different depending on what purpose is required for safety. While alone at home, your dog could turn your house upside down and play to their little heart’s content, but what a mess to clean up afterwards, if confinement is not a choice.
Let us give our doggy the benefit of a doubt, not all dogs are full of mischief and if they have become use to having the freedom of moving around the home, there is probably not a problem. Boundaries should be set, and using an indoor gate is not something the pet parent should fret over. Do not forget, you are the boss, and your pet must know there are places and things that are off limits. Some pet safety gates are installed as a stationary gate, 
and others are pressure held. Never put a pressure held gate at the top of a stairway. This is very dangerous for your dog. There are also freestanding gates that can be placed in open areas in the household, like a play pen. Do not use these gates all of the time. You be the judge of when and how often they should be used. Be Happy!
A Little Something Extra to Care For Your Senior Pets
Many products are now available to assist in caring for your senior dog, and even your pet bunny. As they grow older, problems start to appear and 
their dependency is upon their pet parents to make life easier and bearable. The different breeds of dogs have a different life span and as pet parents, the need to provide solutions in making their lives more adaptable, is well worth the effort. If you allow your dog to hang their head out of the vehicle window (which is not recommended), there are window bumpers that have a cushion for your dog to rest their head on for safety and slides on the top of the window. During travel or taking your dog walking, a portable spill proof water bottle container is handy keeping your dog hydrated. You carry a water bottle I bet, just for this same purpose. Have you seen the handy dispenser that holds biodegradable poop bags that attach to your dogs leash? What a neat idea.
Additional products offered in caring for our senior dogs are becoming more in demand in care giving. A sturdy mobility harness and a support harness working together for dogs that have arthritis, or severe hip problems, will be of upmost help to care for senior pets that have difficulty getting up and down. Mobility problems are the biggest challenge for your senior dog and understanding what all of these products have to offer including dog wheelchairs and used dog wheelchairs are affordable for them to live a long and happier life. Summer is just around the corner and the excitement of taking your dog along for a ride has always 
been fun for pet parents. Short rides are fun with so many different products available keeping your pet safe, but long rides or even vacations can be somewhat stressful in containing your active doggy, kitty or bunny. Controlling the activity of your dog riding in your vehicle includes many ideas. A pet carrier that can snap in and out of your vehicle similar to a carrier for a baby, is handy. It can be secured with a lap seat belt that will snap in or out in seconds with a quick release. This particular pet carrier will accommodate your pet up to 15 pounds, and can be used as a kennel, if needed. Please consider all of these wonderful products for your senior pet care. Be Happy!
Keep Doggy Safe When Traveling
Taking your pet out for a ride to go shopping, run errands, or taking them along on a trip is such fun for both of you. The safest way of traveling with 
your dog in your vehicle, is to install a dog barrier to confine them in an area of the vehicle avoiding possible accidents. Dogs love to go for a ride and get so excited when they know their pet parent is taking them along. All the pet parent has to do is pick up their leash, and ‘lo and behold’ tails start wagging and happiness over comes both of you. This is a fun time to bond with each other, but they must understand that there is a dedicated place for them to stay while going for a ride.
If you have a car, install a car barrier between the front and back seats, and if you have bucket seats, there is a dog car barrier for that as well. SUV’s have a larger area in the back, but caution is necessary if you have to slam on your brakes, your dog may injured. Dog kennels are set up in SUV’s just for that purpose, and having a contained area would be more protection. 
One more important thing to always remember is if you need to leave your dog in the vehicle for a short period of time, always leave the windows open a little. If the weather is cold outside, the windows should still be open, which is not as dangerous as leaving them in the vehicle on a hot summer day. Temperatures rise quicker than you realize and could be fatal. Consider the possibility of leaving your dog at home if you are not sure of the length of time you may be gone. Be Happy!
Wheelchairs Will Prolong Your Dogs Life
A method used for the mobility of sick, injured or handicapped people is a wheelchair that will offer a way of life that would not happen if there were not such a product. There are not only wheelchairs for humans, but wheelchairs for dogs that are becoming popular with the disabilities a dog can 
encounter. That horrible word ‘euthanize’ does not have to apply to a dog that has lost the use of legs, spinal cord injuries due to accidents, an illness or disease, becomes paralyzed, or is an amputee. Dogs that can manage to walk again, run and play, have a special place in all pet lovers heart of how wonderful technology is today, that offers a way of life, not what they had before, but what they have now. Having some mobility is better than done. Every breed of dog from the Chihuahua to the Giant Mastiff can make use of a dog wheelchair. Dogs have been included in their family’s activities from a puppy to an adult and if they become disabled, serious depression may set in. Yes, dogs do get depressed, just like humans.
The wheelchair for dogs is customized according to the size of your dog, and the wheels are specialized for maneuvering in all types of soil, and are lightweight and easy to handle. Comfort is very important and after a few training sessions, your dog will adjust before you know it. Keep in mind that if physical therapy would be all that is needed, then forget about the dog wheelchairs. Once they become use to using this method, they may become dependent on it and give up trying to ever walk again. They have great determination and sometimes very stubborn, but when trained well, they always want to please. It is becoming popular for dogs using wheelchairs, 
but this does not mean this is the end of your dog’s life. Helping in their mobility to move around more freely will bond you and your dog even more. It could end your dog’s life if they do not have a dog wheelchair. You do not want to think about the alternative. Never forget that your dog is man’s best friend, and you would do anything to help them when in need. Note: this dog has lost the left front leg, and can still have some mobility to walk. Be Happy!