Archive for the ‘General Pet Care’ Category

Misi Beaucoupe here, and I found this article today and wanted to share with all my four legged friends.  Tell your Mommy and Daddy that you want them to take you for a walk.  Don’t forget to tell them to start out with short walks.  We don’t want them to be too sore to continue walking us.  Also them that if they take us for a walk we will sleep through the night, and we will be happy content doggies.

PS:  My mommy Barbie, and her staff can stop by during the day to take your dogs for a walk if you get to busy.

How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?

My friend, Tracy, likes to take her dogs on long walks and hikes with her. While they love the exercise, she said they were worn out after a few days in the mountains. In fact, after all the hiking, they were so exhausted that she was giving them a break and taking them only on short walks. It got me thinking, how much exercise does your dog need?

As it turns out, not all dogs require the same amount of exercise. Exercise needs have very little to do with size. Instead breed tends to count the most. For example Jack Russell Terriers and Shelties often begin to misbehave when given too few walks or hikes. On the other hand, a mastiff, and many other large dogs may be happy with a couple of daily walks in the park or a short game of Frisbee.

Surprisingly, little dogs require more exercise than larger dogs. And most of their exercise needs can be easily satisfied in an apartment or back yard. If your small dog has enough toys, or a dog or cat companion, he or she can generally meet all of his exercise needs. However, try to walk your dog on a daily basis too; dogs love to go outside and a walk is healthy for both the dog and its owner.

Mid-size breeds can also vary in their need for exercise. Dogs that are natural hunters or herders require more exercise. Beagles, hounds, border collies, Alaskan sled dogs, and Australian shepherds tend to be restless if cooped up. They need time to run around, catch and chase things, and to walk or jog.

Since many dogs are mixed breeds, it can be hard to know how much exercise this type of dog requires. If you get a mixed breed dog, you can watch his or her behavior. If your dog enjoys relaxing in the sun most of the day, he or she probably does not need as much exercise. On the other hand, if your dog seems restless and wanders around the house, he or she needs more exercise. And, of course, older dogs tend to need less daily exercise than do younger dogs.
Most dogs also require mental exercise. Dogs, like people, can get bored. Certain dogs get bored enough to become distracted and destroy your plants or eat your shoes! Toys that require some work or effort to reap the rewards are a great way to challenge your dog mentally. Further, daily interaction with your dog will help satisfy some of his or her mental exercise needs.
I always say that dogs, like people, can only benefit from daily exercise. But, some dogs (like some people) can be happy and healthy with a lesser amount of exercise. Look to your dog for signs as to whether he is satisfied with the exercise that you are giving him or her. But do remember that the more your dogs exercise during the day, the better they (and you) will sleep through the night.

Misi and Rocky here again, I wanted to share even more juicy, delicious information about Organic, Homemade Dog Food…We are even healthier for it.  Check with your veterinarian for any supplements your dog may need.  If you want an alternative dog food try Lucky Dog Cuisine.  Lucky Dog Cuisine is organic.  We love it don’t we Rocky! Woof, woof, not yuk, yuk!

Organic, Homemade Dog Food – Good Food in the Nude

You’d have to be living under a rock if you’ve missed all of the buzz about organic foods. Even your dog’s heard about it. A whole pack of folks believe that pesticides, herbicides, human waste, sewage sludge, radiation, genetic modification, and artificial additives have no place in or on our produce. But what about meat? Did you know that your meat – and the meat that you prepare for your dog – can be organic, too?

Organic meat is harvested from animals that have been raised without artificial growth hormones or antibiotics, and have not been fed animal by-products. Organic foods provide no more nutritional value than conventional ones, but their attraction is strictly about what’s NOT in them. You’ll be paying more for less (about twice as much) – but, it’s less of what you DON’T want. Most grocers carry organic meat, and if they don’t, ask for it.

Almost any homemade dog food recipe can be converted to organic – by simply replacing conventional ingredients with organically-produced ones.

http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/homemade-dog-food-recipes.html

http://www.thepaw.com/pawperties

We all want to keep our pets healthy and looking good. It is my pleasure to share an article written by Anna Josephs.

Misi Becoupe here with Rocky and we want you to know that our mommy, Barbie feeds us Lucky Dog Cuisine, so she is already trying to keep us healthy and looking good. We can’t always tell her exactly what we need, although, we do let her know when we don’t like something. Our coats get rough, we get ear infections, and sometimes when she is not looking we yuk on the carpet. Take head, because I want to bring you some information I found while perusing the internet.

Keep your Pet Healthy and Look Good

Anna Josephs
Anyone who owned a pet knows that how pet becomes our special part of our family. Yes our pets are a part of our family. Pet owner always want the best for their pet. Pet needs special and daily care throughout their lives. Pets are like small children, they won’t tell you exactly what they need. It’s the pet owner who has to understand and treat them as well as you can to look your pet good and healthy.
Most of pet owners don’t have much time to spend with their pet its result to pet health problems. It’s always good to consult your veterinarian if your pet shows any abnormal behaviors. Very pet needs an appropriate clean environment, a healthy diet, proper exercise and attention from you. Now pet owner do not have to worry about their pet, number of online sites provides you with all the information about cleaning and disinfecting the pet looks and how to keep your pet look more good and clean.
1) Pet store: Pet store are the best place for buying your favorite pet. If you live in a large city, there are probably dozens of pet stores in your near by area. Finding one that will provide you with the products and services that you need pets can be difficult.
Selecting the right store is necessary. Find a store that treats all its animals the way you would want. All the animals should be kept in appropriate, clean and safe enclosures. The behaviour and health of your pet has a lot to do with how it was kept before you got it.
2) Pet products: What does organic pet product really mean and why is it given so much importance? Previously pet owners where not aware of pet products but now it is no wonder that people are very much aware and conscious of this fact already.
Most of pet owner are under the impression that anything with “organic” inherent on it is superior. This is a nice ideal. And of course, organic products may indeed taste better and be healthier for us. However, do people really need organic pet products? In the first place, is there such a thing? Even the government is confused about how to define “organic” and is continuously struggling to establish uniform and stable standards to assist consumers in figuring it all out. Find the best pet product store so that your pet can have the best.

Anna Josephs is a freelance editor having experience of many years in writing articles and news releases on various topics related to health, automobile and social issues. Currently, she is working on http://www.benzer3.com . To get more details on Pet, please visit http://pet.benzer3.com/pet-stores.html .

Please feel free to write feedback on this article. Anna Josephs can be contacted at annajosephs@gmail.com

It is what about nine weeks until spring?  Spring will be here before you know it. We all know that dogs of all ages need stimulation and activity, both physical and mental.  Let’s start right now, make a New Year’s resolution to our canine companion to get out and learn, walk and play together.  Dogs of different ages need fun and games for different reasons.  For a puppy, everything is new and each game is a discovery and a learning experience.  For the mature dog they seem to value the interaction and camaraderie with other family members on outings.  For the canine senior citizen, activity helps to keep their senses sharper and also keeps their remaining energy and enthusiasm at a higher level.

It’s not necessary all fun and games.  At the core of your activities there needs to be an element of learning, obedience and training.  What do you think when you hear the word “core”?  Hum, it makes me think of doing abdominal exercises.  Well really, we have to keep our core strong, if we want to be strong.  What this really means is combining education, training, and play.  This severs as a schooling period for puppies and young dogs, reinforces and sustains training of the adult dogs, and helps older dogs adapt more easily to the challenges they face with aging.

So when you take your dog for a walk down the street, or out in the backyard for a game of fetch, or to the park for a game of Frisbee, obedience is vital.  The basic command such as sit, stay, come, leave it, or heal is so important.  Just think about how not-fun it would be if your dog didn’t obey the basic commands.

If your canine companion could use some brushing up on the obedience routine or if you’ve got a canine companion that needs to start from “square one”, there are several places in the area such as the Lawrenceville Kennel Club, PETCO, PetSmart, BarkBusters, and US Canine.  You may also contact the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (ADPT) at http://www.adpt.com for more information.

Look for future articles on sports for your canine companion such as Rally-Obedience, and Fly Ball.

http://www.petsit.com

http://www.adpt.com

It is important to consider how the seasonal weather affects your pets.  We have to remember that there are cold weather dangers, and our pets can become victims of improper shelter, lack of fresh water, antifreeze poisoning, frostbite and even hypothermia.  Here are a few tips that can help keep your pets warms and happy.

Winterize their Skin and Coat:

• Check the pads of their paws for cracked pads, broken nails or snow and ice damage.
• To distribute natural oils to our pets fur, brush their coat often.
• Protect their paws by having them wear booties.

Winterize Pet Shelters:

• If you have outside dogs you can add straw for insulation to doghouses.
• If you have outside cats you can provide a snug, warm bed.  Be sure the bed is not directly on the cold ground or concrete.  Your local pet stores carry outdoor heated beds.
• Watch for antifreeze leaks, it tastes good to animals, and is deadly to pets or wild animals.
• For indoor pets, always remember to maintain supervision when there is a fire in the fireplace.  Use protective fire screens.
• For yours and the pet’s safety install carbon monoxide detectors, and fire alarms. Be sure to test and replace the batteries at least two times a year.  Perhaps choose a time to replace batteries such as when the time changes, in the fall and in the spring.
• Pets are more sensitive to temperature changes than we are, so keep the temperature level.

Winterize them against Frostbite

• Frostbite affects their ears, toes, tails, scrotum and areas least covered by fur.
• Signs of frostbite on yours pets include red swollen areas or skin that is very pale and white.
• Immerse the frostbitten area in warm, not hot, water for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Call your veterinarian.

Winterize against Hypothermia

• When pets are exposed to very cold temperatures and or the wind is blowing for an extended period of time.
• Some symptoms might include shivering, low body temperature, drowsiness, exhaustion, and stumbling.
• Raise the pet’s temperature to treat hypothermia.  Hot water bottles, warm towels, or immerse the pet in room temperature water, adding warmer water slowly.
• Get the animal to drink warm liquids.
• Call your veterinarian.

Winterize Your Pet

• Many pets have increased appetites during cold-weather months so provide extra food.
• Go ahead and dress your pet up in sweaters, raincoats, hats, and booties for paw protection.
• Have their nails trimmed regularly so that they will be able to maintain their footing in icy conditions.

Pet Sitters International http://www.petsit.com