Recently we welcomed two new additions to our family – “Porky the pug” and, “Anastasia the pug. ” I am a pet-lover so naturally, they have become my responsibility which I don’t mind at all because they are so adorable. When my mom announced that we would be going out of town on our next family vacation, I immediately went online to see if I could find a pet friendly cottage. After all, putting them in kennels or finding a pet-minder would simply leave me feeling anxious and worried. I was referred to a website by a friend who always takes her pets with her on vacation and I hoped I could find suitable accommodation for my family and those two naughty pugs. Having selected a few options and received some helpful advice from an online consultant regarding how to access the nearest veterinarians and which activities were available for the dogs, I was excited to spend my first holiday with my whole family.
Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category
Taking the Pugs on Holiday
Saturday, January 21st, 2012Unique Betta Fish Tanks
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012Unique betta fish tanks are one way to spruce up the decor in your room as well as the environment your betta lives in. Nobody wants to keep their betta in a boring empty tank with no special character to it. Only serious breeders do that and that’s to make the process efficient.
Some companies make fun betta aquariums for you and your pets to enjoy. I recently purchased a few of the Umbra Betta Hotel fish tanks. These are stackable and when put together end up looking like an apartment building for your bettas. They are about a gallon of water and have several windows for your fish to look out of.
Another unique betta fish tank idea is the betta vase in which your fish lives with a peace lily or lucky bamboo plant. Of course you can add fun to a plain tank by having lots of fun decorations in it!
Get Rid of Fleas Easily
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
There are a lot of people that have to deal with a flea problem. They may not know how to get rid of fleas and keep them gone. The good news is with a little work, it can be done. The first thing you will want to do is not to get rid of fleas on your pet. Sometimes people will get rid of a pet that has caught fleas because they think the problem will go away. This is the worst thing you can do. Have the pet treated and then take care of the home after. Call a good pest company to help you with getting rid of the fleas. If you try and bomb the house yourself, you will probably not be able to get rid of all of the fleas or you will make yourself sick from the chemicals. It’s just a smarter idea to let a professional take care of it for you and be done with it.
My Dog Needs Glucosamine
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011I love Glucosamine For Dogs. My name is Fred and I want to talk to you about a problem I am having with my dog. I came home from the vet last night because I went to see him due to a problem that my old dog is having! He appears to have a limp and I think he has arthritis and after the vet looked at him he agreed with me.
Arthritis is a condition that usually impacts older human beings but dogs can get it also, and it appears that my old guy does. Arthritis occurs when the joints that connect bones together become swollen, resulting in pain for the pooch.
The vet informed me of a product on the market to treat dogs with arthritis called glucosamine for dogs. This compound works by reducing inflammation associated with arthritis, thus making it easier for the dog to move his limbs.
The vet also told me that glucosamine for dogs is very cheap to buy and that I can buy it from the pet store. It comes in pill form and I should give one pill to my dog each day.
Fancy Feast Cat Food Keeps My Cat Happy
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011A happy cat is a Fancy Feast cat food cat. At least that’s what I like to think. My cat seems to be happy, if you can really tell. He’s animated, playful, full of energy, has strong bones and lean muscles, looks alert and has a nice shiny coat. I think it’s from all of the nutritious varieties of Fancy Feast foods. I used to think all cat foods were the same. If it smelled like cat food, the cat would devour it. Not so much. For some reason my cat would turn up his nose and walk away. I tried wet food and dry food, but the brands I bough just didn’t interest him. So now he was known as the finicky cat. I know by watching commercials on TV that you should try Fancy Feast for cats that are picky eaters. I don’t know what is so different about Fancy Feast but he gobbles down his meals now every time he eats. The meals all have real meat and the gourmet meals have meat and gravy. He love all of it. It doesn’t matter if he is fed wet or dry food. They all seem to keep my cat interested. I finally found Fancy Feast cat food. That’s the food my finicky cat eats.
Get Rid of Those Ugly Dog Gates
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
When was the last time you took a really good look at the dog gates in your home? How long have they been there? What kind of condition are they in? Were they new when you installed them?
If your dog gates are a little on the lackluster side it is time for an extreme dog gate makeover. The friendly folks at www.dogfolks.com are the authority in dog containment. Check there website for dozens of dog gates made for home installation.
There are permanent dog gates sporting steel construction and a powder coated finish. These are perfect for putting in your kitchen or bathroom. These ‘Duragate Dog Gates’ come with easy to use one hand operation with no plastic parts to worry about having to replace. If you live in the contiguous United States your order will be shipped free of charge.
Check out the dog folks website. You will be amazed how far your basic dog gate has come.
Pamper Your Dog with Dog Shampoo
Monday, November 14th, 2011Every now and then, you should use dog shampoo on your pets. This isn’t something you do every day and you can give this to your dog as a treat. It’s going to help their hair become glossy and shiny and beautiful, and not to mention it’s going to help them replenish some of that moisture they lose when they go out in the sun and their skin begins to flake up from the heat. Plus, with dog shampoo, you also remove that smell dogs have when they come in from a day of playing outside – it will help you as well as your dog. If you find dog shampoo a bit expensive, you don’t have to worry as you don’t have to use them as often as you use your own shampoo – one every month is the recommended time for you to use the shampoo when you bathe your dog. So what are you waiting for, give your dog the hair they deserve. Use dog shampoo now!
Rare Dog Breeds: the Xoloitzcuintli
Sunday, November 13th, 2011A native of Mexico, the Xoloitzcuintli is a unique dog breed, somewhat similar in appearance to the Pharoah hound, but with one marked difference – the Xoloitzcuintli comes in both hairless and furred varieties.
These unusual dogs, known affectionately as the Xolo, have a sleek body, long neck and large bat-like ears. Hairlessness is caused by a recessive gene and both variants are normally born in the same litter.
Hairless dogs are typically black or blue in color, while the coated variety is usually black, blue or red.
There are also three size variants, toy, miniature and standard, ranging from 10 to 24 inches, and from 12 to 45 pounds.
This is an ancient dog breed with archaeological evidence that it existed in Mexico as far back as 1000 BC. The name comes from Aztec words for the god “Xolotl” and “Itzcuintli” which means dog. These dogs were typically companions, hunting dogs and even bed warmers for the Aztecs, Maya and Toltecs. They were also considered sacred and were thought to possess the power to ward off evil spirits.
When the Spanish arrived in the Americas they noted the presence of these strange, hairless dogs. Some were shipped back to Europe, but even today, the breed remains fairly rare outside its native country.
The Xolo is a highly intelligent dog with lots of energy, a natural inquisitiveness and strong hunting instincts. They tend to be quite boisterous as puppies and to calm down considerably once they reach the age of about two years.
They are sociable dogs who enjoy the company of humans, but can also be quite independent. These dogs definitely need training, socialization and a calm pack leader. Training should be positive and reward based.
You will also need to devote time to exercising your dog and to provide a secure environment for the dog to move around in. This is very important because the Xolo is an excellent jumper, a good climber and a talented escape artist.
Finding a name for such a unique dog can be a challenge. Your best bet is to use an online dog names database like Puppy Names HQ, which has literally thousands of excellent male dog names and female dog names to choose from.
These are healthy, robust dogs who are prone to few of the diseases typically found in purebred dogs. Hairless dogs are quite obviously sensitive to extremes of heat and cold. They are not suited to very cold climates while in a warm climate you’ll have to take special care of the dog’s skin.
These dogs should also not be bathed too often, as this can strip essential oils from the skin.
The dogs can live comfortably in an apartment provided their exercise needs are met with a long daily walk. They are not really suited to living outdoors as they lack the necessary protection from the elements.
Styles and Designs of Small Dog Sweaters
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011It may be confusing to find the right small dog sweaters you want to buy for your dog, but as long as you know what different styles and designs of these sweaters are available at the best online dog gear shop, buying one would be easy. Plus you are guaranteed of the quality of the sweaters too.
Here are the best styles and designs you can find at the best dog gear shop online: Classic Christmas sweaters, Retro Peace pattern dog sweaters, university dog sweaters, Traditional snowflake print sweaters, wild print dog sweaters, bone and paw peaceful pet hoodies, Fuchsia crocheted sweaters, jolly pom pom sweaters, 12-way quilted jumpsuits, mixed fiber sweaters, mixed yarn sweaters, camo hooded sweatshirts, bright colored basic hoodies, Campy hooded dog sweaters and many more choices. You are also guaranteed that all these would fit the size of your small dog by referring to size charts found in online shops.
Black Spiked Dog Collars
Thursday, October 13th, 2011Nothing says super bad more than spiked collars in the color black. Spiked dog collars are perfect for those that appreciate fashion that is edgy, and they can look great on both dogs and dog owners. The majority of spiked dog collars are pretty thick width-wise, and the reason for this is so there can be some spaces right between the spikes, without the spikes looking too huddled together. It is true that this width is too much for the majority of dogs, and this is why spiked dog collars are often just placed on dogs like bull dogs, pit bulls, English bulldogs and dogs like a Rottweiler. Spiked dog collars are pretty stunning, impressive, and can be downright intimidating. In fact, the intimidation that these spiked dog collars offer is exactly what dog owners want when they buy spiked dog collars for their dog. These dog collars are available from plenty of online stores.
Discovery Channels the Shopping Isle
Saturday, September 24th, 2011I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I believe it deserves a loud "I SECOND THAT MOTION", in the mystery of the branding of Blue buffalo Dog food. As I stroll down the shopping isle looking for the, ahem, most cost effective brand, I’m drawn to the labels of all. Most of them are adorned with pictures of healthy, good looking, often cute, vivacious ‘smiling’ dogs. But not Blue Buffalo, for as the name suggests it’s simply a blue label with blue (different shade) text and small picture of a buffalo. This is a job for the Blue Buffalo Dog food reviews board. Are they rebelling? Is this marketing ploy somehow too deep and ‘out of the box’ that it flies right over my intellectual comprehension, because – wait, maybe they’re targeting the dogs directly – you’ve all seen that timeless image of a dog hurtling across the plain in search of its Blue prey…
How to Plan for Your Holiday in Full
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011Planning for a holiday may start with a flight and a hotel but that is not all you need to worry about. If you have a dog then you need to think about where they will go and how they will be taken care of. With dog boarding in Vancouver your dog will be able to stay in a comfortable kennel that is also very safe. It will also be fed all the time so you won’t have to worry about it starving or not eating how much is required. The kennels also allow dogs to play with each other so they get some exercise and social time with other animals. Book the dog boarding far in advance so you can enjoy your holiday without having to worry about your animal. Most of these get booked quickly because everyone wants their animal to be taken care of during their trip!
We Order Online and Don't Bother with the Pet Store Anymore
Monday, September 19th, 2011My husband and I live on a busy farm in a very rural area. Aside from crops to take care of, we have horses, cattle and several cattle dogs, as well as barn cats. You can imagine this keeps us going from before the sun up until the sun goes down 365 days per year. Our animals are important to us, and we do have a veterinarian who comes out to the farm to tend to any medical needs our animals have. If we run out of pet supplies that can be a problem because the nearest pet store is 4 hours away. Our veterinarian is not open every day either. I found out we can buy what what need for our animals and pets online, and that has been a lifesaver for us! It’s less confusing than going into a massive pet store and trying to figure where everything is, and what we need. I’m also able to order pet meds, and find other supplies that are helpful that I never find in the pet store we go to.
Problem with My Dog
Thursday, September 8th, 2011My eight year old golden retriever, Jessi, has had two seizures this week. I find this quite strange as she has never had this problem before and I am very worried about her. She goes all stiff and then starts to jerk quite violently. All the while her eyes are open but she doesn’t seem to be registering anything so I am really hoping that she loses consciousness. I feel so bad for her and really want to help but I cannot get near her for at least two hours afterwards because she gets very aggressive. After the first seizure my husband went to her to calm her and Jessi nipped at him. There wasn’t any real damage, just a scratch but he doesn’t want us to take any risks with her. She will eventually come to us wimpering when she’s ready to be comforted. Can anybody please tell me what I can do to stop seizures in dogs?
Why the Wireless Dog Fence is Better Than Wired
Friday, May 13th, 2011You often see those little white flags around the perimeter of a yard. Perhaps you have even wondered what they are for. They are part of a wired dog fencing system as opposed to a wireless dog fence. The white flags mark where the wire of the system has been placed underground. These systems are effective but most often it is you the human that causes them to not work anymore. You see, many of these wired systems break due to human error. The wire cannot be dug too far down under the ground so they break easily if run over by a lawn mower or dug by mistake with a shovel. They will even break if exposed by mistake and you trip over the cord. These wires are very delicate and can break easily. To conclude, wired dog fences are not as reliable and long lasting as the wireless kinds.
Building a Backyard Chicken Coop in 5 Easy Steps
Saturday, April 23rd, 2011To build a chicken coop with the minimal amount of hassle and drama, just follow the following five steps:
1. Plan ahead and use chicken coop plans. Know how many chickens you will keep, how big they will be, how many nests you need etc.
2. Terrain. Try to make the coop where it has restricted access, away from any thick bushes and gets direct sunlight. The coop should be slightly raised from the ground. Placing it on concrete blocks is a good solution.
3. Sketch the design out on paper, along with the dimensions.
4. Collect all the materials; you may need wood, fence wire, insulation strips etc.
5. Build it; keep in mind proper ventilation and insulation. Make sure that the chicken wire outside the coop is buried 1 foot deep in the ground.
You can search for different designs of chicken coops online and also paint the coop to make it more unique. You can also add a plank entrance/exit for the chickens.