According to a recent study, having a dog around the house is healthier than a full gym membership. There are so many studies out that prove dog ownership alleviates stress, loneliness, and increases happiness - but a new study shows dog owners are getting more exercise as well. Researcher Bob Martin explains that a dog owner that takes their dog out for 25 minutes twice a day, ends up getting almost six hours of exercise a week.
The survey revealed that the majority of people working out at the gym view it as a chore, and admit to skipping the gym because of lack of motivation and time. In contrast, the majority of dog owners report that they enjoy getting exercise with their dog, and would not skip taking their dog out for a walk. The study also says that almost 50% of people that don't have gym memberships or dogs, do not exercise at all.
Statistically, dog owners are the healthiest, so if you want to keep fit and stay healthy, adopt a dog!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Dog Eats Over 100 Nails
Is there anything a Basset Hound won't eat? Roxy wasn't feeling good, so she was taken to the veterinarian. Surprisingly, an x-ray revealed she had about 130 nails in her stomach! The owner said she had left Roxy with a friend who had taken her shopping at a hardware store - apparently, Roxy wasn't being supervised very well and managed to eat a large quantity of nails. On the bright side, they've removed the nails, and she will make a complete recovery.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays
The Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays campaign needs foster homes. 2,080 animal shelters and rescues will be participating across the country, in partnership with Petfinder.com. Share your home and good fortune by taking in a dog or cat from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day in celebration of national foster week! Foster a lonely pet - You Can Help! Foster a pet with one of the 2,000 rescue groups in our Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays program.
Take a moment to find a local shelter in your area participating in the Foster a Lonely Pet program! Celebrate the spirit of Christmas with an act of kindness.
Take a moment to find a local shelter in your area participating in the Foster a Lonely Pet program! Celebrate the spirit of Christmas with an act of kindness.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thanksgiving Day Safety For Dogs
With Thanksgiving Day right around the corner, CoCo the Blogging Dog wants to wish you a safe and happy holiday.
Now this may seem almost sacrilegious to suggest, but there are food safety concerns to consider at Thanksgiving.
I know, I know, food is our friend (at the bottom of this post is a yummy Thanksgiving Day recipe) - but keep in mind that there are always limits. Many dog breeds (especially larger breeds and older dogs) are susceptible to bloat, which can be caused by eating too much too fast.
Raiding the trash for food may seem like fun at the time, but could result in disaster. Raw bones such as turkey necks are relatively safe, but cooked bones will splinter easily. We all know chocolate is bad, but there are other foods dogs should avoid as well, such as macadamia nuts, mushrooms, uncooked dough, grapes, raisins, and onions.
Now that I've got the Thanksgiving Day safety speech out of the way, here's a Thanksgiving Day recipe for dogs, that's sure to please!
You will need:
2 slices turkey bacon, cut in half
1 egg
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts
Fry the bacon like normal and place on paper towels to soak up any excessive grease. Scramble the egg, and pour it into a skillet. Create an omelet, serve with bacon, and a few sprouts. You can share this meal with your pawrent, but not required.
Now this may seem almost sacrilegious to suggest, but there are food safety concerns to consider at Thanksgiving.
I know, I know, food is our friend (at the bottom of this post is a yummy Thanksgiving Day recipe) - but keep in mind that there are always limits. Many dog breeds (especially larger breeds and older dogs) are susceptible to bloat, which can be caused by eating too much too fast.
Raiding the trash for food may seem like fun at the time, but could result in disaster. Raw bones such as turkey necks are relatively safe, but cooked bones will splinter easily. We all know chocolate is bad, but there are other foods dogs should avoid as well, such as macadamia nuts, mushrooms, uncooked dough, grapes, raisins, and onions.
Now that I've got the Thanksgiving Day safety speech out of the way, here's a Thanksgiving Day recipe for dogs, that's sure to please!
You will need:
2 slices turkey bacon, cut in half
1 egg
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts
Fry the bacon like normal and place on paper towels to soak up any excessive grease. Scramble the egg, and pour it into a skillet. Create an omelet, serve with bacon, and a few sprouts. You can share this meal with your pawrent, but not required.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Military Working Dog Team Support Association
The Military Working Dog Team Support Association (MWDTSA) is an organization that assists military working dogs in a variety of ways. They gather donations to send to deployed military working dogs, supports the War Dog Memorial, assists retired veteran dogs, active duty military working dogs, and military dog handlers.
Training dogs to be in the military, working sometimes in dangerous missions overseas, is controversial. If someone asked me if I support dogs being in the military, the answer would be somewhere along the lines of "Yes. No. Maybe" because it's all in the details. If a dog is regarded as simply military equipment, such as in Vietnam where thousands of military dogs were abandoned after the war, then my answer would be a resounding "No!"
Fortunately, we live in a different world today. Military dogs are highly regarded, well taken care of, and leaving them behind is not a consideration. The Military Working Dog Team Support Association is currently gathering items on the wish list of active duty dog handlers and the Veterinary Corps. Donations are tax deductible, and current needs include:
If you are able to make a donation:
www.mwdtsa.org - Military Working Dog Team Support Association
Training dogs to be in the military, working sometimes in dangerous missions overseas, is controversial. If someone asked me if I support dogs being in the military, the answer would be somewhere along the lines of "Yes. No. Maybe" because it's all in the details. If a dog is regarded as simply military equipment, such as in Vietnam where thousands of military dogs were abandoned after the war, then my answer would be a resounding "No!"
Fortunately, we live in a different world today. Military dogs are highly regarded, well taken care of, and leaving them behind is not a consideration. The Military Working Dog Team Support Association is currently gathering items on the wish list of active duty dog handlers and the Veterinary Corps. Donations are tax deductible, and current needs include:
Crate (all sizes)
Dog Cots (large)
Kong Like Toys (medium and large)
Muzzles (mostly to fit German shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Labrador Retrievers with a few smaller ones, too)
FURminators (medium and large)
Choke chains metal and nylon (mostly to fit German shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Labrador Retrievers with a few smaller ones, too)
Dog cots to get dogs off concrete runs, dog beds for some dogs that are housed in CHUs with their handlers in remote locations
High quality leashes (6’, 15’. 30’ length)
High quality retractable belt leashes from Flexi called Flexi Giant
Harnesses
Flat buckle collars (most in the 22-24” range, but there are some dogs bigger and some smaller)
Odor Mute concentrate.
Treats have been taken care of through the holidays by Well Pet, however, after mid-December, we’d be looking for more high quality treats.
Grooming: Pet Wipes to do a quick cleanup, Pedi-Paws nail dremmels, Soft Paws nail caps
Doggles (to protect the dogs' eyes)
Soft Paws Nail Caps (to care for dogs' split nails)
Sturdy chew toys: Kongs, Air Kongs (tennis balls, footballs, etc.), tennis balls, Gigglers, Goughnuts black stick chew, Huck balls, rope tug toys...
Coat conditioners
Urine Neutralizers (non aerosol)
Elasticon elastic tape (in 2" widths)
If you are able to make a donation:
www.mwdtsa.org - Military Working Dog Team Support Association
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) and Your Pets
This article by Dr. Jack Stephens, DVM is informative, and he gave me permission to republish it here for my readers.
High Blood Pressure (hypertension) is very common in our pets, but often goes undiagnosed until it leads to life threatening emergencies. Problems from high blood pressure arise when a blood vessel gets too small for the high pressure flow going through it. Since the affected vessels are small, the bleeding may not be noticeable but a lot of little bleeds and a lot of blood vessel destruction can create big problems over time.
Your pet's retina is especially at risk, with either sudden or gradual blindness often being the first sign of latent high blood pressure. The kidneys are also targets since they rely upon tiny vessels to filter toxins from the bloodstream. High blood pressure also increases the risk of embolism: tiny blood clots that form when blood flow is abnormal. These clots can lodge throughout your pet's body - including the brain.
But our pets do not have the same "external pressures" that can often trigger hypertension in their pet parents, so what causes this condition in our pets? There are numerous diseases in pets that are associated with high blood pressure, including:
* Chronic renal (kidney) failure - in one study, 93% of dogs with chronic renal failure and 61% of cats with chronic renal failure also had systemic hypertension;
* Hyperthyroidism - in one study, 87% of cats with untreated hyperthyroidism had systemic hypertension (hyperthyroidism is a feline disease only!); * Glomerular disease - disease of the kidney filtration system in which protein is lost in urine. It is important to screen pets with high blood pressure for urinary protein as control of protein loss is important to survival time;
* Cushing's disease (an adrenal cortisone excess) ;
* Diabetes mellitus (inability to properly reduce blood sugar) ;
* Acromegaly (growth hormone excess);
* Polycythemia (an excess in red blood cells) ;
* Pheochromocytoma (an adrenaline secreting tumor of the adrenal gland)
High blood pressure can be identified by screening at your veterinarian's office. If your pet has one of the above-mentioned conditions, their blood pressure is generally checked. Older pets should have their blood pressure checked whenever they have a physical examination, particularly if they are over the age of 9.
Sadly, high blood pressure is discovered only after something untoward has happened to your pet physically (i.e. some degree of blindness or some other eye problem.) The retina of a hypertensive pet develops tortuous-looking retinal blood vessels; some vessels may even have broken, showing smudges of blood on the retinal surface. Some areas of the retina detach, or the entire retina detaches. With early identification, some vision may be restored, so do not let minor vision changes go unreported; tell your veterinarian know if you think your pet's vision is abnormal.
Retinal changes can be complicated to interpret. Be prepared if your veterinarian refers you to a veterinary ophthalmologist. (Be sure to consult your veterinary insurance provider, as many cover specialist visits such as this.)
Blood pressure measurement is performed with an inflatable cuff fitted snuggly around your pet's foot or foreleg; sometimes, the base of their tail can be used. The cuff is inflated to prevent blood flow through the superficial artery. With pets, an ultrasonic probe must be taped or held over the artery, and the sound of the systolic pressure is converted into an audible signal. In pets, this measurement should not exceed 160; a reading of 180 is considered by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine to indicate high risk for organ damage.
There are various treatment options for hypertension. When ocular disease is present, special eye drops may be required, depending upon how much the eye is bleeding and whether or not return of vision is likely; (a veterinary ophthalmologist is especially helpful in this scenario.) When hypertension is identified, a search for the underlying cause is indicated. It may be that controlling the underlying disease totally reverses the hypertension (particularly true for hyperthyroid cats).
Beyond these methods, as with people, blood pressure lowering medication is prescribed. This typically involves some type of pill that dilates peripheral blood vessels, making them larger to accommodate the high pressure blood flow going through them. Dietary restrictions may also be recommended by your veterinarian. Hypertensive patients should be rechecked every 2-4 months to keep their blood pressure in a healthy range.
About the Author
Learn more about the history of pet insurance at Petsbest.com.
Pets Best Insurance is located in Boise, Idaho and provides pet insurance for the healthcare of dogs and cats. Jack Stephens, DVM is the president and co-founder of Pets Best and was the original founder of pet health insurance in the United States.
High Blood Pressure (hypertension) is very common in our pets, but often goes undiagnosed until it leads to life threatening emergencies. Problems from high blood pressure arise when a blood vessel gets too small for the high pressure flow going through it. Since the affected vessels are small, the bleeding may not be noticeable but a lot of little bleeds and a lot of blood vessel destruction can create big problems over time.
Your pet's retina is especially at risk, with either sudden or gradual blindness often being the first sign of latent high blood pressure. The kidneys are also targets since they rely upon tiny vessels to filter toxins from the bloodstream. High blood pressure also increases the risk of embolism: tiny blood clots that form when blood flow is abnormal. These clots can lodge throughout your pet's body - including the brain.
But our pets do not have the same "external pressures" that can often trigger hypertension in their pet parents, so what causes this condition in our pets? There are numerous diseases in pets that are associated with high blood pressure, including:
* Chronic renal (kidney) failure - in one study, 93% of dogs with chronic renal failure and 61% of cats with chronic renal failure also had systemic hypertension;
* Hyperthyroidism - in one study, 87% of cats with untreated hyperthyroidism had systemic hypertension (hyperthyroidism is a feline disease only!); * Glomerular disease - disease of the kidney filtration system in which protein is lost in urine. It is important to screen pets with high blood pressure for urinary protein as control of protein loss is important to survival time;
* Cushing's disease (an adrenal cortisone excess) ;
* Diabetes mellitus (inability to properly reduce blood sugar) ;
* Acromegaly (growth hormone excess);
* Polycythemia (an excess in red blood cells) ;
* Pheochromocytoma (an adrenaline secreting tumor of the adrenal gland)
High blood pressure can be identified by screening at your veterinarian's office. If your pet has one of the above-mentioned conditions, their blood pressure is generally checked. Older pets should have their blood pressure checked whenever they have a physical examination, particularly if they are over the age of 9.
Sadly, high blood pressure is discovered only after something untoward has happened to your pet physically (i.e. some degree of blindness or some other eye problem.) The retina of a hypertensive pet develops tortuous-looking retinal blood vessels; some vessels may even have broken, showing smudges of blood on the retinal surface. Some areas of the retina detach, or the entire retina detaches. With early identification, some vision may be restored, so do not let minor vision changes go unreported; tell your veterinarian know if you think your pet's vision is abnormal.
Retinal changes can be complicated to interpret. Be prepared if your veterinarian refers you to a veterinary ophthalmologist. (Be sure to consult your veterinary insurance provider, as many cover specialist visits such as this.)
Blood pressure measurement is performed with an inflatable cuff fitted snuggly around your pet's foot or foreleg; sometimes, the base of their tail can be used. The cuff is inflated to prevent blood flow through the superficial artery. With pets, an ultrasonic probe must be taped or held over the artery, and the sound of the systolic pressure is converted into an audible signal. In pets, this measurement should not exceed 160; a reading of 180 is considered by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine to indicate high risk for organ damage.
There are various treatment options for hypertension. When ocular disease is present, special eye drops may be required, depending upon how much the eye is bleeding and whether or not return of vision is likely; (a veterinary ophthalmologist is especially helpful in this scenario.) When hypertension is identified, a search for the underlying cause is indicated. It may be that controlling the underlying disease totally reverses the hypertension (particularly true for hyperthyroid cats).
Beyond these methods, as with people, blood pressure lowering medication is prescribed. This typically involves some type of pill that dilates peripheral blood vessels, making them larger to accommodate the high pressure blood flow going through them. Dietary restrictions may also be recommended by your veterinarian. Hypertensive patients should be rechecked every 2-4 months to keep their blood pressure in a healthy range.
About the Author
Learn more about the history of pet insurance at Petsbest.com.
Pets Best Insurance is located in Boise, Idaho and provides pet insurance for the healthcare of dogs and cats. Jack Stephens, DVM is the president and co-founder of Pets Best and was the original founder of pet health insurance in the United States.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Planet Dog Photo Contest
Planet dog is an eco-friendly maker of dog toys and supplies, and donates part of their profits to service dog programs. Every month they have a photo contest in which dog owners can win a $200 shopping spree. If you would like to try to win $200 in dog toys, the contest is easy to enter!
First, become a fan of Planet Dog on facebook.
In order to win, your submission MUST include:
The words “CANINE MOMENT” and your buddy’s name in the comments fieldA description that explains the image and where the image was taken
A way to contact you through facebook (in other words, make sure your facebook profile is up to date with your contact information)
The winner will be announced on planetdog.com on the last Friday of each month.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Who Marine Mascot LCpl Chesty XIII Was Named After
In continuation of the post yesterday, Lance Corporal Chesty XIII, Official Mascot, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C....
Chesty was named after a brave Marine!
Chesty the K9 is named after Chesty Puller - that is Lt General Lewis B. Chesty Puller. Puller is a Marine icon and was the most decorated Marine in history. However, he never received the Medal of Honor. Chesty did not take crap from anyone and told it like it was. This is highly unusual for officers - especially Generals who are very political.
One of the cool things about Chesty that does not have anything to do with Marines per se is that no matter where he was in the world on his wife's birthday she always received roses and even after he died she received roses on her birthday until she passed, somehow he set it up. The other thing about Chesty was that no matter what time of day-if Marines stopped by his house in Virginia, even PFCs, Mrs. Puller always had food for them - day or night food was made.
During the Korean War, Chesty is famous for saying "we are not retreating we are fighting in a different direction." Chesty was the type of General who if his Marines were cold he was cold and if they were hungry he was hungry. If you would like to learn more about the K-9 named after Lt General Lewis B. Chesty Puller, read the Facebook page about Lance Corporal Chesty XIII, Official Mascot, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. Chesty On Facebook
Chesty was named after a brave Marine!
Chesty the K9 is named after Chesty Puller - that is Lt General Lewis B. Chesty Puller. Puller is a Marine icon and was the most decorated Marine in history. However, he never received the Medal of Honor. Chesty did not take crap from anyone and told it like it was. This is highly unusual for officers - especially Generals who are very political.
One of the cool things about Chesty that does not have anything to do with Marines per se is that no matter where he was in the world on his wife's birthday she always received roses and even after he died she received roses on her birthday until she passed, somehow he set it up. The other thing about Chesty was that no matter what time of day-if Marines stopped by his house in Virginia, even PFCs, Mrs. Puller always had food for them - day or night food was made.
During the Korean War, Chesty is famous for saying "we are not retreating we are fighting in a different direction." Chesty was the type of General who if his Marines were cold he was cold and if they were hungry he was hungry. If you would like to learn more about the K-9 named after Lt General Lewis B. Chesty Puller, read the Facebook page about Lance Corporal Chesty XIII, Official Mascot, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. Chesty On Facebook
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Lance Corporal Chesty XIII, Official Mascot, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.
A day in the life of Lance Corporal Chesty XIII, Official Mascot, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.
I usually get up at 0530 and train with my dad, MSgt. Casey. He is very strict, but we always have a lot of fun learning new things. I can sit, down stay, give either paw, heel and sit, fetch, and even do a low crawl. I love the attention, but I love the breakfast that follows even more! I love to chase tennis balls. Every Friday, from May through August, I ride into work with my dad. I love the truck, and my dad lets me sit on the armrest between the two front seats. You wouldn’t believe the looks I get from the drivers when they see me sitting there! I just look out the window and the people driving by, but I really like when we get into the city, and I can see all the dogs out on their morning walks.
When I get to Marine Barracks, Washington D.C., I instantly become the center of attention. Everybody pets me, and smiles at me as I walk by.My dad brings me to the barracks Operations Office, where I spend the day waiting for my part in the Phase II (a sort of rehearsal) for that evening’s performance. I play with the Marines in the office, playing fetch, tug-of-war, and wrestling with them. I practice, then go back to the office to wait for Dad to come get me to go home. When we get home, I take a nap, then go back to the Barracks for the parade that night.
When it comes time for my part in the parade, I march out with one of my dog handlers, as the announcer says, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Marine Barracks Washington D.C. is proud to present the official barracks mascot, Lance Corporal Chesty the 13th.” Everybody claps for me, as I sit nobly next to my handler in my dress blues. I go back into the office, and wait for the parade to be over, where the real fun begins! I get to meet a bunch of people who take their pictures with me, and play with me! I’ve even met President and Mrs. George W. Bush, and President and Mrs. Obama!
I love going into work! I love going to the dog park with my family, where I can run around without being on a leash, and play with the other dogs. I have to admit though, I have a slobbering problem. It’s so embarrassing. Yesterday we celebrated the Marine Corps’ 234th birthday, and today we honor all those who have served our nation in the military. I am so proud of all those veterans who have served this great country. God Bless America!
Celebrate Veterans Day All Year
Veterans Day is a holiday to honor members of the military who would willingly place their life in peril, to protect and serve the United States of America. We should keep the spirit alive, and support the troops each and every day.
In both Afghanistan and Iraq, American members of the military have befriended animals in the war zone. There are so many stories of soldiers rescuing animals that are being abused, and saving stray dogs that are starving or in need of assistance.
It's not a one way street though, many of these animals that have been adopted provide a very real sense of comfort and feeling of home in an otherwise chaotic existence. When the tour of duty ends, no soldier wants to leave their best friend behind. That's where organizations such as the SPCA with Operation Baghdad Pups steps in.
This is a puppy adopted by troops taking a nap. An image taken from "No Dog" which airs at 9 p.m. Sunday on the Military Channel, cable 104, DirecTV 287 and Dish 195. Watch it!
This is a way to celebrate Veterans Day all year - Operation Baghdad Pups (SPCA) needs your help, and it's an excellent way to support our troops.
1. Spread the word about Baghdad Pups - social bookmark them, blog about it, Twitter it, and tell your friends.
2. If you're able, donate to Baghdad Pups.
3. Start a fund raiser for Baghdad Pups, either online or offline. They even have a fundraising kit on their website.
4. Donate items to the Operation Baghdad Pups Wish List.
In both Afghanistan and Iraq, American members of the military have befriended animals in the war zone. There are so many stories of soldiers rescuing animals that are being abused, and saving stray dogs that are starving or in need of assistance.
It's not a one way street though, many of these animals that have been adopted provide a very real sense of comfort and feeling of home in an otherwise chaotic existence. When the tour of duty ends, no soldier wants to leave their best friend behind. That's where organizations such as the SPCA with Operation Baghdad Pups steps in.
This is a puppy adopted by troops taking a nap. An image taken from "No Dog" which airs at 9 p.m. Sunday on the Military Channel, cable 104, DirecTV 287 and Dish 195. Watch it!This is a way to celebrate Veterans Day all year - Operation Baghdad Pups (SPCA) needs your help, and it's an excellent way to support our troops.
1. Spread the word about Baghdad Pups - social bookmark them, blog about it, Twitter it, and tell your friends.
2. If you're able, donate to Baghdad Pups.
3. Start a fund raiser for Baghdad Pups, either online or offline. They even have a fundraising kit on their website.
4. Donate items to the Operation Baghdad Pups Wish List.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Doggie Doorbells - For When It's Time To Go Outside
The last few days I've been absorbed in the news, of Fort Hood mainly, but also the American hikers kidnapped by the Iranian government, the execution of the DC sniper, H1N1 mass hysteria, and the insanity that happens to be transpiring on a daily basis. The world seems so chaotic, and the last few days I've just felt like retreating into a bubble. That's why I haven't been posting much, as anything I could say here would seem insignificant or trivial in comparison.
Though, if you live on a steady diet of that kind of news, it can be unhealthy for your soul. That's why it's more fun to talk about dogs. I'll probably never have any "WE INTERUPT THIS PROGRAM TO BRING YOU THIS EMERGENCY BROADCAST ABOUT DOGS" or "BREAKING HEADLINE NEWS" kind of posts. That's FOX news style (Anita Dunn is a twit for saying they are not real news - glad she is stepping down), but dog news blogs should leave you feeling happier at least.
I've had this blog for two years now, and try to think about what I can write about each day. For some reason, I can't get my comment section for readers to work, otherwise I would ask y'all for suggestions. Even tonight I struggled to think, and then I discovered something kind of strange to write about - dog doorbells? I did not know they exist until now, but there are doorbells especially designed for your dog, so that he can let you know when he needs to go out.
From reports by dog pawrents, most dogs learn to use the dog doorbell quickly. There are many different brands on the market, Poochie-Bells is one example.
"Poochie-Bells, The Original Designer Dog Doorbell, Stop unwanted accidents from your Pooch Effective, safe and decorative potty training tool! A proven training method with over a 95% success rate and endorsed by trainers and breeders. Easy to implement with step by step directions included. Designed for all breeds and ages of dogs. This design, Bad to the Bone is from the Doggie Dialogue line of Poochie-Bells and features a black ribbon with the words "bad to the bone" and a skull."
There are many different styles from a wide variety of pet companies, but they all work on the same premise, providing your dog an easy way to alert you when he needs to go out. If you watch your dogs body language, the doorbells aren't really necessary, but I thought they were interesting anyway. This is my personal favorite, the Esschert Design Doorbell Dog...
Here are some other interesting dog doorbell styles I've found...
Though, if you live on a steady diet of that kind of news, it can be unhealthy for your soul. That's why it's more fun to talk about dogs. I'll probably never have any "WE INTERUPT THIS PROGRAM TO BRING YOU THIS EMERGENCY BROADCAST ABOUT DOGS" or "BREAKING HEADLINE NEWS" kind of posts. That's FOX news style (Anita Dunn is a twit for saying they are not real news - glad she is stepping down), but dog news blogs should leave you feeling happier at least.
I've had this blog for two years now, and try to think about what I can write about each day. For some reason, I can't get my comment section for readers to work, otherwise I would ask y'all for suggestions. Even tonight I struggled to think, and then I discovered something kind of strange to write about - dog doorbells? I did not know they exist until now, but there are doorbells especially designed for your dog, so that he can let you know when he needs to go out.
From reports by dog pawrents, most dogs learn to use the dog doorbell quickly. There are many different brands on the market, Poochie-Bells is one example.
"Poochie-Bells, The Original Designer Dog Doorbell, Stop unwanted accidents from your Pooch Effective, safe and decorative potty training tool! A proven training method with over a 95% success rate and endorsed by trainers and breeders. Easy to implement with step by step directions included. Designed for all breeds and ages of dogs. This design, Bad to the Bone is from the Doggie Dialogue line of Poochie-Bells and features a black ribbon with the words "bad to the bone" and a skull."
There are many different styles from a wide variety of pet companies, but they all work on the same premise, providing your dog an easy way to alert you when he needs to go out. If you watch your dogs body language, the doorbells aren't really necessary, but I thought they were interesting anyway. This is my personal favorite, the Esschert Design Doorbell Dog...
Here are some other interesting dog doorbell styles I've found...
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Natural Pet Care...Dairy Goats, Dogs and Cats...What?
Dairy goats, like the Alpine and Saanen, can help provide some of the best natural pet care bath and body products around! How? The milk from these goats can be used in handcrafted flea-free soaps and flea-free powder.
It's miserable for an animal to have fleas. Fleas are pesky little creatures that can be difficult to exterminate. It's bad enough to see them on your beloved pet, watching your pet scratch in misery, but if those pesky little creatures intrude your home then you really have trouble! With the help of dairy goats, your pets can be flea-free and you can live comfortably without the fear of intrusion from fleas.
Handcrafted goat milk soap, combined with a blend of flea repellent essential oils, makes wonderful pet care soap for dogs. Essential oils such as mint, eucalyptus and lavender give this soap a strong fragrance, but it's mild enough to use weekly, if you shampoo your dog that often. This natural dog soap remains effective until the fragrance is gone. The breed of your dog, its activity level and whether it lives inside or outside will all determine the length of effectiveness of this soap.
This flea-free soap should never be used on pregnant and/or seizure prone dogs, due to the essential oils component.
Cats have very thin skin and are highly sensitive to essential oils. Due to the essential oils, this soap should never be used on cats.
Pregnant, seizure prone dogs and cats have another goat milk soap alternative, for maintaining cleanliness, called "Au Natural" soap. This goat milk soap lathers up good while being extremely mild, gentle and fragrance-free. This natural soap has no residual effects and kills fleas immediately during a bath.
Dairy goats, also, provide the milk used in making handcrafted natural flea-free dog powder. This natural dog powder is the same blend of goat milk soap and flea repellent essential oils as the dog soap, only carried on a powder base of diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, all-natural, product made from tiny fossilized water plants. This natural dog powder kills fleas on contact and repels any new fleas. This product is mild and gentle enough to use everyday on your dog(s), if you'd like. Due to the essential oils, this flea-free powder should never be used on cats and pregnant or seizure prone dogs.
These natural pet care products are good alternatives to commercial pet care products. Commercial pet care products may be filled with skin irritating chemicals. These chemicals may be too harsh and harmful to your pet's skin, especially skin sensitive animals.
Take care of your pet's skin and hair, naturally, with flea-free goat milk soaps and flea-free goat milk powder. A clean and flea-free pet is a happy pet!
About the Author
For more information about natural pet care bath and body products you may want to visit, www.natural-goat-milk-soap.com/pet-care.html
It's miserable for an animal to have fleas. Fleas are pesky little creatures that can be difficult to exterminate. It's bad enough to see them on your beloved pet, watching your pet scratch in misery, but if those pesky little creatures intrude your home then you really have trouble! With the help of dairy goats, your pets can be flea-free and you can live comfortably without the fear of intrusion from fleas.
Handcrafted goat milk soap, combined with a blend of flea repellent essential oils, makes wonderful pet care soap for dogs. Essential oils such as mint, eucalyptus and lavender give this soap a strong fragrance, but it's mild enough to use weekly, if you shampoo your dog that often. This natural dog soap remains effective until the fragrance is gone. The breed of your dog, its activity level and whether it lives inside or outside will all determine the length of effectiveness of this soap.
This flea-free soap should never be used on pregnant and/or seizure prone dogs, due to the essential oils component.
Cats have very thin skin and are highly sensitive to essential oils. Due to the essential oils, this soap should never be used on cats.
Pregnant, seizure prone dogs and cats have another goat milk soap alternative, for maintaining cleanliness, called "Au Natural" soap. This goat milk soap lathers up good while being extremely mild, gentle and fragrance-free. This natural soap has no residual effects and kills fleas immediately during a bath.
Dairy goats, also, provide the milk used in making handcrafted natural flea-free dog powder. This natural dog powder is the same blend of goat milk soap and flea repellent essential oils as the dog soap, only carried on a powder base of diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, all-natural, product made from tiny fossilized water plants. This natural dog powder kills fleas on contact and repels any new fleas. This product is mild and gentle enough to use everyday on your dog(s), if you'd like. Due to the essential oils, this flea-free powder should never be used on cats and pregnant or seizure prone dogs.
These natural pet care products are good alternatives to commercial pet care products. Commercial pet care products may be filled with skin irritating chemicals. These chemicals may be too harsh and harmful to your pet's skin, especially skin sensitive animals.
Take care of your pet's skin and hair, naturally, with flea-free goat milk soaps and flea-free goat milk powder. A clean and flea-free pet is a happy pet!
About the Author
For more information about natural pet care bath and body products you may want to visit, www.natural-goat-milk-soap.com/pet-care.html
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Latest Doggie Diet Craze!
Forget the Hollywood Doggie Diet, the Beggin Strip weight loss plan, and spending hours doing canine aerobics! With the Dog Pause food bowl, you'll be able to fit into that dog sweater you haven't been able to wear since you were a puppy!!
The makers of the DogPause Dog Bowls say they are clinically proven to slow down fast-eating dogs, because it prevents your dog from sticking his face into the bowl.
The idea is not original, as you can find a variety of these dog bowls on the market. Here are a few that I've found on Amazon...
Photo Above: Metal Brake-Fast Dog Food Bowl. It would definitely be a way to eat slower and lose weight, but eating out of one of these bowls would drive me crazy. No reports of dogs chipping a tooth on the metal, but looking at the picture, I'm wondering if this is a possibility. There were reports of dogs scraping off the metal inner coating, and concerns about safety should a dog ingest a metal shaving.
Photo Above: Contech EatBetter Bowl. Mixed reviews on this one - some thought it was helpful in reducing the speed at which their dog gulped down food, others didn't. At least there weren't any reviews that listed safety concerns.
Photo Above: Eat Slow Bowl. If your dog eats too fast, it can cause obesity, and conditions like bloat. Not sure if this is the solution?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Keep Your Dog Safely Away Stray Voltage
When you're walking your dog stay away from metal street fixtures such as metal plates, lamp posts, grates, manhole covers, service boxes, and fire hydrants. There have been too many tragic deaths of dogs that have been electrocuted, simply from walking over a manhole cover, stopping to urinate on a lamp post and so forth. In recent years pet electrocution cases have frequented the news, and the risk of an accident is even more likely during the winter months.
The street fixtures can emit stray voltage at any time of the year, and can be caused by fraying, poorly insulated, defective equipment, and uninsulated underground cables. In the winter time it's a higher risk as the snow mixed with salt becomes a conduction path for stray voltage. What can keep you safe is to remember that neither you, nor your dog should touch or walk over ANY metal street fixture outside.
If you would like to delve into this deeper, StreetZaps.com is keeping track of incidents, and has an audio of an interview on Animal's Radio.
The street fixtures can emit stray voltage at any time of the year, and can be caused by fraying, poorly insulated, defective equipment, and uninsulated underground cables. In the winter time it's a higher risk as the snow mixed with salt becomes a conduction path for stray voltage. What can keep you safe is to remember that neither you, nor your dog should touch or walk over ANY metal street fixture outside.
If you would like to delve into this deeper, StreetZaps.com is keeping track of incidents, and has an audio of an interview on Animal's Radio.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Risk of Multiple Vaccinations In One Visit
Most veterinary colleges now say that vaccinations should be administered once every three years, instead of a yearly vaccination protocol. What about administering multiple vaccinations in one visit? In the Journal of American Veterinary Medicine a study was published in 2005, that suggests veterinarians should warn clients about the risks involved. Multiple vaccinations in one visit can increase the chance of serious side effects.
The study involved 360 veterinary hospitals, vaccinating 1,226,159 dogs, with 3,439,576 doses of vaccine. 4,678 had serious side effects solely attributed to the vaccinations, in actuality, there may have been many more dogs that suffered vaccination reactions but weren't counted. One reason for this, is that the study only included reactions reported within three days. Furthermore, only dogs were counted that exhibited certain side effects, such as allergic reaction, urticaria, or anaphylaxis. They did not count dogs that seizured, even though this symptom can be caused by a vaccination reaction. There may be a certain amount of dogs that became ill soon after vaccination, yet were misdiagnosed and never reported. It's possible as well, that there may be customers that never reported a reaction to the vaccinating veterinarian.
Interesting facts from the study...
* Small dogs are in the highest risk group for a reaction, and the risks decreased significantly as the body weight increased.
* Risk was 27% to 38% greater for neutered versus sexually intact dogs.
* Risk was 35% to 64% greater for dogs approximately 1 to 3 years old versus 2 to 9months old.
* Risk significantly increased as the number of vaccine doses administered per office visit increased.
* Each additional vaccine significantly increased risk of an adverse event by 27% in dogs < or = 10 kg (22 lb) and 12% in dogs > 10 kg.
The study involved 360 veterinary hospitals, vaccinating 1,226,159 dogs, with 3,439,576 doses of vaccine. 4,678 had serious side effects solely attributed to the vaccinations, in actuality, there may have been many more dogs that suffered vaccination reactions but weren't counted. One reason for this, is that the study only included reactions reported within three days. Furthermore, only dogs were counted that exhibited certain side effects, such as allergic reaction, urticaria, or anaphylaxis. They did not count dogs that seizured, even though this symptom can be caused by a vaccination reaction. There may be a certain amount of dogs that became ill soon after vaccination, yet were misdiagnosed and never reported. It's possible as well, that there may be customers that never reported a reaction to the vaccinating veterinarian.
Interesting facts from the study...
* Small dogs are in the highest risk group for a reaction, and the risks decreased significantly as the body weight increased.
* Risk was 27% to 38% greater for neutered versus sexually intact dogs.
* Risk was 35% to 64% greater for dogs approximately 1 to 3 years old versus 2 to 9months old.
* Risk significantly increased as the number of vaccine doses administered per office visit increased.
* Each additional vaccine significantly increased risk of an adverse event by 27% in dogs < or = 10 kg (22 lb) and 12% in dogs > 10 kg.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Pet Sweat Bottled Water
Aaah, nothing quite as refreshing as an ice cold bottle of pet sweat, or maybe not. Pet Sweat bottled water is currently being manufactured and sold in Japan, presumably created for all of those athletic Japanese dogs that like to stay active. Many potential customers have reportedly been disgusted by the name, which may have resulted in lower sales for the company. Pet Sweat could take the lead from American manufacturers of bottled water for dogs, with names such as Fortifido, Hero Dog Water, Woof Water, PetRefresh, Aqua Dog, and Dog Whisperer Fortified Water for Dogs. Yet, 99% of dogs surveyed said they would still prefer to drink water out of the toilet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)