Is There Taurine In Your Dogs Food?
February 29, 2008
Taurine, a water-soluble amino acid, has recently become the topic of conversation when referring to the nutritional composition that makes up the human and animal physical structure. Once thought of as an unimportant A.A. recent studies prove that this amino acid has metabolic properties that are very beneficial to various components of the mammal skeletal system. (heart, kidneys, blood)
Taurine ? "A colorless crystalline substance, C2H7NO3S, formed by the hydrolysis of taurocholic acid and found in the fluids of the muscles and lungs of many animals." (dictionary.com)
Taurine’s main purpose is to act as a catalyst facilitating the flow of vital elements to and from cells. Elements such as Sodium, (Na) Potassium, (k) and Calcium (ca) depend on Taurine in order for them to move from one cell to another.
Taurine has been a present element in cat food due to its vital properties and just recently pet food manufacturers have been implementing Taurine into dog foods also realizing that this A.A. can be very beneficial to dogs as well as cats. Taurine is most abundantly found in the retina and cases of blindness have been linked to Taurine deficiency in kittens, however in most cases, the same studies showed a reversal of the blindness when Taurine supplements were administered. Taurine is also very beneficial for the heart, and cases of dilated cardiomyopathy
Aromatherapy for Pets
February 29, 2008
Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as much as humans can. Aside from possibly eliminating bad odors and giving your pet a pleasant perfume, essential oils also serve many practical functions such as boosting your pet’s immune system, fighting off bacteria and viruses, preventing the growth of yeasts and molds and repelling insects.
Aromatherapy is used by enthusiasts, groomers and pet salons to trea mild ailments such as skin inflammations, itchy skin ear infections, rashes, bad breath, flatulence and motions sickness. Psychologically, certain oils also have a calming or relaxing effect on animals. For example lavender oil not only helps kitties repel insects but it also makes them feel sleepy or content. Roman chamomile can be used to treat an ear infection as well as soothe the nerves of a dog in pain.
Essential oils are also frequently used as home remedies. However before you attempt to use aromatherapy on your own pets, keep in mind that essential oils are always diluted before they are applied to a pet’s skin or sprayed on their coat. Almond oil, olive oil and jojoba oil are common base oils to which a few drops of the essential oil is added. Usually all that is needed is about one ounce of the base oil combined with two to three drops of the essential oil.
Introducing a New Puppy into a Home with an Existing Pet
February 28, 2008
It was November and I had spent 3 months searching for just the right puppy. Finally we had found what we considered to be the perfect one. Luckily she was already 7 weeks old so she could already be separated from her mother. I was so excited when we brought her home, our new addition to the family. I made sure I had all the required supplies; food and water dishes, food, a bed and a crate. We were ready. The fact that we already had a cat never really caused me much concern. I figured they would give each other a good sniff and surely it would not take long for them to become the best of friends and live happily ever after. I had visions of our little puppy all curled up with our cat in front of the fireplace.
Crate Training Your Puppy or Dog
February 27, 2008
Introducing your puppy to the crate should be an easy and fun process. First, start by putting the crate somewhere the puppy enjoys being. Try the family room or wherever everyone “hangs out”. Open the door and just let your puppy explore at his own pace. Reward him for going near it by tossing a cheerio or some other small treat.
To teach the words “kennel” (I use go to bed) Just toss in a treat and say the word. Don’t shut the door everytime.
Never shove your dog in a crate. Your dog will quickly learn that kennel means get in your crate.
If your dog doesn’t go in after the cookie, then toss it closer and closer until your dog does go in. Then let him come out on his own.
You dont want your puppy to learn that everytime you say it you mean you are going to be leaving him. Otherwise he might avoid getting in!
You can also feed your dog in their kennel. If everytime you reward them for going in, they will begin to enjoy it and have a positive association to the crate.
Is Pet Insurance Right For Your Pet?
February 26, 2008
Trying to decide if you should get insurance on your pet? There are of course pro’s and con’s to it. Years ago I decided to try it out. I thought, if something happened, it would be a good decision to have it. Some plans will cover basic vet care and heartworm and things like that. Read through the information below and make a decision for you and your beloved pets.
Standard Care is the essential care that is required for any pet. This usually includes shots, heartworm tests and supplies, and any other preventitive care that is required through an animals life. This is usually not covered by most insurance plans and requires a special extra fee. Calculate the cost of this fee and then call your local vets office to get a price quote and compare the two. Keep in mind that sometimes your vet may be more costly than using an online pharmacy, so price out those options as well.
Two Tails Are Better Than One
February 25, 2008
Training one dog can be hard enough, but two, now that’s a handful. If you have puppies then break out the biscuits and get ready for some serious repetition. But if you have a puppy and an older canine then you might just watch one grow and the other learn some new tricks.
First things first, let the dogs get to know each other. Stand back while they do their sniffing thing. Keep your distance so they don’t go into protect mode. Once you’ve established that they are friendly then you can begin the training process.
One of the most important tools when training a dog is the cage or crate. They make all sizes so get out and get one for your Yorky and your Rotweiler. The cage not only gives you the peace of mind to know exactly where your furry friends are but also serves as a safe zone for them. Don’t use the cage as a form of punishment because you’ll never get them to stop barking.
My Dog Won?t Stop Digging - What Can I Do?
February 24, 2008
Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then maybe you would like to dig yourself a hole.
When it comes to the canine thought process this could be the reason why Scraps keeps tearing up your finely groomed lawn. This article will help you find the behavioral reasons why your dog digs and offers some suggestions on how to stop your companion’s pesky habit.
First and foremost as an owner don’t go placing blame on your good friend until you are sure it is their fault. A good way to find out if your dog has been digging is to check its paws and nose for soil or pica. This is a good indicator to see if they have been eating dirt. In this case consult a veterinarian because there are all kinds of nasty bacteria in dirt that can affect your dog’s health. Another full proof method to find out if your animal is the culprit is to hold yourself a stake out and catch it in the act. Don’t start correcting the problem until you are sure it is your animal causing the problem. Otherwise you might cause the dog more anxiety than it has already endured from watching some other animal dig up its master’s lawn.
Dog Doors: Giving Your Pet Freedom to Come and Go as They Please Helps Solve Behavior Problems
February 24, 2008
Dog Doors
When we think of dog doors, we think of flaps that allow dogs to trot on through. What a great convenience this can be for you and your pet. Allowing your pet this extra freedom can be exciting and it saves you the time of getting up and opening the door six times a day! But, we live in a modern world with great inventions. One such invention involves our dog door! Pet owners can now choose a dog door that is electronic!
Back in the day, a dog door was a simple flap. Often flimsy and thin, so the animal could pass through, it made keeping a home warm in the winter a tad harder. Or, it helped the air conditioning seep right out into the backyard. Kind of reminds you of that saying your mother used to use. "Were you born in a bam? Close the door!" But, through the passage of time and inventions, we have found that our dog door can be electronic. The process is simple.
Pet Doors: Giving Your Pet Freedom to Come and Go as They Please Helps Solve Behavior Problems
February 23, 2008
Pet Doors
Are you considering installing a pet door for your pet? If so, you are in luck. Pet doors are becoming more common and more available. In fact, installing a pet door is a great way to treat your pet. Pet doors come in all sorts of styles to fit just about any need. Taking some time to research what type of pet door you are looking for and finding one that fits your budget will help ease your decision. Pet doors are found throughout the Internet as well as in many pet supply stores.
Purchasing a pet door is a big step in your animal’s freedom. Allowing your little guy to leave and enter at his will is a bonus for you as well. But, where do you look for a pet door? What choices do you have? To start, there is much to consider. Take a few minutes to find some information out.
Electric Dog Fences: Keep You Pet in the Yard and Out of Places You Dont Want Them to Be
February 22, 2008
Electric Dog Fences
Is an electric dog fence something for you? Are you concerned about your dog roaming the neighborhood? Or, are you having trouble containing your animal and your neighbors are complaining? Finding an electric dog fence is the easy part. Deciding which electric fence is for you is another story. Choosing an electric fence can save you many aggravations. Dogs can jump over, chew through, and even dig under most other types of fences leaving you helpless. Think about all those fences you will not have to fix! Even more so, you will not have the eye sore of a tacky fence to look out at.
Electric dog fences are ways to keep your animals safe and secure in their environment. Keeping this in mind, we have to realize that there is no real way to tell a dog to stay within this area and don’t go past the tree. It’s not that easy. So, we use tools to help us. One type of electric dog fences uses a electric stimulation to keep the animal where it should be. In reality, the amount of electric stimulation an animal receives is small and harmless. The stimulation is very similar to static shock Of course, that amount of stimulation can be adjusted to accommodate different size animals as well.
