Doga - Yoga for Dogs and their People

These days every human being has a pretty stressful life and in order for them to de-stress they have taken to doing such activities as Yoga, Tai-Chi and Meditation. Little do we know, however, that dogs are just as stressed! Mostly this is due to our dogs picking up on our stress levels, and not really understanding them, bring our stress into their bodies.

Dogs need a way that they can de-stress and be able to get in touch with their inner puppy.

For this reason, yoga for dogs has become increasingly popular over the past few years. For human beings, Yoga is a well regarded practice that is used to increase health, flexibility and, of course, to decrease the amount of stress that people are experiencing in their daily lives.

Called Doga, these yoga classes for dogs and their owners are being held in cities throughout the world at animal shelters and at yoga studios. By attending these Doga classes with their dogs, dog owners are hoping to create a sense of calmness for themselves and for their dogs as well. The theory lies in that if the dog owner is calm then the dog will pick up on that and it will be calm as well.

Doga, like regular 'people' Yoga, does not have any size or age limitations. Therefore, dogs of all sizes and ages can benefit from Doga and it does not matter whether your dog is as big as a Great Dane or as small as a Chihuahua, they will be able to reap the same benefits as you.

Doga is also perfect for senior dogs that suffer from arthritis as the slow movements and careful manipulation of their joints can actually help improve their overall movement and feeling of wellbeing.

Yoga is based on the theory of energy and that focused dog owners can transfer their healthy energy to their dogs and vice versa. This also has the added benefit of creating a stronger bond between dog and owner.

During a Doga class, dog owners help their dogs into certain, beneficial poses whilst also doing their own poses. Some poses require simply that the dog be used as a prop for the owner. Doga classes usually also include the dog owners giving their dogs a doggy massage as well as acupressure to help calm and unwind their dog. During almost every pose there is physical contact between the dog and their owner.

A New York City based Doga Instructor, Kari Harendorf, states on her website that:

"Doga is all about bonding with your pet and giving the dog 45 minutes of undivided attention and praise from their favorite person in the world. The dogs do sun salutations and you'll learn specific massage techniques to calm your dog and aid both circulation and digestion processes. And don't worry: You'll also get a workout, using your dog to assist you in traditional and modified poses."

Harendorf started doing Doga with her own, rescued dog, Charlie just over six years ago. "Every time I would get my mat out, Charlie would come lay on top of it," she explained. "I would go into [downward facing] dog and he would just lie under me and look up at me. He put his paw on my hand, and we started doing yoga together."

Harendorf and Charlie teach Doga classes together at the Bideawee Animal Shelter in New York City, where Harendorf tries to create a very tranquil ambiance by using candles, incense, as well as calming music. She explains the need for Doga as saying: "Jobs are disappearing. Mortgage payments are looming. Change is everywhere, but your dog remains steadfast. So, why not spend time together?"

Harendorf believes that Doga has a direct link to a reduction in stress hormones, such as cortisol, and blood pressure. "People always ask me, 'Do dogs need yoga?' " she said. "I say, 'No, you need yoga. But your dog needs your attention, and bonding with your pet is good for your health.' "

Doing Yoga with your best furry friend has many benefits! Not only will you be able to spend time with your dog giving him your undivided attention and, thereby, increasing your level of bonding, but doing Doga will also help both you decrease your stress levels and find your inner child and puppy!

Doga classes are also a great socialization tool for dogs as well, as they get to meet other likeminded owners and their dogs.

If you are interested in taking a Doga class call your local Yoga studios to see if they offer such classes. If they do not offer one, you can order a Doga DVD and practice at home with your best friend. There are also quite a few books that have now been written on Doga.

Photo Credit: ABC News

Grooming Mistakes That Every Dog Owner Makes

Every dog owner is bound to a make a mistake whenever they groom their own dog at home, especially if they do not know what they are doing. As there is always the possibility of making a mistake, dog owners should train their dogs from a very young age to stand still whilst being groomed. By teaching a dog that being groomed is not such a bad thing, the dog will be perfectly fine later in life when they have to stand still on a groomer's table and lift one paw up to have their nails trimmed.

However, some dog owners acquire their dogs when the dog is much older than a pup and may have never been groomed before. If this is the case with your dog, caution should be stressed above all else!

When grooming your dog at home by yourself, you should be extra careful as you never want to injure your dog in anyway; because if your dog is nicked or made to be in pain during a grooming session with you, your dog may never trust you again when it is time to groom him or her. The mere sight of seeing you holding a pair scissors in your hand will send your dog running!

Proper dog grooming should be seen as an exercise in dog and human bonding and never anything sinister.

An important part of grooming your dog is to cut his nails. However, this should not be done in haste! Take your time when cutting your dogs nails because if you are in hurry you will hurt him. Just make sure that the nail clipper you use are very sharp such as those found in spring style dog nail clippers. Avoid using a Dremel or other time of motorized tool unless you have experience in using that tool, as it is very easy to overcut your dog's nails or for the Dremel to cause a lot of heat to the nail bed.

Before you start to cut your dog's nails, look for the nail quick. If your dog's nails are white or fair in color you should be able to see the quick quite clearly as it will show up inside the nail as a pink line.

But, if your dog has black or darker colored nails, you will only be able to see the quick on the clipped part of your dogs nail as it will look like a black circle.

In either case you do not want to cut that quick as it will bleed and cause your dog a lot of pain. But, if you do accidentally cut the quick, you should promptly apply pressure to your dogs paw and apply styptic powder to the nail itself. If the bleeding does not stop, then you will need to take your dog to your veterinarian immediately.

One of the most common mistakes that every dog owner makes when grooming their dog at home is getting too close to their dog's skin whilst shaving their dog. For this reason it is important to remember that all dog hair clippers can and do leave a painful razor burn that has the potential of becoming infected if not properly treated right away. Make sure that you carefully inspect your clippers before you use them on your dog and replace any blades that are missing, dull, or have broken teeth.

Immediately stop shaving and apply first aid if you do accidentally give your dog a razor burn whilst grooming. You can do this by placing a dog approved antibacterial solution on the wound after it has been cleaned very well. It is best to keep an eye on this wound and to contact your veterinarian immediately as soon as it starts to look like it is becoming infected.

Getting shampoo, conditioner, or other cleaning chemicals in your dog's eyes is another mistake that is easily made by dog owners who groom their dog at home. These shampoos, conditions and other chemical cleaning products can cause your dog's eyes to sting painfully. If you do accidently get shampoo (or anything else) in your dog's eyes, you should immediately wash the shampoo out using clean water and dab the corners of your dog's eyes with a clean wash cloth. Periodically take a peek into your dog's eyes to see if there are any signs of infection.

When grooming your dog it is better to have them leashed than to have your dog be totally unrestrained. This is very important, especially if you are bathing or grooming your dog outside. If not properly restrained your dog could either run away into a nearby street, or pull away and get hurt with the grooming brush or razor. If your dog is afraid of water, it may be a good idea if you place a muzzle on your dog to protect both you and him.

With things that could go wrong, perhaps it is best if your dog's grooming is left for a professional dog groomer, who has extensive training in dog grooming, to do. This is especially true of very long haired dogs like Leonbergers and Poodles. However, if you strongly feel that you can handle grooming your dog on your own and you have a very good rapport with your dog, there is no reason why you should not groom your dog at home by yourself. Just make sure that you follow the safety tips listed above.

Photo Credit: The Moonstone Archive

Dogs and Cats Coexisting

There is hardly a household these days that does not have more than one pet. Most households have a dog, a cat, and either a bird or a goldfish. Of these domesticated pets, the dog and the cat are the only ones that may have a negative reaction to each other. This is simply because these two domesticated pets are so extremely different from each other that it is totally understandable if the two of them were to clash against each other every now and then. Ever heard of the phrase 'Fighting Like Cats and Dogs'?

All dogs are instinctively quite territorial and will protect their territory, family and home from any other animal that it deems to be a threat. Subsequently, Dogs also tend to mark their territory and will provoke any other kind of animal that it feels is invading their space.

In the same way, cats actually have much the same tendencies and will spray to mark their territory. Cats, though, will usually use their claws and scratch and fight to defend their territory, regardless of whether or not they are smaller than the invading dog.

It is mainly due to this that most people mistakenly believe that cats and dogs cannot coexist peacefully together. Well, this is completely untrue and, in fact, here are a few easy tips on helping your cat and dog to coexist peacefully together:

Your first order of business should be to properly train your dog in obedience training. Your dog will need to know and be able to obey such basic obedience commands as 'Stop', 'Sit', 'Stay', 'No' and 'Leave It'. These commands are necessary for your dog to know and learn, especially since dogs are usually the aggressors in a cat and dog fight.

Most cats can happily coexist with a dog in the same household; especially if the cat and the dog are both given enough time to get to know each other. Puppies and kittens that are raised together will generally learn almost immediately to respectfully tolerate each other, and will usually grow up to be the best of friends, even playing and napping together! However, if you already have a dog that has lived in your home for quite some time, it may be a bit more challenging to introduce a new cat or kitten into the family and it is, therefore, best that certain precautions are properly taken to guarantee the wellbeing of both your dog and your new kitten or cat.

Let your cat have the freedom to wander around your house at her own leisure. All cats love roaming about and investigating and, by allowing her to have free roam of your house, your cat's scent will soon be scattered throughout your entire house. Once you feel that your cat has investigated every nook and cranny, you can place her in a bedroom and close the door.

Then, let your dog inside the house so that he too can wander around. Your dog will be able to pick up on your cat's scent and will follow it around the house. This will actually help your dog to become better acquainted to your cat's individual scent and will help to let your dog realize that the cat is now a part of its household too.

As soon as you feel that both your dog and your cat have become familiar with each other's scent, you can then introduce them to each other. When you do, make sure that you hold your cat so that she is at your dog's eye level. Also, be sure to have a firm, but gentle, grip on your cat in case she tries to run away. Likewise, have another member of your household or even a friend, hold onto your dog's collar firmly so that he does not try to lunge at your cat.

If, however, you feel that either your cat or your dog is having a tough time accepting the other because they are being aggressive or appear scared, you should immediately take your cat back to the bedroom. You can always try the re-socializing at a later stage. Never try to force the situation, but allow your cat and your dog to let you know when either of them has had enough.

Since a dog will start barking as soon as they see another animal in their territory, be it your house or your back yard, it is crucial that your dog has learnt the basic obedience commands so that you can stop him from barking or lunging at the cat. As soon as your dog starts to bark at your new cat, you should immediately command him 'No', so that he can quickly realize that the cat is also a pet living in the same household. Soon your dog will calm down and stop barking and then will want to sniff your cat.

Next, provide supervised play between your cat and your dog, playing close attention to their body languages as well. Allow both your cat and your dog some time to get used to each other's presence in the home. Soon, by giving them enough time and not by force, your cat and your dog will become quite happy around each other and will soon coexist peacefully in your home.

Photo Credit: sskennel

Do You Know Your Dog's DNA?

There is undoubtedly not a single person in this world that cannot identify a poodle or a bulldog when they see one. However, the majority of the domesticated dog breeds throughout the world have become too similar to truly identify and it's not always as simple as being able to tell the difference between an Italian Greyhound and a regular sized Greyhound.

Sometimes, trying to visually tell the difference between a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Pit Bull Terrier can be extremely hard! Just as hard as being able to tell a Labrador apart from a Pit Bull. Sound too hard to do? Well not if you are the Animal Control Officers who work in Sioux City, IA.

After receiving a complaint from a neighbor, the Animal Control Officers went to Josh Mapes' house to investigate. Upon seeing 'Zeek' the dog, the Animal Control Officers impounded him for being a Pit Bull.

Mortified, Josh knew he had to prove Zeek's true DNA and since Zeek was neither licensed nor micro-chipped, Josh had to find another way. So Josh went in to his local pet store supermarket where he was able to purchase a dog DNA kit.

He then took the DNA kit into the Animal Control Offices where he insisted that Zeek's mouth was swabbed by one of the Officers at the Animal Control Office. This way, Josh explained, Animal Control would know that the test was done on Zeek and not on another type of dog instead.

Josh was very happy and surprised by Zeek's DNA test results. Zeek did not have any Pit Bull at all in his DNA. In fact, according to the DNA test, Zeek was mostly Labrador! And since the DNA test proved that Zeek was not a Pit Bull, he was released and allowed to go home with Josh Mapes.

As Animal Laws crack down on every part of the USA, it is vitally important that you have a record of your dog's vaccinations and of its breed. Cindy Rarrat, spokesperson for The Animal Control office in Siox City explained that it is very important to have your dog's trait information on hand, especially for "anybody that has a bully type breed or it looks like a bully type breed. If they're concerned and they thought that it's not, but they may be considered one". Cindy also says that the information obtained through a DNA test will also be helpful to the dog's owners so that they can be more aware of any underlying health or behavioral traits.

But what if your best friend is truly a Mutt? Wouldn't knowing your dog's main breed make vet visits or filling out your dog's license so much easier? Once you have learnt your dog's true heritage you can then also learn more about the needs and characteristics of that particular dog breed.

In case you were not aware, DNA is the acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid and is also referred to as the blueprint for every life form on this planet. Such doggie DNA test kits are becoming more and more widely available and can be found either by ordering online or at major pet retail chain stores.

They are quite easy to do: simply use the swab stick that is provided in the Kit to collect DNA from the epithelial cells inside their dog's cheek. Then mail the swab sample back to the manufacturer and within four to six weeks your dog's DNA test results will be mailed back to you and will usually include a Certificate of DNA Breed Analysis.

When choosing a DNA home test kit for your dog, you should bear in mind that not all tests are equal. Some DNA tests only test for 50 of the most common breeds, whilst the more expensive DNA test kits will be able to detect over 130 AKC recognized breeds with 98% accuracy. Research the brand of DNA kits extensively before purchasing one as they can be quite pricey. If the Dog DNA Kit you choose can not accurately detect your dog's lineage because the kit itself can only identify a few breeds, the test results may end up showing breeds from earlier in your dog's ancestry.

Although knowing your dog's true ancestry is great, there are also many benefits as well. Being able to truly understand your dog can help you train him better, care for him better by giving him a diet that is more suitable for his breed, and help groom him better as well.

Even your veterinarian will be grateful for your dog's DNA test results as these are good indicators of whether or not your dog has any predisposition any diseases.

Another advantage to Dog DNA Testing is that by testing dogs that are being cared for in shelters, they will be able to find homes that are best suited for their specific breeds. Thereby insuring that the dog will receive the best possible care as it new owners will be able to understand it much better.

In any event, you can be quite sure that your dog will always be your best friend, no matter his pedigree.

Photo Credit: esotoril

Unknown Dog Breeds

Every dog enthusiast knows about such dog breeds as the Labrador Retriever, Poodle and Pug.

There are, however, quite a lot of dog breeds that are not so well known. Although these breeds are just as suitable to be a pet, very little people are aware that these breeds even exist. Below is a list of the dog breeds that are not as well known as other, more command, dog breeds are:

The Affenpinscher
Also referred to as an Affen, these small dogs are descendants of the Schnauzer breed. They have a relatively long shaggy coat, a square body and a round head. The lower part of their jaws are undershot and protrudes just underneath their short nose. They are usually seen with black or dark grey coats, although a fawn or red color is also acceptable.

The Affenpinscher gets along great with other dogs and household pets. These dogs are always busy investigating something that has peaked their curiosity. However, they can also be quite stubborn. They are fearless and courageous little dogs, and, if not trained from an early age, they will attempt to become the pack leader in their home. Affens' are able to learn new commands quickly. They are not recommended for very young children, although older children are ideal.

Affenpinscher's can live to be about 12 years old and will usually weigh around 8 pounds and be 10 - 15 inches tall.

The Anatolian Shepherd
This dog originates from Asia Minor and has proven to be very courageous as they were originally used for military and hunting purposes. The Anatolian is a large sized dog breed that has a short, fawn colored, coat with a black mask.

Although this breed is quite easy to train it is not a dog that is recommended for beginners. This dog can become quite possessive of its home and family, including children and natural protective instincts.

Anatolian Shepherd dogs can live up to 15 years and weigh between 90 and 150 pounds. They can also grow to be about 26 to 30 inches tall.

The Basenji
These small dogs originate from Northern Africa and are often referred to as the African Barkless Dog, because they do not bark. However, they do yodel, howl, growl or crow. They are muscular, medium sized dogs that were bred mostly for hunting. Their coat is usually red, black and tan or black and brindle in color.

The Basenji does not like taking baths nor do they like rainy weather and although they can be quite playful they should not be trusted around non-canine pets. These dogs are prey driven and very active. Their life expectancy is 12 years and they can grow to be 15 - 17 inches and weight 20 - 26 pounds.

The Boerboel
These very large, mastiff breed of dogs originate from South Africa, where they are bred to protect the home and farm as well as the children. They are found in tan, brindle and black coat colors with usually black masks.

These dogs are big and require an owner who has experience with big dogs. They are very gentle around children and other household pets but will defend their home against unknown animals and people. They are not suitable for apartment living as they require plenty of space to run around in. Most Boerboels can live up to 15 years and will usually weight between 100 and 200 pounds when they are 23 - 28 inches tall.

The Bouvier des Flandres
These dogs are powerful and impressive dog and have a massive head that has a heavy coat of fur around their face. Their shaggy coat is harsh and dry to the touch and usually comes in black, fawn, blonde, gray, or brindle colors.

Bouvier des Flandres dogs have a very calm personality and were initially bred as herders in France. Now they are mostly used for police and military purposes, as well as guide dogs for the blind as they are able to adapt to new environments quickly. They do not fully mature until the age of 2 years. They can grow to be 22 - 28 inches tall and weigh approximately 60 - 90 pounds.

The Asian Ovtcharka
Another mastiff type dog, the Asian Ovtcharka is a 4000 year old breed that is very loyal to its family and is also quite fearless. These dogs possess strong protective instincts and are excellent at being watchdogs.

They are good with children but should be supervised when around dogs that do not live in the same household. They require owners who are able to assert themselves as leaders of the pack. Their preferred environment is one in which they can be outside most of the time in a large back yard that is surrounded by a strong fence, as they like to be able to watch over their family's territory.

The Asian Ovtcharka can weigh 88 - 176 pounds with a height between 24 and 32 inches and can live for about 14 years.

Photo Credit: fugzu

Pet Airways

Every year thousands of people go on vacation or relocate to a new city and take their beloved pets with them. Sometimes flying to their destination is their only choice. But the only choice for their pets was to fly in the airplane's cargo hold.

That is all about to change, however, because on 14 July 2009, a new airline for only pets will take to the sky. Pet Airways will be the first pet only airline in the USA that flies domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, of all different sizes in the plane's cabin instead of the cargo hold.

The cargo hold of a regular plane was designed to carry luggage, not pets, and because of this there have been numerous reports on pets being hurt, lost or worse, killed, whilst travelling in the cargo hold of an airplane.

The San Francisco SPCA conducted in a recent study in which they discovered that "of the two million animals transported in the cargo holds of commercial airliners per year, approximately 5,000 are injured in transit."

The Animal, Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) backs this finding up by stating that "virtually every major airline has been cited and fined for repeatedly mishandling animals."

Pet Airways mission is to change all of this and will start by offering flights from New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. More major cities will be added as the airline continues to grow.

Pet Airways was started up by a husband and wife duo in Florida, after not being able to fly comfortably with their Jack Russel Terrier, Zoe.

Pets will be flown in a Beech 1990, a turbo-prop airplane that is used by many other larger commercial airlines. Although this plane is considered to be a 19 passenger plane, all fixtures designed for human use have been removed, such as seats and overhead bins. In their place, pets will travel in their own carrier which is then secured using Pet Airways' restraint system.

Pet owners will be able to drop of their cats and dogs at a "pet lounge" inside those airports that are being serviced at least 2 hours before the scheduled flight. Here their pets will be in the care of trained "pet attendants" before boarding the flight. If, however, your own travel plans make it unreasonable to check your pet in 2 hours before their flight, Pet Airways is able to board your pet in their PAWS Lodge up to 72 hours before your pet's flight.

Pet Airways makes sure that your pet will get adequate potty breaks and does this by monitoring the last time that your pet had a potty break.

Once all the pets have had their potty breaks, it is time to then board the plane. The Pet Airline Attendants will make sure that all the pets are on board and that they are safe and secure in their pet carriers before take off. Pet owners will be able to track the progress of the flight and their pet via the Pet Airways website.

Every 15 minutes during the flight, the Pet Attendants will check on each 'pawsenger' to make sure that they are still comfortable and handling the flight ok.

Once the plane has landed, all pets will be unloaded and immediately given a potty break. The pets will then be taken to the Pet Lounge to be picked up by their pet parents.

If, however, your travel plans do not allow you to pick up your pet when their plane lands, Pet Airways can board your pet overnight at their PAWS Lodge.

Whilst in the care of Pet Airways, cats and dogs will be fed Honest Kitchen pet food. Their food is made using 100% organic grains, hormone and antibiotic-free meats and non-GMO produce and all of the ingredients are 100% Human Food Grade.

The President and CEO of Pet Airways, Dan Wiesel, gave this statement recently to the press:

"Currently, most pets traveling by air are transported in the cargo hold and are handled as baggage. The experience is frightening to the pets, and can cause severe emotional and physical harm, even death. This is not what most pet owners want to subject their pets to, but they have had no other choice, until now. From the moment a pet is dropped off at a Pet Lounge, the pet is always under the care of trained Pet Attendants. Monitored by Pet Attendants, pets will fly in planes that are fully-lit, climate-controlled and have the proper level of fresh air circulation that pets require."

He goes on to add that the pawsengers on Pet Airways will be "boarded and de-boarded from planes as quickly as possible, never left in the cold or heat and, depending on transit time, will be offered toilet facilities, food and water as necessary during stops."

Pet Airways would like to stress to the pet owners of their pawsengers, that they will receive "sensitive, careful handling and the peace of mind that their pets are well looked after by people who care as much about their pets as they do."

Photo Credit: Pet Airways

Green Earth = Green Pet

This week, the world celebrates Earth Day on 22 April. It was started by Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, to encourage people to be more aware of the Earth and the environment in which we all live.

There are many ways to 'go green', such as eating organic foods, carpooling etc. But did you know that there are things that you can do to make your pet 'greener' too?

Use Natural Health Care Products

Instead of feeding your pet medication that is filled with chemicals that you can't even pronounce, consider the use of herbs instead. Before veterinarians, wild animals were able to heal themselves by ingesting certain plants. PetWellbeing has a large array of herbal products specifically designed for the health of cats and dogs.

Use Natural Pet Cleaning Products

Replace your chemical laden cleaning products with more natural ones that are both earth and pet friendly. Use lemon juice and vinegar as a disinfectant and burn some cinnamon sticks on your stove to scent your house with. Remember too that if you wash your floor with a strong, chemical cleaning product, every time your cat or dog walks across the kitchen floor, they are inadvertently picking up chemical residue on their paws. Whenever they lick their paws, they are ingesting small amounts of that same chemical!

Feed Healthier Food

You eat organic food so why shouldn't your pet? Almost every commercial pet food today consists of reconstituted animal by-products. These are the low-grade wastes that the beef and poultry industries have left over after packaging beef and chicken for human consumption. Most of the animals that are used to make most commercial cat and dog food are classified as "4-D", which stands for "Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Disabled" when they arrive at the slaughterhouse.

The only way to know for sure whether the contents of commercial pet food are truly safe is if, somewhere on the packaging, it states that it is FDA certified, food grade meat.

A general rule of thumb should be never to feed your pet anything that you wouldn't eat yourself! Remember that good nutrition is the perfect deterrent to a life of disease and poor health.

Pet foods that are natural and organic are made with meats that are raised in sustainable, humane ways and that have not been pumped with drugs or hormones. They are also minimally processed and then preserved using natural substances, like vitamins C and E. These foods have to pass USDA guidelines that dictate how the ingredients should be produced and processed. This generally means that there should be no pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, artificial preservatives, artificial ingredients or genetically engineered ingredients in the pet food.

Another option is for you to make your own pet food. This is a great way to know exactly what your pet is eating!

Your Pets Poop

Did you know that cats and dogs that live in the USA create 10 million tons of waste a year? The really scare thing is that no one really knows where it is going, according to Will Brinton, a scientist in Mount Vernon, Maine, a leading authority on waste reduction and composting.

In truth, most of your pet's poop will end up in a landfill somewhere or either left on the ground to be washed away into the sewer system during the next rainfall. From here it seeps into the rivers that end up in the ocean.

The best thing to do with your pet's poop is to compost it. But do not use this compost on your vegetable garden as the compost will not heat up enough to kill pathogens like E. coli. A great way to compost your pet's poop is to bury an old rubbish bin and use that as a pet poop composter.

When out walking your dog, it is better for the environment if you use biodegradable poop bags. This way your dog's poop will not spend eternity in a plastic bag in a landfill somewhere.

Avoid clumping clay litter if you have cats. This type of cat litter is strip-mined, which is very unhealthy for Earth, and the clay sediment is also infused with carcinogenic silica dust that coats a cat's little lungs. Sodium bentonite, which acts as the clumping agent, is often ingested unknowingly by your cat whenever she grooms herself. This can actually poison your cat because it acts like expanding cement inside your cat's body. Not surprisingly, sodium bentonite is also used as a grouting, sealing, and plugging material due its ability to increase in size by 15 to18 times their dry size.

It is far better to use eco-friendly cat litters to avoid these problems.

Sustainable Toys

You can give your pets earth friendly toys that are made out of recycled materials and sustainable fibers. You can buy your pet a hemp collar or even a pet bed that is made out of organic cotton or recycled PET bottles.

Another option is to grow your own pet grass or catnip. Use leftover pieces of string, paper and cardboard boxes to make toys for your cat or dog to play with.

Spay or Neuter Your Pet

To help prolong the health and life of your beloved pet, you should seriously consider having them spayed or neutered. It is estimated that nearly 70,000 puppies and kittens are born every day in America. Help control pet overpopulation by having your pet spayed or neutered.

Adopt a Pet

The best recycling comes from adopting a pet from an animal shelter! There are millions of homeless pets needing to be adopted in animal shelters throughout the country. Adopt a pet before you buy one from some breeder. Give a cat or dog a new lease on life by bringing them home with you!

Photo Credit: dsb nola

Are you Allergic to your Dog or Cat?

President Obama chose a Portuguese Water Dog to be his family's pet because his daughter, Malia, has allergies. The Portuguese Water Dog is considered a hypoallergenic breed of dog and is therefore ideal for Malia.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not the dogs and cats that people are allergic to, but rather it is their dander that they are allergic to. More specifically it is a protein that is present in the pets' dander and saliva that people are really allergic to. These allergens then become airborne as microscopic particles and when they inhaled through a person's nose or lungs, they can cause an allergic reaction.

The American Kennel Club created a list of dogs that produce less dander and that are therefore more suitable for dog owners who are also allergy sufferers. These dog breeds are:

Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frise
Chinese Crested (hairless)
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese
Poodles (Toy, Miniature or Standard)
Portuguese Water Dog
Schnauzer (Miniature, Standard or Giant)
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Viringo (Peruvian hairless)
Xoloitzcuintli (hairless)

But what if you have a dog that is not on this list and you suffer from allergies? Well, there are still plenty of things that you can do to prevent allergy attacks that stem from your pet's dander, besides taking an anti-histamine tablet, of course. Here are a few tips and suggestions:

* For most people, their allergies come in the form of an asthma attack that usually comes during the night. If you or your children suffer from asthma, do not let your dog or cat sleep in your bedroom with you or your children.

* If, however, your dog is used to sleeping in your bedroom since he was a pup or your cat keeps you up at night by scratching at your bedroom door, then it is advisable that you keep one of your bedroom windows cracked open and also try to keep your bedroom as dust free as you possibly can.

* Most homes today come with lovely, thick carpeting throughout the house and whilst you cannot always avoid carpets, they are a great trap for dust and dander. It would be most beneficial to you to not have any carpets or area rugs in your bedroom as this will help you to have a good night's sleep that is allergy free. If you can, it would be most beneficial to you to have hard wood floors throughout your house, including your bedroom. Make sure that you vacuum your carpets every day.

* When choosing a vacuum cleaner, opt for one that has a HEPA filter in it. Most households inadvertently house dust mites, pollen and animal dander in carpets, flooring and upholstery. The HEPA filter will actually work to pick up these allergens and retain them so that they can no longer cause you to have an allergic reaction. Vacuum cleaners without a HEPA filter do not always pick up as many allergens as a HEPA filter does and some even blow what it does pick up back into the air, resulting in your allergies being worse.

* You should also buy an air cleaner that has a HEPA filter in it too, because this will help provide you with cleaner and allergen free air to breathe in your home.

* Bathe your pet on a regular basis or, if you can't do it yourself have a groomer do it for you. You should definitely consider this is if your pet has a long coat. By giving your pet regular grooming sessions, you will be able to help eliminate the amount of dander that is emitted.

* If your pet has allergies, bathe him or her using Neem Soap as it is a gentle, all natural soap that will help ease your pet's skin allergies.

* Remember to always wash your pets bedding and blankets on a weekly basis and make sure that the area in which they sleep is also cleaned weekly, if not daily.

* Wear a mask whilst you are cleaning as this will help to avoid breathing in any dust and dander.

* Make sure that your pet is getting the proper nutrition that they need as this can help prevent non-seasonal shedding. Having dry skin or hair will make your pet's dander even worse.

If your allergies stem from your cats, you are not alone! It is estimated that 6 million Americans today are allergic to cats and one third of these allergy sufferers actually have cats in their homes.

Allergic reactions to cats can come in the form of an inflammation of a person's nose and eyes to severe asthma attacks.

Since more people are allergic to a cat's saliva than to a cat's fur, truly hypoallergenic cats are still being researched.

However, if you prefer to adopt a hypoallergenic pet you should first do an allergy trial in the breeder's home. If this is not possible, ask the breeder to give you a blanket that the cat or dog has been lying on and take it home with you for a day or two to see if you have any kind of reaction.

Photo Credit: akaporn

Creating Fun for your Kitten

No one can resist the cuteness of a young kitten! With their soft fur and their pitiful 'meows', kittens can melt the heart of even the most hardened person in the world.

As cute as they may be, kittens can also get into all kinds of trouble! Even though, in some circumstances, this can appear very adorable on the part of the kitten, it can also lead to some relatively naughty and dangerous situations.

If you do find yourself and your kitten in one of these types of situations, try not to scream or yell at your kitten. Rather count to 10 and calm down first and then you can firmly, but gently, take a hold of your kitten and say "No" in quite a firm, clear, voice and then put your kitten down on her bed.

Next, you should try to identify why it is that your little kitten got into such big trouble. For example, was your kitten bored, or was she practicing her hunting skills, or maybe it was just that the object of her attention offered too much temptation.

It is not uncommon that such situations, in which mischievous kittens find themselves, are derived from a mixture of boredom as well as practicing of their hunting skills. A kitten's boredom can lead her to find such things as plants that have long leaves or apples that she can roll around on the kitchen floor or tabletop; and these items will actually tempt your kitten to become playfully mischievous. Remember too that even a young kitten loves to hunt, and so will occasionally 'kill' the odd cushion or sock!

You can quite easily curb your kitten's boredom by simply buying a few kitten toys, as this will also help to teach your kitten what household items are acceptable for her to play with and what is not acceptable. One of the first toys that you should buy for a kitten is a soft ball to play with, because kittens all love something that is soft that they can bat around the floor.

There are many, cheap, household toys that you can make for your kitten:

*Yarn
Everyone has seen the paintings from decades ago depicting a kitten playing with a ball of yarn. Well, it is true; kittens do like to play with yarn and even string too. Cats and kittens alike, love to chase it while it wiggles along on the floor, moving both fast and slow. It also helps to trigger your kitten's hunting instincts. Try tying a long piece of yarn onto the end of a short stick and then drag it along your floor to tease your kitten.

*Paper
Although kittens are afraid of loud noises, they do love the crinkling sound of paper! You can roll up a bit of newspaper or plain paper into a small ball size and then roll it to for your kitten to play with. An alternative suggestion would be to take a brown paper bag and place a few grains of rice into it and then roll it all up into a small ball. The rice will make a rattling sound that your kitten will love to knock around your house.

*Rope
Just like string and yarn, rope is very versatile and can be used to make all different kinds of toys for your kitten. Take a long piece of rope and tie is very tightly around a wooden post, and, Voila! You have a homemade scratching post for your kitten. It can also be glued or stapled onto pieces of wood to make scratching boards for your kitten that can be mounted on walls around your home. Place one above your kitten's bed so that she has something to scratch first thing in the morning.

*Empty pill bottles
Another great and cheap kitten toy is an empty pill bottle. Since most pill bottles are childproof, your kitten will have a really hard time getting one of them open. You can add a few grains of long rice inside the empty pill bottle and make sure the lid is closed. Then give it your kitten so that she can then roll the pill bottle around on the floor. Your kitten will get great pleasure from the rattling sound that the rice will make inside of the pill bottle.

*Cardboard boxes
Another really cheap toy for your kitten is a large box with large holes cut into it that she can jump in and out of.

As your kitten gets older, any toy that can be filled up with catnip would be a perfect toy as they are usually designed to be able to keep her amused for hours on end.

Keep in mind that although a kitten getting in to mischief can often be frustrating, if given the right toys, she will not only entertain herself, but she will also keep you entertained by watching her antics as she plays with all of her new (and cheap) toys. Remember, your kitten does not intend to be naughty whenever she does something that she should not be doing; it is probably that she is just bored and needs some way to stimulate her mind. Toys are the perfect solution!

Photo Credit: wingingit

Pet Immigration Laws - HR 669

Is your pet an immigrant to the United States of America? You may not think so, but, is your pet's species native to the USA? If not, your pet could be considered an illegal immigrant if a new Bill is passed soon.

On 23 April 2009, a hearing will be held for the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (HR 669). If passed, it will then be illegal to own or breed pet birds, fish, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, ferrets, and almost every kind of amphibian and reptile species.

This Bill will also impact the transportation, exportation and importation of every bird, mammal, reptile and fish that are currently being sold by private breeders and pet stores as well as being owned by private citizens in the USA.

The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (H.R. 669) was introduced by Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), who is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Under the current law, called the Lacey Act (which covers conservation, possession, transportation and sales of wildlife), the Fish and Wildlife Service has to prove that a species should be considered harmful to the health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources within the United States.

However, if HR 669 is approved, the Fish and Wildlife Service will be forced to create two different types of lists: an Approved List and an Unapproved List.

In order for a species to be listed on the Approved List, there has to be proof that the species has not, or is not likely to, cause harm anywhere in the US, which actually forces the proving of a negative and the species will end up on the Unapproved List.

The creation of the Approved List, which should be accomplished within 36 months of the Bill being passed, would include a risk assessment by the Fish and Wildlife Service on each species subject to the following criteria:

*Species identified to species level, and if possible information to subspecies level;
*Native range of the species (which may or not be fully known);
*Whether species has established, spread, or caused harm to the economy, the environment, or other animal species or human health in ecosystems in or ecosystems similar to those in the US;
*Environmental conditions exist in the US that suitable for establishment of the species;
*Likelihood of establishment in the US;
*Likelihood of speared in the US;
*Likelihood species would harm wildlife resources of the US;
*Likelihood the species would harm native species that are 'rare' (not defined) or listed under Endangered Species Act;
*Likelihood species would harm habitats or ecosystems of the US; *Likelihood 'pathogenic species or parasitic species may accompany the species proposed for importation';
*Other factors 'important to assessing the risk associated with the species'.

Those species that are listed on the Unapproved List will be banned from the USA in that they will not be allowed to be owned, bred, exported, imported or even transported across state lines.
According to the preliminary Approved List, the only non-native animals allowed are: dogs, cats, cattle/oxen, horses, domestic pigs, sheep, chickens, domestic ducks and geese, goats, llamas, donkeys, mules, domestic rabbits and goldfish.

As you can see, H.R. 669 would eliminate virtually every type of pet species currently owned and bred in the United States. However, H.R. 669 also states that a provision should be made for animals to be included on the Approved List that could have potentially harmful effects but that "are already are so widespread in the United States that it is clear to the Secretary that any import prohibitions or restrictions would have no practical utility...".

This Bill did start out with the best of intentions: to prohibit people from breeding or importing a species that is non-native to the USA without regard to any harm that it could do to native species or to itself. But it has now avalanched into the pet world and does not take into consideration that most of the non-native species that exist in the pet trade, have been in the United States for decades without causing any type of serious environmental problem. Keep in mind that an animal that is considered harmful to Hawai'i may not be harmful in New York.

If you are wondering how this Bill would impact your current ownership of pet species that are considered part of the Unapproved List, this is what the Bill states:

ANIMALS OWNED LAWFULLY PRIOR TO PROHIBTION OF IMPORTATION. - This Act and regulations issued under this Act shall not interfere with the ability of any person to possess an individual animal of any species if such individual animal was legally owned by the person before the risk assessment is begun pursuant to subsection (e)(3), even if such species is later prohibited from being imported under the regulations issued under this Act.

Basically you will be able to continue to keep your pet only if you can prove that you obtained ownership of your pet prior to H.R. 669 coming into effect. But there are no rules as to what is acceptable proof!

Remember too that if this Bill is passed, businesses such as pet shops, breeder's, feed stores, farm supply stores, food suppliers, pet product manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, and their supporting businesses and as well as their employees. Consider also that there will be a huge loss of tax revenue that is usually derived from all these businesses and their employees.

If you disapprove of H.R. 669, contact your Representative and the Members of the Sub-committee and let them know how you feel about this Bill. Explain to them how this Bill would affect your family, or your business.

Photo Credit: Lee Nachtigal

Doggie Fitness

During the springtime, most people attempt to lose the pounds they gained during the winter for a sleeker body for the summer time. This should stand true for your pets as well, particularly dogs who have remained inside the house during most of the winter.

A recent study that was done by the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention stated that 45 percent of dogs are overweight, including 9 percent that are truly obese, according to Ernie Ward, DVM, and president of the association.

Exercising with your dog will not only help the both of you to lose weight, but it will also help to improve your relationship as well. By spending such quality time with your dog you both will benefit from the emotional and physical aspects of exercising together.

One of the easiest ways for you and your dog to lose weight is by walking, but not just a leisurely stroll. In order to get the maximum benefit of walking, you will need to learn to differentiate between walking for pleasure and walking for fitness. Dr Ward explains it this way:

"When people take their dogs out for social walks, we find they typically do about an 18-22 minute per mile pace. That is slower than you can walk because you're stopping. The dog is checking the urine from another dog. A twig gets his attention.
Walking for weight loss is different. We really need to get them into that aerobic heart rate zone. We don't really tell people to measure heart rates on their dog, but we can tell them if it's anything more than a 15-a-minute-per-mile pace, they're probably not walking (for weight loss). A 15-minute-per-mile walk for a person feels like a good, brisk, steady walk.''

Dr Ward also stated that dogs should be taught that the first half of a walk should be focused on exercising and the second half will then be for the dog to explore the different sights and sounds that he see and smells on the way back home.

"If people would start to train their dogs this way, they will find the dog will get very focused,'' Dr Ward said, "They will get out there and briskly walk, and they will know when it's time to turn around. And when they turn around, they start to head back to the house, they start to check all those interesting smells and sights and sounds.''

Before heading out the door with your dog for a walk, consider the following points first:

* Make sure that both you and your dog have the correct walking gear. Instead of using your dog's regular collar and leash, which can compress the windpipe when pulled and cause difficulty breathing or even injury, use a walking harness that has wide, soft, padded straps and is made of breathable materials. A retractable leash that is about 12 feet is perfect to keep your dog close by to maintain a steady walking pace.

*In conjunction with the walking harness, a head halter is also another great way to train your dog to heel during an invigorating walk and to pay attention to your commands.

*Consider the season: during the colder, winter months make sure that your dog is wearing the correct size and fit of winter booties; during the warmer, summer months where the temperatures lie between 80 to 85 degrees, or even on walks that last longer than 30 minutes, make sure that you always bring a bottle of clean, cool water for both you and your dog to drink. Proper hydration is very important.

*Whilst walking, keep your dog close by your side, at least two to four feet on the side away from the street, and be sure to start at a pace that you feel that you and your dog can comfortably maintain. The perfect walk should be brisk and should cause you to break out into a light perspiration.

*Keep up the pace. Do not let your dog become intrigued with something on the ground. Be persistent with your dog and keep a tight rein on his leash, but never jerk it! Give your dog a strong command such as 'No' or 'Come' to keep his attention focused on the walk itself.

*Start your walking regimen slowly and try to eventually build up to walking at least 30 minutes per day.

*Weigh your dog on a monthly basis to make sure that he is not losing too much or too little.

*After every walk, check your dog's paw pads and nails. Sometimes they can become ripped or torn whilst walking over gravel or twigs. Be sure to have some Heal Care Ointment on hand to apply to your dog's paw pads to relieve any pain and discomfort they may have. You do not want your dog to associate your walks together with pain of any sort as that will prevent him from wanting to go out and walk with you again.

*Keep in mind that exercising is a very important part of a dog's behavior training. Well exercised dogs are happy, albeit tired, dogs.

*Before you start a walking program with your dog, take him to your vet first for a physical examination. Talk with your vet about your dog's current weight, his weight loss goal and whether brisk walking would be a good fit for your dog or not. Some breeds of dogs are not able to walk briskly and doing so could cause more damage to the dog's lifestyle.

*Finally, remember to pick up after your dog and be observant of other doggie rules, especially if you are taking your dog for a walk around a public park.

Phot Credit: exfordy

America's First Dog!

It certainly seems that the cat is out of the bag, although in this case it is the dog that is out of the proverbial bag! First Family Obama now has a First Dog: Bo, a Portuguese water dog, a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy.

As everyone remembers, President Obama promised his daughters, seven year old Sasha and ten year old Malia, a puppy as a gift for standing by their father during his race for the Presidency. As part of his speech on election night President Obama told his daughters: "I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House."

Since then, there has been much speculation as to what breed of dog the Obama children would get. During President Obama's first press conference on 7 November, 2008, he spoke about his family's decision regarding a dog:

"With respect to the dog, this is a major issue. I think it's generated more interest on our Web site than just about anything. We have two criteria that have to be reconciled. One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog, but, obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things I think is a pressing issue on the Obama household."

Earlier this year President Obama announced that the First Family had narrowed their breed choices down to either a Labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound. However, the First Lady was quoted in People Magazine in February as saying that the family had decided on a Portuguese water hound and that the new dog would arrive after the children's school holidays in April.

The Portuguese Water dog is described by the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America as a breed that 'do(es) not shed very much but they do shed' and are therefore considered a hypoallergenic breed because they are single coated and have a 'decreased tendency to cause allergies'.

The new First Dog was scheduled to make his first official appearance on Tuesday, 14 April 2009, but word leaked out about his imminent arrival and newspapers and TV stations greedily picked up the scoop.

Although the arrival of the new First Dog was supposed to be a great secret, it was not a greatly kept secret at all! On Saturday morning a website called FirstDogCharlie.com was set up anonymously and included a photograph of a Portuguese water dog wearing a lei. According to the website, Charlie was the dog's original name and wore the lei during a secret meeting with the First Family at the White House a few weeks ago.

The 6 month old puppy was a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) to Malia and Sasha. He was a litter mate of Senator Kennedy's new puppy, Cappy.

A spokesperson for the First Lady, Catherine McCormick-Lelyveld, was quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times as saying: "Yes this dog is the litter mate of (the Kennedy) newest dog Cappy. It was previously owned but did not get along with the other dogs in its last house. The Kennedys learned of its availability and got it for the Obama girls. Although the Obama family was originally looking to acquire a Portuguese water dog from a shelter, they happily accepted the puppy as a gift from Senator Kennedy.

"They were looking at shelters but in the end the Kennedys learned of this litter mate of their dog who needed a home, and they wanted to give the girls a gift - and here we are!" explained Ms. McCormick-Lelyveld.

The Obama girls have decided to call their new puppy Bo because they have cousins who own a cat called Bo and because Mrs. Obama's late father, Fraser Robinson, was nicknamed Diddley.

Just like the FirstDogCharlie.com website mentioned, there was indeed a meeting between the First Family and Bo a few weeks ago as a surprise for the girls.

According to a White House source who was a witness to such a meeting, Bo did his best to impress the First Family. Apparently Bo sat when the children sat down and then stood when the children stood. He also followed the President around quite obediently.

This is no surprise really, when you consider the fact that Bo had been receiving private lessons in good behavior from Senator Kennedys' own dog trainers.

The source also said that whilst Sasha was quite excited, Malia was focusing more on the responsible issues of to properly care for Bo. "Malia has done extensive research," the source had also said.

However, there are still quite a few decisions that need to be made. For example it has yet to be agreed upon as to where Bo will sleep!

Owning a dog is not only a new experience for Sasha and Malia, but also for their parents as well. Neither the First Lady nor the President had any dogs as pets whilst they were growing up.

Since the First Family had initially decided to adopt a dog from a shelter, they are now going to be making a donation to a Humane Society instead.

Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov

How to Have a Pet-Safe Easter

Sunday, 12 April 2009 is Easter Sunday. A religious holiday that is celebrated by many pet owners the world over, by giving and sharing Easter baskets filled with chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs with their family and friends. However, before you share that basket of goodies with your pet, here are few things to consider:

Easter Lilies
Of all the dangerous flowers that people like to bring into their home, the Easter Lily is the most lethal! Although these flowers are strikingly beautiful, they should not be brought into your house during Easter (or any other time of the year) especially if you have pets.

Cats can't resist a good looking flower to nibble on and Easter Lilies are no different. However cats that ingest this flower will show symptoms of poisoning, such as vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite. Sadly, these cats can die from kidney failure if they are not treated within two days.

Easter Eggs
A staple of every Easter basket, the Easter egg is available in many different colors and designs. They can be plastic toy eggs or colored hard boiled eggs.
The shininess of plastic Easter eggs are very attractive to a pet as they look like toys to them. But, if your dog or cat decides to chew or even swallow parts of the plastic egg, they will create severe intestinal problems that will require immediate surgery.

Easter eggs that have been hardboiled and colored are only dangerous if left out for quite awhile. Since eggs can spoil quickly, it is a good idea to count how many hardboiled eggs you have before you hide them, and again after the Easter hunt is over. A rotten egg can make a dog very sick.

Easter Grass
Every Easter basket usually contains a multitude of colorful, plastic, Easter grass as part of the decorations. Be careful with using this type of decoration though as cats like these shiny threads and will play with them like they would with a piece of yarn. The difference, however, is that if your cat should accidently eat some of these grass it can be lethal. This is because pets are not able to digest this plastic grass and the threads will become stuck in their intestines, cause a blockage and require expensive surgery immediately.

If you really want to use grass to decorate your Easter basket, try using certified cat grass or full grown catnip instead. You'll get your decorations and your cat's will get a mouthful of the good stuff!

Chocolate
It is a good idea to re-educate children, and some adults, on the dangers of chocolate for pets. Explain to children that it is not ok to share their chocolate bunny with their dog or cat, because it will make them very sick, very quickly. It does not take a lot of chocolate to cause your dog to have an upset tummy, so make sure that you supervise children with the chocolate bunnies around your dog.

Candy
Easter candy can also be just as lethal to pets as chocolate can be! Most of these treats contain excessive amounts of sugar that can cause digestive upset for your dog or cat.

Also, most candies come wrapped up in colorful, shiny, foil that can also cause internal damage to your pet. The wrapping can have sharp pieces that can tear your pet's esophagus or intestines, requiring a trip to the emergency vet. Make sure that you pick up and dropped wrappings immediately.

"As many pet owners know, animals will eat just about anything that they can find, including Easter treats," said Adam Goldfarb, director of the Pets at Risk Program in the Companion Animals department of The HSUS. "Chocolates and candies that are high in sugar and caffeine are especially bad for our animal companions. Every pet owner should make an effort to keep these foods out of the reach of their furry friends."

Easter Toys
Be vigilant regarding small toys that are given to your children on Easter, as these can pose a potential choking hazard to your dog or cat if they are attempt to swallow them.

Baby Bunnies
Please think carefully before buying a baby bunny or baby chick for your children this Easter. Acquiring any pet should be considered a lifetime commitment and should be given the best possible care. If you are not ready for such a commitment, then please do not buy a baby animal this Easter.

Remember too that these baby animals oftentimes carry a strain of Salmonella that can be easily transmitted to your children and other household pets.

Easter Hunt
Before you start hiding all the Easter goodies around your house or yard, place your pet in another room so that he or she does not dig up the goods as soon as you've hidden them.

After the hunt is over, count up all the goods that were found. This way, you can be sure that there are now hidden surprises for your dog or cat to find!

Nervous Pets
Some pets do not like to be around large gatherings, even if they consist of your family and friends. Sugar crazed children can be quite daunting to your pet as their hyper active movements can easily scare them. For these nervous pets it may be better for them if you place them in a quiet area of your home during the Easter festivities.

Photo Credit: BigDuff

Does Your Dog Need Supplements?

Every responsible dog owner knows that a diet which is both healthy and well balanced is essential for their dog to enjoy a long, happy life. Nevertheless, some dogs still require supplements in their diet. How do you know if your dog is one those dogs? If your dog is, do you know what supplements to add to your dog's diet?

For most dogs, as long as they are fed a high quality diet, they usually do not need any additional supplements. Especially since most of these dog food formulas already contain all the necessary nutrients that your dog needs. However, keep in mind that some vitamins and nutrients found in dog food are not always easily digestible and so your dog's diet may actually be lacking!

On the flip side, if you are feeding a low quality dog food to your dog then you will need to add extra supplements to his diet.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by adding a hardboiled egg to your dog's food just a few days per week, as this give your dog extra amounts of vitamins A and D which helps to maintain good bone structure and healthy eyes.

Some dogs are fed a raw diet, whilst other dog owners prefer to cook their dog's meals themselves. If your dog is fed in either of these two ways, you should educate yourself on the benefits of alternative sources of supplements. For example, you can increase your dog's intake of vitamin B, which help supports healthy skin and muscles, by adding whole grains, green vegetables, nuts, beans, yeast, and liver to his diet.

Adding vitamin E (wheat germ, bran, and vegetable oil) to your dog's diet will help keep immune system deficiencies away.

Adding vitamin K (liver, fish, leafy greens, and seeds) helps to enhance your dog's blood clotting abilities.

Be careful when adding too much calcium to your dog's diet though as this can actually have the opposite effect. Large breed puppies, for example, that have too much calcium in the diet will grow large bones that are not truly strong enough.

If you really want to make sure that your dog is receive adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals in his diet, it is highly advisable that you buy a vitamin supplement to add to your dog's everyday diet. A great one to use is Canine Multi Essential Dog Vitamins. This supplement will help to give your dog the vitamins and nutrients that he may not be actually digesting from his food. And, since it is a natural, herbal supplement, your dog will experience more energy and be a lot more healthy as well.

Glucosamine is probably one of the best known supplements in every big dog's diet. It helps to improve joint health and ward off arthritis by maintaining good joint cartilage. It actually helps produce joint lubricants which, in turn, help keep the joints moving and functioning with ease by hydrating and lubricating a dog's joints. This added hydration and lubrication actually helps to prevent your dog from having arthritis later in his life when he is considered a senior dog.

Glucosamine also benefits larger breeds of dogs, since these dogs are usually predisposed to having joint and hip problems throughout their lifetime and the glucosamine helps to alleviate any future joint and hip issues.

Additional sources of glucosamine can be found in shellfish, as well as a unique process of fermenting corn, which creates a vegetable based glucosamine.

Just like for humans, glucosamine is a very safe supplement for your dog to have, especially if it is a part of a healthy and sensible diet, as there are no side effects or any interactions with other medications whatsoever.

Some large breed dog foods and high quality dog foods that are manufactured by reputable dog food companies, have glucosamine already added to them. This is largely due to the fact that a majority of leading animal nutritionists and top veterinarians have reported on the benefits of glucosamine in a dog's diet and the major dog food producers have thus responded by adding glucosamine in to their dog food that they produce and sell.

If you do not have a large breed dog, or feed your dog a high quality dog food, or if your dog's diet just does not contain glucosamine, or you feel that your dog could definitely benefit from the additional supplementation of glucosamine, then you should not have any problems in finding glucosamine supplements that are made specifically for your dog. There are even dog treats that have glucosamine in them! Some humane grade glucosamine capsules can even be opened and then sprinkled over your dog's food.

However, it is much preferred to give your dog glucosamine supplements that are designed for dogs to ingest as these will be easier on their stomachs. Nupro's Joint Support Supplement is the perfect example of proper doggie glucosamine! It is available for small and large breed dogs and contains a unique formula of Glucosamine Complex, MSM and Ester-C Chelated Mineral Blend.

Remember, however, that it is always advisable to discuss the nutritional needs of your dog with your veterinarian before you change anything in his diet, otherwise you may just inadvertently create an upset tummy for your dog. Your veterinarian will also be able to advise you on the type and amount of supplements that should be added to your dog's diet.

Photo Credit: millicent_bystander

How to buy the purrfect bed for your cat

Cats, just like dogs, need to have their own sleeping area. In fact, cats actually sleep an average of 15 hours per day! With so much time spent sleeping, your cat deserves to have a nice, comfortable bed.

Before you rush to the pet store, keep in mind that cats have a will and a mind of their own and will just as soon sleep on your bed atop your favorite pillow than on a fancy cat bed.

In most homes that are run by cats, it will not matter in the least how hard you try to get your cat to sleep in just one place as they will usually choose to sleep in a variety of different areas in your home, like your couch, chairs, different spots on your floor, or any other place where they can get into.

On the other hand, just because cats are sovereign creatures, does not mean that you cannot enjoy purchasing them a warm bed of their very own to sleep in. Bear in mind that your cat's bed will actually become a part of his or her territory very soon after bringing the cat bed home. This is because all cats believe that whatever is yours is actually theirs! Plus, cats like to feel like they have ownership over certain things in the house.

When choosing a bed for your kitty, remember that they like to always feel secure and most cats will actually prefer a cat bed that is in the shape of a tent or cave. These types of cat beds will also help your cat to feel sheltered as well.

Since cats usually spend about two thirds of their whole life napping away, you should make sure that your cat will have as many comfortable sleeping places as he or she possibly can have without infringing on your rights as the landlord or landlady!

Some of the most common types of cat beds that are found in pet stores are round and furry beds that encourage your cat to cuddle up on top of them. These types of cat beds usually have a cushion that is very bouncy and that has very high sides, thereby creating a circle of comfort in which your cat can sleep in peacefully.

Try to buy a cat bed that has a removable cover so that you can wash the bed frequently. This will help you and your cat to avoid insects such as fleas, which love to attach themselves to your cat where it is warm, and subsequently their beds as well.

Cats are warm blooded creatures and like sleeping in places that are equally as warm. During the winter time, use a heating pad made especially for cat beds, underneath your cat's bed. You could also place a blanket on top of your cat's regular bed for extra warmth and comfort.

Do the opposite during the summer time and offer your cat a cooler, open cat bed to sleep in.

You may need to place your cat's new bed in quite a few different places around your house before your cat decides where he or she likes his bed to be. There are cats that prefer to sleep in your bedroom where it is relatively quiet, whilst other cats would prefer sleeping in the living room with the television blaring.

Another option to consider is to purchase a cat tree instead. Cat trees are usually quite tall with perches built onto them at various points throughout the stand. Such perches will allow your cat to have a comfortable place to sleep on whilst also being perched high above everyone else in the household.

If your cat is a sun worshipper and is always sleeping wherever the sun's rays enter your home, you should consider purchasing a cat perch that connects to your window sill, as this will allow your cat to rest whilst also being able to look out the window and catch some rays.

If you are one of those cat owners whose cat is an integral part of their life and will most probably be placing their cats bed in the middle of their living room or other public area of your home, and if cost is no problem, then you will be able to find a variety of high-end, designer cat beds. Such beds are not only designed for your cat's comfort in mind, but also your decor.

For example, you can buy your kitty a Kliner made by Gloria Baumann of Kittie Krafts. Simply provide Gloria with your own material and she will make an exact replica of human furniture for your cat. Gloria also designs and makes Kitty Kouches, Loveseats and Klounges. Not only will such a recliner be purrfect for your kitty to stretch out on, he or she can also have their own matching recliner as yours! Prices for Gloria's Kliner's range from $80 to $85 each.

Another example of a luxury cat bed is the Solo, designed by J. Parker of esque and sold through Kattbank. This completely glass cat bed is custom made and hand blown as well. It is available in either Transparent Smoke or Transparent Red. Expect to pay around $2400.

Photo Credit: Kitti-Krafts.com and Kattbank

First Aid Kit For Pets

Unfortunately, during every pet owner's life, there comes a time in which they find themselves needing to administer First Aid to their pets. It is therefore advisable to be prepared in advance for such events by keeping an adequately stocked First Aid Kit for your pets.

Curiosity doesn't always 'kill the cat', but often times it can cause injury to a cat. Dog are just as equally curious, especially regarding new surroundings. Both cats and dogs can sometimes get themselves into dangerous situations. Nevertheless, it is your job as their human companion to help your cat or dog when they do get into trouble and, until you are able to get your pet to a vet, he or she will depend solely on you. It is therefore imperative to have the correct supplies that you may need on hand in order for you to help your pet more effectively.

Since you'll never really know when your pet will have an injury, it is a good idea for you to create two First Aid Kits: one to keep at home and the other one in your car. You can include all the items you may need in a water proof, air tight container. It is a good idea to write on top of the container, in indelible ink, your vet's phone number, closest emergency animal hospital number, and poison control number. Of course, do not forget to write your name, address and phone number as well. Additionally, if you have not taken a Pet CPR or Pet First Aid Class before, you should also keep a small copy of basic pet first aid and CPR instructions inside the container.

Some of the items that you should incorporate in to your pet's first aid kit include:

Bandaging Materials:
*Rolls of gauze and tape, as these are handy to slow or stop your pet's bleeding. *First Aid Tape.

Supplies:
*Dog Muzzle
*Scissors - preferably with a rounded tip
*Tweezers
*Nail clippers
*Nail file
*Styptic powder or other blood-clotting topical products
*Penlight
*Eye dropper
*Cotton swabs
*Rectal thermometer
*Disposable gloves
*Syringes of various sizes
*Needle-nose pliers
*Napkins or a roll of kitchen paper towels
*Bitter Apple or other product to discourage licking
*Cold and heat packs

Medicines:
*Petwellbeing's First Aid Kit for either cats or dogs. This mini-kit includes First Aid Spray ( a disinfectant for minor cuts and abrasions), Ouch Away Spray (an anti Itch spray) and All Clear Ointment (an antibiotic ointment for a pet's skin).
*Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment for eyes
*Eye wash solution
*Sterile saline
*Anti-diarrheal medicine such as Plantearis
*Diphenhydramine, for an allergic reaction to bee or wasp stings
*Ear cleaning solution
*Hydrogen peroxide which is used to make a dog vomit and to clean out any wounds.
*Activated charcoal to absorb ingested poisons. But make sure that you talk with your vet before administering it to your pet!!

Remember to check the expiration date on the medicines that you keep in your pet's First Aid Kit and replace them as needed.

Another important item to keep with the First Aid Kit is an old, but clean, blanket that can be used to wrap your pet in should he or she be in shock. A blanket can also be used as a sling if need be.

Some pet owners also keep a small stock of Karo Syrup, a syrup that is very high in sugar. This is given to those pets that are going into shock. Gatorade and Pedialyte are also safe to give to pets to help them with their nutritional needs during a time of shock or pain, or when they are not eating or drinking enough.

Make sure that are quite familiar with all the items that are in your pet's first aid kit as well as learning the basics of first aid for animals.

Some American Red Cross Agencies conduct Pet First Aid Classes. Check to see if there are any in your neighborhood.

Also it is a good idea to store your vet's phone number as a speed dial, either on your home phone or cell phone. Become familiar with how to get to an afterhours emergency vet as well.

Photo Credit: sciondriver

Does your pet love the camera?

As pet fashion trends increase across the globe, so does the need for pet models increase. It really doesn't matter what breed of dog or cat you have, any pet can be a model with just the right training and a few photographic skills on the part of the owner.

Modeling is fun away for you to spend more quality time with your pet, whilst earning extra money to help you pay for those extra special spa treatments for your little pooch.

Most pet product designers, retailers and manufacturers actually prefer to use their customer's pets to advertise and market their new products. This could include still shots that are published on the Internet, sales catalogues, and even in magazines.

Before you get embark on your pet's modeling career, you should first buy yourself a high quality digital camera and practice taking a variety of different shots with it. This will help you later on when you have to put together a portfolio for your pet.

Every pet modeling competition and gig will require a headshot of your pet. When taking a photo of your pet, choose the backdrop wisely. You do not want to place an all white dog against an all white wall. Choose a color that will compliment your pet's fur or any accessories that they may be wearing. Be sure that there is good lighting before taking the shot. Most pet photographers prefer to use either natural light or they will have spot lights behind the camera.

The next thing you will need to consider is what your fee will be. Most amateur pet model managers set the prices at about $20 per photo that is agreed to be used by a company in their marketing materials. Alternatively, you could also request free pet products from the company in lieu of monetary payment.

There are a few ways in which you can go about marketing your pet's modeling skills. You can submit your pet's portfolio by regular snail mail or email, create a website portfolio or enter your pet in modeling competitions.

To submit a portfolio by mail, arrange a variety of photos of your pet on good quality photo paper, together with an informational sheet, in a folder. Remember to be as creative as possible!

The information sheet should include the name of your pet, their breed and age, their weight and size measurements, as well as some quirky tidbits about your pet's personality.

When sending your pet's portfolio by email, it is best to save the photos as a .jpg file and to make sure that they are not bigger than 600 x 600 pixels. Only send one or two of your pet's best photos as sending too many may cause the email to be considered spam by the recipients email server.

In the body of the email you can include your pet's information and your contact details.

Regardless of whether you are sending your pet's portfolio via email or regular mail, be sure to call the company within 2 weeks to touch base with them.

With the popularity increase of the internet, another great way to tell the world about your pet is by creating their own website. You can find free or low cost website service plans that also offer benefits such as a photo gallery.

By creating a website for your pet, you will be able to reach a much larger audience and you will also have the ability to keep your pet's information current. You can also list all your pet's clients and gigs. It's the perfect way to create a resume and portfolio in one for your pet!

A really fun way of entering the pet modeling world is by simply entering your pet into pet modeling competitions. One of the more famous one's, America's Top Dog, is a competition for dogs that has been held for the past five years. Each year has a theme and for the 2009 contest, the theme is 'Go Gorgeously Green'. Judges will be looking for the best dog that is eco-friendly and who is doing their part to help create a greener world. To enter your dog, simply fill out the online entry form and submit it along with your dog's headshot on America's Top Dog Model website.

Once your pet has been chosen for a few gigs, it will then be time for you to attain the services of an Animal Talent Agency. Some of these agencies even include pet training as part of their menagerie of services that they offer.

One of the largest animal talent agencies in the world is Hollywood Paws Talent Agency. Located in Los Angeles, Hollywood Paws conducts auditions and interviews for prospective pet actors both nationally and internationally. Some of their clients include the animal actors for the Dr Doolittle movies and Scout who starred in Disney's Air Buddies. You can request one of their brochures by visiting their website.

Who knows, maybe your pet will be the next furry face on the front cover of People Magazine!

Photo Credit: America's Top Dog Model 2008 Winner: Maia

A Disaster Checklist

Do you know what to do for your pets when a disaster occurs? Since any disaster can strike at any time it is crucial to be as best prepared as possible, as this will enable you to not only save your own life buy also the lives of your cats and dogs. Here are a few points to consider when creating your own disaster checklist:

Helpful Tips:

1. Position a sticker with the words 'Animals Inside' either on a front window or your front door of your house or apartment. This will help alert firemen and other people to the fact that you have pets inside your home, in case of a fire or other emergency and you are not home.

2. Always keep your pets' carriers and leashes in an easily accessible location. Clean the carriers once a week so that they are not too dusty when the time comes for you to use them in an emergency. You especially do not want to be searching through your house looking for carriers and leashes if you have to leave your home in a hurry.

Make friends with your neighbors:

1. Once you feel that you can trust your neighbors, it is advisable to give them a spare key to your home and to ask for one in return for their home as well. By swapping keys, you and your neighbor can enter each other's homes quickly to reach your pets in case something should happen to either of you or to your homes.

2. Hold a neighborhood meeting and devise an emergency plan with your neighbors. Create a laminated card with your contact information such as all your contact numbers and the phone numbers of your immediate family and give them to your neighbors.

3. You should also include the following information on such an 'Emergency Contact Card':

a. How many pet you have.
b. The species of your pets.
c. Where your pets sleep or live in your home.
d. The names of your pets and how they can be called, e.g. by whistling.

Going on Vacation

Most pet owners leave their pets in the care of either someone they know or with a pet sitting service company. Before leaving, make sure that you can trust the person who will be taking care of your pets whilst you are on vacation. Double check references of any pet sitting service before leaving your pets in their care. Make sure that the pet sitter or other person who is taking care of your pets, understands what to do in case of an emergency and be sure to leave contact numbers where you can be reached during your vacation.

Things to consider:

1. Will your sitter take your pets to their home until you return in case of an emergency? If this is not possible, then give them names and telephone numbers of either a friend, family member, or a kennel where they can take your pets.

2. If the area, in which your home is in, is subject to an evacuation, make sure that you have given your sitter the contact details of a family member or friend outside the affected area, who can act as a liaison. This way, if you and your sitter are not able to telephone each other, you can each call the contact who can help relay information.

Your Pet's Identification

Ensure that all your pets have proper identification and that your last name, telephone number, address, your pet's name and micro-chip number is on the ID tag.

Important Pet Friendly numbers to store in your address book on your cell phone:

1. Pet Friendly Shelters: Although there are a few animal shelters that do not accept pets in need of temporary shelter, some do. Find out which ones in your area do, before you need to take your pets to one.

2. Pet Friendly Hotels: Know the phone numbers and addresses of a chain of hotels that will accept pets. This ensures that you and your pets will have a place to go no matter which city you find yourself in.

3. Animal Rescue Shelters: By storing the phone number of your local animal shelter in your address book you will be able to help locate your pets' quicker should you become separated from them for any reason.

In case of an evacuation:

1. Leave your home as quickly as possible and take your pets with you! Never, ever, abandon your pets behind in your home just because you think that you will be able to return later in the day and retrieve them. Most of the time, you will not be permitted to return until the reason for the evacuation is over, which could take a few days.

2. If you are able to drive your vehicle, quickly load up your pets and hit the road. If your destination doesn't allow pets, change your destination. If that is not possible, call your back up family member or friend first. If they are not able to help you out, you should then call your pet friendly lodging or rescue shelter options.

3. If you are not able or allowed to take your pets with you to a safe place, and you have no choice but to evacuate, make sure that you give your pets the best chances to stay alive. Make sure that you never leave your dog chained up outside or in an outside kennel. Leave plenty of food and water out in as many dishes as you can. Most pets that are left alone will usually rely on their natural instincts in order to survive.

Photo Credit: ╚ SεΣ ╤hi∩Gs DiƒFerεNT└y ╗

Your Pets Horoscope for April 2009

ARIES (21 March - 20 April)
April will find the Aries pet demanding the center of attention, not to mention the warmest spot in the middle of the bed. This month these pets will be full of self confidence and pure animal magnetism. Such charms will help persuade their human companions to give them a few extra, delectable treats before dinner.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21)
Those pets born under the zodiac sign of Taurus will be extremely big hearted this month and will not think twice about sharing their food or favorite ball with the other dogs at the dog park. However, as the human companion to a Taurean pet, you should enjoy this generosity while it lasts as next month these pets will be as selfishly motivated as ever before.

GEMINI (22 May - 21 June)
This month Gemini pets will prefer to spend as much time as possible frolicking with all their different friends. This is the perfect time to arrange doggie play dates or kitty sleep over's for your Gemini pet. If this is not a possibility, then you should consider purchasing a plush but durable stuffed animal toy as they will want to rough house a little bit.

CANCER (22 June - 23 July)
April will see Cancer pets trying to push the boundaries with their human companions, as they want to be the boss of the house, and will even consider whining and begging as being an integral part of their little coup! If there was ever a time for Cancerian pets to be able to actual gain the upper hand in his or her household, this is it, so consider this a head's up!

LEO (24 July - 23 August)
Leo pets will show signs of suffering from cabin fever this April and will often be seen pacing around the house rather impatiently. Since they are feeling cooped up and bored, this is the perfect time to take your dog to the park so that he may have the opportunity to release some of his pent up energy running around; for cats, buy a new toy and set aside some extra play time for you and your kitty. They will appreciate it.

VIRGO (24 August - 23 September)
This month, pets born under the Virgo sign will all be a little bit more randier than usual. Before their constant crying and howling at the moon drives you nutty, try to find something to divert their attention, such as a new toy or game to play. Even a nice car ride or outing to a new park would be nice. For cats, try extra catnip!

LIBRA (24 September - 23 October)
During the month of April, Libra pets will much prefer predictability and balance than chaos in their home lives. So as not to upset these delicate little creatures, make sure that you give them extra love and hugs to boost their self confidence. And do not even think about changing their routines or buying them a different toy this month!

SCORPIO (24 October - 22 November)
In April, pets that are born under the sign of Scorpio will seem to be much lazier than they usually are, and they will take a lot more breaks during their energetic play. Be aware of this and do not attempt to push your dog to continue on the hike or insist that your cat continues to play with the new toy mouse you just bought her. Scorpio pets are using the month of April to simply recharge their little batteries so they can be up and running again come May.

SAGITTARIUS (23 November - 22 December)
Human companion beware: it will seem as if your Sagittarian pet has gone wild this April! Cats will be decisively more mischievous, climbing on kitchen counters and fireplace mantles. Dogs will be seen running around inside the house chasing imaginary friends. So counteract your Sagittarian pets' wild streak by storing your most precious vases in a locked cupboard for the rest of the month.

CAPRICORN (23 December - 20 January)
Capricorn pets have a genuine desire to be a part of the family this month. So be sure and take your dog along on any family outing, be it a camping trip or a drive to the local park for a family picnic. Just be sure to have a nice new toy or pillow for them to lie on. For Capricorn cats, allow them to recline and spread out on the couch so that they can also watch movies with you on the television screen.

AQUARIUS (21 January - 19 February)
Aquarian pets will certainly have the gift of the gab this month as the planets make them more expressive and vocal! It will appear as if they have found their voices after a long time and will have so much to say to you and to the rest of the world as well. However, allow them to meow and howl as much as they want this month, as next month they will be as quiet as a mouse.

PISCES (20 February - 20 March)
April will see Piscean pets be more charitable and will give their human companions quite a few, surprising gifts. So do not be too alarmed when your kitty drops a mouse beside your bed so that you find it advertently the next morning; or if your dog brings you a dead duck he found in the park, their kindness is simply a way of telling you how special and loved you are to them, so reward them by giving them a big hug or a few extra treats for their thoughtfulness.

Photo Credit: sabianmaggy