How To Keep Pet Fit - Exercise Tips

Like all living creatures, the keys to a long and healthy life for us pets are clean water, healthy food, low stress, love, and of course, exercise.

Now, I've heard it said often that you pet caregivers (especially dog lovers) chose a pet to not only have as a companion, but as a fitness partner. We are FANTASTIC fitness partners! Heck, any chance I get I love to run around, jump, spin, circle, whatever. It is so fun, and it is so fun with my human, Sage. And boy, does it make her go! We never miss our daily run around the block.

But it goes both ways, people. We need you to help us keep fit, too! I mean, what happens if you've had a long day and you're too pooped to play? Or you're not well enough to run around with us - let alone walk us around the block?

For those of you who maybe don't have the ability - lack of time, health, whatever - to keep us moving together, I've compiled a list of indoor exercises that we pets can do at home. These are also great things for indoor pets to do, too!

Exercises Pets Love

• The Stairs: Unless you have a dachsund (these guys should not be running up and down stairs), kitties and dawgs can get great benefit by climbing! Sit at the top of your stairs and throw a bouncing toy to the bottom, and let your pet play fetch.
• The Stalk: Kitties love to stalk, even more than they love to talk (meyowls). Something as simple as a piece of string pulled down a hallway can make a cat go crazy. Try it! Just watch your heels - them claws are NASTY.
• The Chase: We pets LOVE to play chase! Let us chase you around the house, and then just as we're about to catch you turn on us - watch us jump and scamper!
• The Pull: This is perfect for larger dogs. Grab a rope, and sit on your floor (avoid carpets for this one, yaw'll). Let your dog grab the other end of the rope, and pull you! Great exercise.
• The Intelli-Hide: We pets love to find things, especially: treats! Try hiding dry food in a cardboard box, with the lid folded in on itself. don't use tape-dangerous! Punch a few holes in the side, so we can get a good sniff. Watch us figure out how to get at it, using our brains and our braun!

Keep us happy, healthy and hopping, with fun indoor exercises. Hey, we're not the only ones who can do push-ups and sit-ups during commercial breaks!

High-five, Buster

Photo Credit: emeryway

Pets Do Not = Children: The Cons Of Treating Pets Like Kids

We love you, humans. We, the family pet, are just that: family. We are one of your own, one of the children. And you sometimes treat us as such, too. Of course you do! While we are a different species, from a developmental perspective we pets are very similar to children. So it makes sense that you should love us in the familial way.

Loving us is crucial to our lives being full of happiness! But treating us like children can sometimes actually be bad for our, and your, health. Here are some reasons why NOT to treat us like kids!

Pampering Breeds Jealousy

Chances are, you let us sit on your laps. Of course. You may let us kiss you on the lips (even a get a little lickie, too!), and you probably even let us sleep with you. Hold it: ain't all that shtuff supposed to be saved for your mate? Allowing your pet to engage in extra-intimate activities can throw a wrench in your other intimate relationships, namely your marital one. If you have a spouse, save the smooches for them. If you're single, wondering why, and engaging in the above activities, then wean your fuzz-ball from your futon and make a date.

Saying "No" Does Not Hurt Our Feelings!

Yes, we have feelings. Yes, we feel pain. Yes, we jump with joy. But no, reprimanding us and denying us certain things (ie. sleeping in your bed) will not make us feel "bad". Nothing makes us feel bad, but ourselves. C'mon, you know that. You're in control! Doesn't that make you feel good?

Anyhow, when you let us do whatever we want, we tend to get unruly and disruptive, and take over the whole house. We don't listen (why should we? You let us do whatever we want), we wreck things, we help ourselves to the refrigerator... it's just bad news all around. Sound like a spoiled toddler? Yeah, we're so developmentally similar.

Showing us who's boss will actually be good for us: it helps us feel safe, as though someone (you) are taking care of us. Looking out for our best interests. We feel calm, safe, protected. So just say no!

Don't Make Me Mad

What do little children do when they don't get their way? They throw things, they throw tantrums. They scream. They kick. Sometimes they pee. Well, again, developmentally we pets are the same. Except that we have jaws, and claws, and sometimes razor sharp teeth. Throw in some untouched testicles or some heat, and you've got yourself one crazy Tazmanian Devil. If you don't want to make us mad, start by teaching us the word "no". Yes?

Solution

Don't spoil us! Wean us! Make sure we know you're the Alpha Pet, the leader of the pack. And we shall remain obedient, for life.

Your Loyal Servant, Buster

Photo Credit: Marica

Photo Credit: H

I Like It Doggy Style - A Human's Guide To Catching your Pet Some Tail

Well, kitties and pups, it's that time of year again! That's right fuzzy-folks, the amorous month of February has us chasing tails - and not just our own - just in time for spring.

Just like our human friends, once the sun starts warming things up we start to get a little hot under our flea collars, too. As in, we want to get it on! But don't get me wrong: just because we're hawt-to-trot doesn't mean we'll do it with just about anything. And so, I've compiled a guide for our humans, to help them help US mate. Throw a dog a bone, pals!

Chemistry Is Everything - Not All Breeds Can Breed!

First of all, take your job, human, as match-maker responsibly. Be choosy! Finding us the right mate takes time and patience, and a lot of research. Mixing breeds is just like mixing personalities: chemistry is everything! So make sure you know what breed your pet is compatible with.

Health Is Wealth

Just like choosing a mate, making sure our mates are healthy is key! After all, our potential mate's health will impact our litters to come. Make sure you obtain a full medical disclosure, and research the breed. Some breeds are more prone to pawticular ailments, so beware!

It's All For Show

I'm no show dawg, but if I were I'd want a bitch with class. That is: her papers! But then I'd have to be a stud dog (which I am, but if you're a breeder you know what I mean), which requires so much work. I hear the human equivalent is called "metro-sexual", a man who is constantly groomed, but to me that's too much work. Where's the fun in not being able to roll around in the hay - in the dirt? But anyhow, if you're breeding for show, get the papers. Enough said.

Leave Us Alone

Once you've found a great tail for us to chase around, introduce us and then leave us alone. We'll do our business, and you'll have done yours. I'll be one lucky dog!

In Love, Buster

Photo Credit: markhillary

Happy Birthday Aquarius!

Aquarius, my airy-fairy friend, you are the most pal-lovin' fun-doggin' one of the bunch! If I ever feel bored, you're the one who thinks up fun shtuff. If I feel the need to escape and get away from it all - you're my partner in flight!

You're such a high-flyer, that sometimes I feel like I'm flying to the moon with you - you're the one who would get me there, with a space-ship you just happened to dig up in your backyard (you inventive thing, you). Why are you reaching so high, Aquarius? It's freedom you seek, for all of us. Well, my freedom-seeker, you need strong healthy bones to keep you moving! Old Timer you ain't, with a supplement to help you stay strong.

Don't stop reaching for the stars, Aquarius!

Love, Buster
Photo Credit: diametrik

Protecting Pets From Poisons - And How We Are Exposed To More Toxins Than You Humans

HACK!HACK!HACK!HACK!

Ahem. Excuse me. I've just come back from a howl-iffic visit with my pal, and his human was cleaning the house. We were running around, playing with his doggie kong, when all of a sudden I felt like I couldn't breathe - tears were burning in my eyes, and my skin was all hot and itchy. My human grabbed me and got me outta there, just in the knick of time. Dog bless her.

Turns out, our human host was cleaning with chemical household cleaners - totally toxic and not pet-friendly! In fact, not anyone friendly, but this post isn't just about anyone. It's about you and me. Pet pals.

Pets Exposed To More Toxins Than Humans

We, naturally, live in a natural world. But unfortunately our natural world is infused with chemicals - all around us! Humans are obsessed with detoxifying themselves, but often don't think about the toxins that we pets are exposed to. Well guess what people, we ARE exposed to chemicals, lots of them, and most of the time even more than you humans! Why? Primawily because we are so much smaller, and lower to the ground. Think about it: who spends time running through and munching on pesticidy grass? We do. Who eats tasty, stinky, rotting morsels off the ground? We do. Who loves to hunt around in moldy, asbestos and fiberglass filled crawl spaces? We do. We pets are exposed to more than just household cleaners: chemicals are in our flea sprays and collars, our non-organic foods, our plastic toys, your pesticides, your cigarette smoke, and your furniture.

The point is: we crawlers are constantly exposed to toxic substances, which can seriously harm our tiny bodies and potentially cause illness - and even death.

Herbicides And Bladder Cancer In Pets

Lets take, for example, a recent study at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., which revealed that the risk of bladder cancer was significantly increased among Scotties exposed to lawns or gardens treated with both herbicides and insecticides or with herbicides only. According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, "The prevalence of bladder cancer in dogs examined at veterinary teaching hospitals in North America increased by more than 600 percent between 1975 and 1995" (from the Environmental Working Group) When chemicals are sprayed on a lawn, it's recommended that people and pets stay off the ground for 24 hours. Fine enough, but aren't the chemicals released into the air? We're still breathing the stuff in - and don't tell me that after 24 hours the grass we roll around in has NO chemical residue left. I mean, where the ruff does it go? Pu-leeze. My suggestion: use natural alternatives to lawn care, and eliminate the problem. Is a perfectly green, moss-free lawn that necessary, anyhowl?

Poisonous Chemicals and Death

Most peeps know not to use household cleaners around their kids. More and more families aren't using them, and are looking for natural alternatives. But many "single" pet "owners" don't think twice about using chemicals around their pets (which is crazy, because they're also exposing THEMSELVES to chemicals! Yapyapyap.). They clean out toilet bowls with bleach, then their pet pals come along and take a long drink. They clean their floors, then their beloved furry friend comes to eat lunch - probably dropping tidbits onto the floor, which is now swathed in a chemical. The result: liver and kidney damage, and/ or respiratory problems.

A Sad, Sad Story - A Poisoned Parrot

Lest you think that toxins are as obvious as pesticides and household cleansers, read this:

Teflon Tragedy Reminds Us That It Is Best to Not Keep These Pans in Homes with Birds

"On Dec 23rd, 2004 I was using an old pot that had most of the teflon worn off of it to boil water to put a little moisture in the air. I was doing this for the people in the house as well as for my 9 year old Soloman Island Eclectus, Ruby. I do not like it when the air is real dry in the house. It was about 11:00 pm when I fell asleep. At 2:30 in the morning on Christmas eve, Ruby started screaming for me. I ran to the cage and pulled of the cover. She was on the bottom of the cage, shaking like she was freezing. I picked her up and held her to my chest. She uddered a few tiny sounds, then she was gone. I walked into the kitchen, still holding her. To my horror, I saw the empty pot on the red hot coils.

I feel tremendous guilt over killing my baby. Please, everyone who reads this and is a parent to a parrot, believe with every ounce of your being, the dangers of teflon. The pot I was using was old and worn out, but still had enough teflon left to kill my baby from 30 feet away. I was playing with her the night before, and she cried for me like usual when I put her to bed. She was gone in an instant, don't let it happen to you." Jim in Tennessee

From Parrot Parrot (amazing bird advice, thanks guys!)

Symptoms Your Pet Has Been Poisoned

Here are some symptoms that your pet has inhaled or ingested something toxic:

• panting
• drooling
• vomiting
• voiding green or black urine
• muscle tremors

Take your pet to the vet or emergency, immediately!

Protecting Pets From Poisons

It's true, many chemicals can kill a very large amount of bacteria and viruses. But they can also kill us. Isn't that insane? Especially considering that many natural ingredients have the potential to kill the same amount of germs, without the toxic side-effects. Here's a great link on how to protect us. And check out Green Paws, for info on pet products and how to avoid the chemicals in them.

As, always, I am your devoted health-servant for life, Buster

Photo Credit: dwipal

Zen And The Art Of Hyper-Pet Maintenance

Holy Cows, did I make my human crazy today! I was ruffing yapping all over the place one minute, then licking the walls the next. Koo-koo! I could not - absolutely not - hear a word she said. I refused to sit, even for treats. I didn`t have to, I was busy inhaling crumbs the size of my paws all afternoon. Hunh? What had gotten into me?

I`ll tell you what. Today was the toddler`s birthday, and a bus load of caffeine-fueled parents and their kids showed up - it was Grand Frantic Energy Central, that`s what. There was vegan strawberry cake (YUM), circus music, and balloons. Many popped, I peed with excitement. I was OUTTA control, in a frenzy, acting like a crazy pup.

Sound familiar? Probably. Humans have become obsessive compulsive about their ADD/ADHD, and we pets are no different. Some of us yap incessantly, some of us licklicklick (I don't know why, but the noise of my tongue against fur makes my human CRAZY), and some of us bounce off the walls.

It could be easy to interpret this kind of behavior as BAD, or deem your pet untrain-able. However, just like humans, there can be many reasons why an animal is hyper active - and you, dear human, can do something about it!

Hyperactivity In Animals

Like humans, we pets have sensitive systems. Loud noises, frenetic energy, and high-glycemic foods can all influence our moods - and can be extremely stimulating! The result: your pet, backing-and-forthing, barking and meyowling, and ripping up pillows.

Animals, like humans, have our own personalities. While it is in our animal nature to sometimes sleep all day (kitties), or nose around (doggies) or even run the treadmill at night (hammies), many times our consistency can be altered. Do you find that your pup goes crazy at the sight of his friends when they meet? Yea, typical. We're happy fellas! You can't begrudge us that. How many cats go from 0 to 60 at the flick of a string? Right. That sort of stuff is in our nature.

What's not in our nature is to be incessant or obsessive about things, as mentioned above (even though YES terriers are known to be super hyper, and we border collies have our quirks, too). Naturally, we can be brought back down to Earth.

Natural Chill Pills

Chilling us out can be simple, but you human's must be diligent. This means taking a look around our environments, to see what may be causing us to explode with energy! Here are some suggestions for calming us down:

Tip #1: Tone down the environment. Turn down the TV (better yet, keep it out of our space if you can) - the electrical energy, moving pictures and noises are incredibly stimulating! Turn down music too, and choose calm, soothing tunes.

Tip #2: Keep natural light, instead of bright, artificials on. The flicker of light bulbs can influence our own eye movement/brain waves, and natural is really the best. Better yet: turn the lights off. It works for my human when she's trying to get our little 4 year old Jake to bed!

Tip #3: Choose low-glycemic, gluten-free foods for us. High sugars spike our own blood sugar (just like humans) and cause all kinds of trubb! Like, for example, that vegan cake.

Tip #4: Exercise! Let us burn off that extra energy - either by taking us for a walk/run, or playing around with us.

Tip #5: Aromatherapy! Lavender is one of the chillest oils on the planet. Use it, dawgs. I`m telling yaw`ll. Read about it HERE.

The Zen Approach

Ultimately, worrying about calming down your pet will end up causing you anxiety. The best remedy: acceptance. Knowing that we pets, just like humans, can have moments of extreme behaviors, will help you to stay present. And calm. Remember, we catch your vibes, too!

Heythere'stheneighbor'scatIgottaflyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy - Buster

Myrrh- An Ancient Ingredient For Allergy Treatment

A ruffing long time ago, three very smart humans supposedly brought some very special stuff to a certain special someone. That kid was the lucky recipient of the most valuable goods of the times: gold, frankincence, and myrrh.
Photo Credit: sonya
Ancient Ingredient

Gold was obvious, since a kids need more than just a wooden-leg up in the world - they wanted to give him every opportunity to make it! Frankincense makes sense too, to ward off evil spirits and bad energies - c'mon, you've all seen Frankenstein, right? And Myrrh, well this cure-all healing herb was the best anti-inflammatory around - perfect for a newborn's allergies, of course! That poor babe was brought into the world surrounded by animals and hay - prime breeding ground for asthmatic conditions and respiratory ailments. Of course those wise men brought that kid some immune-enhancing stuff! It just so happens that we animals are affected by allergies too - and when we have a reaction, we need help.

Allergic Symptoms In Animals

Animals get allergies just like humans - we just don't always show ours the same way.
Some symptoms that show we are allergic are:

• Allergic rhinitis (nasal cavity reaction to dust, mold, cigarette smoke, litter dust etc.)
• Allergic pneumonia in dogs (lung reaction from Aspergillus fungus, pollen, heartworm microfilariae etc.)
• Allergic dermatitis (skin reaction due to food allergy, contact allergy, cutaneous drug eruptions, atopy-allergic inhalant dermatitis etc.)
• Allergic gastroenteritis (reaction of stomach and intestines - vomiting, diarrhea due to food allergy)
• Allergic blepharitis (eyelid reaction to molds, dust, pollen, topic medications etc.)

Myrrh To The Rescue

Most important to humans - and now animals! - is Myrrh's use in medicine. It is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and can help move the blood - so it is great for circulatory and nervous problems, as well as cleaning wounds. It can help strengthen the immune system, by reducing inflammation - and allergic reactions.

Myrrh Makes Me Purr

Myrrh is a reddish-brown tree sap (similar to the one that sticks to my fur like gum), that comes from a number of different trees: all native to parts of Africa and the Middle East. This sap is really earthy smelling - not stinky like I like it - and has been used by humans for thousands of years to make incense, perfume wine, and preserve bodies. It has also been used as a haling ointment and drink, to stimulate immunity, heal wounds and reduce inflammation. It is also mildly analgesic (yapyap: a pain reliever) so it is especially good in tinctures, healing ointments and on skin irritations - which is why my human Sage uses it on my flea bites (I am pawticularly sensitive to these critters). I feel so doggone ancient when she "annoints" me with her precious salve!

I really am a Holy Dog.I may be a forward thinking dawg, but I sure like my paws steeped in ancient wisdom. Especially when they help stop my allergic reactions!

High-five At-choooooo (excuse me!), Buster

Photo Credit: glenmaclarty