Dog Grooming at Home

Dog grooming at home solutions are an alternative to professional grooming services, and many pet owners see it as a way of saving money. There are advantages and disadvantages about dog home grooming, since you may save money but you definitely invest time and effort in the activity. Statics show that short-haired small breeds are the most compatible with dog grooming home conditions. Any dog that requires complex grooming, special maintenance and hair cutting is better handled professionally than at home, because the owner may lack the skills to cope with the task.

Equipment could be a problem with dog grooming at home trials. Without a minimum of supplies the operation is not possible. Grinders, brushes, clippers and even a grooming table are actually considered basic. Combs and scissors are useful, although not always a necessity. Don't forget about special shampoos and cleaning solutions. Dog grooming home practice comes with the responsibility for the pet's health condition, therefore, don't take it lightly.

Dog

Look for tips and suggestions to learn more about dog grooming at home challenges. Try to find out about the possibly special needs of the breed and talk to the veterinarian if you notice any injury or health problem under the dog's coat. When left untreated or neglected because they are not noticed in time, lots of apparently harmless bumps on the dog's hair could become real health problems. The advantage of professional grooming here is that such cases are easier to find and signal on thorough cleaning. Pay the same attention to the nails, teeth, eyes and ears as you pay to brushing and bathing.

Nail trimming is necessary at least once a month, depending on how short you cut the dog's claws. Great care is necessary because lots of vein injuries happen when you cut nails too short. Dog grooming home care therefore requires lots of patience: you have to treat the dog gently because few pets like their paws touched. In fact, the process of nail cutting and trimming is pretty slow considering that you need to take breaks, pat and reward the dog with small treats in order to make it cooperative. In conclusion, you may save money with dog grooming home solutions, but you'll definitely put time and effort into it. The choice is all yours!

Dog Grooming at Home

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Aggressive Cat Behaviors - Questions and Answers

Are you being subjected to kitty violence as the result of aggressive cat behaviors? If so you're not alone, many cat owners deal with these behavioral problems in their cats and don't know what to do. Fortunately, the more you learn about this the better equipped you'll be to put an end to aggressive cat behaviors once and for all. Knowledge is power after all, even when it comes to cats.

Q: What Types Of Aggressive Cat Behaviors Are There?

Cat

A: There are many types of aggressive cat behaviors. Some of the most common are -

- Social Aggression - Petting Induced Aggression - Playful Aggression - Fear Aggression - Territory Aggression - Redirected Aggression

Q: How Do I know If My Cat Is Just Being Playful Or If He's Seriously Angry?

A: Generally speaking if an act of kitty violence is accompanied by hissing or growling then your cat is seriously upset about something. Another sign of anger or fear is a cat having its ears pulled back against its head. If your cat is just scratching and pouncing without signs of anger or fear it is probably under-stimulated. Playful aggressive cat behaviors like this may simply indicate that your kitty just wants to play.

Q: What Does It Mean If My Cat's Tail Is Twitching Back And Forth? Is It Mad?

A: This is one of the more common aggressive cat behaviors and generally signals that your kitty is annoyed or is becoming annoyed with something. This annoyance can quickly explode into an act of kitty violence if you're not careful. Also, sometimes a cat's tail will twitch back and forth if it's stalking something and is ready to pounce. In any even, a cat with a twitching tail is just about ready to sink its claws into something most of the time.

Q: My Cat Suddenly Growls and Hisses When I Touch It Or Try To Pick It Up. What's The Deal?

A: There could be several reasons for aggressive cat behaviors of this nature. Your cat may be experiencing a very stressful situation. Something may have scared him, another cat may be harassing him or he may have seen something out the window that upset him. If there is no apparent cause and this sort of behavior lasts for an extended period of time, then there could be something medically wrong with your cat. Most of the time a cat suffering from internal pain will not like to be touched or picked up and may become violent.

Q: Is There A Way To Stop Cat Aggression Problems?

A: Yes, very rarely is there a situation where a cat's aggressive behavior can't be fixed. The key is understanding and pinpointing the source of your cat's problem. Once that is discovered eliminating this bad behavior is quite simple. However, cats can be extremely hard to understand sometimes due to their subtle nature. Also some cats don't communicate as well as others.

Aggressive Cat Behaviors - Questions and Answers

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Q: So I Know What Kind Of Aggression Problem My Cat Has. What Now?

A: Now its time to take action and put an end to your cat's bad behavior once and for all. The type of aggression problem your cat has will determine what must be done. The guide featured in the link below will show you exactly what to do and how to do it. Your cat's aggression problems will be over before you know it!

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Treatment Options for Cat Constipation

I had never heard of cat constipation until one of our cats had problems with it over a year ago. In fact, I took him to the doctor thinking he was having problems urinating because he would go in and out of the litter box all day long without any results. What I learned when I too him to the veterinarian is that cat constipation is not all that rare and that is often "misdiagnosed" by cat owners because it isn't talked about as much as urinary problems.

While any age cat can have constipation problems, must of the cases reported are for cats that are 8 years old or older (our cat was 10). Cats will typically have one to two bowel movement everyday, although some might have more or less. If a cat goes for three or more days with no bowel movement, it is likely an indication that there is a problem. By not treating cat constipation, you could seriously harm your pet. Cat constipation can be treated both medically and naturally. We chose the natural route, which worked for our cat.

Cat

Fortunately, our cat liked canned pumpkin, which is high in fiber, so we mixed it with his food. We also cut out dry cat food for awhile since wet cat food has more water in it. Water bowls were in every room of our house to encourage him to drink more water and we found that in front of the bay window was his favorite watering hole. We also read up on herbal remedies for cat constipation, but did not have to try them since he got better.

If your pet is experiencing cat constipation, you need to act now to help them get better. Consult with your veterinarian for ideas on how you can help alleviate the constipation. There are plenty of natural remedies for cat constipation that you can try to find the one that works for him.

Treatment Options for Cat Constipation

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Pet Insurance - Which Pets Cannot Get Coverage?

Do you have a pet that can't get health insurance? There are several reasons this might be the case:

• You may have a breed of pet that the pet insurance company won't cover. There are very few breeds that are not eligible for coverage, so this won't disqualify many pets from being covered by health insurance. Most of the time, the breed restriction is because certain breeds are known to have a lot of health problems.
• Your pet is too young or too old for coverage. Most companies cover pets over 7 or 8 weeks of age. Some companies will cover pets any age. Some companies will insure older pets up to 12 or 14 years old. Other companies will not cover pets over 6, 8 or 10 years old.
• Your pet may have pre-existing conditions that preclude coverage for illnesses. The conditions that fall in this category are serious and/or chronic illnesses e.g. cancer, diabetes, Cushings Disease, etc. In these situations, the insurance company knows that these diseases require not only treatment, but frequent monitoring for possibly several years costing you and subsequently them a lot of money.

Sometimes older pets and those with pre-existing conditions, while not eligible for illness coverage will be eligible for the company's accident-only coverage. There are usually no age or illness restrictions to qualify for this coverage. Of course, to get the broadest coverage for your pet, coverage for both accidents and illnesses is preferable. Therefore, you should get pet insurance while your pet is young, preferably as a puppy or kitten, before any problems occur that could be considered pre-existing and so that age won't be an issue.

Pet

Only one company will insure exotic pets at this time.

The best way to determine if your pet is eligible for coverage is to go to each company's website and get a quote. You will be given a quote for each policy the company offers for which your pet qualifies for coverage.

Pet Insurance - Which Pets Cannot Get Coverage?

Dr. Kenney authors a blog ( http://petinsuranceguideus.com ). He has also authored a book that helps pet owners learn how pet insurance works and provides information and tools to help them find the best company and policy to insure their pet. Information on the paperback version or Ebook version of the book is available on the blog.

Natural Dog Flea Treatment And Prevention

If your dog has a flea problem, you may want to treat the fleas with natural remedies. Some of the dog flea treatment products have chemicals that could be harmful to your dog.

Natural treatments are great, because they're safe for you, your family, and your pet.

Dog

Where can you get natural products?

Pet stores carry dog flea treatment products that are made from 100% natural ingredients. These products have no chemicals yet they can be effective in getting rid of fleas.

What kind of products can you buy?

You can buy natural powders, shampoos, and sprays. You can purchase flea brushes. Also, you may even find collars that repel fleas.

What are some ways to prevent fleas?

First, keep your dog clean. Give your dog a bath weekly and use a brush on their fur once a day. Next, clean your house often. Vacuum the carpet and wash your dog's bedding.

Fleas are attracted to warm, moist areas. You can sprinkle powdered laundry detergent on the carpeted areas. The detergent kills the fleas and their eggs. Let it sit on the carpet for a couple of minutes and then vacuum it up. When you do this, make sure your dog and your kids are not around.

Also, mow your lawn often. If you have bushes and trees, keep them trimmed. This makes it harder for fleas to get to your dog.

What about homemade treatments?

You may have heard of dog homemade flea treatments. Some dog owners claim that these treatments work well. However, before using any of these treatments, ask your vet to make sure they're safe.

Natural Dog Flea Treatment And Prevention

Learn more about natural flea prevention from The Dog Guide. Also, here is more information about dog health including removing dog ticks.

Dog Paw Protection From Heat & Other Summertime Issues

Many dog owners are not aware of the issues that can arise in the summer that may affect their dog's health, especially that of their paws. Dogs and their owners tend to spend more time outside in the summer doing all sorts of fun human and dog activities. There may be more trips to the park or the beach plus extra walks, runs, hikes, and camping trips. All this additional fun can cause problems for dog's paws as well as irritate any allergies that your dog and even you may have.

First let's talk about pollen and allergies. Summer is full of pollen from grasses, and the combination of heat and humidity bring out the mold. Where does that pollen or mold end up when your dog goes outside? On his paws, of course, and all those allergens get tracked into your house when he comes in. But if he or she is wearing breathable dog shoes or dog sandals, they can come off and stay on the back porch when your dog comes in. No itchy allergic reaction for him and no sneezing and sniffling for you. Don't forget about all those yard chemicals we put on our lawns like fertilizer and pesticides. When summer dog shoes protect your dog's paws, there are no worries about him licking his paws and ingesting those dangerous chemicals.

Dog

Taking your dog to the park for a romp or to a national forest for a camping trip in the summer brings up yet another issue. Weeds and wild grasses are growing and often produce seeds in the form of little prickly burrs that get wedged between the pads of a dog's paws. This is an even bigger issue for long-haired dogs that have fur that grows between those pads. To keep your dog from limping painfully and you from having to pick those annoying stickers out, make sure he is wearing protective summer dog boots.

There is also the issue of sidewalks and roads that heat up like a griddle under the summer sun. Even if the air temperature is only 85 or 90, the temperatures of that asphalt or cement can skyrocket to well over 100 degrees.

If you live on the coast, you are probably well aware of how hot the sand can get and how it feels on your bare feet. You've probably seen many a comic moment in movies and on television of unsuspecting beach goers hopping across the sand like they are walking on hot coals. That's why you keep your flip-flops on and why your dogs should be protected against that summertime issue by outfitting them in protective dog shoes or dog boots (and yes, even dog sandals).

Summer offers extra fun and excitement for your dog, but with that comes extra issues for their paws, too. So keep your best friend's tender feet safe with the right shoes for summertime.

Dog Paw Protection From Heat & Other Summertime Issues

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Treadmill Training - Training Your Dog on the Treadmill

Ever since Cesar Millan mentioned a dog on a treadmill, owners across the country have tried their hand at treadmill training. Some owners have succeeded while others have failed. Like any type of training, treadmill training takes time and patience. It is highly unlikely that your pooch will be a natural, but he can be taught how to use the equipment. A treadmill should not replace a daily exercise routine; though, sometimes, it is a necessary addition.

Before you toss your pooch on the treadmill, there are safety precautions you should take. Realize that your dog may be frightened by the machine and try to find his way off of it. For this reason, place the treadmill against a wall. If possible, place it in the corner of a room where there is a wall in front (or back) and on one side. Make a barrier around the one of the exposed sides using cardboard. The barrier does not have to be sturdy, but it should stand upright and show your dog that it is not a way out. One side should be left open for your dog to enter and exit the treadmill. Being surrounded on all sides may also add to his fright.

Dog

Other items that need to be prepared include his leash and his favorite motivator. If your dog normally walks on a harness, then use the harness for training. The same is true for a collar and leash. You should also grab his most loved treat, whether it is food or a favorite toy. Rewarding your dog for good and desired behavior is always necessary when training.

Slowly introduce your pet to the treadmill. If you use the treadmill, then keep him in the room with you when you are using it. He needs to get accustomed to the sight and sound of the machine. Take time placing him on the treadmill, and let him take his time in exploring the equipment. After he has had a chance to check things out (this could take a few minutes or a couple of days), then attach his harness or leash and place him on the treadmill. Never tie the leash off on the treadmill, because a fall could be dangerous. Hold the leash in your hands at all times; you should always have control over your dog. Set the speed to a slow walk. It's a good idea to use a stopwatch to time the training. Since you will be increasing the walking time each day, then it's important to be able to accurately judge the time. Let him walk for a minute or two, and stop the treadmill. Give him a treat for his good work, and then start it again. Once again, let him walk for a couple of minutes, then turn it off for the day. Repeat this process each day, allowing your dog to stay on the treadmill for an extra minute each time. You can slowly increase the speed; but, when increasing the speed, decrease the time so that your pooch can get accustomed to the new movement. Remember that training can take a while, so you may spend a few days just introducing your pet to the machine.

A walk or run on the treadmill should never replace your dog's daily routine. Depending on the breed, some dogs need large amounts of exercise. When an outside walk isn't enough, then a treadmill can be used to expend the extra energy. If it is raining outside or you are unable to go outside for whatever reason, then the treadmill is a good alternative. However, just because the treadmill is a quick fix does not mean that it should be used as the only form of exercise.

Training a dog to walk or run on a treadmill is possible; but, like all training, it does take time. Take your pooch's safety in mind before you start the exercise program. Once your dog is comfortable with the machine, then he is probably ready for his first walk. Start slow, and increase the walking time each day. Once your pup is ready to run, then the time should be decreased, and the process should start again. Before you know it, your pooch will be a treadmill pro!

Treadmill Training - Training Your Dog on the Treadmill

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Keeping Your Cat Fit With a Cat Exercise Wheel

Obesity is a problem with many cats these days. This is especially a problem for cats who stay indoors all the time and don't have a chance to exercise that often. If a cat has the opportunity to eat as much as it wants whenever it wants to this also can add to the problem. The best way to deal with obesity is to prevent it in the first place. One way to do this is to get your cat to exercise more often through the use of cat toys. One cat toy that is particularly useful for this is the cat exercise wheel.

This Wheel is just what it sounds like. It looks like an extra large version of the exercise wheels used by hamsters and other small animals. They are usually made of metal and measure between 36 and 48 inches in diameter. The one side of the wheel is open so the cat can get into the Cat Exercise Wheel and the other side is either solid or spokes depending on the manufacturer. The wheels with spokes also have a clear plastic piece you can put on that side if you are worried the cat would get hurt by the spokes.

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The Wheel was created originally for use by Bengal cats, but any cat can use this type of exercise wheel. Most cats seem to like running on the wheel, but some are a bit unsure of it at first and might need to be coached on how to use it. There are a variety of videos on the internet of cats using a Cat Exercise Wheel if you are interested in seeing how these work and whether or not the cats appear to enjoy them.

If your cat is already obese, it could still benefit from the use of a Cat Exercise Wheel. Usually it is recommended that an owner try to help an obese cat slowly lose about 20 percent of it's weight through diet and exercise changes. A Cat Exercise Wheel is a great way to get your cat to exercise without having to constantly have to coax them with a cat toy. Just be careful not to try to force the cat to lose too much weight too quickly, as this can put the cat at risk for liver disease and other health problems. Slow weight loss is also the most likely to last, as is the case with people.

Keeping Your Cat Fit With a Cat Exercise Wheel

Trevor Kassulke owns and operates http://www.catcareguidance.com

Cat Exercise Wheel

Short Haired Dog Breeds - Oh the Advantages!

Short-haired dog breeds have many advantages over long-haired breeds. One of these is that short-haired dog breeds do not shed as much hair. While a shaggier coat makes a dog look fluffier and aesthetically more pleasing, it should be remembered that more hair means more time spent on bathing and grooming. Short-hairs are also good because pests can not hide on them very well, so they are better from a hygienic point of view.

Here are some grooming tips for short-haired dog breeds.

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- Brush your dog regularly, preferably at least once a day. Make sure to brush against the hair growth direction to monitor for pests.

- Stainless steel combs are best for short-haired dogs. Slicker brushes are better for medium to long-haired dogs. Use a flea comb during the summer days to make certain your dog has not attracted those parasites. A bristle brush can be a final touch for adding gloss to the dog's coat.

- In case you dog has a tendency to avoid being brushed because of dislike for the process, it might be a good idea to try brushing immediately after play time. Start gently by brushing in the hair growth direction. Remember that successful training means frequent rewards. Give your dog a treat after the first brushing is complete. Increase the length of the brushing sessions little by little to allow the dog to get used to it.

- Brushing is also important before giving your dog a bath. Wet matted hair is only going to create problems later on, so make sure there is no matted hair before proceeding with the bath. Water and good shampoo in a sink works great for small dogs. Note that shampoos used by humans are not good for dogs and can cause irritation that might require medication. Start with the tail and wash the head the last. No one likes soap in his or her eyes.

- Rinse as many times as required to make sure that all residual shampoo has been rinsed out of the dog's coat.

- Short-haired dog breeds will naturally dry of faster. Usually a gentle towel rub is all that they need. Longer haired dogs need more attention and you should consider brushing the hair while it is drying to avoid tangles.

- If your dog tends to dislike baths then remember to reward it with a treat after each bathing session.

Short Haired Dog Breeds - Oh the Advantages!

Get all of your dog information at [http://yougodog.com]

Copyright 2006 @ Ann Born [http://yougodog.com] No part of this article may be reproduced in any manner without including the author’s bio.