The Euthanasia Process - What Happens When Your Dog Or Cat is Put to Sleep?

I often get clients asking me what will happen when they bring their pet to the vet for euthanasia. While every veterinarian will have a slightly different routine, I'd like to share with you what happens in my office. Sometimes knowing what will happen makes things a little easier on us during this difficult time.

The first thing that will happen is the paperwork. You will need to sign a form giving permission for the euthanasia and also stating that your pet has not bitten anyone in the last 14 days. We like to take care of the invoice before the procedure is done so that you do not have to face anyone afterwards.

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The staff will discuss your options for the care of your pet's body after the euthanasia. In our office, all animals are cremated. You have the option of having the ashes returned in an urn if you would like this.

The Euthanasia Process - What Happens When Your Dog Or Cat is Put to Sleep?

Next, your pet is given an injection of a sedative. This will take about 5-10 minutes to start working. The sedative causes mild sedation in some animals and profound sedation in others. The goal is to have your pet sedated enough that they are not stressed, but not to the point of them being completely comatose.

Then, an IV catheter is placed in the vein (usually in a front leg) and taped in place. Once you are ready, then the veterinarian will perform the injection through this catheter. The euthanasia solution is an overdose of an anesthetic. It causes the animal to be completely unaware of what is happening. Your dog or cat will simply feel like he or she is falling asleep. They do not feel any pain or discomfort at all.

The euthanasia solution works very quickly. Usually by the time the injection has been completed the heart has stopped. Most animals do not close their eyes. It usually is extremely peaceful. However, the occasional animal will make a sigh or a grunt as they are passing away. It is rare, but once or twice a year we will see an animal who makes a very loud noise or has some odd muscle contractions as they go. This is difficult to watch but if this does happen to your pet it is important to remember that they are completely unaware of what is happening.

Euthanasia is very difficult but in most cases this is the kindest thing we can do for an animal who is in pain or suffering. It is normal to feel extreme grief afterwards. For many people, losing a pet is harder emotionally than losing a parent.

The Euthanasia Process - What Happens When Your Dog Or Cat is Put to Sleep?

Ask A Vet a question.

How To Get Rid of Dog Odor

Although we love our dogs, we don't always love how they smell. If you know or suspect your canine companion has picked up some unpleasant odors, Louise Louis of http://www.ToyBreeds.com offers you some tips on how to restore a fragrant home (and dog).

1. Dry him thoroughly after removing the bad odor.

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Many dogs love to swim in whatever water is available. Use towels or a hair dryer on the lowest-heat setting until he's totally dry.

How To Get Rid of Dog Odor

If you need more than water to get him clean, try Listerine or other brand of mouthwash. Put some on a washcloth and clean your dog's coat, then rinse or shampoo off. If that isn't working, add some baking soda to the mix.

2. Check for sticky objects in his coat.

Many dogs get feces or other smelly things stuck in their fur. Especially check his paws and around his anus. It's a good idea to shave his hair in a circle around his anus to minimize that possibility.

3. If his breath is bad, give him Greenies.

These are one of the great dog products and available in any pet store. If your dog is otherwise healthy and just has doggy breath, they'll do the trick.

4. Bathe him regularly especially if he spends much time outside.

Use a gentle shampoo made for dogs and wash him about every six weeks or so. Follow with a nice conditioner or make your own using a little baking soda in lukewarm water.

5. Make sure his diet isn't the problem.

Feed him a balanced, premium dog food that smells good to you and make sure his dog food hasn't spoiled or developed mold. Dog food packaging should indicate its expiration date. Always check at the store before you buy it.

6. Check his ears.

Ear infections are a common cause of bad smells. Make sure he doesn't have any discharges, bad odors or strange colors or insects in his ears. Infections need to be treated by a vet right away.

7. Clean your home and his possessions.

Doggy odors can linger in carpets. You must use an enzyme cleaner like Nature's Miracle if he has a potty accident.

To restore a nice smell in your home, sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and leave overnight before vacuuming in the morning. Also you can use a little baking soda with your laundry power when you wash his bedding and his clothing. Many people like to put a little white vinegar in the rinse water.

P.S. Older dogs and unneutered males tend to smell more strongly.

How To Get Rid of Dog Odor

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and creator of the popular website on small dogs, http://www.ToyBreeds.com

Dog Breed Comparison - Do Your Research Beforehand to Ensure Compatability with Family and Other Pet

There are hundreds of different dog breeds to choose from. Before selecting a puppy or dog to adopt be sure to do some research on the breed to ensure compatibility with your family, children and other pets. Here we have outlined a few common breeds to help you in your search for the perfect dog.

Sussex Spaniel

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The Sussex Spaniel is a British sporting dog that was originally used to hunt partridge. This breed most likely was developed by crossing the Bloodhound with the Clumber Spaniel. It is a smaller dog that only stands between 15 and 16 inches tall and weighs between 40 and 50 pounds. They have a typical long wavy spaniel coat that comes in shades of gold, liver, and puce. They are a very friendly dog that makes a great companion and a great family dog, especially if they are properly trained and socialized.

Dog Breed Comparison - Do Your Research Beforehand to Ensure Compatability with Family and Other Pet

Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier, also called the Irish Blue Terrier, is an Irish breed that was created in the 18th century. It was originally used as a herding dog, vermin catcher, and waterfowl retriever. Today this breed is used as a guard dog and as a pet.

The Kerry Blue Terrier usually stands between 18 and 19 inches tall and weighs between 33 and 37 pounds. Their coat is soft and wavy and comes in shades of blue with black points, blue without black points, and small white patches on their chest is also common. The Kerry Blue Terrier is great with kids. They are happiest when kept as the only pet, as they may show male dog aggression. It you have a cat then you will need to socialize your Kerry from a young age with the cats, otherwise you could have trouble.

Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer, also referred to as a Riesenschnauzer, is a German breed that was developed to be a cattle dog. It is suspected that this breed was created by crossing rough-coated shepherd, Bouvier des Flandres, smooth-coated drover dogs, and Great Danes. Today this breed is used as a guard dog, as a watch dog and as a family dog.

This impressive breed stands between 23.5 and 27.5 inches tall and weighs between 70 and 77 pounds. Their coat is short and wiry and it comes in solid black or salt and pepper variations. This is a very loyal and protective breed that can fit into just about any type of family as long as they are socialized properly. To keep the Giant Schnauzer happy and healthy you will need to provide it with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

Cockapoo

The Cockapoo is a popular mixed breed that developed in the United States. This breed was created by crossing the Miniature Poodle and the American Cocker Spaniel. The size of this dog is going to depend on the size of their parents, however, they tend to be between 9 and 13 inches tall and weigh between 6 and 19 pounds. The advantage of this breed is that they are a low shedder, which makes them a great pet option for people with allergies.

To care for this mixed breed you will need to brush their coats on a regular basis. This will help to prevent matting and skin problems. They don't need a lot of exercise but a nightly walk will help keep them healthy. While both the poodle and the cocker spaniel have health problems, the crossing of these two breeds seems to cancel out most of these problems. Cockapoos are generally a very healthy breed, however, fatty tumors and hip problems can sometimes develop.

Bulldog

The Bulldog, also referred to as the English Bulldog, is the national symbol for Great Britain. Originally this breed was used to manage oxen, to guard property, to hunt, and to bait large game. Today this breed is mostly a fun-loving family dog.

The Bulldog is a small dog that only stands about 12 to 14 inches tall. However, even though they are short they are a relatively heavy set dog weighing in around 55 pounds when fully grown. They have a short smooth coat that comes in both solid colors and variegated color patterns. The most common colors found in this breed include black, red, brown, brindles, and piebald. Because of the build of this breed they have a tendency to over heat, have problems breathing, and have a difficult time whelping.

Redbone Coonhound

The Redbone Coonhound is a Georgia creation that developed by crossing the Bloodhound with the Foxhound. The males of this breed are larger than the females. They stand between 22 and 27 inches tall and weigh between 45 and 65 pounds. The females stand between 21 and 25 inches tall and weigh between 45 and 65 pounds. They have short shiny coats that are very fine. They have a solid red coat with small traces of white near their chests and feet. This is a loyal and loving breed that will do what ever it can to make you happy.

Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu, also called the Japanese Small-Size Dog and the Brushwood Dog, is a Japanese non-sporting dog. This breed was almost wiped out in the 1950s because of a distemper outbreak. The Shiba Inui is a medium sized dog that stands between 13.5 and 16.5 pounds and weighs between 18 and 25 pounds. It has a straight, harsh coat that comes in salt and pepper, black, black and tan, red, and black and white color variations. As far as their temperament goes they get along with kids if they are raised around kids, however, they tend to have same sex dog aggression that you will need to watch out for if you have other pets.

Dog Breed Comparison - Do Your Research Beforehand to Ensure Compatability with Family and Other Pet

Dog behavior, pet training and puppy breeder information all in one place online. The ultimate resource for dog owners. Learn expert dog training technique, advice to help with dog behavior problems, a dog training forum as well as a directory of dog trainers and breeders all over the country to help you locate a professional near you. Learn about puppy obedience training, pet nutrition, dog obedience, housebreaking and more. Check out our puppy training e-book [http://www.dogbehavioronline.com/ebook.html] for more tips to help you raise an obedient pet and companion.

Urinary Tract Infections - Crystals - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

The most basic question is,  how do I tell if my dog has UTI? What should I look for?
The most common symptoms of a urinary tract infection include: [5]

- frequent urination

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- dribbling urine

Urinary Tract Infections - Crystals - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

- blood in the urine

- squatting frequently to urinate

- straining to urineng odor to the urine

- inappropriate urination (such as in the house)

- incontinence

- an increase in thirst and drinking.

Ok, If know my pet has UTI, What can I do?  Tell me more about it, how does my dog's diet affect things? 

We have a lot of customers who come into our store and tell us my cat or my dog has UTI Crystals and the vet put them on a C/D, U/D, K/D, or NF formula. As everyone knows prescription diets are far from Optimal Nutrition for your dog or cat, they exist to treat a specific ailment, but continuation on these diets can lead to other serious issues.[1]  Prescription diets are made to treat specific conditions; as with most prescription diets, they are meant for short term us, long term use of these diets have the potential to cause adverse side effects.[6]

Here are some of the potential side effects from long term use of U/D, K/D, and NF formula foods. [6]

• Heart Failure
• Liver Failure
• Kidney Failure
• Pancreatitis
• Hypertension
• Hypoalbuminemia

Did I get your attention? Good.  Now, before we dive deeper into UTI Crystals we need to understand Urine pH.  pH is a scale that ranges from 0 to 14, that measures acid bases.  A score of 7.0 is considered neutral.  Most dogs PH ranges from 5.0 to 9.0.

Got it? Good, now let's talk UTI Crystals.

UTI develops in about 14% of dogs. [2] That's a pretty big number, there are two main forms of UTI Crystals (Struvite and Calcium Oxalate).

Struvite Crystals

Form when there is a bacterial infection that is capable of breaking down Urea that will otherwise be passed in the urine. Urea is a waste product produced from metabolism of protein.  This reaction of breaking down the Urea into Ammonia only happens in Alkaline PH.[3]

Struvite Crystals are more common in female dogs and there are some breeds that are felt to have an increased risk which include Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Scottish Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Beagles, Miniature Schnauzers, Pekingese, Basset Hounds, Springer Spaniels and German Shepherds, and Bichon Frises.

Calcium Oxalate Crystals

Form in acidic to Neutral pH Urine, a few things are said to cause these stones to form, the most common is hereditary. The product of defective nephrocalin is usually the culprit. [4]

Unlike, Struvite Crystals, Calcium Oxalate Crystals cannot be dissolved by a diet change; they need to be surgically removed.  However, a proper diet can help prevent Calcium Oxalate Crystals from forming.  

Calcium Oxalate Crystals are more common in male doges and some of the breeds that are felt to have an increased risk which includes;  Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Bichon Frises.

Ok, now that you know the basics, let's talk nutrition!

We learned that you can dissolve Struvite crystals with more acidic foods, so dogs that are prone to Struvite Crystals you will naturally want to keep on a more acidic diet.

Fortunately,  most of the good ingredients dogs and cats should be eating are acidic in nature, for example,  chicken, beef, eggs, fish, pork, cottage cheese, yogurt, rice (brown and white), beans, nuts and all seafood.  Doesn't that sound like the perfect Kibble or Raw food diet?

Berries are acidic in nature and the lower pH levels and prevent bacteria from clinging to the walls of the bladder.  Solid Gold Berry Balance is a supplement that's commonly used to lower the Urine pH Levels.

What about Calcium Oxalate Crystals?

The reverse is true, to raise the pH score, you should be feeding foods more alkaline in nature, to include a few squash, beet greens, rhubarb, spinach, beets, raw endive, dandelion greens, okra, kale and sweet potatoes.

It's been recommended the diets should be lower in protein and oxalates and high in magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.  Here's a list of foods and there oxalates level [http://www.branwen.com/rowan/oxalate.htm].  Beef and Lamb cuts tend to have lower protien levels among other meat likes (Venison, Pheasent, etc)

A commonly used supplement to raise the Urine pH level is Potassium Citrate.

Okay Enough Talk.  How do I know if I'm doing the right thing.?

Talk with your vet, ask them what the Target Urine pH should be for your dog. Every dog is different; some dogs might have severe cases, others mild. The dogs breeds will factor in the decision.

OK, I know my Target PH level. How do I know I'm achieving it?

Urine pH Test Strips, you should be able to get these from your vet or a local retailer, or even purchase them on-line.

OK. That sounds simple anything else I should Know?

Yes, water consumption, treats, etc. All factor into the Urine pH levels.  You will notice, throughout the day the levels will change.  Take multiple Urine PH samples to assure your achieving your goal.  Always keep checking.

Sure, you listed out the ingredients, but I don't cook for my dog, I just buy kibble or raw, how do I know what the PH levels are?  

Here's a list of some excellent brands and their pH Levels for Dogs and Cat. We called up these companies and spoke to a representative to get the levels.

Cani-dae Dog - Kibble - pH 7.0

Cani-dae Dog - Canned - pH 6.0

Feli-dae Cat - Kibble- pH 6.0

Feli-dae Cat - Canned - pH 5.5

Fromm 4-star Dog - Kibble - pH 6.2 - 6.4

Fromm 4-Star Cat - Kibble- pH 6.5 - 6.8

Honest Kitchen - pH 7.0

Merrick Before Grain (Dogs and Cats) - pH 6.8

Merrick 5-Star Dry (Dogs and Cats) - pH 6.5 - pH 6.8

Merrick 5-Star Canned(Dogs and Cats) - pH 6.3 - pH 6.5

Orijen (cat and dog) - pH of 5.5

Primal Dog and Cat - pH 6.0 - 7.0

Natura (Evo, Innova, California Natural) (Dogs and Cats) - pH 6.2 - 6.8

Solid Gold - Dog - Dry - pH 6.4 - 6.6

Solid Gold - Dog - Canned - pH 6.0

Solid Gold - Cat - Dry - pH 6.2 - 6.4

Solid Gold - Cat - Canned - pH 6.2

Wellness Dog (Kibble and Canned) - pH 6.5 - 7.5

Wellness Cat - Dry - pH 6.2 - 6.6

Wellness Cat - Canned - pH 6.1 - 6.6

Sources:

1- Wikipedia

2- UTI in Dogs

3- Veterniary Partners

4- Veterniary Partners

5- B Naturals

6- Veterinary Medicine

Researched By: Luke's All Natural

Urinary Tract Infections - Crystals - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Luke's All Natural Dog and Cat Pet Food

http://www.lukesallnatural.com

How To Treat Dog Vomiting

A very common problem that virtually all of us see as dog owners is dog vomiting.

There are potentially many different causes of dog vomiting. The most common cause is garbage gut, where your dog consumes something he shouldn't have, resulting in vomiting. Other causes include food allergies, parasites, medications, infectious causes (i.e. parvovirus), cancer, liver or kidney disease, pancreatitis, metabolic disorders (thyroid disease or diabetes), physical obstructions such as a ball or a bone, and primary motility disorders (the stomach doesn't contract normally).

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Any vomiting dog must be evaluated for dehydration. If your dog is vomiting persistently and unable to retain even water, wait no longer than 24 hours before going to your veterinarian. This indicates a severe problem, such as an obstruction, that needs to be treated with IV fluids and possibly surgery. If your dog is still consuming water and occasionally vomiting, then you can try some of the home remedies.

How To Treat Dog Vomiting

Fasting. A 24 hour fast is the most important thing you can do to allow your pet's inflamed stomach to heal. Allow access to controlled amounts of water, but no food. After 24 hours offer bland food such as plain cooked white rice; give equivalent amounts of rice as you do dog or cat food. After 48 hours mix their regular food with rice and don't fully go to regular food until after 72 hours.

For Food Allergens. For dogs and cats with chronic vomiting, I strongly recommend a diet change. Preferably switch to a hypoallergenic food or homemade allergy diet. At the very least, change to a premium quality food - I find that some pets respond to a more natural diet. In light of the recent Pet Food Recall, paying close your dog's diet is even more important than ever.

Homeopathic. Nux Vomica is an effective homeopathic remedy for dog vomiting. Give 1 tablet of the 30C strength per 40lbs once daily for 3-5 days.

Herbal - Ginger. A tasty addition for a curry is also effective for vomiting. The dried herb dose is 25mg per lb or 1 drop per lb twice daily of the tincture.

Acupressure Point. The ST36 point, located on the outside of the hind leg below the knee may be effective; press it for 1 minute twice daily for 3-5 days to see if it helps.

Flowers to the Rescue: Bach Rescue Remedy can make your pet feel a little better about their illness. Give your pet 3-4 drops by mouth every 6 hours.

Herbal - Chamomile. This is commonly used in people with mild stomach upset and it may help your pet. Give 30mg per lb of the dried herb, or 2 drops per lb of the tincture three times daily.

The treatments I covered may be all that you need for now. But I guarantee that you will use many of the thousands of at home remedies in my book.

I use them every day in practice. They work. No side effects.

You should try it.

To your pet's good health,

Dr. Andrew Jones

How To Treat Dog Vomiting

Dr. Andrew Jones, a practicing Veterinarian, has a special interest in alternative, natural remedies for pets. His book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed, a holistic pet health manual, is at: http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com. Visit his membership site, Dr. Andrew Jones' Inner Circle, at: http://www.theonlinevet.com.

Removing Airborne Pet Hair - 5 Reasons to Use an Air Purifier to Remove Airborne Pet Hair

Removing airborne pet hair is probably one of the biggest issues that comes with having a pet as part of the family. Whether your pet is a dog, cat, bird, guinea pig or some other adorable creature, pet hair can cause a lot of headache. Of all the solutions you can try, here are 5 reasons to use an air purifier to remove airborne pet hair for good.

1. Saves Time Using an air purifier whose motor is designed to run 24 hours means that airborne pet hair is never allowed to build up in your air. This means you'll spend less time cleaning up after your pets and more time enjoying them; and since the hair is removed from the air before it falls, there is less hair to send airborne from the furniture and floor as you move about the house doing normal activities.

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2. Cleans Pollutants That You Can't See Not only does an air purifier removes dog hair that may be visible, but a high efficiency particles arresting cleaner will remove airborne pollutants that you can't see such as pet dander, dust, sand, dirt that goes airborne after a romp in the yard, or the tiny pieces of kitty litter or wood chips that go airborne after your cat or guinea pig romp in their respective boxes.

Removing Airborne Pet Hair - 5 Reasons to Use an Air Purifier to Remove Airborne Pet Hair

3. Improves Your Health Pet hair and dander are often triggers of allergy, and asthma-like symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and worse still full blown asthma attacks. By constantly reducing the level of airborne particles that your pet creates-dust, pollen, feathers, dander, kitty litter, sawdust, you create a safe space where both your family and pets can co-exist happily.

4. Economical In many cases filtering your air with a purifier costs no more to operate that a 60 watt light bulb, so operating the purifier costs minimally more in electricity each month and saves gas because you are not having to continually drive to get other products to deal with pet hair that may not provide a solution to the problem.

5. Safe to Use If you're like me, you are continually on guard about everything that you introduce into your home because of the adverse effect it may have on your family and your pet-whether it's the food, toys, treats, cleaning solutions, lawn care products-anything and everything. A well-made air purifier provides only fresh, pollutant free air as a by-product, and is safe for pets and small children because pieces are less likely to be chewed, cause choking, or other injury.

Removing Airborne Pet Hair - 5 Reasons to Use an Air Purifier to Remove Airborne Pet Hair

An excellent resource for a HEPA air purifier to remove airborne pet hair is offered by PurerAir.com-- the Austin Air HM400 at http://purerair.com/pet_dander_air_purifier.html

Cat Eye Disorders

EYE TUMORS

Seventy-five percent of eye tumors in the cat are malignant, aggressive forms of cancer (in dogs the ratio is reversed, 75 percent of tumors are benign and do not spread or become life-threatening). An Iris melanoma is the most common type of tumor affecting cat's eyes. Older cats may develop a visible brown or black spot on the iris of their eye. The Iris is the colored part of the eye. The spots may be single or multiple and are pigmented cells called Melanocytes that have overgrown. Examination involves the use of a slit-lamp biomicroscope, which determines whether or not the tumor is cancerous. If the pigmented area on the iris is flat, the lesion is referred to as an Ins Melanosis. This is considered to be pre-cancerous and is rechecked at six-month intervals.

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IRIS MELANOMA / GLAUCOMA

Cat Eye Disorders

Iris melanoma is also called Melanosis and/or Melanocytoma. Iris melanoma is the term used if the pigmented area on the iris is raised. This is a cancerous lesion. Treatment involves using a diode laser to destroy the cancer cells. Without treatment, Iris melanoma is generally result in Glaucoma. Glaucoma occurs because the cancer cells spread and obstruct the drainage angle of the eye, which is where the fluid within the eye normally drains. Since fluid can not drain from the eye, it builds up within the eye which increases pressure within the eye and causes Glaucoma. In dogs, Glaucoma rapidly results in blindness due to irreversible damage to the retina.

The only sign of Glaucoma in cats may be a slight difference in the size of the pupils which are the dark central area of the eye. Surgical removal of the eye, which is called Enucleation, is often necessary in advanced cases of Ins Melanoma. This alleviates the pain of Glaucoma and removes the cancerous mass.

RETINAL DEGENERATION

Retinal Degeneration is an inherited condition in Abyssinian cats. It occurs between four to six years of age and results in blindness. A dietary deficiency of the amino acid Taurine can also occur in cats fed primarily dog food which results in Nutritional Retinal Degeneration. This condition was first described in 1975 and was called Feline Central Retinal Degeneration (FCRD). Commercial cat foods are now fortified with Taurine to prevent this problem.

Cat Eye Disorders

Copyright 2007 Dr. Carol Osborne

Dr. Carol Osborne is the inventor of PAAWS, the pet anti-aging wellness system seen on TV. VitaLife is Dr. Carol's newest line of pet vitamin supplements and is the best supplement available for arthritis and anti-aging in dogs and cats. PAAWS and VitaLife are revolutionary breakthroughs, with all natural nutrients that virtually peel away the years, seeming to reverse the aging process normally experienced by pets.

Get FREE pet advice from Dr. Carol at http://CarolonPets.com/

Visit Dr. Carol's blog at http://CarolonPets.com/blog/

Buy PAAWS and VitaLife dog and cat vitamin supplements and other pet health products at http://DrCarol.com/

Dog Anal Gland Problems - Stop This Grooming Procedure!

Pheromones are chemical messengers that help dogs and cats identify each other in the pack. That's why dogs sniff each other's butts, or another dogs poop they come across on their walks. The pheromones are released when a dog goes poop supplying much biochemical information needed to communicate with one another. They are released via the anal glands found inside the dog or cats rectum. Dog anal gland problems are common, with the common treatment being performed unnecessarily being the cause.

Causes

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Dog Anal Gland Problems - Stop This Grooming Procedure!

The anal glands inside the rectum have a tiny duct that leads out to the anus. When the dog or cat goes poop feces enters the rectum, the colon expands, and these glands squeeze a little pheromones on the feces. When the duct that drains the gland becomes swollen shut the problem is created. In a nutshell what happens is that the muscle that does the work becomes weak from not operating on it's own, and therefor cannot perform on it's own. The area becomes agitated and swollen shut.

When your groomer provides your pet the service of excreting his anal glands he is playing with fire and your pets health and well being is on the line and so is your hard earned bucks because this procedure actually creates unnecessary trauma to the gland. Whether it's your groomer or your vet, excreting your dog or cats anal glands is a procedure you need to ensure your groomer and vet do not do.

In cases where there is an underlying inflammatory condition or low-grade infection that's already in the anal gland, sometimes gentle manipulation by an experienced veterinarian. It is extremely important that your vet knows when to stop squeezing so as to help the gland keep it's muscle tone so it can work on it's own accord preventing anal problems in your dog.

If anal gland muscle tone is lost through regular expression, do not have your veterinarian or groomer automatically express the glands. Tell your vet to check the glands regularly and to determine if the glands are of normal size, not too full, and whether the duct is working properly. In that case, it is best to leave them alone.

The GI Tract and Other Organs

Inflammation of the GI tract is the second runner up for anal gland problems in cats and dogs. It is important to remember that any disease in the gastrointestinal tract also effects these glands. For example Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Allergic Gastritis, allergies, and Allergic Colitis can all effect anal glands in your dog or cat.

Another one is anything that can cause soft stools. This could be medications, parasites or antibiotics. Firm stools are required to apply pressure against the colon wall that allows the glands to express pheromones. A pet having regular or recurrent soft stools or diarrhea can cause anal gland problems. The problem behind the soft stools needs to quickly be addressed and not left unattended.

Pet Allergies

If your pet is sensitive to allergens within his surroundings it is likely that gland problems can arise by causing tremendous itching to the anus making your dog or cat bite and scratch, causing the area to become irritated. If you think you have an allergenic pet you need to have the cause of the allergies investigated and controlled in order to eliminate the gland problem.

Ergonomic Problems

Ergonomic problem refers to anal glands set abnormally deep. When a dog or cat has anal glands placed to low inside, even healthy stools cannot suffice and effectively empty the pheromones during bowel movements. Once again, the glands in this case need to be regularly checked my the vet in order to determine if they need to be expressed manually.

Only extreme circumstances require the surgical removal of anal glands, but according to Dr. Karen Becker, Holistic Veterinarian this surgical procedure under the surgical definition of a "Salvage procedure", meaning it can host a whole other basket of complications.

The first issue at hand in treating dog anal gland problems is for the owner to identify the root problem causing the glands to swell. Determine if the problem is an inflammatory one or an allergic one, or soft stool. If your pet does not have anal gland problems make the choice to eliminate gland expression in your pets life so as to preserve the muscle and do away with anal gland problems in the future. Only in extreme circumstances of your pet needing relief, determined by a vet, should you have the glands expressed.

Dog Anal Gland Problems - Stop This Grooming Procedure!

Drop by my fitness pad and open your mind, heart and body to better health and fitness for adults, kids and pets. Health and Fitness Fairy

Mishari is known as the Health and Fitness Fairy for her experience of over 25 years in the Health and Fitness industry. Whether you are working toward weight loss or a more healthy lifestyle, consider eating yourself sexy using a diet and nutrition program for maintaining fitness and health, and eliminating the need for future dieting for weight loss.

Why Does My Cat Pee Everywhere?

Whether your cat is old or young, male or female, anxious or mellow, he or she can get the idea that peeing anywhere but the litterbox is a good thing. Many frustrated humans in the past and present have tried nearly everything to figure out why the cat does this - and, of course, to solve the problem.

Here are the first things that you should do when your cat insists on stinking up your house. You'll have to be patient while you work your way through this list, but soon your kitty will be back to doing his or her business in an appropriate place.

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• Your cat needs a full health checkup. In many cases, cats pee right in front of you when they're sick. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common health problems, which your vet can treat. Even if that's not what's wrong with your kitty, your vet can track down, and solve, the problem.
• Cats who are older or who have health problems (joint pains, for example), can't get in and out of the litterbox like they could when they were younger. Make the litterbox more accessible so that your kitty can get in and out.
• The litterbox itself might be a problem. If you have more than one cat, you might need to put out additional litterboxes. The type of litter and how much of it you use can be problems. You should also change the cat litter and thoroughly scrub the litterbox. The plastic tends to absorb urine smells, which can turn off housecats.
• Sometimes cats will act out by peeing all over your favorite things. This can be a sign that they're unhappy about something. Try giving your cat more (positive) attention. Extra playtime with his favorite toy can cure the behavioral issue. You can also ask your vet about a product that will help soothe your kitty: Feliway is one example.
• Tomcats often spray anything that they wish to mark as their own territory. Sterilization can improve this problem.
• Elderly kitties can suffer from feline dementia. They honestly don't realize that they're doing something wrong when they pee all over your clean laundry. Buy housebreaking pads - the disposable kind that people use with puppies - and put them down where your kitty pees the most often. This won't convince her to use the litterbox, but cleanup will be much easier compared to what you're doing now.

Why Does My Cat Pee Everywhere?

You should do a few things when your kitty decides to mark something in your house.

• Never hit the cat or rub her nose in the mess. Cats aren't like human children: they don't understand that what they do is wrong. You can deter behavior as the cat is doing it, but trying to teach the cat after the fact doesn't work very well. Instead of scolding kitty afterward, catch her in the act and spritz her with tap water from a spray bottle.
• Completely clean the marked territory. Even if you can't smell the cat pee, the cat will. That's her sign to continue peeing there. Visit the pet store for a product that removes all of the pet odors.
• Give your cat plenty of positive attention. Despite the stereotypes that surround felines, cats do bond with their humans. They want our attention and will go to great lengths to get it from us.

Don't worry: you'll track down and solve the problem soon enough. In the meantime, be as patient as possible. Your solution will come and you can resume the carefree relationship

Copyright © 2008, Ian White housesitting.com

Why Does My Cat Pee Everywhere?

Author Ian White is founder of housecarers Housesitting directory

Cats are happier in their own environment. Pet friendly alternative to catteries or cat boarding.

How to Make Pet Clothes Or Dog Apparel the Easy Way

Apparel for pets - crochet dog clothes

Do you like to dress your dog up in pet clothes? Dog apparel is a popular purchase for pet owners. From lounge wear to formal fashions, the modern day pet can be dressed to the nines limited only by the owners imagination. There are even mittens, sunglasses and beach wear available for your furry friend! There are several things to consider when dressing up your dog. Pet apparel comes in many sizes for all breeds. There are some simple measurements you can use to determine the correct size. Remember if your dog is on the border between sizes to choose the larger size to ensure fit and comfort.

Cat Dog Pet

How to make dog clothes

How to Make Pet Clothes Or Dog Apparel the Easy Way

The circumference of the neck - An accurate measurement here is essential to the dogs comfort and breathing ability. You always want at least 2 fingers to fit comfortably between the clothing and the dogs neck. The broadest part of the chest - Always measure the chest at its widest point. If you have a large size dog it is recommended to select the size above your dogs measurement for comfort. The length of the backbone - This should be done from the base of the head to the base of the tail. This is from where the collar sits to the area where the tail is attached. Weight is not a good tool for determining apparel sizes as a dogs build can vary significantly even while weighing the same. If you bring to mind a Doberman and a Rottweiler they can often be in the same weight class but they have completely different body shapes.

Clothes for teacup chihuahua

You must also consider the dog breed and the climate you live in. If you have an Alaskan Malamute (or any other cold weather breed) in a hot climate it can be life-threatening to "dress-up" your dog during the summer months. Over-heating and dehydration is one of the leading causes of dog fatalities during the summer months. There are also breeds that require additional clothing during the winter months. Chihuahuas and other small breeds are notorious for suffering attacks of shivering from the cold weather even indoors. Dog pajamas can be essential for small dogs and older dogs as they lose body heat at night while sleeping. There are also numerous free knitting patterns for dogs and other ways to create clothing for your pets clothing needs are available online. Whatever your purpose for dressing your dog in pet clothes, pet apparel can be a fun way to display your dogs personality and your own creativity.

How to Make Pet Clothes Or Dog Apparel the Easy Way

Linda is the successful publisher of the site Canine-Kids. Linda provides valuable information and help for you the pet owner and your dog.You may find more information and patterns at dog clothes

The Best Thing I've Found to Clean Smelly Dogs

Ask twenty dog owners how to clean a smelly dog and you'll get twenty quirky answers. It seems everyone who has ever dealt with a stinking dog has their own special home remedy for all offending odors. Most of these dog odor cures involve tomato juice, baking soda, tomato juice mixed with baking soda, dish detergent mixed with baking soda, Guinness beer (what a waste!), vinegar, etc., etc. Of course there are the nice people who own dogs with names like Fifi, Fluffy or Mitzy who always recommend the latest flavor of the month pet store shampoo. The last time I bothered to check out dog shampoos the hot favorite was créme de oatmeal with chamomile, jasmine and the ever present aloe vera. The label claimed this aroma therapy for dogs to be "a soothing, relaxing shampoo for your pampered pet". Have you ever seen a soothed and relaxed wet poodle in a bathtub getting his or her rear end washed? I didn't think so, so let's move on.

Your Buddy Boy stinks because he's rolled in his favorite odeur du jour, swam in pond scum, laid in his own poop, or was sprayed by a skunk or tom cat. Hey, dogs will be dogs. You can't do much to change that fact (well the poop thing yes, but that's a whole other subject) so you have to wash the dog. Being the human pack leader of six dogs I would like to share with you what I've found works best to wash out the offending crud and deodorize the hair coat.

Cat Dog Pet

After years of trial and error I found a wonderful, but little known, concentrated d'Limonene cleaning product called "That Orange Stuff". I've tried every home remedy and most commercial pet shampoos and none of them work as well as this product. Not only does it clean and deodorize, but it removes tangles and helps prevent matting too. It's also safe, easy to use and cheap to buy. "That Orange Stuff" is pure and concentrated so it must be diluted with water, preferably in a spray bottle. When any of my dogs registers on the stink-o-meter, aka my nose, I wash them with a dilution of 1:64 (½ oz. product per 1 quart of water) which translates to about 22 cents a quart. The next time you visit the pet store with Fido try buying a quart of pet shampoo for 22 cents. It won't happen.

The Best Thing I've Found to Clean Smelly Dogs

This dog cleaning and deodorizing solution is easy. Just put about ½ ounce (1 capful) of "That Orange Stuff" into a one-quart spray bottle, fill with water and shake until it turns milky. Spray directly on the smelly soiled area of the coat until wet, lightly spray the rest of the dog's coat, work the cleaner into the soiled areas to loosen debris, work it through the rest of the coat for several minutes, rinse away completely with tepid or cool water, dry the dog off with clean towels, then brush the coat to a nice sheen. Use a grooming comb or brush if needed on heavily soiled areas while washing. Protect the dog's eyes while spraying as it may sting them. Note that the dilute cleaning solution will not lather up like shampoos. If you must have suds, then shampoo the dog as usual after cleaning with "That Orange Stuff".

Keep in mind "That Orange Stuff" isn't a pet shampoo and doesn't make any label claims to that effect. But, tomato juice, baking soda, chamomile, jasmine, oatmeal, aloe vera, and all that other stuff you've tried aren't shampoos either. "That Orange Stuff" is registered as a concentrated d'Limonene all purpose cleaner, and it is labeled as safe for people, pets and the planet. This is a "try at your own risk" solution to a smelly dog problem. But, unless your dog is allergic to oranges, this should be a safe alternative to the chemicals, dyes and other suspicious additives found in most shampoos.

Where do you buy it? I've never seen it on a big box store shelf or at any of the pet stores that I shop. You will find it online at several estores if you Google 'That Orange Stuff'. Just click a couple of these stores and buy from the one offering the best deal that day. You'll be glad you did every time you use it. When you start using this fantastic product you'll find a hundred other cleaning uses for it too. In fact, its now the only product I buy for cleaning everything except windows. Please understand that I am not promoting or endorsing this product as a dog or pet shampoo. My sole purpose here is to share my experience using this product to safely clean and deodorize my own dogs. The next time your dog offends your stink-o-meter you might want to have a bottle of "That Orange Stuff" on hand just to give it a try. I'd love to hear back from any readers who give it a try!

I hope you found the information in this article to be useful. Please remember to spay and neuter and to support your local dog and cat rescue facility.

The Best Thing I've Found to Clean Smelly Dogs

Wayne Morrison is the pack leader of George, Buddy, Bridgette, Sadie, TommyGirl, and Smoocher. He is also an entrepreneur and freelance writer. To ask about any of the information given in this article you may email him at: wmorrison_ag@yahoo.com

Pet Meds No Prescription Required Online - Is It Possible?

The fact is, that the Internet has changed many things about the way that people shop for the things that they need from day to day. Also, so much more information is readily available via the Internet. This means that more and more people are able to not only determine the cause of their pets maladies by using the Internet but they can also purchase the pet meds that they need for them online as well.

This has led more and more people to head out to find and purchase the medications that they require for their pets treatment online with no prescription in hand. Is this a problem? Can they get what they need or will they be turned away empty handed? The fact of the matter is that a large percentage of pet medications that are commonly used require no prescription at all.

Cat Dog Pet

What is a Prescription?

Pet Meds No Prescription Required Online - Is It Possible?

Prescriptions for pets are written for a variety of reasons. Many people assume that a prescription is only written if a controlled drug is need to treat the problem that the pet is suffering from. The truth of the matter, is a prescription can just as often be written that prescribes a course of treatment the doesn't include any controlled substances. This is because a prescription is just a written course of treatment that a vet will provide for you to use.

Common Antibiotics Without a Prescription

This means that a wide variety of drugs and medications can be purchased for your pet from an online pet pharmacy with no prescription required at all. This even includes many commonly prescribed antibiotics such a penicillin. However; there are other pet medications such as powerful sedatives that will require a prescription to be purchased and besides you really should consult a veterinarian before you use them on your pet anyway.

Pet Meds No Prescription Required Online - Is It Possible?

Written by Karlise Renaldson. Find the latest information on Frontline Plus Best Price

Dog Skin Problems - My Dog Can't Stop Itching!

We often hear of dogs with a chronic and insistent itching problem. And guess what? The problem can't always be prevented by a flea collar. There are a number of reasons why your dog might non-stop scratch and require some form of pet medication. Below I will list and try to explain 6 reasons why your dog might scratch himself.

1. Environmental Skin Disorders - Dogs with environmental skin problems are otherwise healthy, but present with signs of itchy skin and/or hair loss. By matching what is visible on the dog's skin with a probable environmental irritant - the cause of the skin problem can be determined and corrective measures taken. Contact with some plastics can create an environmental pet skin disorder.

Cat Dog Pet

2. Nutritional Skin Disorders - Correction of these cases of itchy dog should be a very simple and no pet medication is required. Unfortunately, many dogs and cats live their entire lives in less than optimum health because their caretaker feeds them the least expensive food in the grocery store and feels secure in doing so because of that "Complete and Balanced" statement on the packaging! Without proper nourishment this dog's entire body, not just its skin and coat, will be continuously under stress.

Dog Skin Problems - My Dog Can't Stop Itching!

3. Parasitic Skin Disorders - Pet owners most commonly associate dog scratching with fleas. Often, but not always, this guess is correct.

• There are a number of highly effective and safe flea medications and natural flea remedies. Repeated exposure to fleas can trigger a hypersensitivity to the bite of even a single flea. In some cases a simple flea bite can turn into an allergy itch from the flea's saliva. It is very important to get rid of dog and cat fleas as soon as possible.
• Cheyletiella mites are often called "Walking Dandruff" because upon close inspection it seems like little flakes of dry skin are actually moving about. These mites can be eliminated easily by using any common flea shampoo and no further pet medication is needed.
• Sarcoptic mites can be a terrible problem and can only be solved under vet care and with pet medication. Also called scabies or red mange, they create very intense itchy skin, hair loss, and inflamed skin with multiple small scabs. Sarcoptic mite infestation, more than any other pest, is frequently misdiagnosed as Allergic Pet Skin Disorder.
• There are also Demodex mites (mange). These parasites live just under the skin surface in the tiny hair follicles and oil glands of the dog's skin. Demodex mites can be seen on a skin scraping viewed under the microscope. Demodex is most commonly seen in young dogs. An older dog with these mites might have a different and more serious problem

4. Infectious Skin Disorders - Bacterial, fungal and yeast organisms can lead to awful skin and coat problems. Ringworm is an example of a Fungal organism. Yeasts can irritate an already diseased skin surface. Yeast infections typically create greasy, smelly and itchy signs in affected dogs. If a yeast infection is diagnosed, there's generally some other problem going. Bacterial problems rarely occur spontaneously on a dog with normal healthy skin.

Infectious pet skin disorders are often is so irritating that dogs will lick continuously at a spot and undo any healing that has taken place. These spots can spread rapidly to other areas of the skin through chewing, licking, biting and scratching of previously healthy areas.

The treatment for Infectious skin disorders often include clipping the hair from the area to allow the air to dry it. The application of topical pet cream is helpful as is the administration of oral antibiotics.

5. Allergic Skin Disorders - These can be a challenge to diagnose, and once identified they can be difficult to treat. Food ingredients, synthetic and natural fibers, medications and pharmaceutical products, plant material and even dust all can trigger an Allergic Pet Skin Disorder.

Even common bacteria on the dog's skin can provoke an allergic reaction to themselves! Food allergies are so common that pet food manufacturers have invested millions of dollars in research for diets to help dogs and cats with food allergies.

The treatments of allergic skin disorders include topical medicated soothing baths and ointments. The use of oral antihistamines can relieve some of the itch. More effective in alleviating the discomfort of allergies is cortisone.

6. Neurogenic Skin Disorders - This group presents a major challenge to diagnose and treat. Although rarely seen in cats, in the dog something creates an impulse to lick at a specific area of skin. Characterized by persistent, obsessive licking and chewing at a specific area, the cause of these problems is unknown. Most cases have a suspected cause such as boredom, confinement, separation anxiety, family disruption, new environment, frustration or even a minor physical origin such as a tiny wound that catches the dog's interest. No specific pet medication can be used to prevent this skin disorder.

In summary, keep in mind that any dog whose skin and coat are not in good condition needs vet attention and possibly pet medication because that dog likely does not feel very well.

If your dog is suffering from Chronic Itching, all is not hopeless, but you must consult your vet as soon as possible.

I hope you found this information on pet skin disorders helpful. This article was condensed from a much longer article which can be found on the my-dog-has-fleas.com website at: dog skin problems

Dog Skin Problems - My Dog Can't Stop Itching!

J.Moore writes on pet issues for http://my-dog-has-fleas.com/

Can My Pet Make Me Sick?

Can having a pet make my children or me sick?

The answer to that question is "yes" and "no."

Cat Dog Pet

There is always the possibility and there are also ways to prevent problems.

Can My Pet Make Me Sick?

The best way to make certain, germs and/or bacteria is not passed around is to practice good hygiene. Cleanliness seems to be the best prevention of common illnesses.

However, one important thing is, to keep in mind is the current state of everyone's health. People with a weak immune system, people suffering from serious illnesses, people with HIV/AIDS, people with organ transplants, people being treated for cancer and infants and young children are all at a greater risk of picking up a disease from an animal than most other people.

With few exceptions, carelessness in handling a pet along with not washing your hands after cleaning up after a pet, are primary causes of illness connected with pets.

What are some of the possible illnesses that can be associated with animals? The most feared in my mind is rabies.

What is rabies? It is a disease caused by the rabies virus and is transmitted though a bite from an animal that is carrying the virus. Today most domesticated animals are vaccinated for the rabies virus as dictated by most state laws.

However, a bite from an unknown animal, domestic or wild, until it is known that the animal has been vaccinated, has to have the recipient of the bite, treated as if the animal has the virus.

It may take from one to three months for a person to show signs of the virus and by then it is too late for any treatment to work.

It is very important that your pet, even if it is an inside only pet, be inoculated against the rabies virus.

Teaching children to avoid trying to pet strange dogs or cats, unless supervised, along with avoiding the temptation to catch a wild animal, is one of the best lessons you can teach your child.

There are many germs/viruses that can be picked up from dogs other than rabies, most of which come from contact with a dog's feces. That is why cleanliness seems so important. To clean up after your dog eliminates, use plastic gloves, a pooper scooper or a plastic bag to avoid touching the feces.

A dog can carry many types of germs, bacteria and/or virus and not be ill, but you can pick it up and suffer. Most illness caused by pets usually run the gamut of diarrhea, vomiting, some fever and muscle aches. As with any illness see, your medical provider.

Cats too, can pass on a disease or two to their humans, but in general you are most likely not going to get sick from touching or owning a cat.

Cat scratch fever can come from a scratch or bite, but using normal precautionary measures such as washing the wound and putting an anapestic on it, can generally prevent any illness. Symptoms of cat scratch disease can include infection at the point of injury, swollen lymph glands, some fever, and a loss of appetite.

Another disease associated with cats is Toxoplasmosis, however people are more likely to get it from eating raw meat or gardening.

What is toxoplasmosis? It is a disease caused by a parasite, about 60 million people are infected by this bug and do not know it. You can get it by swallowing cat feces.

Yuk, you say why would anyone do that? Actually just by touching your mouth, eyes, or nose you can transmit it to yourself. The symptoms are flu like. It particularly dangerous for pregnant women as it can be transmitted to the fetus.

When cleaning the litter box always use caution and refrain from handling any feces. Keep pets away from the litter box, along with children. For some odd reason dogs seem to enjoy looking for treats in the litter box.

What other diseases can be transmitted to humans by pets?

Salmonellosis, which is a bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella. Most of the time people get it from infected chicken, eggs or other contaminated food. The symptoms can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach pain.

The virus salmonellosis can also be passed on to humans by handling such pets as reptiles (lizards, snakes and turtles,) baby chicks, ducklings and occasionally a cat or dog.

Again it comes from touching the feces of the animals and not washing your hands after doing so. Some animals can have it on their bodies, as they have picked it up from the ground.

Water can also be a point of contamination, where animals have access to it and due to ground run offs, feces and urine can flow into the water, humans need to be careful.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals.

How can you get it?

By exposure to many things, as the bacteria is secreted through the urine of infected animals. It can be found in water, (ponds and streams) food, or soil containing urine from the infected animals. Swallowing the water (swimming in a pond or stream,) contaminated food or by hands that have been in contact with a source and you have rubbed your eyes, nose or mouth or through a cut on your skin.

The symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible especially, if you have been swimming in the "old swimming hole."

Leptospirosis is found worldwide, but mainly in temperate and tropical climates. Pets can acquire it from drinking out of a contaminated birdbath.

Ticks carry diseases and ticks bite dogs, so the rule here is, when removing ticks from your pet be extremely careful. Your chances of getting either Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted fever are slim and none, unless you are tramping around in areas of the country where those ticks are prevalent and are not wearing protective clothing.

Fleas can cause tapeworm in household pets. The animals get it by swallowing a flea that has been infected.

Can you get tapeworm, certainly, but only if you swallow and infected flea. Keeping your pet and household flea free will prevent either of you from becoming infected. Last, but not least in this list of things, is Ringworm, this is a skin and scalp disease that can be caught not only from animals, but people, too.

How can you get ringworm?

Ringworm is a contagious fungus that can be passed on from person to person, pet to person or pet to pet.

It has nothing to do with worms, but is a fungus that lives in humans, pets and rarely in the soil. Ringworm appears as, a flat round patch on the skin and then conforms to a ring like patch. It can be treated by a fungus killing medicine usually taken orally in tablet form or by an ointment applied to the affected area.

The important thing here is not to share personal items with an infected person, do not touch infected areas, keep children away from infected pets, and to thoroughly wash all items handled by the infected pet or person.

Now that I have made you wonder, should I ever get a pet, the answer is of course.

Plain old common sense hygiene is the answer to most pet to people diseases. I have never heard of a person dying because of a disease caught from a cat or dog. With the possibly exception of someone being bitten by a rabid animal and not seeking treatment.

Keeping play areas for children free from being your pet's bathroom area and keeping feces cleaned up is the safest thing you can do.

Teach your children to wash their hands frequently after playing with their pet and you are on your way to a long and happy life

Can My Pet Make Me Sick?

Keeping our pets healthy is very beneficial not only to the pet, but to our pocketbooks. If the only time you need to visit the veterinarian is for yearly check ups and necessary shots you are saving money. Nutrition is very important in keeping a dog healthy, proper quality food that contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals is a good way to start. If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

How Often Should You Bathe A Pet?

Bathing your dog or cat is an important part of pet ownership. Regardless of your pets' breed and coat type, shampooing promotes cleanliness and a healthy skin and coat. Frequency of bathing varies greatly between breeds and individual pets, and how often your pet should get a bath depends on the needs of your own dog or cat.

Cats and dogs may share many things, when it comes to baths and bathing techniques, cats and dogs couldn't be more different. Cats are fastidious self-groomers, and many cats can go a lifetime without requiring a true bath. This is generally a good thing, because most cats aren't big fans of the bathing process, and bathing a cat is generally not for the inexperienced cat owner, or the faint of heart.

Cat Dog Pet

Some cats do require bathing, usually for medical reasons. Cats being treated for skin infections or fungal infections, such as ringworm, may need regular baths to treat and prevent re occurrence of skin problems. Older and overweight cats may not be able to groom themselves as thoroughly, and may require routine bathing in order to keep up their personal hygiene. An occasional bath may be necessary if your cat gets sprayed by a skunk, gets unusually dirty, or gets a foreign substance on his or her coat. But for the average, healthy cat, a good brushing program may be able to replace the bath for routine coat care.

How Often Should You Bathe A Pet?

On the flip side, while dogs do require routine baths to stay clean and healthy, they fortunately are a little more accepting of the process. Regular bathing of all dogs, despite coat length or type, helps to keep the coat and skin healthy. Most dogs do not require frequent bathing (once a month or less!), but brushing in between bath times helps to keep them clean, removing dead hair, dirt and other debris from the coat.

How often you should bathe your dog depends greatly on your dog, his activity level and breed. The best way to tell if your dog needs a bath is through your nose- if your dog has that "doggy odor" than it's probably time for a bath.

Some dogs require more frequent bathing as a matter of cleanliness, but as a generally rule, most dogs should not have a bath more than once a month. Some breeds prone to oily skin, such as Cocker Spaniels and Shih Tzu's, may require baths every 2-4 weeks, while thick coated dogs, like Chows and Huskies may only need a bath a few times a year.

Unlike human hair, dog fur is not suitable for constant bathing, and repeated washing will strip the skin of its natural, protective oils. The loss of these oils can cause your dog to scratch, irritating the skin, and, yep- making the dog stink, causing him to be bathed even more frequently. While over-bathing can be a vicious cycle, there are some things you can do to make sure that bathing doesn't create a problem for your pet.

For the average dog, bathed once a month or so, human shampoo can usually be used without ill effect. Dog skin is more sensitive than human skin, and using shampoo designed for people can cause a pH imbalance in the skin, leading to excessive dryness. Any dog being bathed more frequently than once a month should always be washed in a dog-specific shampoo.

A quick trip to your local pet store, and you will find a variety of shampoos for every possible need your dog may have- formulated to help combat itchy skin, fleas and ticks, doggy odor, excessive shedding, coat color enhancers, and everything in between. Not all soaps are created equal- if you have questions, consult your veterinarian or groomer for their recommendations on a good shampoo for routine use.

There are some cases where your dog may need baths every few days for a time, such as for treatment of skin infections, fungal infections and other skin and coat problems. Your veterinarian may prescribe a medicated shampoo, designed to help combat the underlying skin problem. It is important to follow your veterinarians' instructions carefully in these cases, because often the medicated shampoos must be lathered onto the dog, and left in place for several minutes for optimal effect.

If your dog is prone to skin problems, talk to your veterinarian about your current grooming regimen, and see if adjustments should be made. Often dogs that suffer from recurrent hot spots and skin infections can be helped with a more steady bathing ritual, to remove dirt and build up from the coat and allow the skin to breathe. Dogs that swim in pools and the ocean should be bathed thoroughly after every swim- the chlorine and salt water are both highly irritating if left on the coat, and can cause skin irritations and infections.

If your dog is long-haired, or prone to tangles, a coat conditioner may be useful as a second step to the bathing process. Conditioners can help to manage the hair and make it softer, allowing for mats and tangles to be more easily removed, along with re-moisturizing the coat.

It is important to note that in dogs prone to ear infections, bathing (and swimming) can be a constant cause of ear irritation. In order to help avoid ear problems, place a cotton ball into the outer part of your dogs' ear canal while bathing, to prevent excessive water from seeping in. After bathing, clean your dogs ears with a dog-specific ear cleaner- this will help to remove excess water from inside the ear canal, a prime candidate for causing ear infections.

How often you should shampoo your pet depends greatly on your dog or cats living circumstances, age, condition and breed. Bathing is a valuable tool to keeping your pet healthy and happy, and when done correctly, can help your pet to lead a long and happy life.

How Often Should You Bathe A Pet?

David Beart is the owner of the Professor's House http://www.professorshouse.com. Our site covers such topics as Family Holidays http://www.professorshouse.com/family/, relationships, home care and other household issues.

Merging Cats - How to Introduce a New Kitten Or Cat to an Older Cat

The following technique can be used to introduce a new kitten or cat to your other cat(s). I've been involved in pet rescue most of my life and this technique worked successfully every time. Over the years I've had to make a few modifications when introducing older males or feral cats, but in most cases this will work exactly as outlined. It's assumed your pet is neutered and the new pet is either neutered or less than six months old.

If you have a choice you may want to follow a "wives tale" recommendation and pick a young new cat that is the opposite sex of your pet. For example if you have a neutered male select a female kitten or young female. If you have an older female, select a young male kitten. Many people believe these combinations are the best choices to insure a compatible match. There is some biological support for this argument, but I've merged many same sex, same age cats and it's always been successful.

Cat Dog Pet

1. Before you bring a new kitten or cat home, make sure it is free of communicable diseases-Feline Leukemia, Distemper, Rabies, worms, and fleas. Most people avoid adopting a cat that has been exposed to Feline Aides, but there's a mixed jury on how Feline Aides is spread. You may want to read about this topic and form your own opinion before you consider merging a cat exposed to FIV with a healthy cat.

Merging Cats - How to Introduce a New Kitten Or Cat to an Older Cat

2. While the cats are still in separate locations feed them both a large meal. For example, give both cats a meal that would be comparable to our thanksgiving dinner; choices include their favorite canned food, sardines, tuna, or chicken. Give them at least an extra half serving. You may also want to give a little natural herb relaxant such as "Rescue Remedy".

3. Place the new cat or kitten inside a cat carrier approximately a half hour after the cats finish eating their large meal. Have a friend bring the new cat or kitten into your house and place the carrier in the middle of a living room floor-make sure there is a place where the new cat will be able to hide once it's released from the cage (i.e. a sofa, chair, etc.). If you can't find a friend, to bring in the carrier you can do this yourself, but you must ignore the new cat at all times.

4. Let your cats smell and hiss at each other with your cat running loose in your house and the new cat safe inside the carrier. Since both cats are full and relaxed-it may take 20-30 minutes before the cats notice each other.

5. One hour after you bring the new cat inside open the carrier door, but ignore both cats. Let the new cat come out as it feels ready, this may take up to 30 minutes. The cats may continue to hiss and scream at each other, but usually it's pretty minimal. Most often the new cat will look for a safe place to hide such as under a sofa or chair. If the new cat runs to you, ignore it.

6. For the next 3-4 days, you must ignore the new cat. Allow your cats to scream and hiss at each other as much as they need to. This let's your current pet and the new pet establish their own pecking order. The only time you want to interfere would be if the cats got in a bad fight. If this occurs throw a large amount of cold water on both cats, and start the process over. (One time I had to merge two older sickly male cats. They had both been "Tom" cats for years. After this one hour merger technique they got in a horrible fight. I broke up the fight with water, got a large dog crate and for two days I rotated which cat was in the cage and which cat got to be loose. At the end of two days, these cats got along great.)

A final thought, you may want to start the introduction at a time when you can be home for a few days. For example, if you work Monday through Friday, you may want to merge the cats on Friday night so you can observe them over the weekend.

Merging Cats - How to Introduce a New Kitten Or Cat to an Older Cat

Kate Garvey is a former Vet Tech and animal rights supporter. She teaches Sound Healing Workshops (thoughout the US) and treats clients by appointment in the San Diego area. For more information on how you can use sound for optimal health please visit http://www.InstituteOfSoundHealing.com

Kate is also a freelance writer, published author, and the author of several books; "Aging, Death and Euthanasia-A Guide for People with Pets", "Summer Pet Care Tips", and "The Low Risk Guide for Real Estate Investment."

What Cat Breed is Right For Me Quiz

If you're seeking to rear a meowing pet to fill your life with excitement or if you're naturally inclined to getting a cat, you must first take what cat breed is right for me quiz. This is to make sure you get the right cat according to your preference of a pet and how you can deal with her animalistic behaviors. Is she as sweet as you are or energetic as you expected? What are you as person, as a child and as a lover? Know those things.

What cat breed is right for me quiz is also a way to find out what pet fits you depending on your personality, age, gender, relationship to your family and friends, and how you'd like to spend a sunny day. More questions focus on whether you are a loner or sociable type, what best describes you, how pretty you think you are, whether you love children or not, how often you groom yourself, your favorite toy, and where you'd rather sleep if you were a cat.

Cat Dog Pet

Results to the usual questions in what cat breed is right for me quiz will be reflective of your personality and the type of cat can get along with you well. If you were a cat, what would you likely resemble? If you are the laid-back type of person but naturally passionate and relational, the best cat breed for you is Persian. Persians have been a favorite among household dwellers since 1871. These cats create close bonding and establish loyalty to their owners. If you own a cat, you have picked the topmost favorite.

What Cat Breed is Right For Me Quiz

After taking what cat breed is right for me quiz, results will show you certain explanations that make you suitable to own Maine Coon. That is if you are gentle and sensitive. This cat breed needs nurturing care just like Persians. If you are genuinely loving but not fond of grooming yourself daily, just when necessary, the Exotic Cat fits you. This Cherub-faced and plush breed has a dense and short coat that only requires twice a week combing.

Surveys show that 37.7 million households in the United States own a certain cat breed. As per what cat breed is right for me quiz, these cats reach a number of 90.5 million being reared by a loving pet owner. Either having a mixed or purebred cats, cat owners take pet ownership is taken passionately. Another cat breed that's popular is Siamese. This fits those who are communicative by nature. Siamese cats are big-eared, friendly and slim. More cat breeds include: Abyssinian for playful and busy people; Ragdoll for sloppy folks; American Shorthair if you want an average body style; Oriental that is dressed in two hair lengths; and Sphynx if you seek for lively and energetic breed.

What Cat Breed is Right For Me Quiz

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cats [http://bestcoolpets.info/what-cat-breed-is-right-for-me-quiz], please visit Best Cool Pets [http://bestcoolpets.info] for current articles and discussions.

Why Do Some Cats Bite When You Pet Them?

Many of us who are parents to cats notice that when we pet them, they sometimes turn around a bite our hands. Why do cats do that? Dog parents smugly state that their dogs wag their tails, pant and lick their hand. They claim that dogs don't bite the hand that pets them. While this is not a competition between cats and dogs, I'll give the dogs this one. I had a beautiful dog for many years (she passed away at 12) and she never bit me when I petted her. However, each and every cat (except one) has nipped at my hand.

So, why do cats bite the hand that pets them? As usual, I decided to do a little research to see if I can find the answer. From what I can tell, it looks like experts do not agree on the reasons for this pet-then-bite behavior, therefore many theories abound regarding what is called petting-induced aggression.

Cat Dog Pet

One theory is that unlike dogs, which are more social, petting may be something outside of a cat's normal instinctive behavior. A suggested remedy is that cats need to be socialized to people as very young kittens. Even 5 minutes of human contact each day of a cat's life up to 7 weeks of age will produce a much more trusting cat than those cats that did not have human contact until they were older than 7 weeks. However, this remedy does not explain all petting-induced aggressive behavior since properly socialized cats can still display this behavior. And this remedy does not help those of us who adopted adult cats.

Why Do Some Cats Bite When You Pet Them?

Some experts theorize that a cat may bite once the petting exceeds her sensitivity threshold. While the cat enjoys the human contact at first, the repetitiveness of the petting becomes irritating and the cat turns and bites as a way of saying "Enough". Another theory is that the petting not only causes irritation but that it may also cause static electricity or actual pain because of the cat's nervous system. Or, sometimes the cat may have a pain in a particular area and your touch or even the belief that you will touch that area may trigger the aggressive behavior.

Sometimes cats may find petting so pleasurable that they actually fall asleep (with open eyes). If they wake up suddenly, they may not recognize that they are being petted and may believe that you are trying to confine them. Instinctively they may bite and run before they are fully aware that they were being petted. The final theory I found is one of control. Some cats need to control the situation where they determine when the petting starts and when it stops. What is perceived as petting-induced aggression is a way for the cat let you know who is in charge. I think behavior is more in line with my experience.

No matter the reason for the petting-induced aggression, there are some things that you can do to decrease the chance your cat will suddenly bite you while being petted.
It is important to find out if your cat has a medical condition that may cause pain when he is being petted, therefore take him to the vet for a thorough examination. Petting may cause the pain to worsen or the cat to become anxious that you may touch a painful area.

Like it or not, we just need to realize that some cats simply do no enjoy being petted. Cats are unique and while some cats enjoy human contact, love to cuddled and petted, others do not like human-initiated contact. These cats may enjoy some human closeness like sitting on your lap, but they don't want to be picked up and petted. We need to understand that just like you cannot change the basic personality of humans with whom we interact, you will not be able to change the basic personality of your cat and need to accept him as he is.

While we may miss the warnings, cats seldom suddenly turn and bite. An observant cat parent will notice the following clues before the aggressive behavior starts:

• ears may go flat or back
• stiffening of the body
• twitching of the skin or tail
• dilated pupils
• a low growl
• unsheathing of the claws

If you see any of these signs, stop petting immediately and allow the cat to leave.

Once you are aware of the warning signs, you can begin to predict your cat's petting tolerance level. Begin by timing from when you begin to pet your cat to the first instance of the warning signs. You can do this over the course of a week or so. Then, the next time you pet, make sure that you do not exceed this time limit. However, while timing may provide a good guide you still need to watch out for the warning clues.

You can also change the way in which you pet your cat. Some cats may prefer to receive short small strokes; others prefer to be scratched under the chin or between the ears. Not all cats enjoy whole-body petting. Try to pet you cat using the different methods. It should become pretty clear very quickly which methods are tolerable and which are not.

If your cat does bite during petting, please do not physically correct her as this may cause more aggression. However, you can reward your cat for not biting; you can give your cat a treat after each stroke she tolerates. Over time, your cat may associate the petting with treats and, barring any pain, may experience an increased petting tolerance threshold.

In the end, only you know your cat and while you can try all of the suggestions, you may have a cat that simply does not like to be petted. While it is hard to resist that fuzzy little belly, chin, neck, etc., you may simply have to find another more mutually enjoyable way of expressing your affection to your cat.

Why Do Some Cats Bite When You Pet Them?

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Cat Distemper Symptoms

If you are a pet lover and treat your cat like your child, you need to be wary of cat distemper symptoms and take immediate action, if you see any. Known as cat distemper or Feline Panleukopenia, this disease is a nightmare for millions of cat lovers around the globe. It affects all animals belonging to the cat family, including endangered species of big cats.

However, dog lovers need not worry because this disease does not spread to man's best friend. It is quite a rampant infection, especially in cities and it spreads from cat to cat through contact with an infected animal. Nevertheless, it is not necessary that keeping a cat away from direct contact with an infected animal will do the trick.

Cat Dog Pet

The disease can also be contaminated through the infected animal's secretions or any article that has been previously contaminated through contact with the infected cat. Human beings are safe from Feline Distemper, but they also act as carriers of the infection.

Cat Distemper Symptoms

If your hands or clothes are contaminated with secretions of the infected animal, another cat coming near you will be exposed to the disease and get infected. Fleas are also carriers of this infection. If you notice cat distemper symptoms in your dear pet, you can be rest assured that the infection has found its way into your cat's body through one of the sources mentioned above.

Since kittens do not have a highly developed immune system, they are at the receiving end of cat distemper symptoms. Thus, one needs to be extra careful when dealing with kittens because they tend to get this disease very often.

The usual cat distemper symptoms include high fever and loss of appetite. However, in some cats, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration are also indicators of feline distemper. As soon as you notice these symptoms, you must rush to the vet because this disease is a killer. Till date, there is no specific treatment for the disease, but early detection and use of supportive fluids and antibiotics can go a long way in ensuring that the cat lives.

The best way to keep your cat safe from this deadly disease is vaccination. Kittens, sometimes, inherit a short-lived immunity from their mothers but it is nothing permanent. The first doses of the vaccine should be given when the kitten is six to eight weeks old. The vaccination needs to be repeated when the kitten is twelve weeks of age and sixteen weeks of age. This completes the dosage but an annual booster is required to ensure that the cat remains immune to the disease.

Keep your cat away from strays and other cats until its vaccination is administered properly. Even in instances where you rescue cats or bring new ones home, avoid bringing them in contact with others before vaccination. Take care of your cats and ensure that you take them to the vet immediately in case you see any cat distemper symptom.

Cat Distemper Symptoms

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How to Treat and Remove Matted Fur Clumps From Your Cat or Dog

Matted fur - it happens to most dogs or cats occasionally. When you notice matted fur on your dog or cat, it's very important to remove the matted fur as soon as possible. Not only is it ugly, but it can become very uncomfortable for your pet causing him to pinch and pull at it. Of course, this can just make matters worse.

So, what causes matts and how do you treat matted fur?

Cat Dog Pet

There are several things which can cause matting, but the most common cause is lack of grooming. If you haven't brushed your cat or dong for a while, shame on you. Your pet can't do it himself. He's totally dependent on you to take care of him. If you can't do it regularly, please take your pet to a groomer regularly.

How to Treat and Remove Matted Fur Clumps From Your Cat or Dog

Fleas can also cause matting. They can create a tangled mess in your pets fur. Check and treat your pet for fleas regularly.

Some cats and dogs have 2 coats of fur which shed and need to be brushed out. This is a natural process and it is important to brush out the undercoat when your pet is shedding.

So how do you de-matt your pet's fur? Well, let's get this one out of the way first. You can always have your pet shaved and let him start all over. Sometimes it's the best thing. In the right weather, a fresh shave feels great to your pet. It might scare you at first glance, but it always grows back. However, many people are shocked at the thought of shaving their little beauty, so here's how you can take care of matted hair on your own.

The most important thing to remember when de-matting your pet is this: be patient. Bathing your pet before trying to remove the matts can often make the matts worse. Removing matts from your cat or dog is usually not a quick process, so be patient. My youngest yorkie matted up over the course of 2 weeks one time because I slacked on grooming, and it took me 3 weeks to remove the matts.

Here are the tools you'll need to remove matts from your dog or cat:

* A steel comb

* A slicker brush

* A matt splitter

First, let your pet get into a comfortable position... on your lap, on the floor, on the sofa, or wherever he can get comfortable. You don't want to wrestle your pet during this. If your pet is matted in several places, start de-matting in the places where your pet is most comfortable lying down. In other words, let your pet get comfortable, then work with the places which have easiest access. Also, do your best to control the cat or dog's head. Control the head... control the pet.

Next begin to work on the matts with the steel comb. Be sure to brush with the grain of the fur. Don't pull so hard that it hurts your dog. Just for an experiment, grab a small piece of hair on the back of your own head. Pull down, then pull up. Which one hurt more? Up, right? Keep that in mind when you're brushing your pet. Use the steel comb to slowly break up the clumps.

Try to pull the matted clumps apart into small sections with your hands. The matts are easier to remove if they are smaller, and this will cut down on the amount of fur your pet loses. You may need to carefully cut into the matt with scissors to divide it up. Obviously, don't get too close to the skin. A cut pet is an unhappy pet. An unhappy pet is more difficult to groom.

As the matts begin to break up, use the slicker brush to remove the tangles. Start at the end of the fur and work your way closer to the skin as the matts loosen up. If you try to start at the base of the fur, next to the skin, you'll just end up compressing the matts even tighter.

If your pet is going to require numerous grooming sessions to remove the matts, that's ok. The end results will be rewarding for both you and your pet. Take your time. Be patient. help your dog or cat to remain calm and comfortable. If you're sitting down to watch TV or a movie, that would be a great time to work on the matts.

After all the matts are removed, plan on regular grooming times for your cat or dog. Keep the comb or brush in a noticeable spot to remind you about maintaining your pet's fur. It much easier to brush your pet a few minutes each day than it is to spend hours fighting to remove matted fur.

Good luck!

How to Treat and Remove Matted Fur Clumps From Your Cat or Dog

Alex Page has been a happy pet owner for nearly 30 years. He enjoys helping pets and pet owners have the best relationship possible. He is currently a key article contributer to 123-pet.com, a site dedicated to discussing all things about pets such as dog training techniques, correcting dog behavior problems, and cat and dog products.

Buying Pet Health Insurance For Cat Or Dog Peace Of Mind

Cats are a very individual minded animal. In other words, cats do for cats and are not mentally hardwired to follow a leader in the same manner that a dog will. That is why a cat will probably want to forgo the need to acquire proper cat insurance. Now, while cats are notoriously single-minded, human beings should know better. Human owners who love their cats should go the extra length and acquire the proper pet health insurance for cat so as to provide a financial blanket to cover a major procedure in case a pet cat requires such help.

Some may not see the need for cat insurance if the cat is an indoors cat. After all, all the major problems that a pet cat could face derive from an unfortunate incident that might occur outside the safety of the cat's (well, your) home. Unfortunately, common things such as aging can result in medical and dental problems that can prove virtually catastrophic. And remember, such events can occur without any trauma presented to the animal or in conjunction with any out or normal circumstance.

Cat Dog Pet

It is not uncommon for a cat to develop bad breath. Sometimes, the halitosis will be so severe that the cat's owner decides to take the pet to the vet to have a little dental cleaning performed. It shouldn't be that big of a problem, should it? After all, a little dental cleaning certainly won't cost that much. Well, if all that is required is a little dental cleaning, then there will not be much of a cost.

Buying Pet Health Insurance For Cat Or Dog Peace Of Mind

But what happens if the cat has developed a severe cavity that needs to be pulled? What it there are two or three cavities? What if there is the presence of gum disease that may lead to a life threatening infection? What if a blood test is required in order to gauge the severity of the potential infection? All of a sudden, a visit to the vet has expanded into a major procedure that can cost upwards of 0. Pet health insurance for cat is the answer.

If that cautionary tale did not provide proper impetus for motivation to purchasing proper cat insurance, nothing will. Well, actually, there can be a whole host of cautionary tales provided that would hopefully motivate people into purchasing cat insurance. The common thread behind of these cautionary tales is the moral of the story: accidents and problems can occur at any time.

Therefore, it is always wise to have the precaution of a proper cat insurance policy in place so as to financially cover any catastrophe that might occur. Pet health insurance for cat can be acquired from a quality insurance issuer and is usually quite affordable. Furthermore, the coverage can be quite extensive and all encompassing.

Buying Pet Health Insurance For Cat Or Dog Peace Of Mind

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on dog insurance and cat insurance [http://www.petinsurancegroup.com/things-to-consider-when-purchasing-cat-insurance.html] at [http://www.petinsurancegroup.com]