Pet Tips


Stay Or Go - 10/13/06: Are you contemplating a vacation and wondering if you should bring your pooch along? Be honest about your dog's ability to travel. If your dog is very young, old, ill or recovering from surgery it may be better to look into a good boarding facility or pet sitter.
Baby Wipes - 10/20/06: "When your pooch gets dirty a bath may be in order. However, if you want to spot clean him between baths, a baby wipe works well. Dogs can suffer from dry skin if bathed too frequently."
Flea Collar? - 10/17/06: Flea collars contain pesticides that are slowly released from the collar. The problem with most collars is that it only offers protection from fleas around the head and neck area. The rest of the body will still have fleas. Speak to your veterinarian about the best flea control for your pet.
Mingle Safely - 10/16/06: Be careful about venturing out of your house and yard too soon with your new puppy. Your pup is especially susceptible to contagious conditions in the first 16 weeks of his life. By the time he is 4 months old he should have had 3 Dhlp-parvo and one rabies vaccination, making safer to mingle at the dog park and wander down the street with you.
Dental Advances - 3/19//06: Did you know that veterinary dental knowledge and technology have advanced dramatically over the past decade? Today's pets can now get virtually all of the dental care their owners receive, including dental crowns, braces, ultrasonic scaling, root canals and bonding of composite restorative materials. Speak to your veterinarian about your pet's dental care.
Tooth Brushing 101 - 3/20//06: Daily brushing of your dog's teeth is the best safeguard against dental problems. Gradually introduce your pet to the new experience of having its mouth handled and teeth cleaned. Begin with your finger and a small amount of doggie toothpaste. Once your dog has acquired a taste for the paste, which usually takes 7-10 days, switch to a doggie toothbrush.
Regular Tooth Check-up - 3/21//06: A recent study has found that 80 percent of dogs over 3 years of age suffer from some degree of gingival or periodontal ailments. You can be your dog's best pal if you make oral hygiene as important as timely vaccinations and routine physical check-ups. You may gain a healthier pet and a happier companion.
Superior Nose - 3/22//06: Your dog has an extremely keen sense of smell but do you know just how good it is? The average dog has 200 million scent receptors compared to a human's 5 million. Hunting dogs have the most keenly developed sense of smell. A bloodhound, for example, can smell 1,000 times better than we can.
Cutting Edge - 3/23//06: Laser technology is making its appearance in veterinary medicine. Veterinarians are using lasers for a variety of different surgical procedures. The laser systems offer the same benefits as in human medicine: reduced swelling, less post-operative pain, controlled bleeding and quick recovery. Ask your veterinarian if laser surgery is available in your area.
Doggie Safety - 3/24//06: Each year, more than 4 million people, mostly children, are victims of dog bites. Many dog bites can be prevented through responsible dog ownership. The three most important things a dog owner can do to enhance safety in puplic is to train their dog, socialize their dog and have their dog spayed or neutered.
No Golf Balls - 3/25//06: Refrain from letting your puppy play with your golf balls. Golf balls are very slippery and when they get wet can accidentally slide down into your dog's throat and into the stomach causing intestinal problems. Furthermore, golf balls also contain a toxic material in their coating that could make an animal sick if he pierces the outer coating.
Telemedicine - 3/26//06: Advances in communication technology are taking the care of your dog to new levels. Telemedicine allows your own veterinarian to collect information about your pet through radiology and ultrasound and subsequently have these images evaluated and analyzed by veterinary specialists elsewhere in the country. This saves you and your pet the stress of having to travel great distances to a referral center.
Combing A Mat - 3/27//06: When combing out a mat in your dog's fur use a fine-toothed comb and patience. Tackle a small area at a time and work in from the edge of the mat. A small amount of cornstarch worked into the snarl may facilitate the untangling process.
Ring My Bell - 3/28//06: Is your dog scratching at your backdoor to get in and out to the point of damaging the door? Consider teaching him to use a different signal such as ringing a small bell placed near the door. Cover the affected part of the door with double sided sticky tape until he gets the hang of the new technique.
Gradual Introduction - 3/29//06: When bringing a new pet into the household with an existing pet, slow but gradual introduction is necessary. Consider getting them used to each other's scent by rubbing each pet with the other pet's towel or blanket. Placing the towels under the pets' food bowls can also be effective.
Grieving Pet - 3/30//06: When a pet passes away it is common to see signs of grief among the pets remaining in the household. Signs of grief usually include decreased appetite and energy and diminished enthusiasm towards activities treasured in the past. These symptoms usually last for 2-8 weeks and spontaneously resolve. As these symptoms are similar to the first signs of illness consult your veterinarian if the symptoms persist.
Good Timing - 4/1//06: When attempting to perform maintenance on your dog such as grooming, nail trimming or ear cleaning make sure to do it when he is relaxed. A good time to perform these duties is right after your dog awakes from a nap. He will be calm and a little groggy and thus easy to work with.
Breed Carefully - 10/15/06: If you are planning on breeding your dog you need to proceed cautiously. Breeding is a genetically complicated issue and a potentially expensive proposition that ideally should be left up to professionals. If you want to do things right, you should be affiliated with a breed club and follow its guidelines.
Lawn Chemicals - 10/14/06: If your dog spends time in your yard be aware of the schedule of your lawn maintenance service. Pesticides and herbicides applied to your lawn can be dangerous to your dog. Contact hypersensitivity and gastrointestinal disturbance can occur as a result of contact with these chemicals. Be sure to follow the instructions of your lawn service and if you have questions call poison control or your veterinarian.
Pets911 - 10/11/06: Pets911 is a nationwide Internet and telephone clearing house for emergency information about cats and dogs. By accessing the organizations web site www.1888PETS911.org, or number (888) 738-7911, you can find a lost cat or dog; report finding a lost cat or dog; locate the nearest adoption facility; identify the nearest emergency veterinary clinic; or obtain an assortment of other pet-related information.
Foster Parent - 10/12/06: Did you know that you can foster a pet, much like you would a child? Shelters and rescue organizations are always looking for kind-hearted individuals who will foster pets until homes can be found for them. Fostering is a very intense way to volunteer and it requires selfless dedication but it is extremely gratifying to help an animal get on its feet and then see it off to a permanent, loving home.
How Old Is My Dog? - 1/1//06: Have you ever wondered how old your dog is in human years? On average, your dog ages seven years for every one of your years, with larger breeds showing signs of aging faster than small breed dogs.
Hearing and Signal Dogs - 1/2//06: You have probably heard of Seeing Eye dogs but did you know that there are dogs especially trained to assist the hearing impaired? Hearing and signal dogs provide a valuable service by alerting their owners to sounds like door bells, phones, smoke alarms, and babies.
Seeing Eye Dogs - 1/3//06: Seeing Eye dogs are a familiar sight as they steer their sight-impaired companions through crowded places and help them to avoid obstacles. These dogs are carefully selected and highly trained professionals. Seeing Eye dogs must possess a great deal of alertness and intelligence to respond to a wide variety of unexpected challenges.
Have a Birthday Party - 1/4//06: Consider celebrating your dog's birthday. Invite a few four-legged friends and their owners, have some canine games and watch everyone have fun. Set up an obstacle course and try to get the dogs to run the course, one at a time. Play a game calling out the dogs? names and see who comes when called. Treats are sure to please the guests and at the end, a toy or a doggie bone will make for good party favors.
Handling An Injured Dog - 1/5//06: If your dog has been in a traffic accident or otherwise hurt, use a coat or a blanket to carefully move him to safety. As he is likely in a lot of pain and may bite you, muzzle him with a scarf or bandage. Avoid touching injuries or fractured limbs and try to get someone to help you lift him. Once you have him in a sling, lift him gently to a car and go to the closest veterinarian immediately.
Combat The Frizzies - 1/6//06: If your dog's hair coat has become frizzy from too much blow-drying, shampooing or incorrect brushing, consider this conditioning home remedy. Bathe your dog with a moisturizing pet shampoo. Dissolve one-half packet of unflavored gelatin in 1/4 cup boiling water. Cool to room temperature and mix in 2 egg yolks. Massage the mixture into your dog's hair and let it sit for at least 3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and follow with your usual doggie conditioner.
Correct Brushing - 1/7//06: Incorrect combing or brushing can produce a frizzy hair coat. Never pull or stretch the hair to the breaking point while brushing. Pretreat mats or tangles with an appropriate moisturizer or silicone spray and then carefully brush out mats. This will help maintain a shiny, healthy hair coat.
Doggie Odor - 1/8//06: Has your dog developed a doggie odor that even a bath will not cure? Persistent unpleasant odor can be caused by many factors including dental problems, ear conditions or oily skin. Take a close sniff at your dog's ears and mouth. Run a hand over his hair coat to check for greasiness. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to get to the bottom of the matter.
New Bed - 1/9//06: Have you ever bought a nice new bed for your dog only to have him refuse to spend any time in it? Consider placing an article of clothing with your scent in the bed. Your dog is sure to start spending time in his new nest.
How Long To Housetraining - 1/10//06: Housetraining is one of the most important lessons you can teach your puppy. A puppy usually takes six weeks to housetrain. Some puppies are housebroken sooner, others take up to six months. Try not to get discouraged and maintain patience and persistence in your endeavor.
Silver Pet - 1/11//06: As your dog ages, some changes in his sight, hearing and even smell are inevitable. But experience has shown that dogs who live in stimulating environments where they are kept mentally alert and physically active are better equipped to compensate for the gradual loss of some of their senses than those dogs who are not physically or mentally stimulated.
Excessive Barking - 1/12//06: A barking dog can become a neighborhood annoyance. Excessive barking is frequently the result of boredom or anxiety when a dog is left alone for long periods of time. Regular walks and play periods with your dog will help prevent boredom and frustration.
Dental Diet - 2/27//06: Several factors contribute to keeping your dog's teeth and gums healthy. Pet foods have been developed to improve oral care and are available at your grocery store. These diets are typically formulated with a texture that gently massages teeth and gums. This helps prevent build-up on the teeth.
Still A Puppy - 2/28//06: Did you know that a large breed puppy is still a pup for up to two years? Large breed puppies mature at a slower rate than smaller breeds. If your pup will weigh more than 50 pounds at maturity, be sure to feed him a diet specially formulated for large breed puppies help ensure helathy growth.
Nesting Fur - 3/1//06: Have you ever wondered if there was some way of putting all of the fur you brush out of your pet's coat in the spring to good use? Consider placing the fur on your lawn for the birds. You will soon see it disappear as the birds ferry it away to line their nests.
Pamper Your Pooch - 3/2//06: Consider treating your pooch to the pampering of a pet spa. These facilities are springing up all over the country. Their services include grooming, hydrotherapy, massage, facials, body scrubs, nature walks and much more. Many of the spa services are relaxing and may also help relieve painful conditions such as arthritis and backaches.
Diminished Vision - 3/3//06: As your dog ages it is not uncommon for him to gradually lose his eyesight. As bad as that may sound, dogs actually do remarkably well with diminished vision as long as you don't change the layout of your home. Your pooch can use his memory of the placement of the furniture, along with his other senses, to navigate his surroundings.
Alleviate Allergies - 3/4//06: If you are allergic to your pet there are ways to redecorate that may help alleviate your symptoms. Since it is much harder to get allergens out of upholstery, drapery fabric and carpets, consider materials that can be easily wiped with a cloth. Replace draperies with wood or vinyl blinds. Get rid of rugs and carpets and replace them with hardwood, ceramic or linoleum floors.
Good Day Care - 3/5//06: To find a good doggy day care for your pet ask your veterinarian, groomer, dog trainer or other pet owners for a recommendation. Consider touring the facility noting any odors, how the dogs are playing together and the attitude of the day care staff. There should be a ratio of no more than 10 dogs for every one human staff member. Be sure to select a facility that requires vaccinations to be up to date.
Quarantine - 3/6//06: If you bring your dog to a rabies-free country, you may be required to place him into special quarantine premises for many months. The cost can be high as approved quarantine facilities are expensive and you may be required to pay for port or airport carriage, airline handling, transportation and veterinary insurance. Always contact the embassy of the country to which you are traveling before planning an international trip with your pet.
Home Security - 3/7//06: When selecting a small breed pup that will make a good watch dog consider a poodle, any terrier mix, a Chihuahua or a dachshund just to name a few. If you want a visual deterrent, a boxer, rottweiler, German Shepherd or a Dalmatian are good choices. Dogs that typically make poor watch dogs include the Newfoundland, St. Bernard, Labrador retriever and Old English Sheepdog as they are less apt to vocalize.
Evaluating A Trainer - 3/8//06: Without a standard certification process a dog owner must rely on his or her own intuition to determine whether a dog trainer is qualified. Ask for permission to sit in on a group lesson. When you observe a class, watch how the trainer handles both dogs and people. Make sure she or he takes time to answer questions and that the students receive individual attention.
Why Beagles? - 3/9//06: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Beagle Brigade is an elite corps of sixty-some dogs stationed at airports as the first line of defense against pests and diseases. This breed has been chosen for this important job based on their keen sense of smell. Furthermore, their small size makes them less threatening to people and better able to navigate crowded airports.
Alternative To Flying - 3/10//06: Are you nervous about placing your pet on an airplane? Consider using a pet transporter that offers nationwide door-to-door ground transportation. Information about such services is often found in the advertisement section of pet magazines.
Strategic Shaving - 3/11//06: Does your longhaired dog sometimes get fecal material caught in the fur on her back legs? Consider having a groomer keep the fur on the back legs and around the rectum trimmed short. This will help your dog stay clean.
Brush Before Bath - 3/12//06: Before you bathe your dog, brush and comb him out thoroughly. Never bathe a dog with tangles. When your pooch gets wet and subsequently dries, the tangles will be worse than before the bath.
Body Grooming 101 - 3/13//06: Keep in mind that the grooming process is not something most dogs naturally enjoy. However, if introduced slowly and gradually, grooming often becomes something your pooch will enjoy. Start with short daily grooming sessions, preferably when your dog is a pup. Always reward good behavior lavishly.
Pet Insurance - 3/14//06: Did you know that health insurance is now available for your pet? You can typically choose from several different plans, and some companies even offer policies that cover routine care such as vaccinations and dental cleanings. See your veterinarian for brochures.
Veterinary Specialists - 3/15//06: Veterinary specialists offer sophisticated diagnostic and treatment options for dogs with serious health problems. Many consider their pets as family members and want to ensure that their pets get the highest quality care possible. If you are interested in taking your dog to a veterinary specialist, ask your veterinarian for a referral.
Will They Bite Me? - 3/16//06: Are you worried that your dog?s fleas will bite you? Typically fleas will prefer your pet. Dogs? temperatures are slightly higher than humans, making them more attractive as a source of sustenance.
Geriatric Screen - 3/17//06: Many dogs are now living longer thanks to better nutrition and veterinary care. In order to detect problems at an early stage when they can be managed more easily, many veterinary practices now offer special geriatric programs that include a thorough physical examination, a series of blood tests, chest x-rays, cardiac evaluation and nutritional counseling.
Easing Euthanasia - 3/18//06: Deciding to put your pet to sleep may be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make. To help cope with the grief, consider seeking the help of a grief counselor or pet loss hot line before you actually see your veterinarian for the procedure. Make sure to discuss the issues with all family members involved to ensure that everyone is in agreement and no one is left behind, feeling left out of this emotional decision. This will help alleviate any lingering feelings of quilt and doubt.
Old Age? - 1/13//06: Is your dog sleeping more? Is he no longer interested in his favorite game of "fetch"? Don't automatically chalk it up to "old age". Mention these changes to your veterinarian, and you may learn that your dog has a condition that is easily treatable. Your veterinarian may order routine tests to pinpoint the problem.
No Food Or Water - 1/14//06: When housetraining your new puppy, do not place food or water in his crate since your puppy will have no acceptable place to eliminate after consumption. Puppies will generally respect their sleeping quarters and prefer not to soil their crate unless forced to. Take your puppy out often and at regular intervals and always after every meal.
How Many Stools? - 1/15//06: Have you ever wondered how many bowel movements your dog should be having daily? A fully grown and mature dog should be producing 1-2 stools per day. If your dog is producing more than this, you may be feeding him too much. A young growing puppy, however, can produce 4-5 stools daily without this being abnormal.
Leader Of The Pack - 1/16//06: Dogs are pack animals by nature, and it is an integral part of the nature of a pack animal to try and rise to the highest level possible. It is an important part of training a new puppy to teach him that humans are the leaders of the pack. Be aware that a new puppy will test all family members in an attempt to establish dominance. It is important for everyone in the family to cooperate in establishing and enforcing a code of conduct for the new puppy.
Scary Carrier - 1/17//06: Does your pup run and hide the minute he sees you bring out the pet carrier? Try placing the carrier in his play area several days before needing to transport him. Place a garment with your scent on it and a toy inside to make it less threatening.
Too Many Eggs - 1/18//06: Repeatedly adding raw eggs to a dog's diet can cause a deficiency of the vitamin biotin. This can lead to dermatitis, loss of hair and poor growth. Supplementation is typically not necessary when a dog is fed a complete and balanced dog food.
Proper Toothpaste - 2/16//06: When brushing your dog's teeth make sure not to use a human toothpaste. Dogs do not understand that it is not appropriate to swallow the paste. Human toothpaste can cause irritation of your dog's stomach and contains inappropriately high levels of fluoride for swallowing. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation for a suitable doggy toothpaste.
No Ribbons - 2/17//06: Do not tie decorative ribbons around your dog's neck. If he chews the ribbon it can cause choking or digestive problems. Consider using a colorful triangular piece of fabric to fashion a stylish bandana for your dog's neck, making sure to knot it securely.
Swaddled Pup - 2/18//06: Are you having trouble medicating your small dog? Try gently wrapping him in a towel or blanket and placing him on an elevated surface. This should give you more leverage during the process.
Excellent Hearing - 2/19//06: You probably know that dogs hear better than humans, but did you know exactly how well? In most trials, dogs can find the source of a sound in six-hundredths of a second and hear sounds four times farther away than humans. They can detect sounds as high as 35 kilohertz compared to our maximum of 20 kilohertz.
Tracking Scent - 2/20//06: Have you ever wondered how dogs can track people? A scent trail is made up of cells that fall off the body. A dog can pick up an individual scent even in a crowd because no two people have the same scent.
Jacobson's Organ - 2/21//06: Dogs and cats, as well as some other animals, have a tasting device called the Jacobson's organ which functions somewhere between smelling and tasting. Your dog activates this device by opening his mouth slightly, picking up scent substances from the air, and then pressing them into his Jacobson's organ.
Banish Begging - 2/22//06: Begging can be more than a nuisance and may actually indicate a behavior problem. When dogs beg, it may be an attempt to assert themselves over their owners. If you give in to your dog's begging, you are in effect, obeying his command. Establish good habits early on by never feeding your dog from the table.
Toy Love? - 2/23//06: There are some doggie toys that your dog may love too much. This may include chews made from animal parts such as jerky and pig's ears. Dogs can love these toys so much that they become obsessive or aggressive about them. If you notice such behavior, refrain from giving these types of toys to your pooch again.
Not After Dinner - 2/24//06: Are you trying to teach your pooch some new tricks? Consider scheduling the play sessions right before meal times and use food as reward to motivate your dog. A healthy appetitie can be a great motivator.
Messy Plants - 2/25//06: Is your dog in the habit of digging and exploring in the soil of your houseplants? Consider placing large decorative glass pebbles or gravel on top of the soil. Covering the soil with netting may also help prevent digging.
Special Diet After Spay? - 2/26//06: You may have heard that you need to feed your dog a special diet after she has been spayed. This is actually not the case. The tendency for your pet to become overweight following spaying. The best way to keep your dog lean and trim is to carefully monitor her portions of high-quality dog food and to facilitate plenty of exercise.

Pet Tips courtesy of Yahoo Pets