General Articles

What is the Best All Natural Cat Food to Start My Kitten On?

Rusty

What is the Best All Natural Cat Food to Start My Kitten On?

There’s no denying the fact that the best all natural cat food, especially for a new kitten, is the one Mother Nature so adequately provides. This quality raw meat and bones diet provides balanced nutrition, a happy and healthy mind and goes a long way to satisfy the natural hunting instinct.

The problem arises in just how to duplicate this healthy diet in the context of domesticity, juggling work and family commitments and the weekly shop. Obviously there have to be some compromises, but these can be minor once you are aware of the important aspects.

Let’s look at the major points of a quality raw meat and bones diet according to Mother Nature.

1. A cat kills and eats their prey immediately, indicating the dual aspect of raw and freshness are of primary importance. This means it’s better to keep the raw food for only a couple of days in the fridge, freezing the rest and thawing out as necessary.

2. A cat will eat the whole carcass so along with quality muscle meat, you should also include raw bones and some organ meat. Small raw bones are perfectly safe for cats up to about the size of medium sized chicken wings. Larger bones may cause the teeth to chip.

3. Cats are carnivores. Although they will eat the contents of the prey’s stomach, which will be partially digested grain or plant matter, their diet needs to consist of meat and bones, with the plant matter offered as a choice rather than a part of the diet.

Inevitable compromises humans have to make for the sake of convenience is that the meat will mostly be from animals much larger than a cat would normally kill. However this is of much less importance than the quality of the protein.

When you are in charge of the quality of the food you feed your kitten, you can expect her to grow into a fine and healthy cat. Leaving this most important aspect to people you don’t know, who only have an interest in your wallet, not your kitten, is playing Russian roulette with her health.…

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Dog Breeds – Doberman Pinscher

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Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed

It never ceases to amaze me just how interesting the history of many dog breeds are. This is especially true of the Doberman Pinscher. Many years ago, during the 1800s, a man named Louis Doberman from Thuringen in Germany had a career of collecting taxes. Every day he would set out on foot and literally walk door-to-door asking people to pay their overdue taxes.

Needless to say, this job was obviously quite rough and Mr. Doberman needed an excellent guard dog to accompany him on his rounds. He then set out with the goal of creating such a breed. The most likely mix came from the old German Shepherd and the German Pinscher, with later crosses using the Greyhound, Weimaraner, and the Black & Tan Manchester Terrier.

Soon enough Mr. Doberman gathered the perfect prototype of the breed which today bears his own name. The original Doberman dogs looked a little different than today’s Doberman Pinschers, with rounder heads and a thicker bone structure, which in time was bred to have a more narrow race-like look. By the year 1900, the Doberman Pinscher became so popular that it had its own breed club.

The first Doberman Pinscher found its way to the United States in the early 1900s. Both the US and European nation took to this breed has a perfect police dog and guard dog. In time, it was also used as a war dog. In time, these valuable functions became the desire of many household families, in addition to the sleek, defined appearance of the animal. By the year 1977, the Doberman Pinscher was the second most popular dog breed in the United States.

Personality

The Doberman Pinscher is a highly intelligent animal that is one of the most capable guard dogs and watchdogs a family could own. Not only is it a highly dependable family protector, Doberman Pinscher dogs are also one of the most easiest breeds to train. They are alert and always ready to serve. These dogs are quite sensitive, obedient, reserved with strangers, and are committed to loyalty.

Taking Care Of Your Doberman Pinscher

Upkeep of the Doberman Pinscher takes more than average daily exercise. Bundled with enormous pockets of energy, this dog can become very frustrated and even destructive when kept indoors too long without physical and mental stimulation. Families considering owning a Doberman Pinscher should be prepared for a lifelong commitment of daily brisk walks and plenty of vigorous dog games to play outside. Dobermans Can live outside in both hot and cold temperatures, but is more comfortable when inside with its family.

Health Information

The Doberman Pinscher has a lifespan of up to 12 years, with 11 being the average. Veterinarians suggest that these dogs get specifically tested for hip dysplasia, eye problems, cardiac issues, and DNA for vWD. Major health concerns that may arise are gastric torsion, demodicosis, vWD, and osteosarcoma. Occasionally, minor health problems sometimes include PRA, albinism, narcolepsy, and hypothyroidism.…

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Learn A Procedure to Clean Cat Urine From Harwood Floors

Rusty

Maybe you have detected your cat urinating in the house? Maybe on your furniture or also on your hardwood floors?

If that is the case, then I guess you’d really believe me that this is probably biggest drawbacks with having a cat.

Your cat may start urinating on your furniture or floors for a couple of reasons, however the main point of this particular article is to offer you a procedure to cleanse the messes and get rid of the cat urine smell.

You need to move quickly at the first sign of a mess, no matter if it is liquid or solid.

Try to clean up just as much as you possibly can using a paper towel. If it is poop, you will be able to get all of it with just the paper towel and there may not be any need for further cleaning.

In the event that your cat peed on the floor, probably the process is needed to be taken one step further.

I call this next step, “The Save Your Cat And End The Odor” step.

I had always used chemicals that I got from a pet store to clean up messes and stop the odor. This was a really expensive proposition and I started to look for less costly ways to take care of the dilemma.

After speaking with a handful neighbors that had cats and performing some online research I discovered the “miracle” product that did the job for almost nothing.

That product was vinegar, that’s right vinegar. It has a thousand uses and this is part of them.

Right here is the formula and the process that I now use to take care of cat urine odor problems.

2 tablespoons full of vinegar in a bucket of water. Increase the vinegar in case you’re using a significantly larger bucket for the water.

…Immerse a fresh clean cloth straight into vinegar, water solution and wring it out to the point that it is still quite wet, but not dripping all over the place.

the cloth having the mixture over the entire soiled area, wringing it out several time into a sink and re-soaking it in the vinegar mixture

…Completely dry the affected area making use of clean dry cloth. Make certain that the floor is fully dry.

vinegar is acidic and will eliminate the smell and should not harm the finish.

If you have a cat that is urinating everywhere in your home, on the furniture and on your hardwood floors, it’s important to know the best way to cleaning it up. You won’t have to spend a bundle buying chemicals at the pet store, all you require is some water and the “miracle” product. Once you are familiar with secret to cleaning up your cat urine messes, your life and that of your cat should be better.…

General Articles

Tips To Protect Your Dog’s Paws From The Pavement

Rusty

Many people like to go for walks with their dogs in the summer season when temperatures are highest. This can be very harmful to them, as the pavement absorbs the heat and burns their paws, causing pain, discomfort and exposing them to infections, especially when they are puppies and the skin on their paw pads is very thin. Read these 10 tips that will help you take care of your dog’s paws against the constant threat of burns caused by walking on hot pavement.

  1. Take Your Dog For A Walk When It Is Not Hot.

It is essential to take your pet for daily walks. Still, you must take into account at what time of the day and where you take him, especially in summer, since during the afternoon, the sun’s rays are powerful and radically increase the pavement’s temperature. The best time to go out is early in the morning or at dusk when the pavement is freezing and does not burn your dog’s paws.

  1. Get Your Dog’s Paws Used To Walking On The Pavement.

A good idea to help strengthen your dog’s paws against any damage is to make him walk for long stretches on the pavement when it is cold so that his skin adapts to this material’s hardness and is more difficult to break or burn because it will become harder.

  1. Keep Your Dog On A Grassy Path.

If, for some reason, you can’t avoid going out with your dog during the hottest part of the day, be sure to have him walk in grassy or shaded areas to avoid burns. Parks with lots of trees are ideal for hot afternoons, and you will also avoid coming into contact with corrosive substances that may be on the street or with dirt, which eventually dries out their pads.

  1. Moisturize Your Dog’s Paws

Consider moisturizing your dog’s paws daily to prevent cuts, nicks, or peeling, as these small wounds make them more susceptible to burns and other skin problems. You can find Paw Repair creams and lotions at pet stores and veterinary clinics.

  1. Protective Pad Wax

Paw Repair wax can be easily applied to your dog’s paw pads to protect them from damaging surfaces such as hot pavement. You can use it whenever you need extra protection during a walk, and you can find it in pet stores and veterinary clinics, just like moisturizing creams and lotions.

  1. Adhesive Pads

Just like a sticker, these pads peel off from their packaging and stick easily to your dog’s paw pads. You can find them at any home improvement store and just cut them to the size your pet requires. They are a quick solution to minimize the dangers of hot pavement and injuries and are even slip-resistant.

Another option is silicone sheets that are reusable, easy to cut, and moisture resistant. You can get them at drugstores.

  1. Dog Shoes

These shoes are one of the best ways to protect your dog’s paws; the important thing is that they are of good quality, comfortable and non-slip. Not all dogs get used to them, so don’t worry if you notice that your pet takes a long time to adapt or doesn’t want to wear them.

  1. Disposable Boots

Disposable boots are ideal for hot days. They are made of rubber and resist chemicals, moisture, heat, sand, salt, and much more. They can be used several times without problems, biodegradable, and sold in packs of 12 in pet stores.

  1. Socks

As a quick fix to keep your dog’s paws from getting damaged by hot pavement, you can use dog socks or a pair of baby socks. Not all dogs get used to wearing them, so as with shoes, don’t worry if your pet doesn’t want to wear them.

  1. Check And Wash Your Dog’s Paws Daily.

Check your dog’s paws daily for any signs of damage and frequently clean them with soap and warm water. If his paw pads are damaged, take him to the veterinarian for advice on the best way to heal his wounds.

By following these tips, you can prevent your pet from being exposed to burns from walking on hot pavement and also improve their quality of life, since their paw pads serve as shock absorbers for their weight, maintain their balance, and allow them to walk on hard or rough surfaces.

 

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Dog Adoption

How to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Lead

Rusty

There is nothing worse than grappling to control your dog as it pulls you along, it’s tongue to one side of it’s mouth as it pants and pulls on the neck muscles close to strangulation. No matter what command you shout, nothing seems to work, until now!
Straight from the off, you need to show your dog who is the boss. You are the master and it takes directions and guidance from you. Make dog pulling a thing of the past with these proven methods. It’s going to take a little patience and a strong mind from you. You are going to have to give some simple commands and do some positive actions which your dog may not appreciate at first, but it’s necessary for long term success.
Place the lead on the collar before you go outside. Never allow the dog to bite the lead. If yours does this then say a firm ‘no’ command. Hold the lead in your left hand and let the lead cross your body down to the dog which will be at your right side. Your right hand should also be holding the lead in a gentle grip. Your dogs position should be slightly behind the lead just enough so it can see it in the corner of it’s eye. The dogs position should always be slightly behind the lead.
Proceed to walk, if the dog pulls and it probably will because it’s excited. It does not know where it’s going, it just wants to get there as fast as it can. When it starts to get ahead of the lead which you are holding across your body then stop quickly. Tell your dog to ‘heel’ and to position itself next to you. Some prefer to give the ‘sit’ command next before you start to walk again.
There is no need to yank the dog back sharply. The collar will hurt the neck and it may yelp, there is no need for this. Now it’s time for the patience to set in. You can give the command to ‘walk’ as you set off again. If the dog starts to pull again you do the same thing. Stop walking immediately.
Your dog will get frustrated of course. It wants to get wherever it’s going and you are not helping. But dogs are not stupid animals, they will soon work out that If they walk in a particular manner then they are going to make some progress on the journey. If it pulls you stop walking and go back to the sit command.
When you come to road junctions then you should always give the command to ‘sit’ and wait until the road is clear. All this is good practice which will educate your dog to be a very responsive animal. Success is not going to happen overnight, but trust me, this is a proven method of success that I am sure will work with you. Failure only comes when the owner feels sorry for the dog and gives it some leeway.
Never forget that you are the master and they look for you for guidance. Just be firm with your verbal commands and actions, be patient and you will get the reward of a dog that you are in complete control of when you walk together.…

Dogs for Adoption

Raw Bones For Dog Health

Rusty

Raw bones:

-will keep teeth clean and reduce tartar buildup, therefore great for reducing offensive doggie breath!

-are naturally high in essential fatty acids (EFA’s), fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K, marrow (blood forming proteins), collagen, minerals (boron, calcium phosphate and phosphorus in the perfect ratio and availability)

-improve skin, coat and general wellbeing of your dog

-beneficial to muscle and bone development as it is an isometric exercise

-dogs can store stress in their jaw, chewing is soothing and serves as a stress release activity as it helps release endorphins which creates a feeling of wellbeing

-chicken bones are high in omega 6, essential acids and raw young bird bones are quite soft

-important for your dogs dental health as bones help prevent periodontal disease, gingivitis, and cavities therefore saving you expensive visits to the vet

-helps strengthen your dogs own bones, teeth and jaw

-will help anal glad problems, so if your dog scoots on grass this could be a sign that including raw bones in his diet would be of benefit

-dogs fed a proportion of raw meat and bone have much smaller, slightly harder and much less smellier stool

-good for dogs that are crated or confined for longer periods of time as it keep them calm and occupied

-ends of bones contain cartilage, great source of glucosamine which has anti inflammatory properties

Suitable bones MUST BE RAW and never cooked as they can splinter internally and cause impaction, also

-discourage your dog from eating old dried out bones

-avoid large marrow type bones as they can wear down teeth enamel and cause cracks

What type of bones to feed?

Always chose an appropriate bone size for your dog. Medium-large dogs: lamb shanks and necks, raw chicken and turkey necks, chicken carcasses and frames, pig’s trotters, beef marrow bones, kangaroo tails. It is always ideal for your dog to chew all bones a few times before swallowing , however if your dog gulps down rather than chewing the bones do not feed lamb shanks).

Smaller dogs, bull terriers, boxers: can be fed raw meaty bones but leave out the larger bones such as lamb shanks. Chicken necks are good for puppies and smaller dogs (or mixed up with other foods for larger dogs who chew well, otherwise they are most likely to be too small and swallowed without chewing. For puppies also try and include bones with some meat as it encourages them to use their front incisor teeth while trying to tear off the meat. This can help prevent further chewing of furniture, shoes it helps the puppy through the teething stage.

Please note that some adult dogs can’t eat any cuts of raw bone perhaps due to the shape of the head of some small breeds, or having an undershot jaw. Older dogs may have lost too many teeth and may be unable to chew bones.

Otherwise, generally feeding your dog raw bones twice weekly is a great start to introducing him to a natural form of food dogs have been accustomed to eating for thousands of years. Dogs are carnivores (meat eaters) so their entire anatomy and physiology is well adapted to digest bones. Their stomach acid is much stronger than humans so they can readily digest bits of bone and chunks of meat. Their strong stomach acid also kills any bacteria or pathogen that would otherwise be harmful to humans. Organic meat and bones are always preferable.

By feeding your dog what dogs would naturally eat in the wild you will be tremendously contributing to his welfare. Why not start by introducing a few different types of bone and create some variety to your dog’s diet this week, observe carefully when he’s eating, and come to your own conclusion!…

Pet

Containing Aggressive Dog Behavior

Rusty

Back in the old days when all dogs were wild, barking, chewing, and scent-marking were natural among dogs. However, since dogs have become a part of our household and society, they had to be taught on how to act accordingly. These natural behaviors have become behavior problems that are imperative to be dealt with. Aggressive dog behavior is not natural in dogs. It is something that they adapt from their environment specifically when a dog lacks proper socialization or when a dog experienced being attacked by another more aggressive dog. Aggressive dog behavior is one of the major pains in the head of dog owners.

It is difficult to have an aggressive dog at home especially when you have children. Dogs with this kind of behavior tend to dominate the household which can actually be a dangerous one for dogs and the owner?s family as well. Aggressive dog behavior often begins when a dog is still a puppy and it is hardly noticeable. There are specified dog training techniques for very specific cases. Thus, not all techniques will work in a dog. Environmental or health factors may cause aggressive dog behavior. So, it is highly recommended that you keep in touch with your veterinarian when it comes to treating aggressive dogs.

There are various other reasons why dogs behave aggressively. Some dogs are aggressive because they want to protect their territory, they are in pain, they are defensive, they have reproductive urges or they are mere playful. As the owner, you have to be keen at knowing why your dog is becoming aggressive. Do not wait until your dog bites or attacks a family member or a neighbor. It is your responsibility as the owner to contain your dog and prevent him from harming other people. You may only take them to public places when you know what necessary precautions to take in case they will panic.

Keep in mind that some dogs fear being around strangers or other dogs, so some of them panic in cases like this. If you have seen such behavior in your dog, then perhaps he needs to be trained on socialization. Many dog trainers believe that punishment is not a good remedy to treat aggressive dog behavior. It might even trigger aggressive attacks especially that physical punishments result to fear and anxiety making the matter worse. Aggressive dog behavior may also be dealt with through games. Play a game that challenges your dog?s dominance and when you win, you will establish an impression on your dog that you are still the dominant one.

Otherwise, if the dog would often see that he is the dominant one, he can become more aggressive and dangerous. Aggressive dog behavior can be resolved with the right training regimen. Praises, compliments, rewarding with dog treats will surely reinforce a positive response from your dog. Treating dog aggressive behavior is a long process since your pet will have to learn behavior patterns all over again. Do not expect overnight results so be very patient. Treat aggressive dog behavior the soonest time possible for everyone?s safety.…