Cat-Proofing Your Home

Cat proofing your home has two goals: protecting your cat, and protecting your home. The best time to get started is before your new cat arrives to distract you. Your cat can squirm under furniture and discover stuff you never knew was in your house. And he can climb things and topple items you never thought he could reach. Curiosity can kill---or at least injure---your cat. And it can destroy your prized possessions. So think like a cat, and start prowling the house for danger.  Look for:

• uncovered electrical outlets, which can cause shocks when licked
• electrical wires, which can cause shocks when chewed. They can also topple lamps and appliances when pulled. Tape them together and out of reach. Do the same with long phone cords. Better, buy plastic conduit or flat strips of vinyl to cover them and hold them flat to the floor. 
• little things: rubber bands, thumb tacks, paper clips, deflated balloons, all of which can be enticing playthings but pose a choking hazard
• big things, such as unsecured bookcases, that can topple over on a cat should it hang from them.
• hanging cords for blinds, which are fun to play with, but can also become wrapped around a kitten's neck. Tie the cords out of reach, or cut them so they don't form a loop.
• open windows (or ones with loose screens) as well as decks and balconies, which can result in falls
• unsecured doors, which can let your cat wander outside, or can slam shut on him in a breeze
• swinging doors, which can trap a kitten’s head and neck
• fireplace without a secure fire screen, which can invite a cat to be burned
• precariously placed statues or vases, which can fall on a curious kitten
• hanging table cloths that if pulled, can bring dishes crashing down, possibly injuring the kitten 
• long strings, which if swallowed, can cause the intestines to accordion in on themselves, requiring surgery.
• craft or sewing kits. These may hold needles and threads that can be swallowed, causing severe injury and illness
• poisonous plants, which can be fun to play with and enticing to munch on, but some can be toxic. Know your plants, or better, put them all out of reach.
• household cleaners containing pine or phenol, which are particularly toxic to cats. Never use these to clean the cat's bowls or sleeping quarters.
• laundry room dangers, such as fabric softener sheets, which can be toxic, and open dryer doors that can be inviting for a cat to nap inside on the clothes---before the door is shut and the dryer turned on.

Some rooms have special dangers. Check the kitchen for:

• open cabinets holding cleaners and degreasers, which can invite poisoning
• accessible garbage pails holding enticing rancid food and splintering bones, which can invite poisoning, sickness or gut injury
• plastic wraps that can be swallowed, which can lodge in the intestines
• foods and beverages such as chocolate, sugarless candy and gum containing xylitol, and alcohol that have been known to cause sometimes fatal toxicity in cats.

Check the bathrooms for:

• pills and medicines; it only takes one ibuprofen or acetaminophen to kill a kitten.
• drain cleaners, which can poison a cat or cause eye injuries
• razors, which can cut the mouth, throat and gut

Check the garage for:

• antifreeze, which is attractive, but very deadly, to cats. Even walking through a puddle and licking it off the paws can cause fatal kidney failure.
• fuels, cleaners, paints, herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers, all of which can be toxic
• rodent bait, which is enticing to eat, but fatal to cats as well as rodents

Check the yard for:

• puddles of antifreeze in the driveway
• rotted limbs that can fall on your cat
• unfenced pool, which can drown a kitten
• treated lawns and decks, which may have toxic chemicals that the cat may lick off his paws
• poisonous plants
• insect hives that a digging or playing cat could cause to attack
• a non-cat proof fence. Don't let your cat roam!

Look on the bright side: your house has probably never looked so orderly.  Except maybe for the kitten hanging from the drapes. Maybe now's the time to cover the furniture or put the cat in the special safe room you should have. And break out the cat toys.

Traveling with Dogs

There may come a time when you want to take your canine companion on a trip with you, and when that time comes it is important to be well prepared for your trip. There are several things you should do to be well prepared, and a few points to be wary of while traveling.

Preparation

Before leaving with your dog, you need to make sure your dog is all set to go with everything they need.

Pack for your dog’s needs – If you are bringing your dog to an unfamiliar place, familiar items will help them settle more easily. If you can, try to bring their own food and water dish, bedding, and toys. Try to bring the food they are used to, unless you are able to buy it where you are going. It would also be wise to bring a first aid kit designed for your dog.

Tags - Your dog’s tags are very important. Be sure that your dog wears a secure collar with a home address and phone number tag. Since you will be traveling, the chances that your dog will become lost significantly increases. In today’s standards, getting your dog micro-chipped is fairly cheap. If you plan on doing a great deal of traveling with your dog, it may be a worthy investment. This serves as a permanent form of ID that can be scanned by any pound that may pick him or her up.

Veterinarian Visit – If you are overdue for a visit to the vet, it would be wise to go before you begin your trip. Not only does it ensure your dog’s health, but it allows you to get a health certificate for your travels. By request, the veterinarian can also give you a sedative for your dog, to help calm them on the trip.

Transportation

If you are taking your dog with you in your vehicle, there are a few things you should be aware of to transport them safely. Firstly, dogs can get carsick just as humans can, so try to minimize feeding on the trip, and wherever you do decide to put them, make sure they have an easy exit just in case it looks like they are going to vomit.

You are going to want to ensure that your dog is secure when transporting them. If you can, the ideal situation would be to crate them. If not, you can purchase harnesses to keep your pet secure. Even though your dog may love it, never put them in the back of a pickup truck without taking the proper precautions s. It is estimated that over 100,000 dogs die each year from falling out the back of a car or truck.

Try to keep your dog from hanging their head out the window too much. Not only can they get hit by bugs and flying debris, but the air being forced into their lungs can lead to sickness. Mind the temperature when you are in the car to prevent your dog from developing a cold or becoming dehydrated. Never leave your dog in the car by itself for more than a few minutes at a time, especially in the summer. Lastly, take frequent breaks so  both of you can stretch your legs, grab a drink, and use the bathroom.

Dog Urnine Odor Remover

Dogs are one of the most favored pets among pet lovers, due to their affectionate companionship and loyalty to their owners. However, when potty training your dog, you will often have to deal with “accidents” around the home. This is most common in puppies, though can also be behavior that is exhibited by adult dogs as well. To understand how to remove dog urine odor, it’s best to first understand why your dog is urinating, and what may be causing their behavior.

Why do Dogs Urinate?

If your dog is urinating indoors on a regular basis, there could be many different reasons for this. Some dogs tend to urinate when they get excited, or when they become scared. This is also common in some dogs that have been rescued from abusive situations, since they often lose control of their bladder when they feel anxious. However, your dog could also be urinating because they believe that they are “marking” their territory around the house. This may be the case if your dog hasn’t been spayed or neutered. In many cases, a male dog that hasn’t been neutered will feel the need to claim their “domain”, which may result in them urinating on furniture, carpets or even shoes. Your dog could also be urinating indoors because they aren’t given enough outdoor time in which to go to the bathroom, or they haven’t been fully potty trained yet.

How Can I Stop My Dog From Urinating?

The best way to stop your dog from urinating is to identify the reason why they are urinating indoors. If they are exhibiting territorial behavior, you may need to engage in dominance training. If they aren’t fully potty trained, you need to devote more time to potty training your dog, or try crate training. By stopping the problem at its source, you will reduce the risk that you will have to clean up more dog urine in the future.

What Can I Do to Remove Dog Urine Odor?

To remove the smell of dog urine, it’s best to first try a homemade recipe for dog urine odor removal. Try using a mixture of white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. This can help to neutralize the existing odor of the dog urine, and will help to remove any residual stains as well. Be sure to rinse the affected area with plenty of water after applying a homemade dog urine odor remover.

If you have a particularly strong-smelling area of dog urine, you may want to go directly to trying a commercial dog urine odor removal product. Many of these products are sold at pet supply stores, usually in the pet care section. Be sure to pay close attention to the instructions, in order to ensure that you are able to effectively remove the odor of the dog urine. If necessary, you may want to use a combination of products (such as a spray product and a carpet powder) in order for the odor of the dog urine to be completely neutralized.

Hills Dog Food

Company Background

Hills brand dog food is manufactured by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Hill’s Pet Nutrition is actually a subsidiary of the Colgate-Palmolive Company, which is headquartered in New York City. Currently, Hills Pet Nutrition is responsible for manufacturing over 60 types of “Prescription Diet” formulas, as well as over 50 types of “Science Diet” formulas. The research and development for Hill’s Pet Nutrition takes place at a research facility in Topeka, Kansas.

Advertising

As far as Hills Science Diet, these formulas have been subject to an extensive and comprehensive advertising campaign. The Science Diet brand name is highly recognizable, due to it commonly being promoted by veterinarians. This advertising tactic has received both positive and negative attention.

Food Ingredients

Many of the Hills brand dog food formulas, including Hills Science Plan, include corn-based ingredients. These ingredients are usually listed among the first five ingredients, which is an indicator that they make up a significant portion of the formula. Corn-based ingredients have come under a lot of scrutiny in the pet food industry, often being described as a “cheap filler ingredient”. However, some pet food companies have published studies which have cited corn as a fair source of protein. In general, dog owners tend to view corn ingredients negatively, which is a factor that has influenced poor reviews of Hills dog food formulas.

Customer Reviews

Most customers have negative things to say about their experience with Hills brand pet food formulas. Some dog owners report that their dogs experienced heavy shedding, or gastrointestinal problems when fed Hills brand dog food formulas. However, a few dog owners seem to have fed Hills dog food formulas without any significant issues. Some customers report that their dogs experienced less health problems when they were switched to a higher quality formula (and taken off of Hills brand pet foods).

Product Line

There are many different dog food formulas that are marketed by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. These formulas cover a wide variety of life stages, health conditions and “dietary needs”. Included among the formulas are products for kidney disease, liver disease, weight loss, recovery from accidents, heart disease, and dealing with skin-based allergies. There are also formulas designed for puppies (up to one year of age), adult dogs ( up to seven years of age) and senior dogs (over seven years of age). Many formulas are available both in dry and canned varieties.

Golden Retriever Care

GOLDEN RETRIEVER HISTORY

The Golden Retriever breed of dog was first developed in Scotland, though were not officially known as “Golden Retrievers” until 1920. The breed was first developed as a gun-dog, being bred to aid hunters in retrieving downed waterfowl. The original Golden Retriever breed was created with a cross of a yellow-colored Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel (a now extinct breed). In 1868, this cross produced four pups which were the foundation of the Golden Retriever breed. Other crosses that were implemented in the creation of the Golden Retriever were the St. John’s Water Dog (now known as the Labrador Retriever), the Irish Setter, the Bloodhound and two types of wavy-coated black Retriever dogs. Eventually, the breed was corrected, and the genetic line was stabilized into the Golden Retriever that we know today.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER APPEARANCE

In general, the Golden Retriever has a few small differences between the appearance of the American, Canadian and British breeds. However, a Golden Retriever is typically a large dog, weighing from 55 to 75 lbs. Golden Retrievers have a generally athletic build, though can appear to be stockier or less athletic depending on heritage. As suggested by their name, the Golden Retriever can come in any color variation classified in the “Golden” line of color. This ranges from an ivory cream to a deep russet mahogany.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER TEMPERAMENT

The Golden Retriever is generally classified as being friendly, affectionate and kind. They tend to be very personable, being friendly even with strangers. Though they do not make a good guard dog, they are widely accepted as being of a very gentle disposition. This is one of the main reasons why they are such a popular dog among families with small children. In general, the Golden Retriever is very calm, with any behavioral abnormalities (aggression, hostility, depression) being viewed as a serious fault in the breed. Golden Retrievers are very eager to please their owners, and are said to be one of the most loyal dog breeds.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER GROOMING

Since the Golden Retriever has a double-layered coat, they do tend to be in the moderate shedding category. However, grooming a Golden Retriever is fairly simple, and will greatly reduce the amount of shedding. It’s best to purchase a dog care bristle brush, which is usually available in the pet care section of most pet supply stores. Bathing a Golden Retriever can be done at least once per month. Since Golden Retrievers have floppy ears, they are prone to ear infections. Because of this, their ears should be cleaned on a regular basis.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER TRAINING

Training a Golden Retriever is usually fairly easy, due to the breed’s loyalty and eagerness to please their owner. Since the Golden Retriever is very affectionate, positive reinforcement training is usually the most effective type of training program to use. Golden Retrievers will thrive on a training program that utilizes both praise and food-based treat rewards for good behavior. When properly trained, most Golden Retrievers are obedient, without any visible tendencies to misbehave.

German Shepherd Care

GERMAN SHEPHERD HISTORY

Historically speaking, the German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, dating its breed origins at the year1899. The German Shepherd was first created when an effort in Germany was made to standardize certain dog breeds. Because of this, dogs were bred in order to preserve traits that made them useful for farmers, especially sheep owners. The most famous German Shepherd was one of the early dogs, named Beowulf. Beowulf fathered a total of eighty-four pups, mostly through inbreeding. This is how the German Shepherd breed was first created, credited to a man named Max Von Stephanitz.

GERMAN SHEPHERD APPEARANCE

German Shepherds are a fairly large breed of dog, weighing from 49 to 88 lbs (depending on gender). Their forehead is slightly domed, with a long, square muzzle. The German Shepherd’s ears are always erect, and it usually is very athletic in build. As far as colors, German Shepherds are known to come in many different color variations. The most common color for a German Shepherd, however, is either the tan/black or red/black color combination. Other colors include pure black, pure white, sable and blue. These rarer colors are sometimes considered to be breed defects, and may result in disqualification in some dog shows.

GERMAN SHEPHERD TEMPERAMENT

The most common temperament description used for German Shepherds is that they are ‘self-assured’. This is largely present in the breed’s overall confidence, eagerness and willingness to learn. However, German Shepherds are also known for being aggressive, and are commonly cited as being prone to attack smaller dogs. German Shepherds are responsible for the largest per-breed number of random bite incidents in the United States. This is one of the reasons why they are largely viewed to be an excellent guard dog. German Shepherds are very loyal to their owners, and can be very obedient if trained properly.

GERMAN SHEPHERD GROOMING

The coat of a German Shepherd is double-layered, with different properties assigned to each layer. The outer layer is shed throughout the year, being very dense and close-knit. The undercoat is thick and insulating, which helps to protect the German Shepherd from temperature variants. Because of the fact that they have a dual-layered coat, German Shepherds need to be groomed on a regular basis. It’s best to purchase a sturdy grooming brush at a pet care store, and groom a German Shepherd at least three times per week.

TRAINING

The best method to use when training a German Shepherd involves positive reinforcement. Though German Shepherds can be aggressive, they are also very eager to please. It’s best to use clicker training when training a German Shepherd, since this has proven to be a fairly effective training method. In the dog care section of most pet supply stores, you can purchase a small device that is used for clicker training. When this clicking device is used in combination with small food-based treats, it has proven to be very effective at shaping the behavior of German Shepherd dogs. German Shepherds are said to be the third most intelligent dog breed, preceded only by Border Collies and Poodles.

Beagle Care

BEAGLE HISTORY

Most historians agree that the Beagle can trace its origins to Ancient Greece, around the 5^th century BC. This is based on several references to small hounds that hunted their game by scent, and were followed on foot by hunters. Small hounds were also mentioned in early Roman literature, being omitted from an ancient law that all dogs which could out-run a stag should have one foot mutilated. Queen Elizabeth I had several ‘pocket’ beagles, which she often used to entertain guests. The standards for the modern Beagle were first founded in the 1830’s, when Reverend Phillip Honeywood established a pack of Beagles in Essex, England. In the 1840’s, Beagles began appearing in the United States.

BEAGLE APPEARANCE

Beagles are commonly said to be of the appearance of a miniature Foxhound, though with a shorter muzzle. In proportion to its body, the legs of a Beagle are relatively short. Most Beagles are from 13 to 16 inches tall, weighing from 18 to 35 lbs when full-grown. A Beagle’s skull is domed, with as square-cut medium length muzzle. A Beagle’s eyes are usually hazel or brown, appearing to be slightly large in proportion to the face. Most Beagles are selectively bred to have a white-tipped tail, also called a ‘flag’. This ‘flag’ is how hunters are able to see a Beagle when they are hunting in long grass. A Beagle’s tail is straight, held completely upright when the Beagle is participating in activities. Beagles can be seen in most any hound color, though are most commonly seen with brown, black, white and tan markings.

BEAGLE TEMPERAMENT

When looking at beagle care its important to know that beagles are very gentle in temperament, having a generally upbeat demeanor. Beagles are not known for being aggressive, though they are also not characterized as being timid dogs. Though Beagles are very appreciative of human companionship, they tend to be slightly wary of strangers. Beagles are not very good guard dogs, due to their lack of aggression. However, most Beagles make good watch dogs, since they tend to howl or bark when confronted with unfamiliar things. Though Beagles are very intelligent, they have also been bred to be very determined, which may result in some resilience against training programs. Beagles require constant interaction, and can easily become distracted or bored.

BEAGLE GROOMING

Beagles are short-haired dogs, and are not known for excessive shedding. However, it’s still important to groom a Beagle on a regular basis. A gentle grooming brush, available in the dog care section of most pet care supply stores, should be sufficient for weekly grooming.

BEAGLE TRAINING

Most Beagles are trained to be hunting and tracking dogs, though may also be trained to be good family pets. The training of a Beagle is slightly difficult due to their single-minded nature (which was a trait bred into them for hunting). However, the most effective method is to use patient encouragement of training concepts, combined with positive reinforcement. With these methods, Beagles can be trained to obey both basic and complicated commands in a fairly reasonable amount of time.