Causes for an Overweight Dog

Is your dog overweight? You may not know it but an overweight dog can develop some of the problems and diseases that overweight people do. I’m sure you don’t want that.

I know you love your dog but if you are feeding him or her too many treats or table scraps you may cause your dog to become overweight. You should stop the scraps right away, the spices in the food could upset their tummies and certain foods are not good to give dogs even in little doses. If you live alone this should be easy but if you have a family and they are all giving the dog extra food it’s no wonder there is an issue. It really adds up. Talk with your family and let them know the risks of an overweight pet.

Does this mean you shouldn’t give your dog treats of course not; you may still want to give your dog treats just not as many as before. Determine that your dog will get x amount of treats per day or week, and work out a schedule for the family if necessary. You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings and you don’t want an overweight dog either.

If you are not feeding your dog off the table or lots of treats then you could be giving your dog too much dog food. Read the label carefully and see how much and how many times a day you should be feeding your dog. Additionally to make sure your dog is getting the proper amount of food ask your veterinarian. The nutrition labels are for dogs in general and not breed specific and a slight tweak maybe all you need to maintain the correct weight.

How much food to give an overweight dog?
Talk with your vet and work out a plan of action you will likely have to reduce your dog’s food a certain percentage for a few weeks and then go back to the vet for a follow up visit and a reevaluation. When you speak to the vet make sure ask about including the dog treats in the new feeding plan if it is important to your family.

If your pet is just a little overweight then it shouldn’t take too long to fix the problem.

If the reduction in food isn’t working and you have given it your best your veterinarian may change your pet food to diet dog food. While there are many good brands on the market such as Canidae Dry Dog Food for Senior and Overweight Dogs or Natural Balance Dry Dog Food, Reduced Calorie Formula
your vet will recommend one based on your dog’s age, weight and general health. A good idea is to switch slowly by adding a little diet dog food to regular food then gradually adding more diet and less regular.

What to do if your dog begs?
You probably have the cutest dog in the whole world and he or she knows exactly to look even cuter when they want food. You must resist, as hard as you can unless of course the treat is in the plan. Instead of giving in to the begging put the treat in the food bowl this way you show the dog you are in charge of when he gets a treat not the other way around.

Exercise your pet
Again as with people dogs need exercise and some breeds more than others, if you are unable to walk your dog have a family member do it. If no family is able then find a neighborhood teen or a friend that you trust and pay them if you have to. If it’s a friend you can always trade, they walk your dog you watch their kids.

We tend to feed the ones we love and there’s no doubt you love your pet, but too many treats are the equivalent of cookies, cakes, or ice cream which are not so good in abundance.

The best plan of action is of course to start feeding the correct amount when they are young and each time you go to the vet make sure your dog is on the right track. If you’re taking them to the vet regularly then your dog shouldn’t ever get too far off track. But we know that isn’t always the case, start where you are and help your dog to lose weight and a safe and steady pace.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremy_vandel/147255562/

Do Dogs Get Bored?

While this isn’t a pet product we normally discuss it is very important.

Do dogs get bored? The answer is yes, and because of this they can get into mischief. Having toys around that your dog can play with can help eliminate boredom and destructive behavior.

What are some signs of boredom? Two obvious signs are digging and continuously barking. Dogs need to play if you have ever noticed a dog on a rope then you probably have seen holes nearby too. The dog is doing its best to stimulate itself.

In today’s busy world many people can’t deal with their dogs’ behavior and this is often why they are taken to the shelter. It doesn’t have to be this way, you brought that dog home with you because you fell in love with him or her.

Although some pets are more destructive in nature than others if you have tried toys and active play times like walking, running or Frisbee, and your dog is still highly destructive or aggressive you may want to consult your veterinarian for help. Let them rule out any physical reason for the behavior. If your dog is given a clean bill of health they may recommend another animal professional to help you.

If you live in an outlying area or the thought of going to a trainer just isn’t for you, there are great books written by animal behavior specialist that can turn both you and your dogs’ life around if given the chance.

If 90% of your dogs behavior could be fixed by giving them something to do would you try it? In “The Cure for the Useless Dog Syndrome” you will find practical, easy to follow games and instructions to bring your dog back in line. While it’s best to start playing with your puppy when he is young and train him to act accordingly through proper play, you may be at a loss of what to do.

If your dog is older there is still hope in their book Ray and Emma Lincoln give you advice to help your dog at any stage of development. You will find also ideas and activities for multi dog families where one dog is an angel and the other is well, not an angel.

Many of these games take just a few minutes a day and your dog won’t even know they’re being trained they just think they are playing a game!

So if you are at your wits end and on the verge of taking your pet to the animal shelter try the methods outlined in the book The Cure for the Useless Dog Syndrome first and don’t be surprised when your ornery dog becomes your dream dog!

Chinchilla Cages a Smart Shopper Guide

Finding good chinchilla cages as a brand new chinchilla owner shouldn’t be a hassle, if you are patient and thorough, then you are going to save money. Generally people start off with a smaller cage which is not a bad idea as it will serve as backup until you can find just the right cage for your pet. However you can’t keep your new chinchilla in a small cage for very long try to find a chinchilla cage within a few days of getting your pet if not sooner. Considering chinchilla’s can live 10 – 15 years or more it pays to have a good cage.

What size cage does a chinchilla need?
Chinchillas are active and need space to run around and jump. Your chinchilla should have at least 24 x 24 of floor space. While you want a tall cage you don’t want too large a cage where they could fall all the way down to the bottom and hurt themselves. Make sure the chinchilla cage has ledges spaced accordingly for the chinchilla to jump on, this will help prevent falls as they can grab onto the ledges if they loose their footing.

What should a chinchilla cage be made of?
One thing to keep in mind when you’re searching for chinchilla cages are chinchillas are rodents and if you buy a plastic cage, they are going to chew it all up.

Chinchilla cages that are considered durable are the ones which are made from a combination of wood and metal, or all metal with shelves to make sure your pet gets some exercise as chinchillas are quite jumpy and active animals.

If you have adult chinchillas a 1′ inch gaps between the bars is as large as you want to go. If you are planning on breeding a chinchilla family you will require a 1/2 inch to 1 inch distance between the bars. Thickness also plays apart in the decision to buy a chinchilla cage you want a cage made from thicker metal not anything flimsy.

Cheap chinchilla cages usually do not have this feature and if the metal used is not thick enough it will start showing inward dents that will make the cage look unattractive. So avoid cages constructed entirely of wood, plastic and super thin metal bars.

Extra Features
Another nice feature you should keep your eye out for is a rolling castor beneath the cage for easy transportation from place to place. It is also quite beneficial to have a cage that has pockets underneath where you can put in various items and chinchilla accessories that would make it easier for you to replace their food and to clean the cage.

Pull Out Tray
A pull out tray is an essential component of any chinchilla cage for sale. This is a removable tray located at the bottom of the cage which makes it easier for you to remove your pet droppings. This is very an important feature because if you do not clean the cage frequently it can cause a build up of bacteria and other parasites that can cause diseases for your pet.

Here’s a chinchilla cage that fits all the criteria

Large Chinchilla Cage

The Midwest Critter Nation is about the size of an armoire or bookcase (36 x 24 x 63 inches). The doors swing open wide for easy cleaning. Adjustable shelves and plenty of places to hang chinchilla accessories like hammocks or toys abound.

The ramps swing up into the top or bottom depending how you look at it for easy cleaning you can put all your chinchillas on the top shelf lock the ramp in place and clean the rest of the cage. Then you unlock the ramp let it back down and all your furry friends can run around the cleaned cage, or you could use this feature to separate the pets that don’t get along so well.

Read all about Midwest Critter Nation Chinchilla Cages

Small Chinchilla Cage

Midwest also has a chinchilla cage that is a bit smaller too (36″L x 24″W x 39″H) perfect for those of you that have one chinchilla.

Here are what real owners have to say about the Midwest Critter Nation Small Pet Habitat

The manufacturer says you don’t need any tools but you may need a small hammer to nudge the pieces in place especially if they are a little bent. It would be helpful if there were two people assembling the though one could do it alone if needed.

The pullout potty pan is shallow and most owners say they have replaced it with a deeper pan. Altogether that is the extent of it, they love the chinchilla cages

Buy this Chinchilla Cage now at Amazon.com

Cat Tree Molly and Friends Scratching Post

When it comes to accessories for pets, there is truly no end to the options. There are collars, houses, toys and treats it would be easy to get overwhelmed with all the many choices. Some may be a waste of money, but one pet product that every cat should have is a cat tree.

By nature cats enjoying hunting, climbing, and hiding out whether indoors or out. Apartment dwellers with cats or kittens sometimes have a problem since many don’t have backyards. Cats also enjoy exploring nooks and dark places in your house, hiding in boxes or drawers.

If you haven’t provided your cat or kitten the opportunity to use a scratching post then they are likely using your living room furniture. When you have a cat tree you give your cat the best of both worlds, the ability to play inside without the dangers of outside. This is not only a blast for the cats, but an important part of their health because it allows them to get the exercise they need.

While cats may love playing outdoors and climbing in trees whenever you let your cat outside you run the risk of them becoming lost or running into a bigger animal that may fight with your cat. So a cat tree is the ideal solution!

As you can tell by the above picture “The Pinnacle” Molly and Friends cat tree has several places to lay about in relax it also has two hidey holes for your cats to play or sleep in. This particular cat tree weighs about 145 pounds and ships fully assembled which means you don’t have to worry about putting screws in the wrong place and that’s another reason why it’s so sturdy because there’s no place for it to give out. It stands about 7 1/2 feet high and has a weighted base that won’t tip over.

You could buy three or four cheap cat trees that last few months (or maybe you have already) each or you could step up and purchase a cat tree that will last for a long time. The difference is quality Molly and Friends has been making cat furniture since 1997 that is handmade using real wood, quality carpet & sisal rope.

Buy this or any other Cat Tree at Amazon

Frontline Plus for Cats

It’s that time of the year again flea season will soon be upon us (or our cats I should say) be prepared to fight fleas to the death with Frontline Plus for cats.

Dealing with fleas can be very annoying especially for your cat it’s hard to watch them suffer. But science has brought us excellent tools to combat fleas, one such brand is Frontline Plus each tube works for a month killing fleas, lice, and ticks. Packages come in 3, 6, or 12 month supplies.

Prevention from fleas and ticks with Frontline Plus

So what are fleas and why are they dangerous to your pet?
Fleas are evil little insects that bite your cat and suck on their blood. While some cats deal with the fleas better than others some cats get flea allergy dermatitis.

Fleas live and die in four stages (and can live from 8 months in their pupa stage)
eggs
larva
pupa
adult fleas

Now we aren’t going to get into who came first the flea or the egg but what happens to your cat is…

Adult fleas lay eggs on your cat (several hundred during the lifetime of a flea) these eggs can also end up anywhere your cat goes.

If you have ever seen little black flecks that resemble pepper it’s called flea dirt that’s the nice name its actually flea poo. Sometimes the flea dirt has a red tint to it that’s your cats blood. The larva munch on organic matter like dander or dried blood and turn into pupa, this is when they get on your cat.

Most cats tolerate fleas with discomfort but other cats are super sensitive (flea allergy dermatitis) to fleas and they can get what is known has hot spots, this is where a bad flea bite has gone wrong your cat may scratch the area raw, his or her hair may fall out, and it gets progressively worse.

Indoor cats can get fleas too, fleas can sneak into the house if they are in the grass outside.

If you suspect your cat has fleas start right away to prevent an all out infestation. In the adult stage they don’t live long but they reproduce quickly. Fleas mainly come out during summer and fall months however, they can survive the winter in the pupa or larva stage.

What can be done about fleas?
One is a topical solution like Frontline Plus
Second in the line of defense are flea foggers – fleas aren’t just on your cat. The eggs may be in your bed, carpet, and couch you should use a flea fogger to rid your house of fleas.

flea fogger

Follow the directions on the can you may have to do your house 1 – 3 times while maintaining your cats flea medication to help prevent a new life cycle of fleas from developing. You may need a follow up spray after a couple months.

After the fogging make sure you vacuum thoroughly and it is recommended that you spread flea powder then vacuum again and dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag immediately in the outside trash.

Frontline Plus kills ticks too

Ticks are another blood sucking parasite that feed off the blood of your precious pet, they start out small and expand the more blood they consume. Ticks spread diseases to humans in the form of Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

An infected tick bite can cause anemia, diseases, tick paralysis in cats or dogs and then death.

Ticks are more common in the summer months when is warm and are drawn to more wooded areas, shrubs, and tall grass. The most common is the deer tick which carries Lyme disease.

If you keep your cats inside then it is less likely to see a tick however using Frontline Plus protects your pet from the 4 major types of ticks.

To help prevent ticks keep your grass mowed and always check your pets when coming into the house, they can crawl off your pet and onto you. If you find a tick on your pet be careful when removing it.

Tick Key

Tweezers are usually used however they are not the best method you should use a tick remover that removes the entire tick. You may want to use gloves since Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transferred from the tick body itself. You can save the tick in a jar or bag or dispose then watch your pet for a couple days and check the spot if it latched on.

Frontline Plus is recommend by veterinarians to control fleas, ticks and lice

Frontline is applied once a month and kills existing fleas in than 24 hours. Frontline kills the flea eggs and larvae as well, disrupting the reproductive cycle so no new fleas can develop, in addition Frontline Plus is waterproof so if for some reason your pet gets wet or you give them a bath the medicine is still working to protect your cat against fleas and ticks. Frontline Plus is safe to use on kittens over 8 weeks old.

If you have not used Frontline Plus before it is simple to apply to your cats honestly getting it out of the foil is the hardest part! I suggest using scissors once you have the application you hold it and snap the tip down on the applicator away from your face then place the tip on your pets shoulder blades and squeeze, I also suggest doing this step as quickly as possible your cat may smell the medicine and if you don’t have a grip on them they may scoot away.

Get a Frontline Plus discount through Amazon.com one of the most trusted names on the internet.

Outside Cat Enclosures

The ABO Gear Happy Habitat for Indoor Cats is a outside cat enclosure that lets your indoor cat enjoy the outdoors safely.

The ABO Gear Happy Habitat for Indoor Cats is perfect for those of you with indoor cats you want to let outside but are worried something might happen to them. With the habitat screen they are protected. Now you can work outdoors in your yard or sit on the patio in the evening and not be concerned if you do not keep a constant eye on your cat.

The Happy Habitat is also good for apartment dwellers without fences like me. You can also use it if you have an upstairs apartment with a deck or patio. I imagine you do not want to let your cat out in case they get lost or injured. The outdoor cat enclosure is just what you need to let your cat enjoy being outside.

You can use the cat tent both indoors and outdoors. Indoors it’s useful if you need to separate your cats for some reason like sickness.

You might consider putting the cat tent up in your home for a couple days to let your cats get used to the idea of being inside the enclosure. Then when they seem at ease take it outside, if it’s not too hot you can leave in the sunshine however; you should place the tent in partial shade or put a blanket on one side so your cat can get out of the heat if they choose. There’s enough room to place food, water, and litter box in the tent and still have room for the cat to play.

If you leave your cats unattended set a timer to check on them every few minutes especially if you don’t have a fenced in yard (there may be roaming dogs about). A good idea if you have the means is to place the cat enclosure outside your kitchen window and you can watch the kitties while doing dishes or preparing a meal.

The ABO Gear Happy Habitat cat tent comes with stakes to secure it in the ground. The cat enclosure is see-thru so you can view your cat from all angles when checking up on him or her.

The tent is roughly 5 by 6 made from mesh with a mesh bottom. Just pull the string to open and press to close, it is that simple, then place the cat tent back into the carry bag. Weighing in at 2.5 pounds you can easily toss it into the car when you want to travel with your cat.

Here’s a quick video that shows how easy the outdoor cat enclosure is to set up and take down.

Click here to buy The ABO Gear Happy Habitat for Indoor Cats from Amazon.com and make your cat a happy cat!