The Weekly Woof by KT Pet Supply

So you’ve moved to a new area or you have a furry family member addition and you need a Veterinarian. You want to choose your Veterinarian like you would a family physician. Call and/or visit a few clinics, ask a lot of questions, get a feel for the place and then make a decision. A great Veterinarian is an exceptional animal doctor and has terrific people skills. You want a Vet who listens to you, is caring, understands your dog’s needs and has extensive animal medical training and knowledge.

To help find a great veterinarian here’s a few tips:

• When you see a well cared for dog on a walk, at the beach or at a dog park, ask their human who is the family Vet.
• Ask friends, neighbors & coworkers.
• Call your local animal shelter, Humane Society, or PAWS and get the who’s who in your town. These dedicated people see it all.

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The ten worst excuses not to spay or neuter a pet are:

1. Just one litter and then we’ll have Fluffy spayed.
(Studies show that virtually the entire pet overpopulation stems from the “just one litter mentality.)

2. My dog doesn’t run loose, so he doesn’t need to be fixed.
(Murphy’s Law says otherwise.)

3. We always find homes for the kittens.
(And that means that an equal number of kittens at the pound will be killed.)

4. I want the children to witness the miracle of birth.
(Rent a video.)

5. My dog is so cute and unique, there should be more of her.
(The shelters and pounds are full of cute and unique dogs, most with only a few days to live.)

6. It’s not natural.
(There hasn’t been anything “natural” about dogs since we began to develop breeds thousands of years ago.)

7. I just couldn’t look my dog in the eye if I had him castrated.
(Watch it, you’re anthropomorphiizing.)

8. A female dog or cat should have at least one litter for health reasons.
(Medically, factually and ethicaly indefensible.)

9. Neutering my dog will make him fat and lazy.
(Too much food and not enough exercise make a dog fat and lazy.)

10. Fixing my pet will change its personality.
(The main influences on an animal’s personality are the kindness and care with which it is raised.)

Commitment, Firmness, but kindness.

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About the Author - David the Dogman

Do you have any problems with your pet? Then why not send your problem to DAVID THE DOGMAN. David is a Canine Behaviourist who works and lives in Marbella, Spain. Tel/Fax (00345) 2883388. His web site is located at: http://www.thedogman.net.

David has his own radio and TV shows, and writes for many newspapers and magazines. David has been working with dogs for many years and started his career in Israel, working on the Border Police. He has been involved in all forms of training, including air sea rescue, air scent work, and has trained dogs for finding drugs. David has devoted the past 10 years to studying behaviour and the very passive approach. He does not use choke chains, check chains, or any form of aggression.

David The Dogman is available for private consultations in your home, for further details telephone; Tel; (95) 2883388

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These days, going eco-friendly and organic is all the rage, and you can see people striving to make a change in their lifestyles and their eating habits. So why not include dog food in the organic crusade? Sales of organic dog food are going up, and this is due to the fact that pet owners who are trying to eat well also want their dogs to do the same. People are starting to think that the usual commercial dog foods aren’t the best option (especially with the dog food recall), and that organic dog food is the key to keeping their dogs healthy.

Many dog owners are convinced that organic dog food ensures better health for their pets. However, there haven’t been any studies or reports that make such a claim, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) itself also states that the main difference lies in how the food is produced and processed, not in their nutritional content.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t stop people from helping their pets adopt an organic diet, and the fact that organic dog food uses more wholesome ingredients is already a major part of its appeal.

What goes into organic dog food? The manufacturers of these meals all have their own approach to the ingredients, and they promise that their products don’t make use of growth hormones, antibiotics, and artificial flavorings. Organic dog food made out of chicken, for example, usually uses free-range chickens. Even dog treats can be manufactured using organic whole grains.

If you’re thinking about switching your dog’s diet to organic dog food, there are a few things you should consider. First is the price. Organic dog food is more expensive than regular dog food, so you should first look at the food options available and determine which one is within your budget.

You should also do your research on organic dog food manufacturers and learn more about their production process and their reputation as well.

Don’t forget to consult your veterinarian first before making the switch. Making the change to organic dog food isn’t applauded by all veterinarians, so it’s best to find out from your vet how this change can affect your dog.

Organic dog food has many positive points, but you shouldn’t forget to look at the other side of it as well. It may turn out that your dog is most suited to what he currently eats, so do your research first and don’t rush him into a complete diet overhaul.

About the Author - Michael Lee

Prolong your dog’s life and know the life-saving secrets that most dog-lovers will never know about detecting bad dog food and solving dog health problems at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/dogs-exposed.htm

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Our family dog, Nala, was a part of our lives for 12 years. A gorgeous, pure bred Golden Retriever, her enthusiastic tail wagging and obvious zest for life not only endeared her to our hearts, but could melt the heart of anyone that came in contact with her. Ever gentle, yet always protective… she was quite simply, the perfect pet.

Within the past year, Nala’s age began to show more and more. It began with a noticeable stiffness in her joints when she would stand up after laying down for a length of time. Over the months, despite medication, the stiffness turned into what was clearly pain. We also became aware that her hearing and vision were impaired and getting much worse. Towards the end, she rarely got up except to go outside and to eat. We knew the time had come to make a decision. Difficult as it was, we chose to let her go with most of her dignity still intact.

One of the most difficult decisions a pet owner will ever make is deciding when, or if, it’s appropriate to consider euthanasia and to put their beloved pet down. Having just made this heart-wrenching decision myself in the last few months, I’d like to share my thoughts based on my personal experience.

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For most people, summer is a time for fun, travel, and plenty of outdoor activities. But, for our furry friends, summer can be an extremely dangerous time. One of the major threats to a pet’s health during the hot summer months is heat stroke. The consequences of heat stroke range from brain damage to death, so keep a close watch on your pet when she’s outside when it’s hot.

The signs of heat stroke include heavy breathing or panting, seizures, a rapid heartbeat, red gums, dry or pale gums, overall weakness, drooling, and an elevated temperature. Should you notice the warning signs of heat stroke, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Like humans, pets can also suffer from sunburn and dehydration, so make sure your pet is never exposed directly to the sun without having shade to which she can escape. Furthermore, ensure she has plenty of fresh, cold water to help her stay hydrated.

Tip One: Never leave your pet alone in your vehicle

Never leave your pet unattended in a car, especially in the summer. Parking in the shade and leaving a window cracked is no match for the summer heat. In fact, on an 85 degree day, the temperature inside your car will soar to 102 degrees in only ten minutes and 130 degrees in 30 minutes. Leave your pet at home than rather risking possible brain damage and/or death from heat stroke.

Tip Two: Limit outdoor play time and walks

Afternoon is generally the hottest part of the day during the summer, so restrict your pet’s playtime and walks to mornings and evenings to avoid the heat and humidity. If you must keep your pet outside, give her plenty of fresh water and make sure there are shaded areas where she can escape from the hot sun. Even with shade and fresh water, check on your pet frequently and bring her inside if she wants in.

Tip Three: Give your pet plenty of fresh water

When you travel with your pet, always bring a gallon of fresh, cold water to protect against dehydration. By the same token, if you take your dog for a walk, carry a bottle of water and a drinking bowl, so she can drink when she gets hot.

Tip Four: Don’t overdo it

If you must take your pet for a walk when it’s hot, don’t over do it. Your pet’s feet are susceptible to burns from the hot concrete.

Tip Five: Groom your pet

Groom your pet daily. Some dogs and rabbits need shaved periodically, and while they should be shaved as normal, you must leave at least a thin layer of fur to protect them from the hot summer sun. (Rabbits, however, should never be left outdoors unattended.)

Brush your pet every day to help get rid of old fur and to keep her coat healthy.

Tip Six: Buy a child’s pool

Children’s pools are a great way to get relief from the hot summer sun. If you have a large dog, give her a child’s swimming pool with fresh, clean water. That way, if your dog gets hot while she’s outside, she can simply jump in the pool to cool down.

However, if you have a swimming pool, keep a close watch on your pet and, if possible, restrict any access to the swimming pool. Unfortunately, countless pets die of drowning every summer, so be aware of where your pet is at all times when she is near the pool.

Tip Seven: Be prepared for power outages

What happens if your pet is home alone, with the air conditioner running to keep her cool, and the power goes out? Be prepared for power outages by asking a friend in your neighborhood to check on your pet during power outages. A home can quickly become a sauna when the windows are shut and the air conditioner isn’t working.

Tip Eight: Leave your pet at home

Sometimes it’s just better to leave your pet at home, especially if you’re going to the beach. Unless you are certain there will be shade for your pet, just leave her at home. In addition to the possibility of dehydration and heat stroke from the direct sun, your pet risks burning her feet from the hot sand and concrete.

If you do take your pet to the beach, make sure you give her plenty of fresh, cold water to ensure she does not become dehydrated. Keeping your pet cool and healthy during the summer isn’t difficult; however, it does require effort and vigilance.

Beth Williams is a full-time writer, published author, and co-founder of Creative Inklings LC, a full service writing firm found at http://www.creativeinklings.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_Williams

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