Outside Activities with Pets

Pets can make even the most mundane excercies seem like a lot more fun. Many people increase their outside activities by spending more time with pets outside, instead of simply letting them out on their own in the yard. Dogs are great pets to help you stay active. Many people run their morning or evening jog with their favorite dog. Dogs can run much longer and faster than the average person can. Dogs can also help runners establish a steady pace they can manage instead of feeling winded.

Inside Activities with Pets

Being active with your favorite pets is another great way to stay active when you are in the house. Pets will always want to play, unless they’re very old. The best way to keep yourself and your pet from being too lazy is to have a period of playtime with your pet everyday. Pets can go nonstop once they get riled-up, even the most simple game or play with your pet is better than being a couch potato.

Most of the time, it is not about what you are doing, rather is it about how often you are doing it. Make playing the pets a more consistent effort and this fun habit will form and have you living a more active life everyday. It does not take much to be active with pets inside, but doing so consistently can do wonders to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

It’s Time to Consider Electronic Cigarettes

Thanks to electronic cigarettes (eCigs), any smoker can get their nicotine fix with confidence and won’t have to fear what prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke is doing to their health or their pet’s health.
An electronic cigarette, like safe cigs, contains a small battery, sensor and cartridge of water mixed with nicotine (smoke juice). Once a smoker inhales they will receive a dose of nicotine in a water mist and although an electronic cigarette may not sound the same as a traditional cigarette it’s very close, all the way down to the cigarettes tip that glows red when the smoker inhales.

Where to buy eCigs

Electronic cigarettes are sold almost everywhere in this day and age where smoking products are sold. One of the best places to buy them is online because; eCigs are more affordable online and can be conveniently shipped to your house.
Many users of electronic cigarettes also invest in a bottle of smoke juice so they can top off their eCigarettes anytime they want and get a more enjoyable nicotine fix.

How to Stop Smoking With eCigs

For those smokers who want to stop smoking, they can end their smoking habit with electronic cigarettes. The great thing about eCig’s is that they can be purchased with a variety of nicotine strengths so, for example, you can start out with a stronger nicotine strength and gradually wean yourself off them over a period of time.
Any smoker who wants to stop smoking quickly with ecigarettes should consult with their doctor or enroll in a stop smoking program so they can benefit from consulting with other people like them who want to stop smoking as well.

Make Your Dog Feel At Home

Of course, the most important thing to the dog is that he or she is still with his or her owners; they take great comfort in that. Being left behind at the old house to cope with a whole new set of people would be infinitely harder for most dogs (and is an unlikely scenario in any event). Bringing along your dog’s favorite items, be it a pet bed or those favorite toys, will give them a measure of comfort that can keep them from worrying as much as they otherwise might.

A Little Extra Attention

There are other responsibilities that are the sole proprietorship of the owners. Your pooch might be able to fetch your newspaper, but he can’t fill out his own licensing paperwork, nor can he make the calls required to transfer veterinary records to an animal hospital in your new city or town. Having up-to-date files can wind up being crucial in the event that your dog runs away. If nobody knows you’ve moved, it makes it that much harder to let you know when your pet has been found.

The most important resource for your pet’s well-being is you, the owner. Nobody knows your dog like you do. Stick to familiar routines where feeding and walking are concerned. Introduce your dog to his new environment. Take the time to find out if there are any free-range dog parks nearby – and pay a little extra attention to Man’s Best Friend during the move, which can be a trying time for everyone in the family.

Also, if you have the the opportunity to move anywhere choose a dog friendly area, such as looking into the Vancouver, Washington DC or Austin real estate markets.

When the trend initially took off, it was known as BARF, which stood for “bones and raw food”. Later it turned into “biologically appropriate raw food”, and now it is just known as “raw”. Feeding your dog a raw food diet basically means giving them raw, meaty bones rather than packaged dog food.

The Appeal of the Raw Food Diet

Recently, the raw food diet has gotten a lot of praise because of the wide-scale pet food recalls that have been occurring. Suddenly, pet-owners were concerned for their dogs’ health, and since pet food was being scrutinized, the next option was raw foods. Many people favor the idea of feeding their pet a fresh, well-hydrated, raw diet. Not only that, but because the meat has not been cooked at all, its enzymes and amino acids have not been altered. Raw foods have been the go-to solution when a dog has been diagnosed with a health problem like allergies, but now pet-owners are choosing to extend that diet to their dog’s daily routine.

Things to Consider

Many people are still considered with feeding their dogs foods that mimic what they would be eating in the wild (raw meat, bones, vegetables, fruit). Pet owners fear bacterial contamination, dietary imbalances, and internal injury from inadequately chewed bones. There are also specific dogs that may not be well-suited for the raw food diet, such as immune-compromised dogs. One of the biggest concerns over raw food is the cost. If you create a proper, well-balanced raw meal for your dog, it can cost as much as feeding yourself!

There are benefits to the raw food diet, but it may also not be for every dog. Look at online pet supplies to get the help you need.

Dog Supplies

You can easily purchase your pet supplies at most local stores or online where you will have a bigger selection of supplies to choose from. A company that I like to purchase all of my pet supplies through is Nutrecare. I’ve found Nutrecare dog supplies to be high quality, affordable and the best for my dog.

Leash & Collar

The most important things that you will ever buy for your dog are a dog collar and leash. Buying a good leash and collar are important because they are vital to ensuring that your dog will stay safe when you take your dog on walks or are away from the house. There are many adjustable nylon dog collars available that you can buy online or locally. As for the dog leash you should buy a leather leash because leather leashes are stronger than nylon, easier on your skin and harder for your dog to chew through. Many people might be tempted to purchase a chain leash for their dog because that’s what they have seen other dog owners do in the past and this is the wrong thing to do because chain leashes can injure you or your dog and are not an effective dog training tool.

T-touch for dogs can be performed by any owner and its benefits are amazing. Animals who start out frantic and hyper become relaxed while being treated. Tellington touch can also improve an animals ability to learn . It can be used for nervous dogs who are fearful of loud noises, people or other dogs. It can be used to help aggressive dogs relax and learn new alternatives to aggression.

So how do you get started ? Here are some examples of T-touch techniques to try on your dog:

The T-touch is based upon the circular movement of the fingers all over the dogs body. It’s function is to wake up cells and improve the flow of energy within the dogs body. To begin, imagine the face of a clock on your dogs body about 1″ in size. Curve your fingers slightly at the 6 o’clock mark and move in a clockwise circle one an a quarter times around the clock. Don’t bear down too hard as you make your circle, just enough to move the skin. Pick up your hand and move to a new spot and make another circle. You can do circles in a straight line or randomly all over the body. The benefits are equal, see what your dog likes. Remember to breathe as you gently work on your dog and keep the first sessions short, less than 5 minutes. Give him time to adjust to this new way of interacting with you.

Another type of touch that is useful in relaxing dogs is Ear T-touch. There are several different ways in which you can work the ears. The simplest is to get behind your dog, place the rest of your fingers under the earflap and slide the ear through your thumb and index finger. Experiment with the speed and pressure and see what effect it has on your dog. Another type of ear touch involves making circles at the base of the ear or all along the length of the flap with your fingertips.

T-touch principles work similarly to accupressure. The pressure of touch stimulates the body to heal itself, relax itself and otherwise improve the quality of life and health. No matter how clumsy you feel at first keep practicing in short sessions and gradually increase their length if your dog seems to be enjoying himself. You may find that spending time with your dog in this way is the best part of your day!

Recommended Dog Massage Books & DVD’s

SNOW PROOF YOUR DOG
In northern climates throughout the world, dogs live and play outdoors quite comfortably in extreme temperatures. In many parts of the United States, however, dogs are used to living in climate-controlled homes. These dogs lack conditioning to cold weather, and need to be protected and acclimated to the lower temperatures. A good rule of thumb, then, is to be safe: slowly introduce your dog to the cold weather. Then, enjoy!

We humans put on warm clothes to venture into the snow, but most dogs can dispense with added layers. Large breeds and heavily coated dogs usually do just fine in the cold. It is extremely unlikely that these dogs will suffer frostbite or hypothermia on an outdoor jaunt, even in the coldest of weather, especially if you make sure to keep them moving. However, if your pet is a small, fragile breed with little body fat (such as Chihuahuas, Italian greyhounds, whippets, miniature pinschers, and so on), or just a small house dog that shivers in cold weather, I suggest that you purchase a warm winter coat or sweater made just for dogs.

LIVING OUTDOORS:

If you intend to house your dog in an outdoor enclosure in a cold winter area, take some common-sense precautions. If your dog will live outdoors for a period of time, make sure he has access to a shelter that is wind-free and dry. Use wood chips or straw for insulation in the enclosure. They’ll keep your dog much warmer and dryer than rugs or mats.

FROSTBITE: Some people worry that their dogs will get frostbite from running around in bare feet in the snow. Fortunately, dogs have remarkable collateral circulation in their legs and toes, which makes frostbite of these body parts rare. However, dogs can suffer from frostbite elsewhere, especially in the genital areas. If these areas are reddened, thickened, and not pliable to the touch, this is an emergency. Call a veterinarian immediately.

HYPOTHERMIA: Most dogs are quite resistant to hypothermia except under extreme cold conditions seen in the very northern United States, and in Canada and Alaska. Certain breeds of dogs, however, have coat textures that tend to cause snow to stick to their coat. These “snow balls” can melt next to their skin and significantly lower their body temperature. Inspect your dog’s coat from time to time to make sure this isn’t a problem.

SALT: Many people wonder if the salt dumped on urban streets to melt snow is a problem for dogs. In theory, high salt concentrations can cause irritation between a dog’s toes, and licking and swallowing a lot of salt can promote some gastrointestinal distress. Washing your dog’s feet after a walk should take care of most of the problem. If you have a lot of salt in your area, you may want to consider purchasing “booties.” However, it has been my observation that the salt is far more damaging to the vegetation than to the dogs!

THE ADVANTAGES
Walking or running with your dog does more than increase your physical and cardiovascular health, it can also help:

• Boost your mood
• Lower your blood pressure
• Strengthen your bond with your pet
• Keep you motivated to exercise regularly (your dog will bug you to stay on your routine)

WHAT YOUR DOG GETS OUT OF THE DEAL
Going for runs or walks with your pooch isn’t just good for you; it’s good for your dog too!  Exercising keeps your dogs heart, lungs, joints, digestive and circulatory systems healthy. 

I’m sure you’ve noticed your dog bouncing and zooming around the house in attempt to burn up their excess energy.  Exercising with your dog will help expend excess energy and control your dog’s weight. 

Regular exercise can also keep your pet’s not so fantastic behaviors in check. 

It can help prevent the sometimes destructive behavior hyperactive or anxious dogs have, like chewing, biting and digging.

KEEP IN MIND
Dogs can run (or walk) farther and faster than people, but that doesn’t mean your fur-baby should leap off the sofa and run for miles.  Gradually build up the distance when beginning.  Start with short walks/runs and slowly over time extend the distance to something you are both comfortable with.

Be careful to keep puppies from over exercising.  Strenuous activity for long periods of time can damage their developing bones and joints.  Follow the same rule with dogs that are older or recovering from illness or injury, it may be better to take it easy and exercise for shorter periods of time.  Switch your half hour run to two 15 minute walks.  Swimming is a great alternative for recovering pets.

Exercising in the middle of the day when the sun is at it’s hottest, can cause your pet to get heat stroke.  The best times to run/walk with your dog is dusk, dawn or anytime after dark.

THE ULTIMATE REWARD
Don’t feel like exercising?  It won’t just be your daily exercise that you’re blowing off, but your loving companions too.  Exercising with your dog will keep you motivated to stay on track and get healthy together.  Besides, what could be better than spending quality time with your best friend?

Tips for Protecting Your Dog’s Paws

1. In hot weather, walk you dog in grassy areas as much as possible to avoid burning of the paws.
2. In cold weather, consider having your dog wear booties to prevent contact with ice and de-icing chemicals (plus it’s really funny watching them get used to wearing booties).
3. Once inside, wipe off your dogs paws.
4. Inspect your dogs paws after every walk or run

Think about getting booties for you dog.  These can protect your dog’s feet not only from harsh chemicals, but also from broken glass that might be hidden by snow and ice. 

Here’s a link to a website that sells them: Dog Boots
Chemicals used to melt ice and snow are harmful to your pet.  Don’t let your dog eat the ice and snow in a neighbor’s yard.  You never know what chemicals they could have used to speed up melting.  And, many neighborhood streets are sprayed with chemicals by the highway department.   

If your dog is like mine, he LOVES to catch snowballs.  Roll balls of snow from your own yard or any other source you know doesn’t use chemicals.  Don’t dig down to get a handful, skim off the top.  This will minimize the chance of picking up rocks and sticks that could hurt your dog.  Push the snow together only enough to keep its shape for you to toss.  Packing it down tight might hurt your dog when he catches it.Always check your dog’s paws after playing in snow or ice.   It’s a good idea to wipe your dog’s paws with clean warm water after a walk in the neighborhood.  After your dog has had a good day’s play in the cold, wash and dry them off thoroughly.  Then check the pads of each paw.  Look for swelling.  Nicks and cuts as well as abrasions could cause infections.   If you don’t find anything, watch your pet to see if he licks his paws.  This may be a sign of an injury and the main reason you rinse your dog’s paws off after a walk.  Check him again.  If you find something, clean the wound gently.  For a serious cut, contact your vet or local animal emergency hospital.  Don’t let it fester before seeking help.Once you’ve checked your dog and everything is okay, treat him or her to a nice gentle leg massage.  This will stimulate circulation and keep his paws nice and toasty. Sit beside your dog and take one leg in both hands.  Make slow circular movements with your thumbs as you work down from the top of the leg to the paw.  Use a steady, light pressure.  When you reach the paw, take one finger and slide it between the toes.  If your dog doesn’t like this, then stop.  Otherwise, continue between the toes using only one finger.  Don’t push the toe outward, keep it in its natural line.  Only apply enough pressure for your finger to glide through.As always, offer your pet fresh clean water after any massage.  This helps flush out toxins from the muscles that can be released during massage.

Have a fun, safe, and healthy winter!

Christmas is a fun time of year for dogs and cats, but for our own pets safety we have to remember that they don’t always use the best judgement. Our pets lack in good judgement and our lack of foresight can be dangerous.

By following a few common sense Christmas rules you can keep your pet safe this holiday season.

1. If you know your pet is going to rip into presents while you are gone, make sure you either put your presents out of reach or use wrapping paper with non-toxic dye.
2. If your cat loves to climb, don’t leave them access to the Christmas tree when you are not around. Don’t let your cat climb the Christmas tree. The tree could fall on your cat, or the cat could get tangled up in the lights .
3. Turn off your Christmas lights when you leave the house.
4. Poinsettias are poisonous, don’t leave them around your pets.
5. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, don’t leave gifts under the tree that contain chocolate. Your dog will sniff them out.
6. If you have a puppy, unplug everything. Do you have candle lights in the windows? Unplug them. Your puppy will chew on the cord, which will give them a giant shock.

Every house hold is different. You better then anyone else knows your pet’s personality. Take a look around your home and access the possible dangers. Chances are you will find many.   The best gift you can give your pet is a safe Christmas.