Ear Infections in Dogs

Dog ear infections are common in dogs and other pets alike, these infections can be caused by numerous situations and causes but as your pet relies heavily on their hearing it can be extremely annoying for them as well as soar and painful.


Ear infections in dogs often happen, this could occur by a variety of reasons. For animals that rely heavily on their hearing is, of course, they will feel the pain.

The shape of a dog’s inner ear is the cause for many of the different ear infections due to it being able to collect moisture from playing around water or in rain, ear wax, dirt and unclean debris, and unwanted parasites.

To identify and determine whether your dog has an ear infection or ear related condition, you will have to study your dog’s behaviour. Common ear infection activities include, rubbing their heads and ears against objects in your house like sofas and tables in order to stop the irritating ear, tilting of the head, and a red looking, soar, foul smelling ear with possible discharge.

To start you should take your pet to a vet to properly diagnose the infection that has occurred they will then probably issue you with medication or need to have the dog sedated in order to clean out the foreign debris. This process can be a difficult one for a vet and may have complications in finding the correct medication.

Dog ear infections that are diagnosed correctly can more than likely be cured, but taking your dog to the vet is crucial, without this step you will be putting your dog through more pain and it will take longer to become better.

To give your dog the prescribed medication you will need to raise the dog’s ear and apply the medication to the vertical part of the ear so it can seep down into the correct area of the dog’s ear. Then holding the base of the ear flap with your finger and thumb massage the ear canal and you will hear a squishing sound to note that the medication is in the correct area, then clean the outside and around the ear with alcohol to stop further dirt from getting into the ear to complete the process.

Have A Pleasurable and Healthy Vacation With Your Dog

We all like family trips! And this surely includes our dog. They would prefer to take advantage of the time and rest together with you than be left home alone or driven off to a dog kennel. You would have a choice of a marvelous assortment of trips together with your pet, however it is best if you plan and get ready for the various essentials you'll need for your adventure.

There are plenty of pet-friendly hotels which will allow your pet. No matter if you choose to go surfing or telephone in making your reservations, make sure you do receive affirmation that your dog is going to be welcomed. You might have to shell out an additional fee, so check on this, too. Confirmation in writing is the best.

Your form of travel isn't quite as straightforward. Traveling by airplane is quite possible although policies vary from airline to airline. Certain airline carriers don't accept pets at all while some will permit them only inside the cabin in airline accepted carriers. Some others might also permit large dogs in approved pet crates in the cargo area.

Traveling by train or bus is even more complicated. No national commercial company including Amtrak, VIA Rail or Greyhound in North America allow pets as passengers unless they are an Assistance Dog. There are some forms of public transit in the United States and Canada which do accept pets, but this can require a little labor on your behalf to uncover them. Even so, dogs of any size are permitted on short and long distance trains in England, France, Germany and the majority of other European countries.

Some find it best traveling by using your individual vehicle. However please utilize your good common sense and follow your state as well as local rules in restraining your dog. Research has proven that a great number of automobile accidents are caused by unrestrained pets. Your dog could very well be a hazardous projectile inside your automobile and also get seriously wounded if you were required to stop abruptly. There are special motor vehicle harnesses for dogs available today that can be used together with your seat belt to help you keep your pet safe and secure. There also are booster seats for smaller dogs which have a integrated harness restraint. A remaining option is to utilize a transportable dog cage and connect it with the seat belt system. However, this last choice would not stop your dog from getting tossed against the side of the cage in case you were required to stop unexpectedly.

Make sure that your dog has got current vaccinations and take a copy of those records along. Check that their unique dog tags include the latest information. Look into getting your dog chipped at your vet's. Should your pet become lost, this can be a current high technology approach to locating your pet. Your veterinarian might also suggest motion sickness medicine for your pet if necessary for traveling.

Spend some time in preparing plus packing for your dog. Certainly you need the day-to-day gear: dog leash, bag for dog including hand sanitizer, store of poop bags, treats, toys and also training supplies and dog training bag. Also pack your dog bowls, food supply and at least 2 gallons of drinking water. Do not modify your pet's diet during your vacation. Stick to the same food and the same feeding schedule. Furthermore bring a doggie first aid kit containing gauze, antibiotic ointment as well as rubbing alcohol. Finally, if your pet uses a dog bed, think of taking this with you. Confirm that you've got your dog's vaccination records and motion sickness medication, if necessary.

After you have made these sufficient preparations and you then add in patience and flexibility to your variety of virtues, you are ready to take off and enjoy a fantastic excursion. Experience a wonderful time building nice reminiscences of the trip along with your dog. Just be sure you take heaps of pictures.

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Tips On Caring For A Stray Cat

Years ago my aunt, a huge animal lover, started to receive late night visits from a gorgeous ginger stray cat. Due to disgusting abuse by his previous owners he had no teeth or claws left and was very under nourished and extremely frightened. My aunt being very sensitive to animals saw that he was so hungry that his fear was overridden by a desperate need for food. He would let no one else near him except for her and if food was left out by someone else, he would know and leave it to go stale. She really had an amazing gift with animals. Eventually he trusted her enough to allow her to stroke him, but nothing more. He was content to live a wilder life if it meant he was safe from humans. We really are a disgrace to this planet.

So how do you help stray cats? How do you gain their trust?

First of all you need to know the difference between a feral and a stray cat.
It's not always easy to tell because in time a stray cat will go back to its natural instincts, which is the same as a feral cats behaviour. Obviously a stray cat will have been abandoned by their owners or may have got lost. They might have a collar, but if not you should be able to tell by the quality of their coats if they have recently become strays, rather than being a feral cat. If you can, take a photo of it and check with your local vets if anyone has lost their cat. Don't just presume you can take somebody else's cat, in a lot of areas it is illegal. Also there could be a legitimate reason for them getting lost and there may be someone trying to find them. Usually you can become a stray cats owner after about two weeks of notifying the local animal centres, vets etc.

A feral cat will be much less inclined to engage with you and will be more likely to show you aggressive, wild behaviour. You're also less likely to see them for any length of time, as any sign of a human and they're off. Can't blame them for that! Feral cats have been born into the wild from either feral parents or stray cats that have become pregnant. They tend to live in casual family colonies and are able to survive in urban and rural areas. They aren't always popular as like other wildlife they may forage through your bins for food. Be warned, your neighbourhood may not thank you for starting a feeding programme for them.

So, if you want to help a stray cat the first thing to do of course is feed them.

An adult stray that is under nourished will build themselves up quicker on kitten food. However go back to adult cat food as soon as you see they've improved. They will need the nutrients from adult food once they have initially recovered. Try wet food as well as dry. See what their preferences are. Buy new cat bowls as they won't like the scent of other pets if you have them. Always provide fresh water every day. Feed them at night to begin with and leave dry food out in the daytime in case they start to come to your garden more often. They need to feel they have a secure place to come to. After a while try to be present when you know the stray is going to turn up. Put the food down, keep back and talk in a calm, soothing tone. Don't try to pet the cat at this stage. Let it feed and leave if it needs to. The main point is to slowly gain trust. You know you can't rush a cat. On the next occasion offer some biscuits from your hand. They may not take it, but keep persevering and try again next time. If no one claims the cat and you decide to rehome this stray then capturing it in the most humane way is your next step. You may not be able to do this, so it's a good idea to contact your local animal centre and they may be able to send someone to assist. Once you've done that take the cat to the vets for a thorough check up. Deworming, flea and ear mite treatments and neutering must all be done. If you have other pets keep the new cat in one room until they've settled down and slowly introduce them.

Once you've decide to take responsibility of a stray cat and have brought it home, be prepared for the settling in period to take some time. You don't know what they've gone through, be patient. They will probably want to stay by your side as much as possible. In time this should calm down but remember they may be a little suspicious of this new home. Pamper them with new cat toys, cat bed and stand. It may be a good idea to try a feline facial pheromone spray or diffuser to help calm them down.

About the Author

Whatever shape, size or breed we have everything in our pet store to cater for even the most demanding, four legged diva in your household. We understand how important it is to not only have the latest cat toy, or the trendiest dog collar, but also to make sure the boring bits are covered. That's why we have a variety of flea, worming and fur treatments.

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Cat Urine Odor: Top Ways To Stop It Fast And Remove the Smell

Cats are wonderful companions, but when they start to urinate in the wrong places, such as in your carpet or on your couch, then your companion becomes not so wonderful. In this article I will show you the top reasons why cats urinate inappropriately, the top ways to solve this, plus my most effective at home remedy to eliminate the odor. You'll find out how to prevent this from happening again, keeping your home free from the unpleasant odor of cat urine.

Cats choose to urinate outside their litter box for a variety of reasons. Some cats will urinate due to a medical condition called feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD); in this condition there is pain and inflammation. Kidney disease can cause increased drinking and urination, while diabetes can lead to increased drinking and bladder infections. Some cats have issues with the litter box, as it may be the wrong type of litter, or are located in a place with too much traffic. In other situations, cats will urinate due to behavior; such as the stress of being inside, anxiety with another cat, or just because an unfamiliar new 'object' is present.

Litter box problems are best treated by changing litters to one your cats prefers ( such as clumping clay litter), placing them in more private areas in your home, and by having more litter boxes available. The litter must be cleaned regularly, as cats will be averse to using it due to smell, and not being fresh.

Medical conditions require a diagnosis at your veterinarian starting with an analysis of the urine. Kidney failure and diabetes require specific diets, medication based on test results, and in the case of diabetes, insulin can be needed. FLUTD, or bladder inflammation can respond to conventional and alternative treatments. These include: canned food increasing moisture content, supplements to decrease inflammation, such as Glucosamine, and/or anti-anxiety conventional medication such as amitriptyline. The cat glucosamine dose is 100mg per 10lbs of body weight daily.

Cat behavior urination requires you to decrease the stress causing your cat to urinate in the wrong places. Behavioral urination occurs more often in un-neutered/ unsprayed cats; if this is the case with your cat then have them spayed or neutered. Top holistic remedies to decrease anxiety in your cat include the pheromone called Feliway; it is available as a spray or plug in diffuser. Bach Rescue Remedy may make your anxious cat feel calmer and more secure. Place 1 drop twice daily in your cat's mouth. Try this for 3-4 weeks. Valerian may decrease anxiety in your cat, but it must be given for 2 weeks. The dose is 50 mg per lb of body weight of the dried herb or 1 drop per lb of body weight twice daily of the extract.

Removing the smell of cat urine is key to preventing this from happening again. Cats tend to go back to the same area that they have urinated on in the past. There are a number of commercial urine odor removal products, but I have found a particular home recipe very effective. If the urine is fresh, soak up as much as possible with a cloth or paper towel. Mix up this recipe for odor neutralizer (may lighten fabric so test a spot first) 1 cup hydrogen peroxide ( 3%), 1 tsp baking soda, 1 quick squirt liquid dish soap. Mix well and completely saturate on carpet/fabric that has been urinated on, and let air dry. Some people find mixing in a spray bottle and spraying it on is easier. Wait 24-48 hours then vacuum your carpet/couch, or wash your peed on shirt.

You can stop your cat from urinating in the wrong places in your house if you follow my above suggestions, a successfully remove the foul odor. If your cat is drinking more than normal, or urinating frequently with blood, then have a veterinarian determine the cause. If feline urinary tract disease is found, follow the basic principles of increasing fluid in your cats diet with canned food, decrease inflammation with supplements such as glucosamine, and decrease stress in your cat with remedies such as the natural pheromone, Feliway. Use my advised home recipe to remove the smell of cat urine, and if you follow all of the steps, this may never happen again.

About the Author

Dr Andrew Jones is the author of a Free Ebook, Cat Health Secrets, which gives you over 100 safe, natural and effective at home remedies to solve your pet's health problems quickly and easily. He reveals what Vaccines to AVOID and give, The BEST food to feed, plus HOW to save money on veterinary fees. Here is your FREE Book: CAT HEALTH SECRETS

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How To Choose A Dog Breed

 by Brutis808

How to choose a dog breed can be very exciting. To choose a dog breed you should follow some important steps. What most people do when choosing a dog breed is, they choose a dog based on how cute the dog looks.

How to choose a dog breed can be very exciting. To choose a dog breed you should follow some important steps. What most people do when choosing a dog breed is, they choose a dog based on how cute the dog looks. Looks can be deceiving. How to choose a dog breed should be researched. After you research on a dog breed you will be able to make an informed decision. Dog breeds are extremely different from one another. Until you do some research on dog breeds you will not know which dog breed will best suit you, and your family.


How to choose a dog breed will be easier when you take a long hard look at you, and your lifestyle. When choosing a dog breed stop trying to make a decision based on how cute the dog is. Puppies don’t stay small forever. You want to choose a dog breed based on how compatible you, your family, and the dog will be together. When you make a choice to make a dog a part of your family, you are responsible to care for that dog always. It is a life long commitment. Even after the cute puppy stage is over.


- How active are you, and your family? This is the biggest mistake most dog owners make when choosing a dog breed. They choose a dog that has too high of an activity level. If you choose a dog breed that has to much energy for you. It could be a disaster. You need to research dog breeds activity level before you make a final decision. If a retired couple with low energy, or disability’s is looking to choose a dog for companionship. They wouldn’t want to choose a dog breed that requires a lot of exercise. They would want to choose a dog breed that has a low activity level.


- Do you want to choose a dog breed that requires lots of grooming maintenance? Some dogs need special care when it comes to grooming. It can be an everyday chore. Most dog owners look at a cute fluffy puppy, and fall in love. The problem is when they bring the puppy home, they quickly realize what a commitment maintaining the dogs grooming needs are. Some dog breeds need to be taken to the groomers for grooming often. This can be time consuming, and costly. Do your research on dog breeds that require lots of grooming.


- Some dog breeds are suitable for families with small children, and some are not. If you have small children it is your responsibility to research dog breeds that are compatible for families with small children. Some dog breeds are perfect for families. But there are dogs that don’t like to be handled a lot. Most children will find it difficult not to cuddle or have playful activities with their dogs. Some dog breeds will be more prone to bark, or dig. If you don’t want these behaviors in a dog, research dog breeds before hand.

All dog breeds require training, dog obedience, and leadership in order for them to be well rounded dogs. It is a dog owners responsibility to train a puppy to grow into a obedient dog. All puppies will test their boundaries. They all chew, dig, and bark to some degree. There is no such thing as a perfect dog.

In conclusion, when choosing a dog breed. Research dog breeds activity level, grooming needs, and dog behavior.

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Pet Insurance: Secrets The Insurance Companies Don't Want You To Know

Veterinary fees are soaring, so many pet owners are considering pet insurance. This article will show you the pros and cons about pet insurance, what to watch out for, and help you decide if you need it. Lastly I'll show you some simple tips to decreasing the likelihood of you needing pet insurance for your dog or cat.

Veterinary medicine and surgery has advance dramatically in the last 10 years. Specialty care for diseases such as cancer can easily cost the pet owner in excess of $5000. There now advanced diagnostics such as MRI, and referral surgeries such as kidney transplant; once fatal conditions are now treatable, but cost to you the pet owner can run into the thousands. Fortunately, your pet will likely never need any of these advanced treatments. I'm of the opinion, that most people are better off putting money aside into a savings account; in most cases you are financially better off not having pet insurance. As opposed to spending $50 a month on pet insurance, put away $50 a month into a savings account. In 1 year you would have saved $600 for emergency veterinary care. Pet insurance deductibles vary from $100 to $250 per visit, so for your average veterinary visit, you wouldn't be claiming insurance.

Pet insurance is not always the answer; as with other types of insurance, often when you need it the most you are unable to get it. There are many things to consider such as the monthly cost, the deductible, the exclusions, the surcharges, the payout limits, and penalties for filing more claims. Monthly costs vary from 30 to over 100 dollars per month. All insurance companies have deductibles which typically average $250- meaning you need to spend more than this amount to get any money back. Most companies have exclusions on pre-existing conditions and hereditary conditions; for instance if you insured your German Shepherd puppy who was diagnosed at 9 months with dysplasia you would likely not be covered by the insurance company. Most companies have a payout limit over the life of your pet, with limits per year; a large surgery will only be partially covered. The monthly premium will often increase as your pet gets older or as you file claims (which of course was your reason for having insurance in the first place).

In order to gauge whether or not you need pet insurance, you need to be asking yourself 2 big questions. How much would you be willing to spend if your dog or cat had a serious illness? Would you be able to pay all of those expenses yourself? If you would be willing to spend thousands of dollars in your pet, but you are unable to pay for it all yourself, then you are a candidate for pet insurance. In my veterinary practice I dealt with many pet insurance companies, the one which I felt provided the best value for pet owners was Trupanion.

Ultimately what you really want is to be avoid using pet insurance in the first place. This means keeping your dog or cat healthy in preventing more common diseases. Feed your pet a quality canned and dry food, along with some food you make at home. Only give the minimal number of vaccines as infrequently as possible, and avoid the excessive use of conventional medication. If possible use natural options with minimal side effects. Give your pet regular exercise and attention, including examining your pet weekly at home. It ultimately comes back to you being an involved and empowered pet owner by advocating for your dog or cat's health- with or without insurance.

You should now see why veterinary fees are increasing and more pet owners are looking at pet insurance as an option. There are serious issues with many insurance companies, so before you purchase any pet insurance you need to be aware of the monthly cost, the deductible, the exclusions, the surcharges, the payout limits, and penalties for filing more claims. Lastly you should be able to follow some basic steps to keeping your pet healthy in preventing disease at home, avoiding pet insurance in the first place.

About the Author

Dr Andrew Jones is the author of a Free Ebook, Dog and Cat Health Secrets, which gives you over 100 safe, natural and effective at home remedies to solve your pet's health problems quickly and easily. He reveals what Vaccines to AVOID and give, The BEST food to feed, plus HOW to save money on veterinary fees. Here is your FREE Book: DOG AND CAT HEALTH SECRETS

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Choosing The Best Type Of Dog For Your Child

Picking the right dog for your family is an important decision. On the one hand you may want to have security with a guard dog and then if you have children you'll want peace of mind that they will be safe if playing with the dog. Firstly whichever breed you have or choose please remember that leaving a youngster alone with any type of dog is not advisable. Not only should you take into account that the dog, however relaxed, could turn aggressive, there is also the worry that your child may irritate and annoy him enough that he then attacks.

Of course you probably see your child as a complete angel, but there is always going to be something new they haven't tried yet. Pulling the dogs ears, feeding it crayons, trying to see if he likes hanging by his tail, the list could go on. Of course children want to explore and learn so teaching them animal care and pet responsibility from the start is a great idea. Over time your dog will start to see your child as part of the family pack if he is on the receiving end of care and attention like being watered and fed. Don't expect your dog to tolerate your child interrupting their sleep or bone chewing time. It is solely your responsibility to teach your children these things.

Personally I wouldn't have a small dog around children as they can be quite snappy and a child may be tempted to pick them up and play with them as they're a manageable size.

I'm a big believer in rehoming rescue animals, but this could pose a problem if your dog has an abusive history. However relaxed and calm they may be, if they're hurt by your child with their latest toy you never know how they will respond. That's not to say rescue animals shouldn't be in the company of children, just that you should supervise and be aware of these factors at all times. So let's look at the various breeds of dog and what their traits and characteristics are towards children.

Labradors and Golden Retrievers.

Both of these breeds have similar natures, loyal, protective and kind. The Retriever tends to be a little bit smaller than the Labrador, apart from that they both love to play and are normally calm by nature. They also love affection which is great for kids who want to cuddle their dog. Labradors are more likely to be aggressive towards other dogs where as Golden Retrievers try to get along with everyone. Labradors have shorter hair so are usually easier to comb but are more likely to get overweight as they get older. They will be patient with children which is good for when your child is learning about how to groom their pet. Both love exercise which is perfect for kids and families.

Newfoundland

Nicknamed "natures nanny" this dog breed has a huge reputation of being very loving towards children and is also extremely protective. They're big enough to withstand rough and tumble playtime and relaxed enough not to get too annoyed when your kids get out of hand. These gentle giants are also fantastic guard dogs and usually get on with other animals. They do need lots of exercise and grooming and also drool a lot so be warned.

English Bulldog

Maybe not the most energetic of dogs, but definitely one of the most affectionate. They have a strong tendency towards protection of anything that is smaller than them. If you tell your kids off you might find that you're in the doghouse for a while as they will feel you're attacking something more vulnerable than them. They are very sensitive so don't let their laid back nature fool you, if you're upset they'll come to look after you. They're at their most content when they're owner and family is happy. Certainly not top of the list when it comes to guard dog behaviour though.

Great Dane

They're big softies when it comes to children. They are very patient with little ones and will tolerate kids wanting to play with them. They tend to forget their size and will most likely try to get comfortable sitting on your lap. They love to exercise (and definitely need it) which is good for children and are another breed that is very protective of their families and home. Sadly their lifespan is usually under ten years, so keep in mind how that may affect your children as well.

Beagle

Full of energy and fun this breed is perfect for a young family. They love cuddles and are very affectionate. Being a sturdy dog they can handle rough housing at playtime but like any animal they won't tolerate children poking or hurting them. Beagles are social animals by nature they won't be loyal to just one member of the household but will enjoy time with all the family members.

Obviously every dog breed is different and a lot has to do with how the dog has been socialised from being a puppy. So always do your homework and background check into the history of any animal before you bring it into your family. One last note as mentioned earlier, train your children too, they need to respect the animal member of the family and not treat them as a toy to throw around.

About the Author

Whatever shape, size or breed we have everything in our pet store to cater for even the most demanding, four legged diva in your household. We understand how important it is to not only have the latest cat toy, or the trendiest dog collar, but also to make sure the boring bits are covered. That's why we have a variety of flea, worming and fur treatments.

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View the original article here