BY JON KATZ
 
My friend and fellow dog lover Edie, an occupational therapist in Massachusetts , has been looking for a mate for nearly 10 years. She finally thought she'd found one in Jeff, a nice guy, generous and funny, who teaches high school. They dated for several months, and just as there was talk about future, it occurred to Edie that Jeff hadn't really bonded with her yellow lab, So...  read more »

 
 
 
 

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.
Being able to take a vacation is a treat for most people. It is even more of a treat for your dog. It is rare that your pet will be able to get out of the same area and explore new regions of the world that he has never seen before. However, keeping your pet safe while taking a vacation is very important....  read more »

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.
Learning how to travel with your dog can make the experience less stressful and a lot of more enjoyable! Traveling with your pooch can be a major hassle if don’t make all the right choices. It should be planned ahead of time so you wouldn’t ruin your family weekend getaway or long vacation.

If you’ve decided to carr...  read more »

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

 So you have decided to get a dog. Now is the time you should decide what is the right dog for you and your family. Do you want a Purebred, Designer, or a Mutt? Do I use a Breeder, Pet Store, Pound/Rescue Shelter? There are so many things to take into consideration when making your choice. Do you have children? Do you have your o...  read more »

 


Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.
It’s tempting to give our dogs the things we enjoy, but it’s important that you don’t. People food can wreck havoc on pets.

 Don’t “improve” a puppy or dog food with table scraps or leftovers
This alters the carefully balanced mix of ingredients in the food and can cause...  read more »

 
Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.
You can and should teach the basics yourself, but professional help can make things easier. Ask your breeder, vet or pet store manager to recommend an obedience school. Just remember: A well-disciplined dog begins with a well-disciplined owner. If you’re inconsistent in your training, your dog will be inconsistent in his beh...  read more »

 
Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.
Thanks to modern veterinary care and scientifically formulated dog food, it’s not unlikely your dog could live to be 15 years or older. A breeder, vet or pet shop manager can tell you the typical lifespan of your particular breed, but in general, smaller breeds live longer than larger ones. With good medical attention, a sou...  read more »

 
When Zach Skow was near death, dogs came to his rescue. Now rescuing dogs is his life.
By Katie Robbins
Zach Skow spends most mornings on a skateboard, zigzagging through hilly Tehachapi, California, with a German shepherd or Great Dane running happily beside him. Seeing him now, it's hard to believe that two and a half years ago, at age 28, Skow was facing end-stage liver disease after ...  read more »

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.
Humans have proven themselves to be the planet’s most dominant species, due to our highly developed communication, critical thinking and predatory skills. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have any competition. There are plenty of animals that we can learn from by watching the ways in which they communicate and learn...  read more »

You can tackle many of your dog’s health care needs all by yourself — especially after a little instruction from a vet. We’ll tell you how to make these tasks easier on you and your pet.

Tablets and Capsules
GREENIES® PILL POCKETS®
treats are nutritious treats for dogs that contain built-in pouches perfect for hiding medicine or supplements. Just pop in the medicine,...  read more »

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.
The act of chewing seems to be a matter of individual preference among dogs: some have an innate desire to chew as a pleasurable activity in itself, and some seem to have no need to chew whatsoever unless they’re driven to it out of sheer boredom. In any case, when chewing is destructive - it's a problem that NEEDS to be address qui...  read more »

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.
We know that obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. Thirty percent of American adults – that's 60 million people – are obese. But there's another statistic that is even more startling and concerning to pet owners and veterinarians: according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, approximately half of all ...  read more »

Our pet is a very important member of our family and we don’t want “just anybody” bathing and grooming him. We Want to make sure a competent and careful person is handling our pet especially when sharp objects like electric clippers and scissors are involved. In addition soapy water and chemical dips to prevent fleas and/or ticks must be handled carefully to prevent harm to our p...  read more »

If you are planning a business trip or family vacation, chances are you may not be able to bring your pet with you? Selecting a kennel or boarding facility that you feel confortable with can give you peace of mind while you are away.
It’s a good idea to start your search for a kennel at least a month or two before you need one-maybe sooner if you’re leaving town during summe...  read more »

Selecting a veterinarian for your pet is a personal choice, like selecting your family physician or dentist. The criteria you use is similar: What is important to you? Location? Convenient hours of service?   Friendliness and service commitment of doctors and staff? Fees?
In selecting a veterinarian, your goals should be to find the doctor that best meets your needs and to establis...  read more »

 
If you’re planning a business trip or family vacation, chances are you may not be able to bring your pet with you. Hiring a pet sitter can give you peace of mind while you are away. Some people work out an informal arrangement with friend or neighbor but you may want a more formal agreement with a professional. If you have a pet with special needs, a professional pet sitter can provi...  read more »

As you may know, more than 25 percent and as many as 50 percent of American dogs are overweight. 

Dogs with obesity are more prone to a variety of health problems, just like people.  In addition to diabetes, asthma and hip and joint problems, I think overweight dogs can also have some depression issues.

Losing weight can help overweight dogs become healthier and happier.  It...  read more »

Dental disease is one of the most common diseases in dogs.  And it's very serious. Neglected dental hygiene can cause infected and painful gums as well as periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is the most common disease seen in small animals. Signs of periodontal disease are often not recognized, however, and some pets continue to suffer until all of their teeth have become infected. &...  read more »

Do you feel bad when you have to leave your dog home alone?  Many people do.  It's only natural. But life goes on and we must go along with it.

It's a busy world.  And like most of us, you've got places to go, things to do and people to see.  Whether you're off to work, school or shopping, or out for a nice dinner and a movie, chances are you spend a lot of time away from ho...  read more »

Some dogs are sort of aloof, and others are lap dogs or real "cuddlers". What is it in their personality that makes them different? This is somewhat of a mystery.

What makes one dog standoffish and another dog extremely affectionate? It probably has a lot to do with their genetic make-up as well as their socialization skills. From an early age, your dog's breed and socialization skil...  read more »

How kissable is your dog? Does he have bad breath? Are his teeth stained?
Well, if you do not brush your dog's teeth it is very likely that your dog has "doggy" breath, stained yellow teeth and/or swollen gums.
If you brush you dog's teeth, I congratulate you.  You are in the top 20% of pet owners in the country.
However, if you do not brush your dog's teeth, you are making a big...  read more »

Some dogs will eat anything, like our favorite "test dog" Sweet Lips. Literally. She is actually hard to test treats on because she is ...well how do I say it... she is not very discriminating.  If she is out in a farmer's field - she will eat cow manure. Like I said, she does not have a discriminating palate.

While some dogs will eat anything, other dogs are extremely picky. Yo...  read more »

American dogs are getting fat - lots of them.  According to recent statistics, an estimated 25 to 40 percent of dogs in the US are considered to be obese or are likely to become obese.

Those statistics are pretty alarming - but are they really accurate?  Is dog obesity really such a big problem... or is it overrated?

The short answer is yes - it is a very big problem.  Here's...  read more »

We love our pets and it is fun to spoil them!

Over the years, lots of dog lovers have told me how they like to spoil their pets. Some bake special treats. Some buy expensive clothes and jeweled collars for their dogs. Other dogs go to doggy daycare or luxury doggy spas to be pampered.

I've heard so many great stories, and I'd like to share some of them with you.

Here are some of our fav...  read more »

It's tax time once again. 
Don't you just love it when you actually get money BACK from Uncle Sam? 
I have a friend who gets a tax refund every year.  She calls it her "mad money" since it's money that she never budgeted for any particular purpose - she can spend it any way she wants to.  

This got me thinking. 

Since your tax refund really is &quo...  read more »

Pregnancy Calendar for Dogs




Date:


Fri 24 Aug 2007




 


 




 

...  read more »

Overview
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80 percent of dogs show oral disease by age 3, and it is the most common health problem treated in small animal health clinics today. The buildup of bacteria in your dog's mouth may cause more than just bad breath; according to research presented at a recent conference on Companion Animal Oral Health, bacteria are also the cause...  read more »

Sure, you love those big, wet, sloppy kisses. But you'd love them a lot more without the doggy breath.

A simple tooth brushing can do a world of good. Brush your dog’s teeth, and that nasty doggy breath becomes "kissably" fresh. A healthy brushing only takes about a minute of your time, and over time those minutes could mean years of healthy living for your favorite four-legged ...  read more »

Can dogs get toothaches? I thought today would be a good day to answer this question.

If your dog had a toothache, how would you know?  Dogs can't talk, so it's up to the pet owner to figure it out. Do you know the signs?

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80 percent of dogs show oral disease by age 3, and it is the most common health problem treated in veterin...  read more »

Spring will be here soon and the ticks will soon be showing their heads.  Here is a good way to get them off you, your children, or your pets.  Give it a try.

Please forward to anyone with children... or hunters or dogs, or anyone who even steps outside in summer!!

A School Nurse has written the info below -- good enough to share -- And it really works!!

I had a ped...  read more »

Many dogs hate having their teeth brushed - and it can be a real challenge. But good dental care is important to your dog's good health. So how can you teach your dog to like it, or even tolerate it?

The first thing you can do is to be patient. When brushing your dog's teeth, give tons of positive reinforcement when your dog is tolerant and well behaved.  With that being said - some dogs ...  read more »

Bathing your dog can be a difficult chore. Many of us dread giving our dogs a bath because it takes too long, it's too messy the dog doesn't like it ...

Remember the story I shared about my friend Margie? Margie has a little black and white Terrier named Chips who just HATES baths. Every time she mentions the word "BATH" he runs away and hides under the sofa. It takes the entire famil...  read more »

Your dog needs plenty of good toys to play with – and if you don’t supply them, he’s going to find them on his own. Unfortunately, those “toys” he scavenges will be things you don’t really want him to play with – like your shoes, blankets and furniture!
Dog toys aren’t a “luxury”. Dogs NEED toys to keep them entertained and happy.
Whe...  read more »

This is a real combination of symptoms that spells out EMERGENCY. These are the classic symptoms of a condition referred to as "bloat" - an extremely dangerous condition. If you notice these 3 combined symptoms in your dog, seek treatment immediately:

• PACING
• RESTLESSNESS
• UNPRODUCTIVE ATTEMPTS TO VOMIT

Bloat is a common problem in large breed deep chested do...  read more »

Sleeping dogs
A while back there was a front page article in USA Today with this headline: "Letting pets sleep next to you can make you ill, experts say."

Headlines do make people look and read. Yes that is true. And this was one of those headlines.

There are two issues I'd like to address about this article:

1. Was it irresponsible of the press to run this type of headline ...  read more »

Pet Tip
Here is a tip from one of our PetPlace.com users:

My dog is presently on Hills Prescription s/d canned food due to a bladder stone problem. We are trying to dissolve the stones to avoid surgery. My vet advised that under no circumstances was Diesel to have any treats, not even celery which I thought might be okay because celery is 95% water.

However, I felt so bad about not being ...  read more »

Spoiled Dogs
These are suggestions from out very loving PetPlace.com dog owners on how to pamper and spoil a special pooch. We hope you enjoy and find some of these tips useful.

By the way – our goal is to reach 100 with your help! Send us your suggestion.

1. Homemade Training Treats

I have been dog training for years. The most favorite training treat is-boil beef liver till done,...  read more »

Make sure that your dog isn’t close enough to a frozen lake, river or pond to jump in and get injured.
Pets and Winter
Winter continues to hold us within her icy grip, and pet owners need to take precautions to keep their animals safe and healthy.

The danger may be worse than what the thermometer reads. The wind chill factor can drop the temperature by 20 or 30 degrees. In other words,...  read more »

Pet Tip
Here is a tip from one of our PetPlace.com users:

During the winter months...especially in the NW corner of PA...dogs just don't get the exercise they need. Of course...neither do dog owners!!! When my 12-year-old keeshond begins to suffer from the mid-section bulge...I turn to cans of salt-free green beans. I will give her about 1/2 of the normal summer amount of a high quality weigh...  read more »

You know that I'm a big believer in nutrition as one of the keys to having your dog live a healthy long life.  Not just a long life, but one full of energy and vitality.
Just as important as what you feed your dog are the things you should NOT feed you dog.
Following is a list of 5 foods that you should NOT feed your dog.
1. Alcoholic Beverages. Ethanol is the component in alcoholic bevera...  read more »

Most of us keep a variety of medicines at home for those occasions when we are sick or injured, but did you know there are some important medicines to keep on hand if your dog is not well? Here are some of the commonly used items you should have on hand in your dog's medicine chest. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before giving any medicines to your dog.
·  3% Hydrogen Peroxid...  read more »

Take some time out and create your own doggy first aid kit. If they could thank you, they would.

Chances are, your family knows exactly which cabinet to turn to at the sight of a runny nose, a splinter, blood, or tummy ache. But when your dog is in need of more than a scratch behind the ears, are you ready? Proper preparation is the best tool to arm yourself with in case of a pet emergency. A ...  read more »