Hot
summer days- don't let your pooch dehydrate:
Just
like humans, dogs are largely composed of water. In the hot
weather of summer they are just as susceptible to dehydration
as humans. In pets, as in people, maintaining proper fluid
levels and electrolyte balance is critical to maintaining
the life function and to maintaining proper health. In addition
to hot weather, you should always be on alert if your dog
experiences any amount of sustained diarrhea, vomiting or
loses their appetite and interest to drink fluids as this
can also quickly lead to dehydration. Some simple things you
can do to facilitate hydration are-
Moisten her muzzle- A little water on the muzzle and keeping
a few bowls of water around in hot weather will help them
stay hydrated.
Add some electrolytes- if your dog has been sick or facing
very hot weather you can add some pedialyte to their water
to supplement it with some minerals and especially potassium
and sodium.
Pour them a little sports drink- in especially hot weather
or after a bout with an illness, a little Gatorade or similar
sports drink also works well to help your pooch quickly regain
some electrolytes and some glucose for energy.
Watch the heat and be careful to always insure your pet is
properly hydrated!
Dogs
get joint problems too-
Arthritis,
hip problems, weak knees- as your pooch ages, he or she will
more than likely experience the same degenerative joint problems
as an aging human does. As we feed our pets better food and
offer them better medical care- they in turn are living longer.
Most pet dogs today are living to their human equivalent of
the geriatric years. It is important to recognize this and
to offer them help via proper nutrition to supplement their
joints and bones. A consultation with your veterinarian will
help you to understand how to help your dog as it begins to
show symptoms of joint problems. Some of the common signs
are very similar to those seen in humans- trouble getting
up after sitting or laying down, morning stiffness, or walking
with a limp or shuffle. Be kind and humane to your pet and
help to insure that they are not living in any pain.Best
Selling Joint Care
Animal
Adoption- it just makes sense!
When
you think about the number of pets that are put to sleep every
year because no one wants them, it almost makes your heart
break. With all the animals for adoption out there, many people
still do not know about how to get in touch with these lovable
pets in need. Many of them still go to commercial breeders
when a brief stop by the Humane Society or some other animal
rescue could save the life of a dog or cat, and give them
a treasured companion.
The first animal for adoption that I took in to my home was
a puppy I named Bowser. At the time, our school was doing
a project to support the world wildlife fund. They had adopt
an animal programs to help protect endangered species. While
these were not literally animals for adoption, they were animals
you could help protect by donating money and increasing popular
support for protecting their habitats. It got me thinking
about animals around my neighborhood, and I asked my mom if
I could get a pet dog from the Humane Society. She was a little
bit nervous about getting dogs for adoption, never having
been a pet owner herself, but when I agreed to take care of
the dog, she relented.
It turns out that there were many different animals for adoption
available in our town. I think my mom had been picturing a
room filled with pathetic, mangy, aggressive dogs, but the
pets in the animal rescue shelter were actually very friendly
for the most part. There were a lot of different dogs there,
and it took me quite a while to pick out the one that I wanted.
Finally, I fell in love with a spotted puppy who looked like
he had some Dalmatian in him. I took him home that very day.
Since then, all of my pets have been animals for adoption.
After all, I can't justify buying a pet when there are so
many critters that are abandoned every year. Many people are
too lazy to pay or neuter their pets, while others adopt a
dog only to abandon it a year or two later when it is no longer
a puppy. Because of this, many unwanted dogs are put to sleep
instead of getting to live full lives in a caring home. It
is nice to be able to do my little part to counter this trend.
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The roots of the relationship between
dogs and humans-
Of all animals, dogs have the longest history of friendship
with humans. Dogs have protected the lives of humans from
predators and enemies, helped them hunt for food and have
offered companionship and friendship. Dogs are placed within
the order of Carnivora, a part of the larger class Mammalia.
Dogs have been associatd with humans as far back as there
are written and recorded records of human civilization. Dogs
resemble wolves more than any other animal. Over time, humans
and dogs began to interact more and more until eventually
the breeding of specific dog groups for specific tasks developed.
The eight primary groups are listed
above and more information about each group can be found by
following each link. Today, dogs and humans are inexorably
linked as both working companions in task and sport and for
the pure enjoyment of the loving relationship between the
pet owner and the beloved pet.
Wild Dogs and Domestic Dogs-
Dogs resemble wolves more than any other animal. Although
wolves are sometimes believed to be the enemies of humans,
in reality the opposite is more often true. Wolves rarely
attack humans and actually rather easilly become accustomed
to people. Despite such similar characteristics, it is considered
dangerous to cross domestic dogs and other canis familiaris.
The offspring of cross bred wild dogs and domestic dogs can
result in odd physical characteristics and mental problems.
From the time humans realized that domesticated dogs could
be useful and started to catch wild puppies, selection for
desired physical and behavioral characteristics began in order
to make the dogs better suited to certain tasks. Today, approximately
350 dog breeds are recognized by the Federation Cynologique
International (FCI) which is headquartered in Belgium. It
is an amazing testament to the degree to which original wild
puppies have been bred and modified to bond with and help
suit the needs of their human companions.
Natural Pet remedies-
Just as natural or homeopathic medicine is making in roads
with people in the Western world, so it is also making in
roads with them in regards to caring for their pets. Many
people are now interested in the concept of integrating natural
or more traditional medicine methods (often known as homeopathic)
into their own health care practices, they are increasingly
seeking out veteranarians who also offer these integrative
treatment methods for pets. Increasingly, people are considering
their pets to be important and extremely valuable members
of their family and they want to offer them the best health
care options when they become ill or as they age. Such methodoligies
as accupuncture, herbal medicine and preventative care using
supplements is becoming increaingly common upon a visit to
the veteranarian. A good place to learn more about this topic
would be to pick up a book such as, "Natural
Remedies For Dogs and Cats" by C.J. Puotinen at your
library or bookstore.
What does AKC mean when looking for a
dog breed-
AKC stands for the American Kennek Club which is a non-for-profit
organization devoted to the advancement of purebred dogs.
The group was established in 1884 and is composed of approximately
500 autonomous dog clubs from around the United States. There
are some similar organizations in other countries, most notably
Britian. The AKC holds dog shows and events throughout the
United States on a regular basis and also offers educational
programs, training classes and health clinics. The AKS is
a valuable and good source of information to learn about dogs
and breeds. However, don't forget that some of the best dogs
and especially best pets you'll ever find are just regular
old "muts" with no real pedigree and they are often
found abandoned at local animal shelters. My dear dog Boo
was with me 17 and one half years and she and I met at the
local animal shelter by chance. She was a shelty mix and gave
me more love and companionship than I could ever have hoped
for. So, remember that breed isn't everything if you are looking
for a good family pet to love and cherish.
Household protection for your dog-
Dogs have sharp teeth, paws and claws, and a general sense
of curiosity and the need to explore. The modern household
has a wide variety of things that can be harmful to your pooch's
health if they mistakenly get into them while exploring. There
are some simple things you can do to help keep your pet safe
and avoid a tragedy or an expensive trip to the veterinarian:
- Keep medicine cabinets closed: Dogs can chew through a
container to get to its contents even if the cap is on and
closed.
-Wash away toxins and harmful wastes: Many household cleaners
and pesticides and such products as antifreeze are toxic to
your dog. A few licks of some of these products is enough
to cause serious health problems and even death. Always wash
containers and wash away any spills with plenty of water.
-Keep garbage cans closed: To the average dog, the contents
of the trash bin can be a trigger for the need to explore
and often taste. Whatever is in the trash, its just better
if your pet doesn't get into it and get any of it in their
stomach or mouth.
-Beware of pestacide bait: Gardeners occasionally put out
things like snail bait. These products are often made to taste
good and are very toxic to your pet.
Use common sense and take a few extra minutes each week to
keep your home pet safe.
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