September 9th, 2010 by Jessica

If you have had your dog for a long time and you notice changes in its behavior or mobility it may be time for a change in diet. Older dogs generally have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. Making the right food choices can keep your dog doing most of the things he likes to do. Here are a few tips that could help keep your beloved pooch with you for as long as possible.

Diet Recommendations

Protein: Older dogs will need more of it to maintain body mass. So look for brands with high protein content. Some may even state on the packaging that they are made specially for older dogs. Portion size is another important consideration when dealing with older dogs. Too much protein or feed in generally can lead to weight gain. Make sure to feed dogs the appropriate amount based on their size, weight and breed.

Water intake: Encourage the dog to drink more water even though this may be difficult. Maybe due to lower activity levels they do not get as thirsty as younger dogs do. But they also have a lower percentage of water in the body so they could become dehydrated more easily.

Vitamins and minerals: well known pet food brands promise a complete diet even for older dogs. However, each animal’s individual needs must be considered individually. Your vet will be able to offer advice in this regard. If, for example, your dog seems to lack energy the vet may suggest a vitamin supplement regardless of the pet food brand being used.

Fats: Now here’s the tricky part. Dogs need enough fat to aid in the absorption of vitamins and minerals. However, they to tend to gain weight faster and if you are not careful you could end up with an overweight pet. So monitor the animal’s weight and activity levels as much as possible.

If your dog suddenly seems to have developed picky eating habits try mixing foods. Canned dog food could be combined with dry food for example. Avoid giving them raw meat as their digestive tracts are more sensitive at this stage. At this point in the animal’s life you should also try to increase its fiber intake.

August 23rd, 2010 by Jessica

That’s actually a line uttered by Bill Murray in one of my favorite movies Ghost Busters. It came to me as I was thinking of the topic for today’s blog. While Murray was trying to bring the laughs with the line, it underscores the point that some people think cats and dogs can’t cohabit peacefully. Since we’ve previously looked at cat to baby introductions and cat to cat introductions, I thought we should at least cover this angle. Below are a few tips that can help you make this process easier. After all, some folks don’t consider themselves cat or dog lovers, and prefer to have both.

Understanding Breeds

Just like we have different personalities, our pets are pretty much the same. The breed of dog plays a role as well. Larger breeds can be territorial and the males clearly will try to establish themselves in the alpha role.

Dividing Your Time

Just like kids do, your pets will want some attention as well. Pretty much the rules that apply for the dog should go for the cat and vice versa. In this way the dog will see the cat as an equal. Spend time with them together, even if they don’t interact. That way neither pet will feel neglected.

Setting the Example

The dog will likely take its cues from you on how to treat the cat. While the term ‘pet owner’ is often used, we generally think of our pets as friends or family members. Dogs are smart, and generally they will not see the cat as a threat if you make it clear that it is part of the family.

Introduction Steps

With a new cat you may have some work on your hands. A few things you could try include:

• Keep the dog on a close leash for a few weeks. When the cat is near, gauge its reaction, and adjust accordingly. Some pet parents give the dog a muzzle as well.
• Put the dog in a crate or a partitioned area. Note the reaction whenever the cat walks by. This will help to determine how quickly they can be close to each other.
• Make sure your dog knows who is boss. You are the head of the household and the dog must know this to foster a better relationship with new pets. Correct them quickly when there is aggressive behavior. This may take time and patience.
• Offer your pooch a dog treat whenever the cat is near. This will help in fostering positive feelings towards the cat.

It will not be easy to introduce your new cat to the household in all instances. However, many pet lovers have been able to do this so you can too. It may take a bit of work, but it is certainly a labor of love worth doing.

August 20th, 2010 by Jessica

Every pet owner who buys pet clothes will agree that it often has to do with more than looks. Pet fashions play a functional role as well. Some pet clothes are great for keeping your little friend protected from the elements when they go outdoors. But what about overall safety? Are the clothes you buy for your pets helping to protect them during those nighttime walks? Luckily there are options that will help ensure that your pet will be visible during the low light hours.

Safety and Fashion

Like almost every other industry, pet fashion is always developing. New products are being added to an already impressive list to help keep our friends with us for as long as possible. Some great safety pet fashion options are:

• Glow collars:  As the name implies, these collars glow in the dark making your pet more visible to drivers and cyclists. Most of them use neon tubes to provide lighting. Some pet owners swear by them as a means of keeping stray animals away as well. Some work without batteries while others use battery.
• Light-up harnesses:  These not only light up but also come with other great features as well. Some can store information like the owner’s address should your pet get lost. They can be seen at great distances and the batteries can last for over 100 hours in some cases.
• Lighted dog coats: Coats will not only keep your pet warm during dark winter days, but some of them are also illuminated. The batteries are generally easily replaceable.

There are also specially made leashes just for those late night walks. You can add light-up tags to your dog’s collar if you are unable to get more expensive items. There are many potential hazards whenever you walk your dog or any pet for that matter. If you use the services of a dog walker find out if lit tags are used on the collars so the animals can be easily seen. Otherwise you can provide one for your dog when they are being taken for a walk at night. Remember that you can also buy vests for yourself that help to make you and your pet easier to spot in low light.

Our pets are more than just that. To many of us they are a part of the family and as such we need to keep them safe in everyway possible.