If you’re like most pet owners, you want to give your pet every opportunity for a long and healthy life.  And living a long and healthy life means eating the right pet food and good nutrition.  Good nutrition is a fundamental requirement to keep your pet in top physical shape, and improve his or her chances of resisting disease and other degenerative conditions.  Unfortunately despite advertising claims most commercial pet food is not optimally healthy for your dog or cat.

Just as most processed, convenient “human food” is devoid of nutritional value, so is much of the dead, dry pet food sold commercially today.  Much of the so-called “healthy pet foods” on the market contain inferior meat meals, cheap grains like corn and soy, fillers, by-products, food coloring, pesticides, preservatives, and other contaminants.

Case in point: the widespread contamination of melamine (a chemical used in the production of plastics, which imitates protein) rocked the pet food industry not so long ago, and led to thousands of deaths and illnesses. More than 5,600 products by dozens of pet food makers – everything from cheap supermarket brands to prescription-only food – were recalled in the process.

Commercial Pet Food Can Destroy Your Pet’s Health

Commercial “Pet” foods are actually a relatively new addition to the marketplace, only filling a consumer niche for the last 100 years or so. Many proactive, integrative and holistic veterinarians have long recognized the short falls of most commercial pet food.

Most widely available pet foods and even many of the brands conventional vets recommend do not contain clean, inspected ingredients, nor are they biologically balanced for your domesticated carnivore (cat) and scavenging carnivore (dog).

Common symptoms associated with regular consumption of commercial pet food includes:

• Diarrhea
• Increased flatulence
• Dull coat
• Intermittent vomiting
• Prolonged scratching

During the 1980’s and early 1990’s, frustration with low quality food led to the emergence of improved dry pet foods. This higher quality kibble was baked rather than extruded, and contained more diverse ingredients and USDA inspected meats.  During this time pet owners also began to realize the benefits of home cooked diets, where they could control the quantity and quality of ingredients added to their pets’ meals.

However, although these changes addressed some of the quality control issues, and began to address the biological appropriateness of pet food ingredients, it did not address the fact that companion animals were still consuming an entirely dead diet, devoid of all the benefits living foods have to offer.

Dogs and cats evolved to consume living, unprocessed foods, and once you remove the raw food, you disrupt nearly every important biochemical pathway in their body. This is a prescription for disaster, and maintaining your pet on completely cooked and refined foods can clearly impact their organ health. In fact, a growing number of veterinarians state that processed pet food (kibbled and canned food) is the number one cause of illness and premature death in modern dogs and cats.

In December 1995, the British Journal of Small Animal Practice published a paper contending that processed pet food suppresses animals’ immune systems, and causes:

• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Other diseases

Another case in point: In one animal study, performed by Dr. Kollath of the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, young animals that were fed cooked and processed foods initially appeared to be healthy. But once they reached adulthood, they began aging quicker than normal and developed degenerative disease symptoms.  A control group raised on raw foods aged less quickly and did not develop any degenerative diseases!

Why The Raw Pet Food Diet?

Knowledgeable veterinarians have wisely abandoned the idea that cats can become trendy, healthy vegetarians and that dogs can thrive on an entirely grain-based diet. Most of us have the desire to match, as closely as possible, our companions’ current diet to their ancestral diet. This should be common sense.

Feeding your dog or cat raw food is the most biologically appropriate way to raise your pet. To argue whether raw pet food diets are appropriate for dogs and cats is moot; they have thrived consuming a variety of small prey for thousands of years!

Some Raw Pet Food Products We Recommend

Stella & Chewy’s Frozen Chicken Diet – 1.2 lb For Cat And Felines

Primal Pet Foods Raw Dog Food Chicken Patties 8 lbs.

Northwest Naturals Raw Dog Food Bison Nuggets 6 lbs.

Click Here to Learn More About Raw Dog Food

Related posts:

1. Why You Need To Feed Raw Pet Food To Your Dog and Cat Your Dog and Cat Needs Raw Pet Food Most...
2. A List of Toxic Food For Dogs You would never think that a little reward from...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Your Dog and Cat Needs Raw Pet Food

Most pet owners feed kibble for convenience, or because your pets like it. But the truth is, it’s frequently not species appropriate, and can seriously damage your pet’s health. Fortunately, once you recognize it’s not the healthiest choice for your companion it makes it easier to gently begin transitioning to a more biologically optimal food.

To argue whether raw pet food diets are appropriate for dogs and cats is moot; they have thrived consuming a variety of small prey for thousands of years!

Wild animals also avoid many of the degenerative health issues that affect our current domestic pet population.  It is naive to believe that your pet’s health would suffer any less from consuming a highly processed diet, filled with corn and other denatured ingredients.

Knowledgeable veterinarians have wisely abandoned the idea that cats can become trendy, healthy vegetarians and that dogs can thrive on an entirely grain-based diet.  Most of us have the desire to match, as closely as possible, our companions’ current diet to their ancestral diet.  This should be common sense.

The Two Main Problems with a Non-Raw Pet Food Diet

One of the biggest concerns about not feeding dry food is your dog or cats teeth.

Remember: eating crunchy granola, nuts and other dry food doesn’t brush or clean your teeth. You still have to brush your teeth. Likewise, eating crunchy kibble and dry pet food doesn’t brush or clean your pet’s teeth. You still have to brush your pet’s teeth. So please don’t use this rationale to feed your pet a diet of mainly dry foods.

There are the two major problems with an entirely dry pet food diet.

1. Protein quality
2. Moisture content

Protein quality – Contrary to popular belief, protein requirements actually increase as pets age to combat catabolic processes, which can lead to muscle wasting.  We have also learned that the biological availability of certain protein sources actually determines how easy or difficult they are to metabolize.  For example, snouts and feathers, although 100 percent protein, are not nearly as digestible as lean muscle meat.

The quality of protein your pet eats is critical to reduce organ stress over time.  The scary truth is that the majority of commercial pet foods on the market today are using rendered meats that are not even approved for human consumption. Because kibbled foods made with these poor quality meats are so difficult to digest and assimilate, they can actually cause organ disease.

Moisture content - Moisture content is another huge problem inherent in a mainly dry food diet. Our carnivorous companions were designed to consume non-dehydrated foods. Species appropriate diets – foods free of corn, wheat, rice and soy – formulated in their biologically correct form, meaning raw or minimally processed, with non-denatured proteins, contain all of the moisture needed to process the food with minimum metabolic stress.

Did you know that the natural diet of dogs and cats is up to 70 percent water?

That’s right: rabbits and mice, like our bodies, are primarily composed of water. Our pet’s bodies have evolved to consume a diet that is rich with water, not dehydrated, and not cooked.

When food is cooked and dehydrated (which is how kibble is produced), several things happen, the most detrimental of which is that the food becomes dry. Far too dry to be healthy.

This requires your pet’s body to provide sufficient moisture to reconstitute the food in their digestive tract. Although some animals may make a noble effort to consume enough water, many animals and most cats, don’t.

The Association of Feline Practitioners recommends owners feed cats a diet of primarily canned foods (vs. dry foods) for this very reason.

What are the most notable physiologic changes when our companion animals consume a dehydrated, poor quality protein diet?

• Kidney stress
• Liver stress
• Metabolic stress

A lifetime of minor dehydration is stressful to multiple organ systems, but most notably the kidneys. It’s important to realize that this can easily be remedied by feeding canned or living food diets, and can easily be avoided by feeding foods that have not been dehydrated (dry food).

In A Nutshell

The convenient alternative of dry commercial pet food to our pet’s ancestral diet looks great at first glance, but poses significant health risks if fed as the sole diet indefinitely. Remember, our pet’s bodies are resilient. They can eat a variety of suboptimal, metabolically stressful foods on occasion and be fine, but because it’s our goal to provide a diet that most closely fits our companion’s biological requirements, we don’t recommend a lifetime of kibble.

Our goal is to provide a diet that mimics our pets biological nutritional requirements as closely as possible…in this case it means rethinking the “lifetime of dry food” theory. Thankfully, we can make one healthy lifestyle change at a time, which optimizes our pet’s chances of achieving abundant health.

If you are unable or unwilling to feed your pet a species appropriate, nutritionally balanced, raw food diet, then we strongly recommend you compromise with the next best choice: USDA approved canned foods. Our last choice would be a dry food (kibble), made from human-grade ingredients with little to no grains, and LOTS OF WATER.

Some Raw Pet Food Products We Recommend

Stella & Chewy’s Frozen Chicken Diet – 1.2 lb For Cat And Felines

Primal Pet Foods Raw Dog Food Chicken Patties 8 lbs.

Northwest Naturals Raw Dog Food Bison Nuggets 6 lbs.

Click Here to Learn More About Raw Dog Food

Related posts:

1. Why Commercial Pet Food Is So Bad For Your Pet If you’re like most pet owners, you want to...
2. Various Cat Behavior Problems Explained Your cat Ms. Jinx is great. She snuggles, she...
3. Raw Dog Food by Carina Beth Macdonald Book Review Product Summary Rating: Pages: 86 Published: 2004 The Good:...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Made in: Montana, USA
Price: $68 – $184 USD.

Today we are reviewing the Organic Bumper Bed by West Paw Design for dogs and cats.

We’re going to cut to the chase. We love this bed.

The Organic Bumper Bed is made with a soft organic cotton making it perfect for allergic or sensitive pets. The cushion used on the inside of the bed is made from 100% recycled IntelliLoft a.k.a. previously used and recycled plastic soda bottles.

The bed has even been 3rd party certified as safe by the Öko-Tex Standard 100 headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Öko-Tex has rigorously tested every part of the Organic Bumper Bed bed for over 100 potentially harmful substances from the fabric, thread, cushion, and zipper of the bed to ensure that the Organic Bumper Bed is safe for pets and people too.

And although you cannot tell on the company website, the inside pillow and the rounder outer pillow are detachable. Making it extremely versatile. If you get bored of the round Organic Bumper Bed design you can pop out the middle for a square bed.

The Organic Bumper Bed is also super easy to clean. When you are ready to give this bed a good wash just unzip the covers, throw them in the washing machine and rezip them after they are dry.

This bed is so fluffy and comfortable. There is tons of padding all around the bed. I wouldn’t mind just popping out the middle square pillow for my own personal use, but the dog wouldn’t be too happy about that.

I also loved the way the color, Huckleberry, came out on the bed. It was extremely vibrant. You can even choose a different color for the middle cushion if you are feeling adventurous! You can choose from 5 colors in total: Basil (green), Ember (red), Huckleberry (purple), or Gold, Stillwater (blue).

The Organic Bumper Bed by West Paw comes in 5 different sizes – XS, S, M, L, XL. We ordered the medium one measuring at 28″ in length, 25″ in width and 9″ in height. For the M Organic Bumper Bed if you pop out the super fluffy center cushion and use it as a pillow it measures at 28″ by 22″.

Honestly, this bed way surpassed my expectations for it. I didn’t expect the colors to be so vibrant and the organic cotton bed to be so soft. It is also extremely well made. Kudos to West Paw Design for making such a high quality, comfortable, environmentally friendly and good looking pet bed.

Some people will say that this bed is a bit pricey but look at it this way. What is your pet going to do when he or she isn’t running around the house and outdoors? Sleep. And you want them to be as happy and comfortable as possible. A human mattress and bed frame can easily cost anywhere from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand dollars. So why not give back to your pet a little. This is their bed!

Click Here To Learn More About The Organic Bumper Bed

Click Here to Learn More About Raw Dog Food

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

You would never think that a little reward from the table would hurt your dog, but in fact there is a lot of people food your dog should never eat.  And, it’s not just because of weight. Some these foods that are fine for us, end up being toxic food for dogs.

Avocados - Avocados contain a substance called persin that is highly toxic to most animals, including dogs.  Just a little can cause your dog to vomit and have diarrhea. And, if you happen to be growing avocados at home, keep your dog away from the plants.  Persin is in the leaves, seed, and bark, as well as in the fruit.  Keep your dog away from the guacamole too.

Alcohol – Beer, liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol is toxic to your dog.  Alcohol has the same effect on a dog’s liver and brain that it has on humans but it takes far less to do its damage. Just a little can cause vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system depression, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, coma, even death. And, the smaller the dog, the greater the effect.

Onion – Onion in all forms – powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated – can destroy a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia.  That can happen even with the onion powder found in some baby food.  An occasional small dose is probably okay.  But just eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts regularly can cause onion poisoning.  Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness.

Caffeine – Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a dog. And, there is no antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits, and bleeding. In addition to tea and coffee – including beans and grounds – caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. It’s also in some cold medicines and pain killers.

Grapes and Raisins - Grapes and raisins have often been used as treats for dogs. But it’s not a good idea. Although it isn’t clear why, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. And, just a small amount can make a dog ill. Repeated vomiting and being hyperactive are early signs. Within a day, the dog will become lethargic and depressed. The best prevention is to keep grapes and raisins off counters and other places your dog can reach.

Milk and Other Dairy Products – On a hot day, it may be tempting to share your ice cream cone with your dog. But if your dog could, it would thank you for not doing so. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive upset as well as set up food allergies (which often manifest as itchiness).

Candy and Gum – Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol can cause an increase in the insulin circulating through your dog’s body. That can cause your dog’s blood sugar to drop and lead to liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may have seizures, and liver failure can occur within just a few days.

Chocolate – Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. It’s in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Eating chocolate, even just licking out the icing bowl, can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea, and be excessively thirsty. It can also cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.

Salt – It’s not a good idea to share salty foods like chips or pretzels with your dog. Eating too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of too much salt include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, and seizures. It may even cause death.

Sugar – Too much sugar can do the same thing to dogs that it does to humans. It can lead to obesity, dental problems, and even diabetes.

Yeast Dough – Before it’s baked, bread dough needs to rise. And, that’s exactly what it would do in your dog’s stomach if your dog ate it. As it swells inside, the dough can stretch the dog’s abdomen and cause severe pain. In addition, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.

Human Medication – Reaction to a drug commonly prescribed for humans is the most common cause of poisoning in dogs. Just as you would do for your children, keep all medicines out of your dog’s reach. And, never give your dog any over-the-counter medicine unless told to do so by your vet. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. And, they can be deadly for your dog.

Click Here to Learn More About Raw Dog Food

Related posts:

1. Why Commercial Pet Food Is So Bad For Your Pet If you’re like most pet owners, you want to...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Pet nail trimming can be difficult.  Pets at times may squirm, whine, or worse-growl and bite.  By knowing beforehand the proper way to do pet nail trimming, you may be able to save your dog or cat (and yourself!) some distress.  But if your pet simply refuses to cooperate, becomes aggressive, or if you just don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, it may be better to let a professional groomer or veterinarian do your pet’s nail trimming.

Pet nail trimming is so important.  Long overgrown nails will drag on the ground and make walking or running uncomfortable for your pet.  This, in turn, could result in soreness or other problems further up the leg.  Dewclaws (the sixth toenail that’s found higher up on the paw near a pet’s “ankle”) that are not trimmed regularly can curve back into the skin, which is very painful, and cause infection.  Although it’s common for many dogs to have their rear dewclaws removed when they’re young pups, dewclaws on their front legs often remain.  Cats have them, as well.

In addition to trimming nails for health reasons, a pet’s blunt nail tips are less likely to hurt you or your furniture by scratching.

So how often should you trim your pet’s nails?  Generally, dogs will need their nails clipped once every one or two weeks.  Cats’ nails will need trimming about once a month, or maybe more for older cats.  If you hear a scratching noise as your pet walks across the linoleum or on concrete, his nails are too long!

For Rover’s manicure, be sure to use only nail trimmers that are designed for dogs. For Kitty, you can use either specially made cat nail trimmers or human nail clippers.  Never use scissors!

If your pet is not used to or is nervous about having his nails trimmed, be sure to start slowly. In fact, don’t even bring out the trimmers the first few days.  Instead, gently lift each paw and just pet it or massage it to get your cat or dog used to having his feet handled.  Reward him afterward with praise or a yummy treat.  When you’re ready to actually clip a nail, do so in a relaxed, quiet area of the house where you won’t be disturbed.  You may want to begin by clipping the nails on only one paw, or even just one or two nails on a paw, if Kitty or Rover becomes restless or fearful.  Above all else, you want to make this as pleasant an experience for him as you can.  So don’t rush it!

Since cats can retract their claws you’ll need to gently press Kitty’s paw between your finger and thumb to expose the nail.  In both dogs and cats, trim only the end of the nail, at the point where it begins to curve downward.  And trim only small amounts at a time, so that you’re less likely to cut the “quick” of the nail.  The quick contains the nerves and blood supply, so if you cut it, you’ll know it and so will your pet!  Cutting the quick is painful and will make Rover or Kitty bleed.  If bleeding occurs, sprinkle a clotting powder such as cornstarch or press a styptic pencil (a stick of a medicated clotting substance) on the nail tip.  If necessary, hold a gauze pad firmly to the nail until the bleeding stops.

The quick is easy to see and avoid in white nails-it’s the pink part.  Always cut below the pink line.  Dark nails are trickier, though.  It’s hard to tell where the quick is until you’ve cut it. So when trimming dark nails, be conservative.  Go slowly and only trim the curved part of the nail.

If you’re new at trimming your pet’s nails, watch your veterinarian or groomer do it first, and then let him or her talk you through it as you try it.  With practice, both you and your four-legged friend will learn that nail trims really aren’t that bad.  But if you still feel uncomfortable, there’s certainly no shame in letting a professional perform the manicure.

Click Here to Learn More About Raw Dog Food

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Traveling with your dog or cat in the car can be difficult in your don’t prepare ahead of time. Here are a few tips to make traveling with your dog or cat in the car easier.

If your pet is not accustomed to the car, take it for a few short rides before the trip. This can help keep your pet from becoming nervous or agitated, and may lessen the effects of motion sickness. If, after a number of practice trips, your pet continues to cry excessively or becomes sick, consult your veterinarian.

Buckling up is an important safety precaution for your pet. Many states now require that pets be restrained while in a moving vehicle, and restraints have several advantages. They help protect pets in case of a collision, and they keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver. They also keep pets from escaping the car through an open window or door. Cats and smaller dogs are often most comfortable in pet carriers, which can be purchased in various sizes at most pet stores.

Carriers give many animals a sense of security and familiar surroundings, and can be secured to the car seat with a seat belt or a specially designed carrier restraint. There are also pet restraints available that can be used without carriers, including harnesses, seat belt attachments, pet car seats, vehicle barriers, and truck/pickup restraint systems. No matter what kind of restraint you use, be sure that it does not permit your pet’s head to extend outside the car window. If pets ride with their heads outside the car, particles of dirt can penetrate the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injury or infections. Excessive amounts of cold air taken into lungs can also cause illness.

While packing for your trip, remember to throw in a few of your pet’s favorite toys, food and water bowls, a leash, and food. You should also carry a first aid kit for your pet, and know basic pet first aid. If your pet is on medication, be sure to have plenty for the trip — and then some.  Veterinarians cannot write a prescription without a prior doctor/patient relationship. This means that in order to get any drugs, your pet will need to be examined first by a new doctor. This may be inconvenient if you need medication right away. Also, if your pet is on a special therapeutic diet, bring along an extra supply in case you can’t find the food in a strange area.

Stick to your regular feeding routine while traveling, and give your pet its main meal at the end of the day or when you’ve reached your destination. It will be more convenient to feed dry food if your pet is used to it. Dispose of unused canned food unless it can be refrigerated. Take along a plastic jug of cold water to avoid possible stomach upset the first day, as new areas can have minerals or bacteria in their water supply that pets need time to adjust to. Give your pet small portions of both food and water and plan to stop every two hours for exercise.

Consider having your pet examined before you leave as well, to check for any developing problems.  Have your current veterinarian’s phone number handy in case of an emergency. Also, be sure to travel with a copy of your pet’s medical records, especially if the animal has a difficult medical history.

Find hotels, motels, and campsites that accept animals and book them ahead of time. Click here to view hotels that accept animals.

To avoid losing your pet during a trip, make sure your pet is wearing an i.d. tag. To be doubly protected, consider having your pet tattooed or having a microchip implanted. Keep in mind the more methods of identification, the better chance that the owner will be found. Microchip databases are specific to the United States and Canada, so register your pet in both countries if you will be driving from one to the other. You can also register the name and phone number of a relative who can identify the pet in case the owner can’t be reached while traveling.

It’s important to carry health and rabies vaccine certificates, particularly if you will be crossing the border into Canada, the US, or Mexico. All three countries allow dogs and cats to enter if they meet stringent entry requirements. Depending on the country, exotic pets may be allowed to enter, though they may need further documentation. Call the Agriculture Department or embassy of the country or state to which you are traveling for information on the vaccinations, documentation, fees, or quarantine that may be required to bring your pet into the country.

Most importantly, try to plan ahead for unusual or emergency situations. What you don’t need in the middle of a trip is one more thing to worry about. People get into a panic if they don’t have enough medication for their pet, no appropriate documentation for travel to other countries, or money to pay for border fees. Be prepared by bringing a copy of your pet’s medical records, proper documentation and medication and knowing the laws going into the new city or country. Preparation is the most effective way to help ensure a smooth, enjoyable trip for you and your pet.

Click Here to Learn More About Raw Dog Food

Related posts:

1. Tips For Traveling With Your Pet Traveling with your pet usually involves more than putting...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Traveling with your pet usually involves more than putting the animal in a car and/or plane, especially if you’re moving or traveling far away. Before you start traveling with your pet, here are a list of things to do before the trip.

First, make sure you locate a local veterinarian or pet hospital that is close to where you are staying.  This way, you will be well prepared in advance in case anything happens.  Email the veterinarian for pictures, a price list (if possible), check reviews online and do your research.  Drop by the vet’s office when you arrive and make sure that it meets your expectations in the areas of cleanliness, caring and well-trained staff, reasonable fees, and convenient hours.

Next, make sure you always have your current veterinarian’s phone number handy in case of an emergency or if the temporary veterinarian needs more information about your pet.

If your pet has any medical problems, make sure they are examined before the trip.   Some countries require a full exam and health certificate, and the United States and Canada require a valid rabies certificate.  Make sure you discuss this with your veterinarian.  It is always a good idea to travel with a copy of your pet’s medical records, especially if the animal has a difficult medical history.

If your pet is on medication, be sure to have plenty for the trip and then some.  Veterinarians cannot write a prescription without a prior doctor/patient relationship.  This means that in order to get any drugs, your pet will need to be examined first by its new doctor.  This may be inconvenient if you need medication right away.  You may want to ask your current veterinarian for a prescription before you travel.

If your pet is on a special therapeutic diet, purchase an extra supply in case you can’t find the food right away in your new area.

Carry a first aid kit for your pet. While first aid is no substitute for veterinary care, knowing basic first aid could save your pet’s life.

Do your research and make sure the hotels you are staying at accept animals.  Click here to view hotels that accept animals.

Thinking of using a boarding kennel? Get recommendations from your veterinarian and make sure your pet’s vaccines are up-to-date.

If traveling by plane, call the airline in advance to check out regulations and services and to make reservations. Some airlines will allow pets in the cabin, but you will need to purchase a special airline crate that fits under the seat in front of you.

Learn more about your new area. Your veterinarian can tell you if there are any diseases like heartworm or Lyme disease and vaccinations or medications your pet may require. Also, be aware of any unique laws. Some places have restrictions on exotic animals (ferrets are not allowed in some cities),and there are restrictive breed laws in others, such as no pit bulls allowed. Your pet could be affected by these laws, so call ahead to the city or travel information bureau for more information.

If you’re traveling between countries, it’s important to carry a rabies vaccine certificate. Expect your pet to be quarantined in certain locations. Hawaii has a 120-day quarantine period, and the United Kingdom has a six-month quarantine period. Call the Agriculture Department or embassy of the country or state to where you are traveling for information on special documents, quarantine, and additional costs to bring the animal into the country.

Canada has an automatic veterinary inspection for $35 at the border for pets entering from countries other than the United States. New Zealand has mandatory microchip implanting and a $10 scan fee at the border. Make sure you have the right kind of currency and enough of it to pay any fees or your pet will be boarded.

To avoid losing your pet during a move, make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag. To be doubly protected, consider having your pet tattooed or having a microchip implanted. The more methods of identification,the better chance that the owner will be found. Microchip databases are specific to the United States and Canada, so register your pet in both if moving between these countries. You should also register the name and phone number of a relative who can identify the pet in case the owner can’t be reached while traveling.

Overall, make sure you have enough medication for your pet, appropriate documentation for travel to other countries,or money to pay for border fees. Be prepared by bringing a copy of your pet’s medical records, proper documentation and medication, and know the laws before going into the new city or country.

Click Here to Learn More About Raw Dog Food

Related posts:

1. Traveling With Your Dog or Cat In The Car 101 Traveling with your dog or cat in the car...
2. Ten Tips for Preventing Pet Behavior Problems Many pet behavior problems can be easily prevented as...
3. Intestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats Intestinal parasites in dogs and cats are one of...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Exercise For Dogs 101

Dogs can be great fun to exercise, because they can get you out and moving yourself.  You don’t want to hit the ground running with your pooch, though.  Just like people who aren’t used to exercise, exercise for dogs that aren’t used to it should start off slow.  Begin with a visit to the veterinarian to discuss your plans and ensure your dog has a clean bill of health.  After your veterinarian gives you the go-ahead, start your dog on suitable exercise for beginners.

Moderately paced walking and swimming are a good way to start–they let canine athletes build their cardiovascular and muscle strength without putting undue stress on their joints. A daily ten- to 15-minute walking or swimming session is a good start; you can build to an hour a day if your dog seems up to it.  If, after a few months, he’s doing well and can handle long, fast walks without fatigue, he can graduate to jogging with you.  Once he’s adapted to the exercise, you and your dog can run and walk to your heart’s content, if you take a few precautions:

• Keep a close eye on your dog: watch for any unusual signs of fatigue or trouble breathing. If your pup wants to stop, let him. Dogs that overdo it can suffer strained tendons or ligaments or other orthopedic problems.
• Don’t expect your fuzzy buddy to be a weekend warrior, even if you only get exercise on the weekends yourself. After a long week without exercise, your dog may be ready to get out and burn off energy. But because of their enthusiasm, many of the popular breeds, such as Labrador and golden retrievers, will overdo it.
• Safety first–keep Rover on a leash when you run. Even the best-trained dogs can run into the path of a car or a territorial animal. And if you have to run when it’s dark out, put reflectors on your dog’s collar as well as on your clothes.
• Concrete and asphalt are tough on the paws, especially on hot days. Try to run on dirt paths or grass as much as possible. Gravel, cinders, and road salt can also irritate paws.
• Take it easy in extreme weather. If it’s freezing cold or hot and steamy out, either keep your run short or play a little indoor fetch instead.
• The more active your dog is, the more water he’ll need. Make sure he has plenty of fresh water before and after your run. If you’re going for a long run, take some water along for him.

If your dog is getting bored with running or walking, take heart: there are other ways to get him the exercise he needs.  A 15-minute game of fetch makes for a good workout. Supervised play with other dogs is a good option too.  Tug-of-war is not a good game because it can damage his teeth and may increase aggressive behavior.  If you have the time and your dog has the inclination, you could even try running him through some agility obstacle courses, which incorporate a range of activities.  If you’re interested, your veterinarian may know of a dog agility organization in your area.

Click Here to Learn More About Raw Dog Food

Related posts:

1. The Importance of Exercise For Pets You know exercise is good for you.  You know...
2. The Importance of Cat Exercise Cat Exercise? I know what you may be thinking....
3. Various Cat Behavior Problems Explained Your cat Ms. Jinx is great. She snuggles, she...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

You know exercise is good for you.  You know that exercise can give you energy, help you maintain a healthy weight, keep your muscles and joints flexible, help you live longer, and above all, make you feel better.  So what about exercise for your pets?  For all the same reasons, your pets need to get up and get moving.  Not only can exercise extend your furry friends’ lives; it may also expend some of their nervous energy and make them a little less likely to chew on the living room drapes.

The thing is, without someone to lead the way, your pet may not run laps or do leg lifts in their spare time!  So as a wonderful pet parent, part of your job is ensuring your animal family members get safe, enjoyable exercise on a regular basis–whether they’re cats, dogs, turtles, or ferrets!  All pets need some physical activity to live a happy, healthy life.

Different pets need different amounts of exercise, so you’ll want to talk to your veterinarian before starting your pet’s workout program.  With your veterinarian’s approval, you can embark on an exercise program that won’t seem like work at all–to your pet, it’s play.

Exercise For Pets In Cages

Yes, your pets in cages need exercise as well. Some small exotic pets, such as mice, geckos, turtles, or small birds, can get enough exercise simply moving around their cage. Larger animals, however, may lose muscle tone or become obese if they don’t get enough activity. There are a few ways to make sure your exotic gets moving:

• In the cage. Some pocket pets and birds can get plenty of activity with toys inside their cage. The well-known hamster wheel is an excellent way for hamsters, gerbils, and rats to burn off extra energy. Also, most pet stores carry sections of plastic pipe that you can attach to your pocket pet’s cage for extra running room. Climbing ladders and hanging mirrors and bells can help keep birds active and moving around their cage.
• Letting them out. If it can be done safely and you can watch him closely, letting your exotic pet out of the cage is an excellent way for him to stretch and move his muscles. If your pet is small enough, you can put him in a “hamster ball” and watch him roam. Some larger animals like rabbits, iguanas, and birds can safely explore your living room if you watch them carefully; be particularly watchful for rabbits, guinea pigs, and the like chewing on electrical cords.
• Getting fresh air. Building a small, securely covered outside pen may be a good idea if you have an exotic pet. Most larger exotic animals–including rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, snakes, iguanas, and turtles–will enjoy some time in the sun and the grass, provided they are protected from predators. You’ll just need to make sure they’re always supervised and that your lawn hasn’t been treated with any chemicals.
• Swimming. Believe it or not, swimming can be great exercise for reptiles. Many snakes and lizards are thrilled to slither or paddle around in a few inches of water. Because they carry salmonella, reptiles shouldn’t swim in a bathtub or swimming pool used by people. Instead, you can buy a children’s wading pool and keep it just for your pets’ use.
• Making them fly. If you have an overweight bird that refuses to fly, you’ll need to coax him to walk and to move his wings. One trick to get him to flap is to hold him on your arm and move that arm up and down; he’ll move his wings to keep his balance.
• Going for a stroll. With training, some rabbits and iguanas can actually learn to enjoy walking on a leash with a harness.

Whatever their species, animals’ need for exercise is just as vital to their health as their need for shelter, good food, and clean water. For help in designing an exercise plan for your pet, contact your veterinarian.

Click Here to Learn More About Raw Dog Food

Related posts:

1. The Importance of Cat Exercise Cat Exercise? I know what you may be thinking....
2. The Importance of Exercise For Dogs Exercise For Dogs 101 Dogs can be great fun...
3. A List Of Things To Consider Before Buying A Pet Sure they may be cute and cuddly, but buying...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Cat Exercise?

I know what you may be thinking. Making my cat exercise? Are you kidding me? Cats can make laziness into an art form: snoozing in the afternoon sun, stretching a little before they plop down on your lap for the night.  But as immobile as they seem, they still need to get up and moving on a regular basis.  Cats are a bit different than dogs, however–they’re designed for short, frequent periods of intense activity, rather than longer, slower-paced exercise sessions.

There are some wonderful toys you can buy to get your cat active, including kitty trees that will let her climb to the ceiling and mechanical animals she can chase around the room. There’s no reason to reach into your wallet for toys your cat may or may not like, however, when there is endless entertainment around the house.  There are a few main ways you can entice your kitty into activity:

• Things she can bat.  Anything light that moves easily across the floor can give your cat a chance to practice hitting and chasing. Balled up pantyhose and paper work well; for some reason the rings that come off of milk jug caps also seem to be irresistible.  Just make sure that she’s not batting anything she could chew up or swallow.
• Things she can chase.  The end of a moving string should bring out the predator in even the most sedentary cat.  Again, just make sure she doesn’t swallow the string.
• Things she can explore.  Empty boxes and paper bags may get your cat to climb in, out, and on top.
• Things she can scratch.  Scratching stretches and tones the muscles in your cat’s shoulders and back.  A scratching post–or even a piece of cardboard or carpet–can keep her active without shredding your sofa.

Whatever game you play with your cat, don’t use your hand or fingers as “bait” or as the object of teasing.  This teaches him that it is all right to scratch and bite your hands–a lesson you will want your cat to unlearn in the future.

The key is to find out which kind of toy is the most tempting to your cat and to use it consistently.  You may have to try a lot of different activities to before you find your kitty’s favorite.  Some cats can even be trained to walk outside on a leash.

Click here to buy cat toys.

Click Here to Learn More About Raw Dog Food

Related posts:

1. The Importance of Exercise For Pets You know exercise is good for you.  You know...
2. The Importance of Exercise For Dogs Exercise For Dogs 101 Dogs can be great fun...
3. 2 Common Cat Behavior Problems Resolved Chewing and scratching are two of the most common...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.