Sooner or later when you own a dog, they get to an age where moving around isn’t quite so easy. Pet ramps can help your pet to get in and out of your car, even if they can no longer jump in on their own. A fairly new addition to the pet accessory department, dog ramps can accommodate nearly any vehicle or animal.
Based on the same technology that allows mobility challenged people to enter a van or make it up a set of steps, dog ramps are designed to replace steps or simple jumping. As your dog ages and things like joint disorders, hip dysplasia and arthritis set in, your dog might find certain movements more difficult. Even if all your dog is dealing with is an injury, a dog ramp can help maintain their mobility while the injury heals.
Dog ramps come in a variety of sizes, lengths and materials. For around the house a foam ramp may be most suitable, allowing your pet to get up onto the couch with ease. If you want a ramp to travel with, allowing your dog access to the car, you can consider a folding ramp that is made of metal or wood. These ramps slide into your trunk space and are taken out when needed. The longer the ramp, the shallower the angle your dog will need to climb. For even more comfort get a comfortable dog bed. No matter what kind of ramp you chose, you will enjoy the knowledge that you are doing something to help out your best friend.
National and local dog shows have continued to increase in popularity as American’s fascination with dogs continues to grow. Dog shows are an excellent way to get involved with your dog, spend quality time with your dog and network with other dog lovers. They require significant time and effort; however, it can be a rewarding experience showing off your pride and joy to an arena full of people and possibly even a television audience. Regardless of whether you will show your own dog or have a handler do so, you will need to take the following steps to get started.
1. Research breed standards and requirements: If you have a registered pure bred dog you will need to make sure that the show you wish to enroll in accepts your particular breed. In addition, you will have to make sure your dog conforms to the required standards of the breed or he will not have a very good chance of winning or being allowed to compete in the first place. Breed standards are different for each breed, but they share some of the same specifications. Your dog’s coat should be one of the allowed colors, his ears should have the appropriate clip or fold, he should be of a certain height or weight and other physical characteristics.
2. Attend dog shows: Try going to as many dog shows as possible to observe the dogs and their handlers. Pay special attention to the requirements placed on the dog so you can later mimic them at home. You can also use these events as an opportunity to network with other dog owners or handlers. It would be beneficial for you to find someone who owns your particular breed so you can ask them any questions you may have. People love to talk about their dogs and they will likely have some valuable information to give if you just ask.
3. Fill out the appropriate paperwork: You will need to complete entry forms or applications for any show you enter. You will also likely have to pay an entry fee to participate in the show. When filling out your paperwork you will need information about the breeder, your dog’s parents, your dog’s medical history, place and state of birth, etc. Before submitting the application you should make sure all of your information is correct and up-to-date.
4. Train your dog: This is the most time consuming portion of dog showing; however, it will pay off regardless of what place your dog achieves in the show. This training will help the two of you to increase your bond and have fun together. Perhaps the trickiest part of the training is the “stacked” position where the dog stands for judging. Some dogs must free stack while other breeds can be assisted, it just depends on the breed so do some research on this one before training. The stacked position involves standing erect with head held high, torso forward and legs straight behind the dog. You will also need to teach your dog to sit and stay by your side and to heal while on a leash. If you are having problems with this training, as most people do, try enrolling in a ring craft class for help. You are allowed to use small treats in the ring so use them in training to motivate your dog.
5. Groom your dog: Grooming for a show requires more than your standard shampoo and nail clip. Show dogs must be impeccably groomed and depending on the breed this could include an elaborate haircut, ear and teeth cleaning, fur bleaching and many others. You should also brush up on your grooming skills as you will be responsible for any touch ups required just before show time.
If you are like most dog owners with middle-aged dogs you fear the increase in health maladies that accompany the aging of his body. Unfortunately, cancer is the number one disease related cause of death among our canine companions. Cancer is a devastating disease that can take its toll on a pet parent financially, physically and emotionally even when the prognosis is good just as it can among people with a family member diagnosed with cancer. While some cancers are not preventable there are steps that you can take to reduce your dog’s chances of developing cancer:
1. Spay/Neuter: Statistics indicate that spayed female dogs have a much lower risk of developing mammary tumors while neutered males have a statistically lower rate of testicular cancer. These findings are significant and should not be ignored as they are a sure way to dramatically reduce your dog’s chances of being diagnosed with these cancers.
2. Fewer vaccinations: The battle over canine and children vaccinations is a controversial subject over which both sides have passionate arguments for. While puppy vaccinations are recommended by almost all Veterinarians some now consider a number of factors before providing yearly vaccinations to your adult dog. Some problems attributed to frequent vaccinations include suppressed immune systems, and impaired health which can shorten your dog’s life. Many veterinarians now believe that a more natural, common sense approach to vaccinations is best for your dog, as opposed to frequent and excessive vaccinations for any potential eventuality. They argue that fewer vaccinations keeps your dog’s immune system strong and may protect your against the possibility of contracting cancer. Ask your Vet for a thorough explanation of why your dog needs any recommended vaccine and never discontinue vaccinations without first talking to your Vet.
3. Provide quality food: While there is no direct link between feeding your dog commercial grade dog food, there are many diseases that are caused by poor nutrition. Dogs who are fed on low grade commercial food are more prone to urinary tract infections, kidney disease, dental disease, obesity and heart disease. While no direct links can be made there are several carcinogenic compounds that turn up in these dog foods from time to time. Good nutrition through higher quality foods can help to promote overall good health which can be a tremendous asset to your dog if he should ever have to undergo cancer treatments.
4. Use vitamins: While there is no guarantee that vitamins and minerals prevent cancer, they can keep your dog’s immune system healthy and more able to fight disease or infections. Some Veterinarians maintain that the administration of antioxidants help dog’s bodies prevent the formation of free radicals and protect against canine cancer onset. Some examples of antioxidants include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, selenium, lycopene and beta carotene. Antioxidants are also present in foods and many holistic vets feel that natural or whole food is the best antioxidant source available for your dog. This can be a difficult balance to provide for your dog so always consult your vet before changing or adding to your feeding or vitamin regime.
5. Detoxify his environment: Dogs pick up pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals in your house and yard. Toxic for both you and your dog, these chemicals can potentially cause cancer in your dog. It is best to keep all cleaning products, gasoline type fuels, anti-freeze and pesticides up and out of reach of your dog or locked in floor level cabinets. Also, keep your dog away from the home for several hours if it is being sprayed for bugs. Another factor to consider when detoxifying your dog’s environment is second hand smoke. Studies have shown that the second hand smoke from human cigarette smoking causes higher instances of nasal and lung cancer in canines.
Remember that prevention is important; however, it should not take the place of check-ups and screenings at your Veterinarian’s office. Early detection is key to treating cancer successfully in people as well as their four-legged friends. Article submitted by the generous authors from pet-super-store a site with dog beds for large dogs, extra long dog gates
Declawing is the innocuous word used to describe an onychectomy or the surgical removal of a cat’s nails. The most common and least expensive declawing method is known as the Guillotine Method and involves removing the end of the toe bone thus permanently removing the claw with it. This method can cause severe bleeding and when not done properly can crush the ends of the toes. The Blade Excision Method is similar; however, involves a surgical blade removal of the toe bone ends. The least common, most expensive and most time consuming method is the Laser Method. Laser removal reduces bleeding and recovery time for the cat, but is not as popular due to the expense involved.
There is considerable controversy around the topic of declawing and the decision to do so should not be taken lightly. In most European countries, Australia, Brazil, Japan and others, the practice of declawing has been deemed illegal under animal cruelty laws. There are groups mobilizing in the United States to prohibit the practice as well; however, it is still a legal and practiced procedure in the States. Advocates of the procedure argue that cats can be destructive and that declawing helps to ensure that the cat keeps his home over ending up in the shelter for destroying it. Others argue that their cat is kept indoors and does not need the use of her claws to hunt for food or for protection.
Opponents to this procedure argue that it is cruel and inhumane and its practice should be stopped altogether. With many cats escaping from their indoor homes they will need their claws to survive outdoors. Also, millions of cats are surrendered to shelters every year from their former indoor homes. While their previous owner felt it necessary to declaw them it might not be the choice of a potential adoptive family. This camp also maintains that cats use their claws for a variety of other necessary reasons including communication and exercise. They communicate with people and with other animals using their claws. They also use their claws to hang onto an object and stretch and strengthen their legs, lower back and other important body parts. Another argument from this side is that the surgery is simply needless and causes unnecessary pain and possible future complications for no good reason.
In most cases people opt to declaw to prevent damage to possessions; however, there are some cases in which experts agree that declawing is acceptable. In some extremely rare cases a cat may be relieved of a potential health problem by removing the claws. In cases which the owner of the cat has a compromised immune system as a result of HIV or a similar autoimmune related disorder or is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer declawing can be a life-saving procedure for the owner. These patients can not risk the bacteria or infection that could result if scratched by their cat. Again, these situations are rare, but they do happen and are sometimes good reasons for declawing.
Most experts will encourage you try other methods to control scratching before resorting to declawing. Considering declawing is painful and permanent there are other options that could work for you and your feline friend. Introduce your cat to a scratching post and praise her when she uses it. This will reduce her need to claw your drapes and furniture. This sometimes alleviates the problem completely; however, if it does not try placing nail caps on your cat’s claws. These small plastic nail covers slip over the cat’s existing nail and prevent digging into people or possessions for about a month or so. They are inexpensive and come in a variety of colors. If these options do not work consider taking her in for regular nail trimmings at the groomer to keep the nails at a shorter, more furniture-friendly length. There are options if you wish to take the time to explore them before resorting to surgery.
With so much controversy centered on dry dog food and dog food recalls in the news dog owners are increasingly concerned with proper nutrition for their dogs. While there are many excellent dry dog food choices on the market, there are a host of vitamins and minerals to supplement their diets. The dramatic increase in dog popularity has resulted in increased awareness regarding their nutritional needs. With so many supplements on the market it can be confusing to choose what is right for your pooch pal. Before making your choice it is best to familiarize yourself with each ingredient its benefits before making a choice. Here is a list of common supplements or additives for your consideration:
1. Ascorbic Acid: Ascorbic acid is a sugar acid with antioxidant properties that aids in the production of collagen which is important to bone and connective tissue production. Vitamin C is the most common form of ascorbic acid and is produced naturally within a dog’s liver. While Vitamin C is commonly supplemented among humans, it is typically not necessary for dogs. Only dogs with liver disease who are unable to produce their own ascorbic acid would need this particular substance.
2. Bonemeal: This supplement is a sterilized source of animal bones that provides needed calcium and phosphorus. This supplement is ideal for nursing mothers or growing puppies or dogs who eat meat, but not the bones they would typically eat in the wild.
3. Chondroitin: This is a molecule that occurs naturally in the body and is one of the main components in cartilage. Chondroitin keeps cartilage healthy by absorbing fluid into the connective tissue and blocking enzymes that can break cartilage down. Combined with Glucosamine, this supplement can help to stop damage to cartilage and treat osteoarthritis pain.
4. Flaxseed Oil: Derived from flax plants, this essential oil (also known as linseed oil) contains alpha-linolenic acid that helps prevent heart disease, arthritis and other health conditions such as chronic inflammatory disorders. While this supplement can be useful, most Veterinarians agree that fish oil with Omega-3 fatty acids work more efficiently in canines.
5. Glucosamine: This amino sugar is responsible for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid within the joints. Combined with Chondroitin, this supplement can help to rebuild joints and alleviate some pain associated with osteoarthritis.
6. Green Lipped Mussel: This shellfish has long been linked to low rates of arthritis in humans and has just recently been proven to help arthritic dogs. Studies show that when dogs are fed with this supplement their mobility returns in just six weeks.
7. Kelp: Kelp is a well kept secret super food for dogs. Kelp promotes better digestion, healthy skin and coat, higher resistance to infection and even helps healing from an accident or injury. Kelp is high in fiber and acts as a cleanser for the digestive tract.
8. Iron: This essential metal is necessary to carry oxygen to the cells of the body through the blood. Dogs need 36.4 milligrams of iron per pound of food eaten. Most commercial dog foods will provide enough iron for your dog; however, dogs with iron deficiencies will need it as a supplement. Be careful as too much iron in a dog’s system could lead to iron toxicity.
9. Omega-3: Dogs are not able to synthesize fatty acids so they must get them from their diet. If a dog’s diet is not high in these acids they can be supplemented through additives to his diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely helpful in promoting healthy skin and coat and helping with treatment of autoimmune disorders.
10. Yucca: This is an all-natural steroidal supplement and is a natural anti-inflammatory and pain reliever with relatively mild gastric side effects. Yucca can be used for a variety of reasons to relieve pain and inflammation.
