Stop Dog Eating Cat Food

Many pet owners have this common complaint and struggle to stop their dog eating cat food. This is because cat food is richer in protein and has a stronger smell hence this makes it irresistible for the dog, making it near impossible for owners to stop a dog eating cat food. There are many ways to stop your dog from eating cat food.

• The first thing you could do to stop a dog from eating cat food is to yell a basic command like “No” or “bad dog” the minute you catch your dog in the act. Along with this command you could also have a water spray bottle ready to squirt the dog in order to stop him. But ensure that you do this immediately as waiting for too long will only confuse the dog as he wouldn’t remember the crime he had committed.
• Another command you could use to stop your dog from eating cat food is “leave it” So the minute your dog tries to get to the cats food you shout ”Leave it” and give it a little correction in order to get its attention. When the dog turns to look at you, you should praise it and give it its favorite toy or any kind of special treat only once it leaves the cats’ food. The main idea behind doing this is to teach the dog that it will be corrected if it goes near the cats food and given treats if it doesn’t.
• You could place the cats food in a spot that is easy for the cat to get to but difficult for the dog. If the cat can jump high then place the food on a high table or shelve so that the cat can reach it but not the dog.
• You could also try to feed both your pets at the same time in order to avoid this problem. However most cats rarely eat a lot of food at one time in stead they spread out their food into a lot of tiny meals. You could also build a little baby fence around the area where you place the cats food in order to keep dog from eating cat food.
• Remember that you should never physically abuse your dog in anyway. Even a little tap on the butt or the nose should be used as the last resort. By hitting your dog too often it will only end up making the dog unhappy and confused. This ultimately leads to a more disobedient dog than before.

Tick, Flea Control for Dogs

Dogs are a favorite host for fleas and ticks. These parasites suck blood from their hosts and are the root cause for the transmission of a number of diseases. This is why controlling tick infection in dogs is so important.

• You should keep your dog out of the woods and other grassy areas as it helps minimize any possible exposure to the parasites.
• Always perform a tick check on your pets, including around the eyes and inside the ears, after they return home from a romp outside. By removing a tick within 24 hours of infestation, you can reduce the chances of disease.
• On a monthly basis apply topical insecticides on your pet’s back. They are easy to use and protect your pet from ticks and fleas. These insecticides kill both adult fleas and larvae. You must consult a veterinarian before using them on sick, aged, pregnant, or nursing animals.
• There are also sprays for flea or tick control which come in pump bottles or aerosol cans. Use the spray in small doses on all the areas of the animal. The sprays repel fleas and ticks and also stop development of flea eggs.
• You can use special shampoos to get rid of ticks. For tick and flea control in dogs you must apply the shampoo all over the dog’s body and allow it to stay on for at least ten minutes prior to rinsing it off. Make sure that the shampoo doesn’t enter the eyes or ears as it may be harmful.
• Medicated collars are also effective for tick control for dogs. You must use the collar properly and ensure that that the dog doesn’t chew the ends. You must use collar in conjunction with other flea and tick products. A good tick collar will kill the ticks in 24 hours or less.
• You may also use special dips which contain permethrin, pyrethrin, or organophosphates. Place cotton balls on your dog’s eyes and ears before using such dips and ensure that you apply them in an area that is well ventilated.
• It is important to confirm that your dog is responding well to the products that you use for tick and flea control. In case you suspect an adverse reaction or observe symptoms such as loss of appetite, elevated body temperature, labored breathing, seizures, and increased excitability you must visit your vet. Meanwhile, bathe your dog with a mild detergent and rinse its body with large amounts of water.
• Apart from using tick control measures on dogs, you must spray the kennel and yard properly to avoid tick and flea attacks. Ticks like leaves, debris, bushes, and long grass, so it is vital that you remove these things from your lawn, and from the areas where your dog plays. Regular use of insect development inhibitors may reduce the risk of fleas becoming established in the indoor and outdoor environment and on your pets.

Aloe Vera for Dogs

Aloe vera is a natural product with many health properties and is safe for dogs. Aloe vera products are used often to assist healing in dogs. Aloe vera extracts in any form are used for various purposes such as treating skin disorders, infections, and open wounds.

Aloe vera contains amino acids, calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc. It contains vitamin such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. It is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic in nature and also acts as an anti-oxidant. Aloe gel for dogs contains enzymes which break down inflammatory proteins and enhance healing. It is essential to consult a veterinarian before using aloe vera or any other herb on your dog.

Here are a few conditions where you can use aloe vera for dogs to stimulate quick recovery of wounds or incisions:

• Before applying aloe vera, you must clip off the fur carefully from the affected areas on your dogs body. You must then take a wash cloth soaked in cool water and clean the affected areas gently.
• If you dog has a swelling on its leg or minor skin punctures, using aloe vera will give quick and effective results. Aloe vera juice for dogs is highly recommended and should be given daily as a part of its food. Also, aloe vera gels for dogs can be applied directly to the dog’s wounds and rubbed onto its leg to ease swelling. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is also soothing, toning, protective, and moisturizing to the skin.
• For treating surgery incisions, aloe vera gel for dogs must be applied several times a day to hasten healing. It also reduces itching on wounds after surgery.
• Aloe vera also brings immediate relief to fleabites and poison ivy.
• Aloe vera for dogs can help soothe and heal dog skin allergies. Apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to the affected areas. You must repeat this process every day, until the rashes begin to heal.
• Use a dog shampoo that contains colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera for bathing your dog once or twice a week. After your dog’s fur dries, apply some fresh aloe vera gel onto the affected spots.
• Aloe vera gel is also recommended in case of dog eczema treatment.
• Aloe vera is safe for dogs when applied externally on the affected areas. Dogs will also refrain from licking the part of their body where the gel has been applied due to the herb’s astringent flavor.

Dog and Water Safety

There are several things to consider when discussing dog water safety. While it is important to consider water safety when your dog is playing in a pool or is swimming in a lake or another source of water, water safety may also include the kind of water that your dog is consuming. Most dogs spend most of their time outdoors and if they have been very active, or if it is especially hot outside, the dog might need more water than it normally requires. If you are around and notice your pet’s needs, you can immediately offer the dog water or replenish the water in the dog’s bowl. However, if the dog’s water bowl is running empty and you are not around to give it water, it may end up drinking from a questionable source. This exposes your dog to a variety of parasites and microbes that poison the water and make it unfit for drinking.

Stagnant bodies of water are home to many species of bacteria and fungi. Ponds, bogs, and other small sources of water will usually be your pet’s first stop if it requires water and cannot find it in its bowl. Consuming contaminated water can cause dog vomiting, diarrhea, and flatulence. If the dog consumes water contaminated with blue-green algae, the dog can even die.

For maximum water safety, make sure when your dog is participating in an activity or is outside, it has plenty of clean water to drink. Keep checking the dog’s bowl to see if the water is running low.
Another great danger that pets have from water sources is that of drowning. Dogs are usually good swimmers, unlike cats who hate water. However, depending upon the age and the physical condition of the dog, swimming to large distances may not always be a good idea. Swimming is an excellent exercise for your dog. However, proper dog health care and precautions should be taken to make sure that your dog is safe while in the water. One of the best dog swimming tips is to make sure that the dog is supervised closely while it is swimming. Also make sure that the water in which the dog is swimming is clean. Algae infested waters are as dangerous to your pet as they would be to your child. Therefore, always make sure that you check the water source for cleanliness before you let your dog in.

Dog pool safety is an issue that many dog owners take seriously. While in a pool your dog is safe from sudden currents, keeping the dog in the pool for a long duration of time is not advisable. The dog may have a cramp and may drown before you have the chance to help it. If you are taking your dog swimming with you, always make the dog wear a life jacket approved for canines as a safety measure.

Dog Flea Control

There may be no single treatment for fleas that could be recommended as the best flea control for dogs, but most products available in medical stores are quite effective. The key to effective treatment is through meticulous observation of the prescribed instructions.

Fleas can be really problematic for dogs. These minute parasites feed on blood, and if you find just one flea on your dog or around the vicinity, you can be sure that there are a whole lot more. A flea infestation can be troublesome and discomforting to any dog, but more so to some dogs. As with humans, some reactions are much greater in some individuals because of greater sensitivity to the trigger. This is also true for some dogs, as it is possible for a dog to be extra sensitive to the saliva of fleas. Under such circumstances, just one flea bite can be enough to trigger intense skin irritation and itching, a condition referred to as flea allergy dermatitis. In severe cases of the condition there may even be thickening of the dog’s skin and hair fall. This occurs as a result of the relentless cycle of itching and scratching. The raw exposed skin is even more problematic because of the increased susceptibility to infections.

Fortunately there are plenty of products that are very effective not just at killing off, but also at repelling fleas. Your veterinarian would however be the best source of information if it is a specific product recommendation that you need. All of these products come with detailed instructions that you need to follow to the tee. Many pet owners are under the mistaken impression the more the powder or shampoo you use the more effective it should be. This is not only untrue, but it is also dangerous to your dog, as all of these products do contain toxins or chemicals of some kind, whether natural or artificial. In other words their use is best restricted to what is deemed necessary.

The most important measure of flea control for dogs would be to take protective measures against flea infestations. When a dog has a flea infestation you need to treat it to kill of the fleas. But this is not adequate, as fleas can survive away from the dog and are capable of traversing great distances. You need to make sure your house and any other pets are also treated for fleas. Make sure that all linen, and clothing is also washed and treated appropriately.

Make Dog Smile

A healthy and loved dog is always a happy dog. A happy dog behavior is such that it reflects its sense of security and overall health, such as wagging the tail, responding to the owner’s commands, generally sociable and so on. Almost all dogs tend to have a natural look on their face which lets their owners know that they are happy. Learning how to make one’s dog smile results in the owner also being happy and assured that his best friend is well looked after and content. Dogs are most happy when they are outdoors on walks as they get a chance to breathe in the fresh air, interact with other dogs, exercise and even catch some new and intriguing scents. Even a leisurely stroll with their owners is sufficient to make dog happy.

Hence owners are advised to make time and take their dogs out for a walk everyday which in turn also help the owners in keeping fit. In order to avoid anxiety and stress associated with being left alone, it is advisable to enroll in a dog day care which will allow them to socialize and even improve their temperaments. However adequate research should be done to confirm that the other dogs at the day care are not suffering from any contagious infections that may be transmitted to your dog. Dogs live to please their owners and hence are most happy when they are told or rewarded for positive behavior by their owner. These treats or rewards may be in the form of their favorite food or even a simple pat is sufficient. A healthy dog is a happy dog, hence ensure that the dog vaccinations are up to date and he is taken for regular health checkups to the veterinarian.

One of the patent questions asked is do dogs smile? There are certain breeds of dogs like Dalmatians, Samoyeds and others that do have a natural smile like expression whereas some other dogs can actually trained to smile on command. Some owners have trained their dogs to smile by gently pushing each side of the dog’s mouth towards the top in the form of a smile and then using reinforcing statements like “oh you’re smiling”. If this step and the reinforcement is repeated several times the dog gradually learns to smile on command within a week or so depending on how consistent and patient the owner is.

Check Dog Pulse Rate

It is essential for most dog handlers and dog owners to ascertain the correct way to take dog pulse solely to try and tell when a dog may be in distress at some time. When trying to take a dog’s pulse one will need only a clock that you will have to hold in one hand. The common method used to check a dog’s pulse is by first locating the dog’s main artery which is found in it groin area. One can also check a cat’s pulse in this way. Start by placing your finger tips around the dog’s hind leg front and then proceeding to move slowly up the crease that is formed between the dog’s abdomen and thigh. Next proceed to slowly move your finger tips forwards and backwards over the dog’s inner thigh till one is finally able to feel the dog’s pulse. The dog pulse can feel differently for different dogs. Some may have a strong beating pulse while other dogs may have a light beating pulse. It is essential to try and eliminate all other surrounding noises and to try and stay focused. One can even try keeping their eyes shut to help concentrate more on finding the pulse. You can try counting the frequency of pulses that occurs in say about 15 seconds and the taking that number and multiplying it four times. Thus in this way you will be able to arrive at the pulse beats of the dog in a minute.

However it is beneficial to know what your dog’s pulse rate is normally to thus measure against in a crisis.
The usual pulse rate for most dogs is between 70 to about 120 seconds per each minute. However exercise or even excitement can cause a dog’s pulse to beat much faster. Also it has been observed that smaller dog breeds tend to have faster pulses than larger dog breeds. Normally for cats the pulse rate is usually about 110 to about 130 beats in a minute. Thus it is essential to keep one’s dog in good health. If the pulse rate is unusually high it is essential to find out the cause of the elevated pulse rate and accordingly give dog medicine. One should ensure that one’s dog is eating healthy and nutritious food. Additionally it should be getting plenty of exercise and also that it is drinking adequate amounts of water.

Show Affection to Dogs

No one can be taught how to love dogs or any pet, but mentioned below are the top 10 most popular ways guiding owners how to show affection to dogs and other pets.

• Provide plenty of exercise opportunities to your dog: Many a times pet owners tend to feel that simply feeding their dog and grooming them is sufficient to keep the dog happy. However dogs of all breed and sizes enjoy running around and playing which helps them exercise and keeps them fit. Playing with the dog also strengthens the bond between the dog and the owner and is part of loving your dog.
• Avoid feeding chocolates or human foods to show your affection.
• Pet owners tend to feed their pets human foods or treats such as chocolates, raisins which are actually very dangerous for the animals and may give rise to medical issues in their pets.
• Monitor your pet’s health. Pets tend to fall sick from time to time and this is demonstrated by changes in behavior, eating habits, activity levels. Responsible pet owners should monitor their pet’s behavior to prevent any medical problem from escalating if left unattended.
• Spend quality time with your pet: Most pet owners provide the best of foods and  medical care to their pets but don’t spend quality time with their pet, playing them, or simply hugging them to express their affection.
• Training your dog: A well trained dog is the best companion to have as the owner does not have to deal with unruly behavior or a messy house whereas the dog is also keen to please its owner and thus is eager to learn.
• Reward your pet or dog: Dogs also feel loved when their owners reward them for good behavior as they aim to please.
• Schedule regular visits to the vet: The medical health of a dog should also be given priority via regular medical checkups. This will also help avoid health problems including dental issues in future.
• Avoid over feeding your dog as though you may do it out of love and affection, obese dogs or pets have many health complications.
• Give your dog its own comfortable place in the house as they tend to be territorial. This will also give the dog a sense of security.
• If traveling make sure your pet has all his vaccinations in place and his documents updated. Keep interacting with the pet while traveling if possible to reduce its anxiety.

Neutering Dogs

The process of neutering or castration of dogs involves the surgical removal of the dog’s testicles after which he will become sterile. In some cases many dog owners are curious as to how to neuter dogs, this is usually done by the veterinarian who will administer a general anesthesia to the dog and will keep it under observation for 3-4 days. Most healthy dogs will return to their normal behavior and eating habits within 5 days post surgery. The ideal age as to when to neuter dog is around nine months of age because they are young and tend to recover faster. Similarly neutering in bitches is known as spaying which involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries thus making them sterile.

Neutering dog pros would include elimination of the possibility of testicular tumors and prostrate diseases related problems. Additionally they are not as sexually excited and hence will be less likely to stray in search of a female mate. Most owners have also stated that their dogs tend to be calmer and less aggressive towards people and other dogs. Infact many unneutered dogs are known to be very territorial and provoke dog fights to prove their male dominance. Neutering of dogs has both health and behavioral benefits.  Most veterinarians also state that dogs that are neutered have lower chances of developing perianal fistulas, diabetes or even ulcerative lesions in their anal area which is observed in dogs that are not neutered. Another benefit of neutering dogs is controlling the already existing problem of pet overpopulation by not allowing your dog to breed. This also gets rid of the problem of finding new homes for the puppies.

At the same time neutering dog cons include exposing the dog to certain health risks in the later part of their lives such as osteosarcoma which is a type of bone cancer. Chances of a dog suffering from bone cancer increase if the dog is neutered before he completes one year of age. Other medical disorders that may arise include malignant heart tumors, cardiac hemangiosarcoma and urinary tract cancer. Some dogs that are neutered are also known to be more prone to imbalance in their thyroid levels and even adverse reactions to vaccines besides other orthopedic problems. Another common side effect of dog neutering is the dog becoming quieter and less active on account of change in the hormones. This reduction in activity and hormonal changes also result in the dog gaining weight.

Dog Adoption

Although a puppy may seem to be adorable and cute at first all prospective dog owners must realize that adopting a dog requires investment of time, money, energy and a lot of patience.

Before getting a dog, one should ascertain the reason for doing so. Sometimes owners may say that they are adopting the dog for their son or daughter however they need to realize that the dog is a family responsibility and eventually everyone will get involved in its supervision and care. In some cases a dog may be adopted to provide protection however this is advisable only if the protection is in agricultural or professional areas and there is a qualified dog trainer or dog behavior specialist available. Additionally some people may adopt some exotic breeds of dogs just because they are trendy or fashionable. However in the long run they may not be able to groom or maintain the dog suitably. Some people are also sensitive or allergic to dog’s fur or dried skin cells. In such cases they may want to adopt dogs that are non allergenic or tend to shed lesser than other breeds of dogs. While adopting a dog the individual needs to remember that owning a dog is a fairly long term commitment which could go upto 16 yrs. Hence one should keep in mind the lifestyle changes that they will have to undergo to accommodate the dog. Owning a dog also requires a significant amount of financial investment on account of their food, grooming, training, medical costs, accessories etc. Besides the breed of the dog, the prospective dog owner should also be sure of the gender he wants to adopt as female dogs tends to be more companionable and friendly as compared to male dogs. However female dogs tend to get troublesome during their six monthly menstruation. Some common dog adoption tips will require the individual to consider the size of their living space before adopting a dog as each breed is physically different from the other. Elderly people of families having children may also need to check the temperament and suitability of the dog as some breeds get along better with children and the elderly as compared to other breeds. The time required for grooming or maintaining a dogs coat is another key deciding factor.

If the individual already has other dogs and cats living with them then they need to check the adjustability factor of the breed before adopting a dog.