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Friday, November 22, 2013

The Fundamentals of Caring for a Sick Pet Dog

If you are like most pet parents, your treat your dog with utmost care. You are concerned about their overall well-being. When the inevitable situation of sickness happens to your favorite animal, it is your responsibility to make sure he is nursed back to health. Take the time to do what it takes for your pet dog to become lively and beautiful creature that it has always been.
How do you care for your pet animal when he is ill? With your pet doctor's advice, make sure you know what your pet is going through and what to do to alleviate his condition. Your dog will love you even more for it.
1. Keep your canine friend comfortable.
You need to make sure he is not disturbed when experiencing an illness. He needs a quiet room without a lot of people coming by to be able to get all the rest he can have. If necessary, you can set up a "recovery bed" for him with a pillow or soft bedding. You can also give him a blanket and his favorite toy by his side.
2. Give him easy access to food and water.
Your dog needs all the nourishment to recover quickly. Make sure you are able to give him something so he doesn't sleep hungry. More often than not, a sick animal refuses to eat, so you can cook up something creative that will "tempt" him to take a few bites. Treats are often effective, and so are homemade recipes. Most dog owners and experts recommend skinless chicken and rice that are easy on your dog's stomach. Keep your pet hydrated too, with clean drinking water.
3. Always monitor.
Throughout the period of sickness, your beloved animal will not be able to care for himself. Check his vital signs at least thrice each day and take note of the results. Make sure you give him proper medicine, as recommended by your vet. Remember that giving your dog the wrong dosage can be potentially fatal, so always pay attention to your vet's instructions.
4. Keep a log of the animal's condition and progress.
Make it a habit to always take important notes when it comes to taking care of your sick pet. All the information will be useful to gauge whether your dog's condition will need professional attention. You can also report this to your veterinarian who will shed light on the real situation and inform you of the actual solution that will help.
5. "No, he cannot play with you. Yes, it is a bad time."
Here's an important tip many pet owners forget: Your dog doesn't feel well, which means he isn't exactly up for some fun time. Instead he wants and needs to rest in order to recover. Let the kids understand that your dog does not want to play or run around. A sick dog is often irritable, but if you let him rest and gain back his strength, this shouldn't be a cause for concern.
6. Take note of this situation; take preventive measures so it doesn't happen again.
Prevention also matters. Protect your dog from parasites that weaken him or cause other problems to crop up, Give him trusted Aussie vet products that are formulated to protect him against parasites that affect him inside and out.
Your dog will get sick at a certain point of his life. With your vet's supervision, you can effectively deal with minor food allergies, slight stomach pain, mild fever and other non-threatening health situations. If your pet dog is still having health problems, be sure you don't waste a minute and take him to the vet right away.
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10 Essential Pet Supplies For Your Dog

With such a wide range of pet products available today, it can be tough to figure out exactly what are the most important supplies for your dog, especially if you have just brought home a puppy for the first time. That is why we have created this checklist of ten essential pet supplies for your dog.
1. Dog Bowls
One of first things you need to buy, dog bowls come in many shapes and forms. From simple ones to the automatic combo feeder types, which solve the problem of buying separate bowls for food and water and worrying about your dog when you're away from home.
2. Dog Food
Speaking of food, often times people give their dogs table scraps and random treats. However, what they might not understand is that they may be actually harming their furry friends, as dogs are allergic to many ingredients. Proper dog food is essential, because it contains all the required nutrients for your dog to have a healthy life.
3. ID Tags
ID Tags are very important to keep your dog safe, if he spends a lot of time outdoors or during a trip, for instance. They can be very stylish as well.
4. Flea and Tick Control
A flea and tick control product is an essential pet medication. Make sure you buy the appropriate products, because they are available in several versions, depending on the dog's age and size.
5. Dog Beds
Your dog probably won't mind sleeping on your couch or bed, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't appreciate having his own bed. There are several types of dog beds available: from the standard ones to the cooling and heated beds.
6. Leash
A leash is a must have for any dog owner, but with the constant fear of choking and causing their dogs suffering, many dog owners have restrained from using leashes altogether. Find one that is comfortable and safe for your dog, so that you both can have a nice walk in the park.
7. Brushes
It is important for you to brush your dog's hair on a daily basis, even though some breeds require more grooming than others. That is why grooming brushes are available in several types, depending on the dog's hair.
8. Chew Toys
Constant chewing is a fact that many dog owners know all too well, which is why giving your dog a chew toy is necessary to keep him from chewing off everything you own. You can even fill a chew toy with tasty treats, so that your dog is deeply engrossed in them rather than your shoes.
9. Dog Bones
Giving your dog a good dog bone not only keeps his teeth healthy, but it also prevents that awful breath which can make even the strongest fail. There are several healthy and affordable options to choose from.
10. Kennels
Kennels are a good option to keep your dog from wandering off or running a rampage in your house, but without a sturdy kennel many times it becomes extremely difficult for dog owners to achieve that.
Now that you know these ten essential pet supplies, don't forget the most important thing your dog needs: love.
Raul Alencar is the editor and creator of http://www.petsfanatic.com, where you can read more about Pet Supplies and many other subjects related to our pets.
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Thursday, November 7, 2013

Winter Weather Care for Your Dog

With the first autumn frost nipping at our fingers, our thoughts turn to keeping our dogs warm, comfortable and healthy through the colder weather ahead.
Most healthy dogs love the outdoors, even when the temperature plummets, but older dogs, puppies and dogs recuperating from illness might need special care and attention before exposing them to very poor conditions.
If you're in any doubt over your dog's health, or if he seems reluctant to venture outside in colder weather, it's worth a quick visit to your vet before winter sets in to rule out any reason that needs medical intervention.
Tips to keep your dog warm and healthy this winter
Warm Coats: Lean, smooth-coated dogs such as whippets may feel the cold more than bigger, rough-coated or long-haired breeds, so think about an extra layer for your dog when you venture out on walks.
There's a huge range of waterproof, windproof and well insulated dog coats on today's market, made from the same technical fabrics that are used for humans. Dog coats can also be bought in reflective materials for extra visibility at night. Invest in a quality brand such as Hurrta or Back on Track for the best protection against the weather.
Shelter: Make sure your dog has somewhere warm and cosy to settle down in winter. If he's an outside dog, adequate shelter from the elements is an obvious requirement, but give some thought to extra insulation for even more warmth. Hay and blankets are good and some kennels even have central heating!
Indoor pets also need a place to snooze in comfort, especially if you have stone, wood or tiled floors. Even carpets, though softer, don't really give your dog a comfortable space of his own. There are many excellent dog beds to choose from in a variety of styles, from padded blankets and fleece-lined, quilted round beds to beds with technical, thermal properties.
A quality dog bed not only keeps your dog warm in winter, it provides support and comfort.
Protect their feet: If your dog gets a bit hairy between his toes he could collect ice-balls and packed snow, which will make him very uncomfortable. Have your dog groomer clip the hair short in this area or invest in some boots for your pooch.
Diet: Humans tend to comfort eat in the cold weather, but try not to indulge your dog in the same habit - the results, combined with a tendency to not get quite as much exercise as usual this time of year, are predictable!
If your dog lives outdoors, however, he'll be burning more energy to keep warm, so you might actually need to feed them a little more. Also check water bowls regularly for outdoor dogs to make sure they haven't iced over in extreme weather.
With these basics covered, you and your dog are set for a happy and healthy autumn and winter.
Agility World is an expert on dog care, selling a wide range of insulated dog beds and quality dog coats from Hurrta and Back on Track. For more information see www.agilityworld.co.uk.
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