My Dog Has Dry Skin
by admin on Mar.08, 2010, under Uncategorized, cats, dogs, kittens, online pets, pets, pets accessories, pets care, pets gift basket, pets products, pets reviews, pets service, pets store, pets suppliers, puppies
Taking care of a pet involves more than just playing with it and making sure it looks good. After all they are part of the family and need just as much love, care and attention as a child does. When we bring a dog home, we do so with the knowledge and understanding that you are undertaking a responsibility and will have to fulfill it. The animal trusts you to take care of all its needs and in return you are rewarded with the utmost devotion and loyalty. While owning a pet is a wondrous joy one cannot deny that it is a challenge and at times when the pet falls sick owners have to go through a lot emotionally and in terms of taking care of the dog.
One of the most common complaints that vets get to hear from clients is >my dog has dry skin. Even though a dog’s skin infection may not seem like a big deal, the truth is they are terribly painful conditions and the dog has to undergo a lot of misery and suffering as a result. Hence it is important to understand why dogs suffer from skin conditions such as a dog rash, itchy skin, flaky skin and other associated problems. Treating these problems and addressing them immediately is of the utmost importance as they become aggravated with time and can cause the dog to suffer from hair loss, other more serious infections and even acute chronic illnesses like skin cancer.
Some of the causes of skin irritation and itching in dogs are-
1. Allergies: food allergies and those caused by a skin condition caused dermatitis are the most common causes of itchy and dry skin in dogs. Dermatitis is seen to make a sudden appearance in most canines and results in severe reactions to substances, surfaces and materials that the animal might have had tolerance towards in the past. Dermatitis is usually triggered off when the dog comes into contact with some substance that causes its skin to become inflamed or raw. An extended case of the allergy can cause the skin to dry up and become flaky as well. Dog shampoos, perfumes, household cleaners, laundry detergents and common chemicals around the house can cause allergies. Food allergies are usually caused when the dog is unable to digest a certain food properly or when it reacts to a combination of food ingredients or medications.
2. Fungal and Bacterial Infections: yeast infections cause dogs’ skin to become scaly, itchy and dry. Red rashes, oozing sores and raw wounds are usually a byproduct of fungal and bacterial skin infections in dogs. Other ailments such as ringworm too are a form of these infections. The added danger is that these conditions can pass from the pet to other animals in and around the house and to the family members.
3. Immunity Disorders. These disorders are more serious in nature and require specialized veterinary attention.
4. Intestinal Parasite. Parasites are often able to be cured with aid of dog digestive enzymes.
5. Too much exposure to water Over exposure to water and spending too much time a the water limits the dogs natural ability protect its skin with oils produced by the skin.
6. Thyroid Conditions. Thyroid conditions can also be treated by providing your dog with enzymes.
Knowing the reason behind the question My Dog Has Dry Skin will go a long way in curing and prevent skin conditions in your pet. We hope this article on dog itchy skin issues itchy dogs as informative and provides some insight into improving the health of your pet!
Bill has been caring for pets for over 20-years and has help many pet owners cure dog scratching, canine yeast infections, skin almost all skin infections and allergies can be solved!
Aother – Bill Beckett
The Different Types of Pet Trusts
by admin on Feb.01, 2010, under Uncategorized, cats, dogs, kittens, online pets, pets, pets accessories, pets care, pets gift basket, pets products, pets reviews, pets service, pets store, pets suppliers, puppies
There are a number of different types of pet trusts: the traditional trust, the statutory trust, the living trust, and the testamentary trust. Regardless of which kind of trust you choose, it is strongly recommended that you enlist the help of a lawyer who is familiar with estate planning in your state.
The traditional pet trust is the most common choice among pet owners. In this type of trust, the owner can designate both a trustee and a caregiver, and then provide explicit instructions on how the money should be distributed and what kind of care the pet is expected to receive.
The statutory trust is less involved and requires the courts to participate in governing the trust. The owner only needs to make a simple provision in their will such as “I leave ‘X amount’ in trust for the care of my (dog/cat/etc.)”.
One key difference between the two is that the traditional trust can be set up as a living trust or a testamentary trust… and here’s the difference:
A living trust is created while the owner is still alive and becomes valid immediately. This enables the owner to make provisions for the temporary care of their pet in the event that the owner becomes disabled due to injury or illness.
Living trusts often have additional start-up costs and administrative fees because of this unique feature.
A testamentary trust simply means that the trust provision is included in the pet owner’s will. The pet trust does not become valid until the owner dies and the will is probated. There are also no provisions for the pet if the owner becomes sick or otherwise disabled.
So, which is the best type of trust for you? That all depends upon your needs and circumstances. The best way to choose the right type of trust is to consult with an estate planning or elder law attorney who specializes in handling pet trusts.
onlinepetsadvice.com was created by the founders of The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys http://www.onlinepetsadvice.com, a national organization promoting excellence in estate planning by providing its exclusive membership of attorneys with up-to-date research, educational materials, and other vital practice management techniques. To learn more about pet trust laws and to sign up for our free e-course on how to protect your pet’s future, visit our website.
Aother – R G Armstrong and Sanford M. Fisch
Crazy for Catnip?
by admin on Jan.21, 2010, under cats, dogs, kittens, online pets, pets, pets accessories, pets care, pets gift basket, pets products, pets reviews, pets service, pets store, pets suppliers, puppies
Is your cat crazy for catnip? When she gets some catnip does she start frolicking around the room and displaying behavior that is normally too “undignified” for a cat?
Well, according to Pet Place most cats (70 to 90 percent) are likely to exhibit at least some reaction to catnip, which is an herbal relative of the mint family. Even the housecat’s super-sized cousins (lions, pumas and leopards) get turned on by it.
Some cats get whacky when they smell the stuff – licking, meowing and rolling around. Other cats don’t get the same kind of buzz. And a few show absolutely no interest in catnip at all. Cats of reproductive age tend to enjoy it more than older or younger cats, while kittens under 8 weeks of age and cats that are fearful or stressed may avoid it altogether.
Scientists aren’t sure what causes the “catnip reaction” but most kitties have a blast when they’re around it. The fun usually lasts anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. But after the frolicking is over, most cats won’t respond to catnip again for at least another hour.
Many people buy catnip toys for their kitties. Some catnip toys propel your kitty into overdrive while others seem to get little or no response at all.
Why is that? Well, like everything else, not all catnip toys are created equal.
The active ingredient that gives your cat a “buzz” is called nepetalactone. It’s highly concentrated in the leaves and blossoms of the catnip plant, but not in the stems. Which means catnip that contains stems will have less of an effect on your cat.
The catnip used in many commercial catnip toys and products is made from the entire catnip plant -stems and all. This “toy grade” catnip is cheaper, but the toy will be much less appealing to your cat.
Another important factor in the effectiveness of a toy is the actual amount of catnip the toy contains. Some manufacturers merely “scent” their toys. Others use only a small amount of catnip, stuffing their toys with “fillers” like cotton or plastic. These toys will be far less pleasing to your precious pet.
When you buy loose catnip, look for a greenish hue. It means the catnip is fresher, which is important because catnip loses its potency as it ages. But you can’t see the catnip inside the toy, so how will you know if it’s fresh? Take a sniff. If you can’t detect any herbal smell, chances are the catnip is old or of low quality.
A Fundraising site for Shelters
by admin on Jan.21, 2010, under cats, dogs, kittens, online pets, pets, pets accessories, pets care, pets gift basket, pets products, pets reviews, pets service, pets store, pets suppliers, puppies
I was recently contacted about a new site who’s goal it is to support not only the pet community, but animal shelters as well. Here is some information from the press release:
Roseland, N.J., June 22, 2009 – Shop ‘til you drop in support of animal shelters, then get together with friends to share stories, advice and even pictures – all online. That’s the goal of the newly launched www.bringpetshome.org. The fundraising Web site also offers exclusive content for cat and dog owners which includes information on pet care and safety, information on animal shelters, as well blogs, groups and open forums.
The site’s primary purpose is to raise money to help shelters care for homeless pets. It serves as an online portal where visitors can access more than 150 major online retailers, like Amazon, Sephora, Wal-Mart, iTunes, and many more. To raise money, online shoppers register at www.bringpetshome.org to select a shelter to support, then click-through to the merchant of choice. Each retailer specifies a percent commission on the Web site and donates that percentage of the purchase to Bring Pets Home. There is no additional cost to the consumer.
Every year, six to eight million animals enter U. S. shelters. According to the ASPCA, as many as one million additional dogs and cats are in danger of losing their homes in 2009, at a time when fewer donations are coming in. All need food, shelter, and medical care, so that they have the chance to be reunited with their original owners or adopted into caring, permanent homes.
“Bring Pets Home is a great way for pet lovers to raise money to help homeless animals without ever leaving home—and at no cost to them,” says Linda Block of Bring Pets Home. “More pets are entering shelters, but donors’ purse strings have tightened. Anyone can help by simply remembering to visit http://www.bringpetshome.org to click-through to a favorite online merchant whenever shopping online.“
About Bring Pets Home
BRING PETS HOME is a not-for-profit animal charity that raises money to help animals in shelters across the country. 100% of the money raised will go directly to animal shelters to provide food, shelter and medical treatment to pets in need. All operating costs of BRING PETS HOME are covered by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. There is no additional cost to the consumer. To learn more, visit www.bringpetshome.org.
