Pet Goddess

This is from the ASPCA, on how to keep your pets safe and healthy in winter weather.

Keeping Pets Safe in Winter Weather

Posted November 5, 2009 Comments(0)

Here is great advice on how to help keep your pet safe this winter. From the dangers of anti-freeze and rock salt, to what to feed your pet at this time of year, you’ll find great advice here: 10 Winter Tips: http://www.nsalamerica.org/press_room/10-winter-tips.html

Posted November 3, 2009 Comments(0)

a.. 70,000 puppies and kittens are born every day in the U.S.

b.. Between four million and six million pets are euthanized every year because they are homeless.

c.. That means between 11,000 and 16,000 pets are euthanized every day simply because they are homeless.

An animal in a shelter is killed every 1.5 seconds.

Only one animal in 10 born in the U.S. gets a good home that lasts a lifetime.

What can YOU do about this?

Spaying and neutering helps reverse the tragedy of pet overpopulation. It can also reduce your pet’s chances of developing deadly, costly medical problems, and can also improve your pet’s behavior.

Remember, the dog has no choice. YOU do. Help control the pet population by spaying or neutering your pet, and by making sure you take your pet parent responsibilities seriously.

Posted October 22, 2009 Comments(0)

One question we get quite often from readers is how to introduce two new dogs to each other when they intended to adopt a new addition to the family.

One of the best ways of doing this is to have them meet on the street as if they are just passing by, and then walking together and going home. If you have a cat, try to make sure that they do not meet each other too abruptly, but are kept in separate rooms where they can become aware of each other without any danger to either pet.

By introducing them on the street, most of the time they will not get too fiesty outdoors, or feel too territorial. They will feel less need to protect you and their home. If you use a crate, you can also make sure that the new arrival has one as well, so that no one feels compelled to share or be too sociable if they don’t wish.

Remember that a crate is not a punishment at all, but the dog’s den where he can feel safe and secure, a room of his own.

There will also be a big difference in attitude depending on if they are two girls, two boys, or a mix. All but Bedlington terrier females do not tend to get too territorial or aggravated towards each other, so they should be fine. Any snarling and growling should be 2 girls so they should be taken as a serious warning sign that they should not be allowed to go too close.

If the new dog is a replacement for a bereaved pet, the other advice we want to give you is that even though the dogs might be the same breed, and even look identical, no two dogs are alike, so make sure you do not have any unfair or unreasonable expectations in this situation. The personalities and relationships will not be the same, but the good things is, they might be even closer!

Another helpful hint is to feed them separately for a while too, plus keep toys separate and so on, especially if they get snarly with each other.

And remember, you are the boss and alpha so it is up to you to make it work, which, if you have confidence, it will.

If you are adopting now, just think of what a kind thing you are doing, rescuing a dog that needs a home, especially in this economy. Best of luck with your new family member!

Posted October 19, 2009 Comments(0)

Here is a super article from the ASPCA about the possible hidden dangers of your dog and cat toys!http://www.aspca.org/news/tri-state/10-16-09.html

Posted October 16, 2009 Comments(0)

When you have pets that live both indoors and outdoors, you run the risk of fleas. Fleas not only attack your pets, but also the other people living in the house. Here are a few ways to rid your puppy and yourself of this minuscule menace.

Fleas are a fact of life for animals. Your puppy will get them if he ever goes outdoors without adequate flea protection.

Fleas are small, so they can jump from puppy to another surface like the couch and then to you.

Fleas bite, and can carry diseases. For most puppies, the bites are irritating and cause scratching. For some puppies, the bites cause flea bite dermatitis. This condition is miserable for puppy.

Flea bites can also result in a severe allergic reaction that can lead to anemia and even tapeworm infestation.

Once fleas have infested your puppy, they can be the devil to get rid of. Some owners use flea baths, over-the-counter pesticides, and flea collars. These work for some, but not for all. Also, over-the-counter remedies can be dangerous to a young puppy, and even your family.

Flea products like growth regulators and pesticides attack the flea eggs and the adult insect, respectively. Growth regulators take a few weeks to work, but produce non-viable egg offspring from the adult fleas. However, killing the adult insects doesn’t guarantee that the eggs will die as well.

If the infestation is severe, a stronger substance may be warranted. Before buying anything, consult with your veterinarian to find out the best course of treatment for a young puppy. The items that they carry are safer and more effective than what is found in the stores.

Flea combs are also a good course of treatment. Combing puppy’s fur once or twice a week can rid him of harmful fleas. Comb him when he comes in from outdoors before he has a chance to jump on everything in the house.

Cleaning puppy’s normal haunts on a regular basis will cut down on problems with fleas as well. This includes puppy’s bed, his blanket, his crate, and his toys. Vacuuming the rugs and the furniture keeps fleas away from others in the household.

Don’t forget to throw away the bag after you vacuum, or they will come right back out again!

If you decide to treat your home for fleas consult a professional. Using substances like borate powder can be dangerous. Inhaling the powder can make everyone very sick. Professional application is the only way to go.

Fleas are a nuisance and a health hazard for the whole family. They can love puppy to an irritating distraction. Protect puppy as best you can through routine cleaning, combing and visits to the vet.

Posted June 3, 2009 Comments(0)

There are also healthy edible bones, and natural rawhide-avoid the colored stuff, and cheap rawhide that comes from South America. 

Puppies are excitable creatures.  This excitement can cause them to chew everything in sight.  To avoid destruction and mayhem, stay calm around your puppy and remember, he will grow out of this sooner or later.   

Some dogs stay puppyish for life, and they chew to relax, but not all dogs remain so playful and high-energy. 

One final word of warning-make sure you NEVER allow puppy to teeth on human body parts. You may not mind it having a go at your finger, but a stranger on the street, or worse still, a child, might think it was a bite. Always give it a chew toy instead.   

Always make sure the dog is supervised as well with bones and balls-choose something large enough in proportion to the dogs mouth that it can’t be swallowed.   

Never play tug of war with your pet. In addition to possible hurting its teeth, if you ‘lose’, it will think it is the boss of the pack, the alpha, and start showing more aggression. 

With a bit of consistency and forethought, training your puppy to only chew on his chew toys will pay off in a happy, healthy dog that is welcome wherever he goes.

Posted December 22, 2008 Comments(0)

Leaving and entering the house showing a lot of emotion (waving wildly at puppy, making a big fuss over him) will get puppy hyped up, or confused.   

Not knowing what to do with his heightened emotional level, he will begin chewing on anything he can find.  Try to keep things low key when you leave the house, and always say the same words, like “I’ll be right back.” 

Then when you get home, don’t immediately make a fuss over the puppy and greet it. Instead, put down your bags, take off your coat, basically get settled, and THEN turn your attention to your puppy for a few minutes of low key attention and bonding.   

Of course, one of the easiest ways to stop your new pup from becoming a one-dog wrecking crew in your house is to give it a chew toy.  There are many safe, well designed chews, some of them durable, some of them edible. 

When he must chew, he will chew on something that is meant to be used for chewing.  Nylafloss is a piece of nylon rope that helps to clean puppy’s teeth while he is releasing his emotional energy.

Posted December 20, 2008 Comments(0)

Of course, never EVER give a puppy a stick to play with, or bones to gnaw on. One single bone chip can literally be the difference between life and death. Store anything you value and don’t want to have chewed in higher places where puppy can’t reach or knock them over.  It is the same thing as child-proofing your home like a responsible parent. 

If puppy gets a hold of marbles, coins, or small kid’s toys, he could choke while chewing on them, so be sure these small things are picked up and out of puppy’s reach at all times. Puppies chew when they are excited.  It is a way of releasing pent up energy.   

He also doesn’t know that he has done anything wrong unless you tell him so. You have to educate him firmly.   If puppy does chew on stuff in the house, don’t spank him.  He may be responding to your behavior and chewing even more out of defiance.

Posted December 18, 2008 Comments(0)

Then we have the suddenly less lovable puppy because it is your Italian leather couch he is munching on.  It is puppy’s instinct to chew, but he needs to be taught what is his and what isn’t. A lot of the expense incurred by pet owners comes as a result of chewing.  Puppies chew the most when you either aren’t home or aren’t looking. They are bored, sad, or just plain teething. It also calms them to be able to chew, especially if they are hungry and there is no dinner available. 

The first step to curbing the chewing habit is to puppy proof your home.  Keep puppy confined to areas of the house where you have no valuables.    Don’t leave your puppy alone even when you are in the house.  When puppy is in the room with you, use a baby gate to prevent him from wandering around, or make sure he is in his crate.   Use a curio cabinet for collectibles and other trinkets.  Coffee tables need to be free of vases, flowers, and other things that can be potentially dangerous to puppy. Many flowers are poisonous. So can plants and things like Christmas trees, and even the water in the stand if you have a fresh tree.

Posted December 16, 2008 Comments(0)