puppytales

We are going through a terrible hair shedding problem at our house. I am brushing and grooming our dogs, but still cannot keep up with the dog hair around the house. So I am very interested in getting any reviews/comments about the Furminator. Have you used it? Did you find it to work well? Was/is it worth the money?

I did read a review on dogster.com about the Furminator, and I am happy to report it was all good. This grooming tool for dogs apparently did what it says it will do and then some. It got rid of old hair (hurrah!) and gets out mats. I was most impressed to read that one user of the Furminator successfully brushed out a “humongous ball of hair” in 3 minutes.

So I am more than likely going to be trying out this grooming tool soon, but thought I’d put out a request for any pros and/or cons from other pet owners that may have used it before.

Anyone?

Have you heard of Sitter City?  The name is pretty common around the Internet, and is synonymous with parents needing the services of a qualified babysitter for their children.  BUt in case you didn’t know this already about Sitter City, parents of 4 legged furry babies can find qualified sitters as well at Sitter City.

Check out Sitter City to find out more about their pet sitting  and dog walking services.

This should make dogs tails wag in homes everywhere. There is new treat hitting pet store shelves as I write this. Pet Botanics Omega Treats, a hand-rolled dog snack that looks and smells like sushi, so we are told, is being touted as a healthy snack for dogs, especially those that are watching their weight, ahem.

They have just 9 calories each and are loaded with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. “They won’t give your pooch a paunch like a lot of dog biscuits will,” says Tony De Vos, president of treat maker Cardinal Laboratories. I am sure that will please many poochy pups that are desperately trying to slim down.

The basic ingredient is fish and, as at your favorite sushi restaurant, there are varieties to choose from, such as cod rolled with tuna, salmon or duck. At $4.99 tab for a 6-ounce bag may, it may seem a bit pricey, but hey, don’t you want to pamper that special dog   in your life, while helping him loose that paunch?

1. Ear Mites can actually live anywhere on a dog, not just in their ears.

2. Ear Mites are extremely contagious. A mother dog can transmit them to her new puppies, and animals in the same household can easily transmit the mites to each other, including cats, rabbits, gerbils, etc. Humans however are not affected.

3. Ear Mites are very common but can be very serious if left untreated. Ear Mites can cause infecions and even deafness in an animal’s ears.

4. If Ear Mites spread out from the ears and move to other parts of the body, your dog may or may not scratch that area. Dogs and other animals will scratch at their ears if they have mites however.

5. Puppies and kittens with ear mites will scratch around their ears and/or shake their heads. The amount of scratching and shaking depends on the severity of the mite infestation.

6. In severe cases of Ear Mites, there can be bleeding in the ears. If you check your dog’s ears and see dried blood, it could be a sign of a mite infestation and you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

7. Give your pet the entire course of the prescribed ointment or lotion. If you stop a few days short because the problem seems to have gone away, parasites and bacteria may still be present and multiplying, prolonging the infection.

8. Dogs with long, floppy ears are more prone to ear mite infections.

9. The most common signs of Ear Mites in Dogs ( and other cats! ) are :

• excessive and persistent scratching around the ears;
• head shaking;
• restless behavior;
• the ears are painful to the touch and the pet may cry out in pain;
• brown material present in the ears;
• a foul-smelling odor.

10. If you have more than one pet in your household, and one of your pets is diagnosed with Ear Mites, you should go ahead and treat all the pets at the same time as mites will move from animal to animal.

The Cloud Star Buddy Wash is my all time favorite shampoo for my dogs. I have tried a lot of dog shampoos over the years, and none have compared to this one. It is all natural with wonderful ingredients such as coconut oil, vitamin E, aloe Vera, Chamomile, and wheat protein extract. I absolutely love how soft and shiny my dogs coats feel after they had their baths with this stuff!

It is especially good if your dog has itchy skin, dandruff or sensitive skin. Because it is PH balanced and does not have any chemicals, it is very gentle. The shampoo works into a really nice lather, and the light lavender aroma is great…no yucky wet dog smell anymore! Plus, my dogs stay smelling delicious for days after their baths. I can tell that they even feel good after they’ve been bathed.

A word of caution though—- do not use Cloud Star Buddy Wash Shampoo on cats! While the shampoo is safe and gentle for dogs, it is not the same for cats. Cats can actually get sick from some of the ingredients in this shampoo– so if you have a cat as well, please do keep it away from them!

A 19 0z bottle will cost you between $9-$12.00, depending on the store you buy it at. Not the cheapest dog shampoo you can buy, but it is worth the price. And it doesn’t take too much to lather up nicely, so it will usually last quite while.

It gets kind of difficult to appreciate those affectionate kisses your dog insists on planting on you when he has bad breath. All dogs can have mild to moderate doggie breath, and some dogs may be seem to be predisposed to have doggie breath worse than others.

Contrary to popular belief, dog’s bad breath is not usually a result of dog food — although it is possible that a change in food, especially going from hard to soft can cause a severe case of bad breath!

Actually, bad breath in dogs is usually the result of build-up of plaque and calculus on your dog’s teeth . The bad breath you are smelling is a signal that your dog needs some dental care, and probably the sooner the better.

Dogs need their teeth brushed daily and can also benefit from chewing on “dental” toys and rawhide treats. Brushing a dog’s teeth not only helps eliminate doggie breath, but it also promotes healthier teeth and gums.

If it’s possible for your dog to eat hard dog food, it is better for the teeth, gums, and breath. Talk to your veterinarian about different types of food that will work for your dog’s dietary needs.

And keep in mind that puppies often have a very big problem with bad breath. Puppy breath is normal, and as the puppy gets older, the problem becomes much less severe.

Also, check with your veterinarian if you notice a severe or sharp change in the odor of your dog’s mouth.

Taking good care of pets is easy to do while also doing our part to take care of our environment. Being Green is so important these days in everything we do, so here are a few ideas to keep you and your pet green as well!

1. Grooming Organically.

Buy only organic grooming and bathing products for your puppy. Products that contain phosphates, sulfates and other chemicals that are harmful to the planet. So shop around and talk to Vets and other animal loves to find the best all natural and organic products available.

2. Pick Up After Your Dog!

Don’t forget that pet waste left outside is an environmental and health hazard. Pet waste contains harmful bacteria that can enter the water system via storm drains. So be sure to pick up your dog’s waste and dispose of it in the trash, or better yet, a compost heap! And don’t forget to use biodegradable bags to dispose of waste instead of regular plastic bags!

3. Recycle Instead of Buying.

Your pet will love any toys you give them, so try recycling things you no longer use for toys. Just make sure the recycables are safe for pets first! Something as simple as a piece of rope or paper bag can provide hours of fun. Old blankets and pillows can become a new bed. If you do buy, purchase items made from natural, recyclable materials.

4. Spay and Neuter.

Help keep the environment from being even more populated with unwanted puppies and kittens. You will also be helping to keep your puppy or kitten healthier…. spaying and neutering also helps your pet live longer by reducing the risk of several types of cancer and prostate disease.

5. Adopt a Pet.

There are tens of thousands of puppies and kittens born in the U.S. every day. Controlling the pet population is always green, so why not adopt instead buying a new best friend?

• OMG…what is cuter than a fluffy white puppy that looks like a snowball? Not much, which may be why you could be tempted to have a puppy like that be your new best friend! But there are things to consider before the cuteness factor wins you over. For example, the grooming of your new puppy. Do you have the time, patience and energy that will be needed to brush and maintain all that cute fluff? Can you live with the inevitable fur you’ll find on sofas, floors, counters? If you are shaking your head “No”…then maybe you might want to check out puppies and dogs that require the minimum when it comes to grooming. Check out this list of dog breeds, and see if one of these puppies or dogs might fit into your lifestyle a little better:

• Doberman Pinscher – This dog requires minimal grooming. You can use a sisal brush and a hound glove.
• German Shepherd – You can get away with brushing the German Shepherd about once a week. The exception is during shedding season, when you’ll need to brush this breed every day. Use a curry or slicker brush.
• Labrador Retriever – This low maintenance dog requires minimal grooming. Occasional brushing should be enough upkeep for this breed. Use a bristle brush and a medium-toothed comb.
• French Bulldog – Besides cleaning facial folds, you won’t have much grooming to do with a French bulldog except an occasional brushing. Use a bristle brush, hound glove and fine-toothed comb.
• Whippet – This delicate-looking dog needs very little grooming care. An occasional brushing will suffice. Use a hound glove or grooming glove.