When your dog gets to the stage where a bath will no longer to the job, it is probably time for you to pay a visit to the groomers. It is not difficult to find a dog groomer in this day and age but it can be tough to find a good reliable groomer that you can trust. You wouldn’t go to a hair dressers or spa yourself without doing any research so do the same for your dog.

The following are a few tips to help you choose the right groomer that suits the needs of you and your dog.

Good Dog Groomer Selection Tips

Referrals – With all the advertising and marketing in the world today, word of mouth is still as strong and reliable as ever. Ask your friends and family for recommendations. Your local veterinarian, animal rescue centre or pet store may also provide you with the names of some reputable groomers.

Internet – Post on any local pet forums you may use to get feedback from others about their grooming experiences. A lot of dog groomers will have their own websites so spend some time looking through them. They may provide customer reviews on their sites. Local business review websites may provide you with comments and opinions.

Ask Questions – It is important that you ask the right questions and don’t be shy about it; they expect potential customers to quiz them. Some questions you should ask the groomer:

• Their experience as a groomer, their training and if they specialize in any particular size or breed of dog

• The type of service that they offer, what price is it for your breed? Is nail clipping, ear cleaning and anal glands emptying included in the price?

• What type of shampoo and cleaning products do they use? This might be an issue for dogs that have an allergies or skin conditions etc.

• Where will the dog be kept before and after grooming? Will they have access to an outdoor area or somewhere to go to the bathroom and will they be safe and secure?

 Check Facility – When you have decided on a groomer, you should visit their place of business to check it out. Have a look around to see if the grooming area looks clean and safe. In the case of a mobile groomer, be sure to inspect their vehicle in the same manner. It should be apparent pretty much straight away if they are not a professional organization. Pay attention to whether any dogs or owners that may be there seem happy and relaxed. Most importantly, does your own dog seem happy in the facility!

The Groomers – Talk to the groomers and discuss any health issues or problems your dog may have. Also ask for their opinion on how they think your dog’s hair should be cut and also how often your breed of dog needs to be groomed. Do not forget that they are professionals. Dog groomers should like dogs so observe how they interact and handle your dog and how your dog acts towards them.

Finally

You can get any amount of recommendations and look at loads of websites and advertisements but you need to use your own judgement too. Some PetShop online have a list of approved groomers which can always help your decision  Follow your intuition and if any part of your facility visit or conversation with the groomer does not feel or look right then maybe you should look elsewhere. You should get  your dog groomed as often as they need it to help keep them feeling and looking good.

Dogs love to play and toys are important, both for training your dog and for keeping it amused when you are not around.  Dogs are so keen to play that if you don’t provide them with something to chew and throw around, you are likely to come back and find cushions and chair legs destroyed. You do need to be careful what you give your dog to play with as they don’t consider danger and could chew through wiring with disasterous results.

Dog Toys to Avoid

Some toys are safer than others for dogs, obviously something that is too small will end up in their stomach and something with sharp edges could cut their mouths. Try to get dog toys that are consistent with your dog’s size and strength. Give a big dog a flimsy toy and you will soon find that it has been torn to shreds and your pet is eyeing up the nearest chair leg. The strength of a dog’s jaws, differs widely, depending on the animal’s size, so pick chew sticks that are appropriate to the size of your particular pet. You need to give your dog tennis or throw balls that are of an appropriate size, as you don’t want the ball to lodge in their throat. Similarly stuffed toys are not good for dogs as they may ingest the stuffing when they are tearing them apart.

Better Safe than Sorry

You’ve had most of the bad news, the good news is that there are plenty of safe toys for dogs available these days. Toys can make a real difference to your dog’s life, from when you are involved in puppy training, to the times when your pet is left alone and needs something amusing to pass the time.

Chew and Puzzle Dog Toys

Certain rubber chew toys are a fantastic buy as you can get them in different shapes and sizes, appropriate to the breed and size of a particular dog. Choose those rubber toys with a hollowed out centre as you can fill them with your dog’s favourite treat. Puzzle toys and treats are also a good choice as they come in a range of sizes. The great thing about puzzle toys is that they have a number of holes, the idea is to fill the holes with treats and when your dog rolls the toy around he is rewarded with his favourite biscuits.

Solid Chew Toys

You can get a range of chew toys that are not set up for hidden treats, again these come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Make sure that the chew you buy is appropriate for your dog and replace it when you see signs of wear and tear.

Balls

Most pet shops sell a range of hard rubber balls and providing you pick the one appropriate to the size of your pet these are great for throw and fetch games.

Cotton Rope Toys

Cotton rope toys are great for playing tug with your pet. Make sure that you buy a good quality cotton rope toy so that your pet is not swallowing bits of cotton every time you play. You should always replace toys when they start to show signs of wear.

About the Author

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of House Of Paws. Click this link to visit their site.

Photo: PetteriO

Yes, we love our cuddly dogs. But most of us are apprehensive about approaching unknown dogs, and rightly so. It is not recommended for people to go near dogs that they do not know. If you want to pet one, only come up to it if its owner is around and gives you permission to do so. Otherwise, stay away from it. It is also very important to stay clear of strays. Strays may bring dangerous viruses or bacteria. They can also be carriers of one of the most dreaded pet-borne diseases, and that is rabies.

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a virulent disease. When a dog is bitten by another canine or another animal, like a cat, wolf or bat, which is infected by the virus, the newly infected dog will not immediately show signs of the disease. The dog will seem alright for about 12 to about 180 days from the biting incident. During this time, the virus spreads through the body and gets into the spinal cord, and then the brain. The signs and symptoms will become more evident as this dangerous illness progresses.

Signs of a Rabid Dog

The most tell-tale signs that a dog may be rabid include the following: extreme salivation, convulsions, hydrophobia or fear of water, and paralysis. Though the symptoms of rabies in dogs may indicate other diseases, it is best to call your veterinarian or animal control if the following signs are observed:

• Changes in a dog’s growl

   You will most likely be very familiar of the way your dog sounds when he’s glad, sad, frightened or agitated. If you notice changes in your dog’s growl, have your dog checked immediately.

• Changes in a dog’s behaviorA rabid dog in the early stages of rabies infection demonstrates abnormalities in behavior. A canine suffering from the early stages of rabies is often agitated, easily annoyed and wants to be left alone. He acts differently from the way he is, and his eating habits will most likely change too. During the second stage of rabies infection, the dog becomes enraged. Hence, this stage is also known as the “furious” stage. Here, a dog becomes vicious, biting anything and everything that it can. This is also the time when rabid dogs are most likely to attack people.
• Changes in muscle toneThe third and final stage is characterized by paralysis, hydrophobia, and seizures. The dog will also foam at the mouth as the virus reaches the saliva. Due to paralysis, a dog will have difficulty swallowing, eating and breathing. Involuntary trembling or muscle spasms are common as well.

Rabid Dog Encounters

Coming across a stray dog is already quite scary enough to most people. What’s even scarier is running into a rabid dog that’s foaming at the mouth and ready to attack. The first thing to do when meeting an infected dog is to stay away from it. Do not make eye contact and do not run. Walk away carefully. Make sure that you do not make unnecessary sounds that could trigger an attack. Do not provoke or aggravate the animal by throwing things at it or teasing it. If the dog attacks, there are two things that you can do. One is to stay perfectly still. If knocked down, curl up in a fetal position to protect your face and vital organs. The other is to fight back. In most cases, a dog will stop attacking a person once it no longer perceives him as a threat. But with a rabid dog, you can’t predict how it’s going to react. If you opt to fight back, beat the dog with whatever is handy – an umbrella, a baseball bat, a bag full of books, and others. Although this may seem like a cruel thing to do, it is a choice between your life and the dog’s. You can also try pulling the animal’s mouth open. If the dog’s mouth has clamped on your arm, pull this arm upward. Then, your other arm should be pushing down the lower jaw. You can also try falling down on the dog so that it will let go. If you have companions, have them call animal control immediately.

After the Rabid Dog Encounter

Make sure that you seek medical attention after an encounter with a rabid dog. You will most likely be given antibiotics to prevent infection, as well as rabies vaccination. You can also take legal action against the owner of the dog. Dog bite accidents are classified as personal injury, and you can get help from an injury attorney.

Citations:

• Photo courtesy of federico stevanin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

The article is by Claire Brown. She writes for Irvine bail bonds and some legal sites too. She regularly contributes articles about crime, personal injury, and bail bonds.

Fish are a great pet for young children. They do not require too much care and maintenance and they can be easily replaced if need be. However, there are literally hundreds of species of pet fish and some are more suitable for young children than others. The following pet fish ideas online which are the five best pet fish for young children, so that a parent will know which species are recommended and which should be avoided.

1. Platy Fish

Platy fish, also known as moon fish, are some of the best fish for young children. They resemble goldfish but can also be red, blue or black. They are small and so do not require a large tank. Platy fish are also easy to feed and can be put in a tank with other species of fish.

It should also be noted that Platy fish are live bearing fish. This means that a child will get the fun of seeing these fish have babies. The only downside to buying these fish is that they often have lots of babies at the same time and a parent will need to be prepared to explain to his or her child that keeping all the babies is simply not an option.

2. Molly Fish

Molly fish are originally found in Central and South America. They are colorful and have cool designs on their fins, which is why many children enjoy having these fish as pets. They live in warm fresh water and need a few plants to make the tank interesting. A bit of salt could be added to the water if one would like; however, one should avoid adding salt if there are other freshwater fish species in the tank.

3. Guppies

Guppies are small fish that are very easy to care for and maintain, making them ideal for parents of small children who would not actually participate in cleaning out the fish tank. Guppies can be either colourful or silver in colour and they love to play in the plants. They can tolerate brackish water, but they should not be put with large, omnivorous fish that would eat them.

4. Angel Fish

Many young children find angelfish to be very beautiful and it is not hard to see why. These colourful fish are also very graceful and are generally quite peaceful. They are colourful and as they are live bearing fish the children will get to see them mate and have baby fish. Angelfish are not picky eaters; they can be fed either live or frozen fish flakes.

However, parents who are considering buying angelfish for their small children should realize that these fish need a deeper, bigger tank than the fish species mentioned above. Angel fish also like warm water and a parent will need to check the water regularly to make sure it is the right temperate.

 5. Goldfish

Goldfish are well known the world over. While most of these fish are quite small, they can in fact grow to be quite large if a parent is willing to purchase a large tank. These fish are docile and can be placed with other fish species.

Goldfish are easy to care for. They are freshwater fish will also need a few items in the tank, including places where they can hide. The only downside to buying these fish is that they poop more often than other fish, so one will likely have to clean out the fish tank on a very regular basis.

These five pet fish ideas can help a parent know which type of fish is ideal for a small child. While all fish need care, some are easier to care for and more resilient than others. It is a good idea to consider the options and then buy the fish that are the most suitable.

About the Author

Kate Brown blogs on her site, FreshwaterAquariumFish.net – a site which provides ideas on where to buy fish online and fish care tips.

Some picture provided by Wikimedia Commons

Seizures in dogs are frightening to see. If your dog starts to have convulsions, you need to take him to your veterinarian so the cause can be determined. The more seizures he has, the more likely he is to have more, so early diagnosis and treatment is important. Seizures are caused by electrical activity in your dog’s brain that isn’t normal. There are several reasons why they might occur.

Congenital problems
Some breeds have a genetic predisposition to having seizures. The Belgian Tervuren is one such breed where a genetic cause of their seizures is strongly suspected. However, dogs of any breed may be born with a brain abnormality that can cause seizures. One example is hydrocephalus, where there is increased fluid pressure in the brain.

Toxins
Some household chemicals can cause seizures in dogs. One example is metaldehyde which is often found in slug and snail bait products.

Infections
Just like the rest of the body, the brain is susceptible to infections from bacteria and viruses. Both rabies and distemper are examples of viral infections that can cause seizures in dogs.

Metabolic disease
Liver problems result in an increase in certain chemicals in the bloodstream that can affect your dog’s brain. Diabetic dogs need their blood glucose levels carefully monitored, because if it drops too low, they can have seizures.

Treatment for Canine Seizures
If your dog is in the middle of a seizure, it’s totally normal to be terrified. However, don’t yell and scream, and don’t try to touch him as you might get bitten. Just make sure he is safe and isn’t going to bump into anything while he is convulsing. It may appear that his seizure lasts forever, but in reality, it usually stops within minutes. When the seizure is over, take him to your veterinarian.

Before you can effectively manage your dog’s seizures, you need to work out exactly what is causing them. This involves blood tests, and may even extend to cat scans of his brain. Then you can start the appropriate treatment.

If your vet can’t find any specific cause of the seizures, then your dog is diagnosed with epilepsy. There is no specific test for epilepsy in dogs, so this “label” is only used when there is no other reason for his seizures.

Anti-epileptic drugs such as phenobarbitone are given daily for the rest of your dog’s life. It is important that, if he is having reasonably frequent seizures, that you give him the medication as directed by your vet. This is because each seizure makes it even more likely the seizures will continue.

There are side effects of these drugs. They can cause sedation, and long term they can affect your dog’s liver. This means it can take a little while to get the dose exactly right for your dog, and he will need regular blood tests to make sure his liver is working well.

are scary but with early diagnosis and proper treatment, they can be managed. In most cases, a dog with seizures can live a completely normal life and enjoy all the activities that other dogs do.

This article provided by veterinarian and invisible fence alternatives expert Susan Wright and her staff in effort to educate people on the proper care of their dogs.

Diarrhea and vomiting are two of the most common problems that dogs could have. This could mean that the dog may have eaten something that didn’t agree with his body, or that he’s eaten too much and too quickly. This may also be brought about by exercising soon after he’s had his food or simply because he got too excited or too nervous.

Diarrhea alone is not that worrisome and easily resolves with home remedies. However, when the dog has diarrhea with vomiting, then you should pay extra attention to him.

Observing Your Pet Dog

First of all, you have to isolate your sick pet from your other pets. This way, he won’t be able to transmit whatever he has to the healthy ones.

Next, you have to observe your dog within a 12-hour timeframe, and within this period of time, you have to:

1. Remove all of his food and water. This will give his gastrointestinal system a rest and enough time to settle down. However, be sure to check your pet for any signs of dehydration though such as sunken eyes, lethargy, decreased skin elasticity, rapid weight loss, weakness, increased heart rate with decreased pulse strength, and dry gums and mucous membranes.
2. Observe him carefully and closely. You have to check his activity as well as behavior. Is he acting normally? Is he more aggressive or very lethargic? What about his stools and vomitus? What is its appearance, color, and smell? How frequently does he poo and vomit, and what is its quantity? Too much or only a little? You need to know this to be able to give his vet a more detailed and accurate account of his symptoms.

Home Remedies

If after 8 to 12 hours your dog didn’t poo or vomit, then you can treat him at home. You can start giving him bland food first, not his regular dog food. By bland food, this means that his diet should consist mostly of cooked rice with an equal amount of boiled hamburger or chicken.

You should also start giving him clear liquids and electrolyte solution to help rehydrate his body. If you are going to give him electrolyte solution, then be sure that he drinks it every couple of hours for at least one whole day or until diarrhea and vomiting stops completely. Of note though, the ratio between electrolyte solution and body weight is 1:1. This means one teaspoon of electrolyte solution per one pound of your pet’s weight.

Never, ever give your dog any over-the-counter medication for diarrhea and vomiting without consulting with his vet first.

When to Take Him to the Vet

You have to take your dog to the vet if:

1. After 12 to 24 hours he didn’t improve.
2. His dehydration and its symptoms got worse.
3. There is blood in his stool and vomitus.
4. There is a very foul smell to his stool and vomitus.
5. His diarrhea and vomiting are intermittent and projectile and are not related to taking in food and water.
6. There is rapid weight loss.
7. He developed labored breathing, dry heaving, and bloated stomach.
8. He developed a fever.
9. His diarrhea and vomiting are persistent for over two days.
10. You suspect that he ingested poison.

If he has all these, then collecting stool and vomit samples will help his vet a great deal in determining his diagnosis.

Citations:

• http://sxc.hu/

Jennifer Dachs is a blog writer for several pet blogs including Sugar Hill Animal Hospital. She mostly blogs about how-to tips for pets as well as pet care tips.

Canine bloat is more serious than a person who feels bloated, much more serious. In fact, this condition, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is one of the leading killers of dogs, right behind cancer.

What Is It?

Similar to feeling bloated in humans, canine bloat happens when the dog has an issue with digestion. Gases building up in the stomach cause the actual bloat. The gases can fill the stomach so much as to cut off circulation to the heart – which can result in death or serious cell damage from necrosis in just a few short hours after the bloat initially began.

Why Does It Happen?

Researchers have not determined the exact cause of canine bloat at this point; however there are a number of things that are believed to help contribute to this serious canine condition.

1.    Eating just one large meal a day
2.    Eating a dry food with a high grain count
3.    Eating dog food high in citric acid
4.    Eating dog food high in fat
5.    Drinking excess amounts of water while eating
6.    Strenuous exercise just before or after eating
7.    Eating carbohydrates as snacks

Dogs most at risk for canine bloat are larger breeds, although small dogs are known to become victim to canine bloat. Listed below are more common traits that can make a dog more susceptible to canine bloat:

1.    Dogs with long, thin torsos (deep chested)
2.    Being underweight
3.    Having high anxiety or fear
4.    Being aggressive
5.    Being male
6.    Mature in age (seven plus years)

While the above risk factors increase the likelihood of a canine bloat, small, young female dogs can also be at risk.

Warning Signs

Your dog acting abnormal is always the first sign – so pay attention to the seriousness of your dog not acting himself. A hard stomach (to the touch) is another symptom; you may or may not be able to see an actual bloat in your dog. If you dog is dealing with canine bloat he will be in a lot of pain and look very uncomfortable – he could be pacing and whimpering in pain. You may also notice your dog drooling excessively and trying to vomit or have a bowel movement but unable to do either. If you notice any or a combination of these symptoms it is important to get your dog to the nearest veterinarian or pet emergency room as possible.

Treatment

If your dog experiences canine bloat and you seek immediate medical attention, the veterinarian will most likely try to release the gas by inserting a tube down your dog’s throat, however there are some instances that this condition will require emergency surgery to release the gas.

If you are concerned about canine bloat and want to do everything in your power to help reduce the likelihood of it happening to your dog, you should talk to your veterinarian about recommending a high-quality dog food. Make sure you feed your dog multiple times a day and limit his water intake around meals. Try to keep your dog calm and relaxed, especially around mealtime and schedule resting time (non-strenuous exercise) for an hour before and after meals.

A wireless dog fence expert, veterinarian and writer; Susan Wright DMV provides advice on the topic of family pets and teaches owners to care for them properly.

The RSPCA have made five pledges to improve animal’s lives over the next five years by tackling the root causes of poor welfare, cruel treatment and neglect. The pledges will enable them to measure the real effect they are having on the lives of animals

Pledge 1

To end the over population of companion animals and tackle the related issues.

Too many animals are bred without thought for their future and often eventual owners cant prepare for their needs; they end up abandoned or in the care of a charity. The RSOCA want to see fewer abandoned stray dogs, cats and rabbits taken into their centres and fewer on the waiting lists as their centres are full.

They will educate prospective pet owners, work to improve internet selling policies, promote neutering, work with governments to help improve standards for dogs breeding and reduce the number of dogs that are coming onto the market. They will improve information to help the pet owners and encourage them to re-home pets.

Pledge 2

To end the euthanasia of any re-homable animal.

Too many animals and too few homes mean that sometimes animals cannot be re-homed. The charity have no option but to put them to sleep, and despite the trend over the past twenty years going down, in 2010 33 percent more dogs were euthanased than the year before.

Pledge 3

To increase the proportion of animals reared under higher welfare systems in the UK.

Te UKs inadequate and often ineffectively enforced animal welfare laws can ensure good quality of life for all farm animals produced each year. The RSPCA want to see continued rises in the proportion of those reared under higher welfare conditions, more shops and caterers supplying products from these animals and more consumers buying higher welfare products,

They want to tackle the barriers that stop people buying higher welfare foods, including better product labelling, and encourage retailers and shoppers to opt for higher welfare products such as the RSPCA’s freedom food label.

Pledge 4

To reduce the number of animals in the UK who undergo secure suffering when used in experiments.

The level of pain or distress suffered by animals used in experiments is, under UK law, classified as mild, moderate or substantial. Any level of suffering is a concern, but ending sever suffering is a top priority.

Pledge 5

To reduce the number of exotic animals kept as pets and increase their humane care.

Animals, such as reptiles, are being caught in the wild and transported long distances in unacceptable conditions to be sold in the UK. People choose to home exotic pets without realising they can be difficult to care for, live a long time and need specialist care. The RSPCA plan to raise awareness and ensure that these animals are kept as safely as possible.

If you have a pet and want to be a responsible owner then opt for pet insurance.

Becoming a new dog owner or rescuing a dog is an exciting time and can lead to a lifetime of loyalty, love and fun. However, bringing an animal into a different situation may require an adjustment period for both owner and canine. The new plan requires time to get used to the different personalities, and establish expected limitations. Even as, time passes, you may be concerned about your dog’s personality, especially if you think your new dog may be inclined to aggressive tendencies.

Being a Responsible Pet Owner

If more people had concerns regarding their dog’s aggression, there would be fewer reports of dog attacks. Examine your dog’s actions in different situations before you hire a behavioral specialist. With observation, you will learn whether your dog is displaying aggressive behavior or simply misunderstood.

Aggression Observation

If you are concerned about how your dog plays with other dogs, the first thing to understand is that dogs do play rough with one another. You can determine if your dog has healthy interactions with other dogs by watching his body language, and his response. If both dogs are actively playing, and it just feels rough, you have less cause for concern. If the playmate whimpers, or tries to get away, and your dog does not let up, your dog may need to work more on social interaction. While the behavior is a little aggressive in play, your dog is still playing, and not out trying to hurt another dog. You may want to work on training your dog in a social setting, with a professional trainer, to improve your dog’s ability to respond to social cues of other dogs.

Aggression Caused by Fear

If your dog is overly aggressive, causing harm to another, it could be fear-aggression. Fear-aggression is the response of a dog that feels threatened by another dog. It’s also likely you may have a significant behavior issue with your dog, that would require professional help, to determine what is causing the aggression your dog is expressing, and how to get a resolution.

Aggression at Home

There are times when you may recognize your dog asserting aggressive behavior at home. If the aggression is during play, it may be just rough play. Rough play can be expected when dogs learn how to interact.  Let your dog know what actions are inappropriate by telling him “No” while ignoring him briefly, before playing again. Dogs feed on attention, and negative attention helps shape the dog to see what is right and what is not. If this does not fix your dog’s behavior, you may want to enroll him in dog obedience school to understand better social skills.

When to Seek Professional Help

If a dog becomes aggressive when being starred at, reached toward, or during punishment, there may be some dominance behavioral issues. A trained professional should handle dominance issues. The same applies to aggression over food and treats. If your dog begins to growl and snarl at you during feeding time, simply walk away to lessen the risk your dog is sensing and contact someone that can help work with your dog on this.

Neglect and Abuse

In most cases, basic training will resolve behavioral issues with dogs. Don’t give up on your dog. Allow him time to build social skills, and to bond with you. If you are ever afraid of your dog’s aggressive actions, and feel that you or anyone else is in danger, you should seek professional help for an evaluation. Professional evaluation will reveal the potential for correction or not. In most cases, real aggression is a learned behavior, typically from neglect or abuse.

A wireless dog fence expert, practicing veterinarian and author; Dr. Wright provides professional care for family pets and teaches their owners how to care for them properly.

Spaying and neutering refer to the surgical removal of an animal’s reproductive organs. In females, spaying entails removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes; in males, neutering involves removal of the testicles. Both procedures are standard and are performed by veterinarians. Fixing your cat or dog renders him or her incapable of reproducing. The procedures are done after an animal reaches 8 weeks of age and ideally before sexual maturity (by 6 months of age).

Here are seven important reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered:

1. Fixing pets helps control the unwanted pet population. Unplanned puppies and kittens end up in animal shelters much faster than they are adopted. Close to 4 million animals are euthanized annually in the U.S. because shelters are so overpopulated, notes the American Humane Association.

2. Neutering prevents testicular cancer in male cats and dogs. Spaying prevents uterine and ovarian cancer in female cats and dogs, and it helps prevent certain infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about half of dogs and up to 90% of cats, according to the ASPCA.

3. Spaying and neutering prevent animals from going into heat. During sexual arousal, pets try desperately to escape from home to find a mate. Many pets are lost or injured this way. Animals in heat also suffer considerable discomfort and can be aggressive or annoying with loud, incessant vocalizations. They may also spray urine around the house.

4. Fixing pets makes them calmer (especially males), but does not change their personalities. Once they are spayed and neutered, animals are less hyperactive, less territorial, and more attentive to the humans in their lives.

5. Contrary to popular belief, spaying and neutering do not trigger weight gain or make it more likely a pet will become overweight. Fixing has no inherent effects on an animal’s weight or metabolism. If you are concerned about your pet’s weight, feed him an appropriate number of calories and make sure he gets enough exercise.

6. You can save money by fixing your pet. Some people don’t want to spend the money for the surgery, but remember that the decision to own a pet comes with financial responsibilities. Plus, the procedure costs considerably less than taking care of a new litter of pets, or treating a pet that becomes ill or injured after running off in search of a mate. Contact a local shelter or humane organization to find affordable places to have your pet spayed or neutered in your area.

7. Many people believe they won’t contribute to the problem of overcrowded shelters as long as they find loving homes for the puppies or kittens their pet delivers. This is not the case, though. The people with whom you place your newborns are part of the finite number of people who want to own a cat or dog. These people could adopt an animal in need of a home from a shelter, but they are considerably less likely to do so if they have the option of obtaining a pet from people who simply didn’t bother to spay or neuter.

If you care about your pet and about animals in general, the choice to spay or neuter should be an easy one. It is best for your pet’s health and it may save the life of a shelter animal.

Information provided by VetDepot, a trusted online retailer of flea treatment including K9 Advantix and Advantage flea control.

Reading The Label

A quick read of the ingredients contained within dog food will probably leave you questioning how on Earth that can be healthy. Some of us simply have no idea what should actually be in dog food, so just take it for granted that whatever is in the tin must be good. To achieve great dog care, you must understand that often the dog food will be the only thing your pet will eat, it isn’t like a human having the odd kebab or large chocolate bar. Therefore it is imperative that what your dog eats is only the very best.

What Should Your Dog Be Eating

Eating and dietary requirements can differ from breed to breed, so buying a book or specifically researching these relevant to your pet will help you to deliver the best level of dog care. Most studies have shown that the best ratio’s for a dog diet are 50% meat and 50% vegetables. A lot of pet food brands will stuff their tins with grain and filler ingredients, which won’t do your dog any favours whatsoever. You may have to research this yourself however, as ratios such as this are not by law required to be on the label therefore you could be left scratching your head.

The second important factor is to ensure there is a high level of protein in your dog’s diet, which should be indicated on the label. Look for high levels of meat meal within the ingredients which will indicate a high protein content in the dog food.

Look carefully for details of grains in your dog food. Any grains should be whole and in their natural form, as this will give the best nutritional benefits to your dog in terms of fibre and protein. Processed grains are often used as filler to make foods appear as though they have a high protein content when in reality they do not.

Ensure you carefully read the label, as often meat and vegetables will be listed first with fillers included below. Generally, lower quality foods will list the meat and vegetables first to give an impression that these are the majority ingredients in the product.

Finally, a simple suggestion, buy the top of the range, premium foods. Although you will pay a higher financial price, your dog’s overall health will be better and they will greatly benefit from eating a much healthier, balanced diet.

Videojug is a next-generation digital media company that helps people to ‘get good at life’. They have a huge variety of video content, like how to find the best dog care.

It’s quite common for elderly dogs to show signs of canine dementia, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction. Almost one half of all 11 year old dogs have symptoms of this disease. By the age of 16 years, all dogs are affected to some degree by dementia.

Symptoms appear gradually and then progressively worsen. You may not notice them at first, but as they become more severe, the changes in your dog’s behavior start to affect you and your family.

Symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

One of the earliest indicators that your dog has a problem is that he seems to be losing his memory. He will appear confused and disorientated, and wander around aimlessly especially at night. He will also start to go to the toilet inside, as if he has never been toilet trained at all.

Night time can be difficult as your dog can’t sleep and his behavior will keep you up at night too. Sometimes he will bark non-stop for no obvious reason.

Your dog’s  behavioral changes are thought to be associated with a deficiency of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in his brain.

Reaching a Diagnosis

It’s important to rule out any medical cause of these behaviors before making a diagnosis of dementia. For example, a loss of toilet training can indicate a bladder infection or urinary incontinence, both of which can be treated. Restlessness may occur if he has sore joints, and just can’t get comfortable.

You can expect your vet to run some blood tests to rule out internal disease. Depending on what they find when they examine your dog, they may recommend x-rays to check his spine and leg joints for arthritis.

Treatment of Dementia in Dogs

*Medication. L-deprenyl is a drug that lengthens the effects of the dopamine that remains in your dog’s brain. This can reverse the symptoms of dementia but the results vary. It can take several months before you start to see an improvement in your dog’s demeanor and behavior.

*Diet. Some dog food manufacturers have developed a dry food containing omega fatty acids and antioxidants which can improve brain function. However, this too can take two months or more before it has any obvious effect.

* Environmental enrichment. Don’t give up on your dog just because his mental abilities are slowing down. You can definitely teach an old dog new tricks, and the mental stimulation will help to keep his mind active and slow the progression of his symptoms. Teach him tricks using positive training methods,and invite doggie friends over for a play date.

Even though he is slowing down physically, your canine best friend will still enjoy going for a stroll with you, and exploring his environment.

There is no quick fix for canine cognitive dysfunction. A combination of the above treatments are the best options for relieving those distressing symptoms and give your dog a reasonable quality of life in his senior years. The sooner you start treating him, the sooner you’ll see a response, so if you suspect dementia in your family dog, make an appointment with your vet sooner rather than later.

A wireless dog fence expert, practicing veterinarian and author; Dr. Wright works tirelessly caring for domestic animals and teaching their owners how to care for them properly.