Miss Kitty Litter

Fleas are a dreadful nuisance not only to dogs, but to their owners as well. They cause skin irritations and they can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Luckily there are a few things you can do to help prevent your dog from picking up fleas.

The first thing you should do is talk to your vet to see if there are any products he or she can recommend. Because there are numerous flea products on the market, your vet will be able to help you choose the best product for your dog according to its age and health. Some flea products are formulated for older dogs and are not appropriate for use on puppies.

Flea sprays made for use on dogs are available in most pet stores as well as through your vet. This type of product kills the fleas on your dog and prevents them from increasing in number. Make sure you read the instructions carefully and use the product as per the instructions.

Flea dog collars are another way of preventing flea infestations on your dog. These collars can be found in all pet shops both online and in brick and mortar stores. The collars work by killing fleas on contact but be careful as some dogs are allergic to the substances used in these collars.

Flea drops also known as “spot on treatments” are very popular. A few drops of the solution are placed on the dog’s neck and they kill and prevent fleas for a long period of time. Again, exercise caution when using these products as they can cause an allergic reaction in dogs sometimes with tragic results.

Flea shampoos are an easy way to kill fleas that are on your dog, but they don’t prevent re-infestation. When bathing the dog with a flea shampoo you need to lather the shampoo well and allow it to sit on your dog for about 10-15 minutes, avoid getting any into your dog’s eyes and ears. Rosemary boiled in water and allowed to cool makes a great solution for use around sensitive areas on your dog and is a great odor remover too.

If you’ve tried all these methods and your dog is still plagued by fleas, you should take him to the vet for a flea dip. Also make sure you treat your dog’s environment as fleas can be very persistent in an area.

Exercise particular caution when using flea products of any kind on young dogs, puppies and senior dogs. The best time to revisit your flea combating regimen is during spring.

As much as dogs like water, bath time is a stressful event for most dogs and owners alike. The fight can be so intense that injuries can occur if you are not careful. Unfortunately regular baths are necessary for health and hygiene. There has to be something we can do to make this task less stressful

Start the process with proper preparation. Gather all the materials you’ll need so once you begin there will be no interruptions. Even the best behaved dogs can be a problem if things take too long. A full tub is no place to leave your dog while you go in search of a towel.

Among the necessary items are shampoo, large towels, brush, non slip mat and a container to use to pour water. If the dog is a runner, it might be necessary to have a waterproof collar and leash handy. As for you, make sure you are prepared to get wet. This means old clothes that you are worried about ruining. Even if you are bathing a Chihuahua you will get wet.

If your dog has had a run in with a skunk, bath time will be much more interesting. If this is a possibility where you live, make sure you are prepared with the proper tools. If your dog comes home after such an encounter you don’t want to waste time on a trip to the pet store. Pet stores and vets both carry special solutions for de-skunking pets. Another solution that many people find effective is a solution of tomato juice, dog shampoo, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. The solution needs to stay on the dog’s fur for several minutes and will likely need to be repeated several times. If you have a light colored dog expect him to have an orange glow to him for a couple of weeks. Trust me; this is preferable to the alternative.

Bath time is also when you should check your dog for signs of illness and injury. The ears should be cleaned and visually checked for signs of parasites and inflammation. Run your fingers through the dog’s fur to check for other infestations and problems. Consider performing some dental hygiene while you are at it. If you think you are prepared, go ahead and trim the dog’s toenails. It’s better to trim them a little at a time often than to have them become long and painful to the dog. At this point they will need to see the et to have it corrected.

Once the bath is complete, don’t forget to give the dog a thorough brushing. This will help remove shed hair and avoid tangles. If you have long haired dogs, failing to brush can lead to knots in the fur that will have to be cut out.

Putting in a pet door is mutually beneficial to both pets and owners. Pets can exit the house to relieve themselves whenever they need to, and owners are spared the inconvenience of having to let their pets out to relieve themselves, or worse the indignity of having to clean up after their pets.

If you live in the country, and your pets are free to roam about, a pet door to a refuge such as a garage or laundry room will give your dog a nice warm haven during long winters or thunderstorms.

A pet door can really be a great thing if you put it in the right place. It can be difficult to put in though even for veteran do-it-yourselfers. Before you put your pet door in, consider your pet’s habits carefully, you also need to make sure you are using the correct sized door. If you have a puppy, make sure you get a door that will be big enough for when he grows up.

Typically, you don’t want a pet door to lead into a room from which the whole house can be accessed; this is especially true if you own a big dog. The room your dog has free access to should be one you can lock up at night so that even if people do enter it, they will not be able to get into the rest of the house. You should also get a pet door that can be latched from the inside when needed. If you live in a rural area, this feature is particularly important as wild animals may also find their way into your home at night, and even harm your pet in the process.

Finally, don’t scrimp on a pet door. It will be battered by the elements and by your pets. It has moving parts, is subject to wear and tear, and will need to do its job for a very long time. Make sure you get one that is sturdy, durable and safe for your pets. Also, make sure that your pet door doesn’t allow your dog too much freedom, yes, you want your pet to have freedom, but you don’t want your pet to run out into the street either.

The things we choose and the items we use say a lot about our personality. It then stands to reason that the pets we choose say a great deal about who we are and our outlook on life. The animal you choose is a natural addition to your life and your situation. Though the pet-owner connection can sometimes be misleading, like many stereotypes they tend to contain a lot of truth. Here are a few of the most popular match ups.

Dogs – Dogs are the most common domestic animal. They say that people who choose dogs as pets are outgoing people, though this is a broad concept. You likely have more patience than other pet owners and enjoy active participation with your dog. You don’t mind a little slobber and wet kisses on the face and poo is looked at as just a natural product of life.

Cats – This type of animal and their owners often get a bad rap. Since cats are a much more solitary animal than dogs, their owners are viewed in the same way. A quiet night on the couch is preferable to a walk through the park for cat owners. Cat owners shun black clothing unless they don’t mind regular sessions with a lint roller.

Fish – An aquarium is for people who view their animals as more of a hobby than a personal relationship. Some people see their fish as more of a decoration than a pet. However, true fish lovers take great pride in their schools and are particularly proud of any offspring that come from their fish. This pet is good for people who appreciate attention to detail and thought, and who may not have a lot of time to spend with their pets.

Birds – If you don’t mind cleaning and the strong smell of bird droppings, then a bird makes an excellent pet. Though you might not be able to play Frisbee with a parrot, you can certainly have a lot of interaction. If you happen to have one of these taking birds, keep in mind that you can’t just turn them off when it’s not convenient to hear them. Birds are also one of the longest living pets, so be prepared to have them around for a long time. If you’re looking for something less permanent, try a fish.

Pigs – Though maybe not the first choice of every potential pet owner, pigs actually make great pets. They are highly intelligent and in domestication are very clean. Keep in mind that if you have a pet pig, you will likely be viewed as a little eccentric, even if you are totally normal (yeah right).

Regardless of what animal you choose, the important thing that pet ownership says about you is that you are a loving, responsible person. If you ever wonder why women are attracted to a man walking a dog, it’s because women can see the link between the responsibility required to properly care for an animal and the responsibility to care for a family.

Anyone who has ever tried to give their pet medication knows that it’s easier said than done. Swallowing food whole is not a natural thing and animals just can’t understand why we are trying to shove something down their throat. If you even get close to the animal, they can contort and avoid your attempts like a magician. Knowing that we are trying to help them makes the whole struggle even worse. You can’t simply give up since the health of your pet depends on the medication. Cats in particular are averse of the medication game. If you have tried unsuccessfully to give your kitty a pill, here are a couple of ways to do it successfully.

The best way is to hide it in the kitty’s food. You will want to find a type of moist food that your cat likes but doesn’t get very often. When an animal sees something they like and rarely get, they tend to eat more quickly than normal. This technique works even better if you have multiple cats competing for the food. Their haste makes them miss the pill hidden inside. This doesn’t mean you can simply drop the pill into the dog bowl. You should find a good piece of meat to hide it in. By the time kitty realizes that something is amiss, he has probably already swallowed the pill.

After the cat finishes the meal, you need to inspect the dish and the surrounding area to confirm that the cat ate the medication. If not, you will have to try again or switch to technique number 2. With this in mind, perhaps it’s best if you don’t give him all the food at one time.

You can of course replace the wet cat food with something even better from your kitchen. Whatever you use, it has to be something the cat likes and doesn’t get very often. Some people have found cream cheese to work well.

If sneaking the food to kitty isn’t working, you might have to go more hands on. Sometimes pills must be taken on an empty stomach so the above method is out. Here’s what you do:

First you have to immobilize the cat. Wrap him in a towel like a burrito. Don’t do this like you’re attacking the cat but rather like you are tucking him in for the night. Most cats are pretty patient with this and won’t fight as long as you are petting them. Now, cradle the cat in your arms like a baby. With your free arm, gently open the cats mouth and as soon as it’s open place the pill as far back in the cat’s mouth as possible. Immediately start to stroke the cat’s neck an chin area. Cats almost always instinctively swallow the pill. After they swallow the pill, give them a treat if you can. If they have to take a lot of medicine this will help them associate the ordeal with something positive.

If you are a fanatic of billiard and planning to own a billiard table in your house to share with your family and friends, it is important to know all the necessary billiard supplies. With so many things listed for billiard, you will be confused as to what you are going to buy. For your convenience, think about buying pool table accessories already in set. The set may include cue sticks of different length and weight, billiard balls, triangles and cue racks. Some set may also include bridge sticks, chalk, chalk holder, brush and table cover. With this set of pool table accessories, you will be able to buy your billiard supplies almost completely.

There are different types of billiard ball depending on the type of pool game so it is important to determine what type of pool game you are going to play to acquire the proper type and numbers of billiard balls. Cue sticks are of different types too; the one-piece cue stick and the two-piece cue stick and it also vary in weight and height. If you want to have pool table in your house, it’s better if you have different types of cue sticks that would suit to your guest player’s height for them to play efficiently. Bridge stick is important as it helps the player hit the ball even if it is in the difficult position.

It is important to know that these supplies also need proper handling and maintenance. Cue racks, ball cases, table covers and brush were the things you need to organize and keeping the other supplies in a safe place and keep your table from dusts and stains. If you like to keep all of these things in one place, storing cabinet may be a choice for you.

Play competitively with your own pool table and billiard supplies.

Dogs don’t merely bark to frustrate you or make noise. Dogs bark for scores of distinct reasons. Certain breeds of dog bark a lot more than others – some have even bred to bark a lot! After a while, you become accustomed to your dog’s barks and you can distinguish what each bark means and if it’s a playful bark or a warning bark. Here are a number of the various types of barks:

Happy Bark

This kind of barking generally suggests playfulness or excitement. Puppies and younger dogs often bark when playing with other dogs or even with humans. It kind of sounds similar to a cheerful noise like when you drive past a playground and hear children at play. They also from time to time make that excited bark once they know you’re going to take them for a stroll or a drive in the car.

Bored Bark

Of course, they bark when they’re bored. Their owners aren’t home and they don’t have someone to “talk” to thus they bark in order to hear the sound of their own voice. This one is almost a sad sounding bark.

Me Too Bark

This is often when your dog barks for the reason that another dog in the area is barking. Before you know it, every one of the dogs on the street are barking. Regardless of whether they’re chatting to one another or only wish to join in the fun, just the dogs know for sure.

Pay Attention to Me Bark

Recall the individual in the Welcome Back Kotter television act that would lift up his hand and shout “Ooh, ooh, ooh” attempting to get notice? That’s what this bark is. When you hear this high-energy bark, it’s your dog saying, “Look at me; play with me; pay attention to me!” This bark sounds similar to a kid whining for something he/she wants.

Warning Bark

As soon as a strange person enters your yard or the UPS truck pulls up to your house, this is the bark you’ll get to warn you that a danger exists. This bark has a distinct noise to it, extremely loud and confident, warning you that it’s a critical bark and something needs your awareness.

If your dog barks excessively, there is certainly a few things you should be able to do that might control that behavior, including:

Exercise your dog often so they don’t bark to free spare energy.
Don’t leave your dog unaccompanied for too lengthy of a period of time.
Yelling in fact makes your dog bark more, so don’t yell at them to stop the barking.
Don’t punish your dog for barking or make use of something akin to a shock collar.
Clap or whistle to acquire your dog’s attention and then as soon as he/she is quiet, re-direct its concentration to a toy or a treat. After getting your dog’s attention, practice basic commands, like sit and down so as to shift her focus.

Barking is how a dog talks and they will do it no matter whether you want them to or not. Barking is a dog’s means of communication but if you really can’t take it anymore, consider purchasing a bark collar, and train that bark right out of your dog.

3500 postal carriers are bitten by dogs each year, according to statistics. What exactly is it with dogs and mailman? It’s not like the dog is able to actually read the mailman’s outfit and distinguish him from the meter reader, paper delivery guy or girl scout.

Yet day by day across America, dogs can sense the arrival of the mailman and begin barking even before the post reaches the box!

Pepper spray ready, day by day hundreds of postal workers are in constant fright while they make their routes. Lawsuits and large fines frequently follow dog bites.

So why do dogs detest postal workers and what can you do about it?

First of all, don’t allow your dog to scamper free, unfenced, or unsupervised. The next no-brainer: if you need to keep your dog tethered outdoors, choose a place far off from your mailbox. Look into an electric dog fence and let your mailman know where the boundaries are.

Since dogs are pack animals by nature, they have a specified pecking order inside their pack. Dogs maintain that pecking order when they become a part of your family and will continue to display the pack behavior .

In the dog’s eyes, the postal worker is a trespasser and a danger to the pack (i.e. your family).

Being the dog’s owner, you have to take on the chief position in the pack. You are the master and the dog’s task is to answer to you.

Your dog will be taught to admit people into the pack, or his territory as guests, if you present your dog to the newcomer.

Your dog must acknowledge the mailman if you tell him to, and your dog should be able to respect your decision.You need to demonstrate to your dog that the mailman isn’t a threat and that he or she is a companion of the pack.

So, technically, the myth regarding dogs hating the mailman is incorrect. By and large, dogs dislike all intruders! Nevertheless, it is possible for your dog and the mailman to develop into good friends by way of appropriate socialization.

Your kids spend around twelve hours per day in their room and sometimes it’s more. This is where they sleep, do their homework and study and play either with other siblings or with friends. Thinking about this then leads you to see how important your kid’s bedroom is to them and it must therefore be organized well and designed just right.

So in doing all of these right you must start from the beginning of course, which is emptying your kid’s bedroom and (not to throw all of them away) then proceed to cleaning everything up. Remove all items, furniture and all their stuff. Clean their room from the ceiling to the floor and when the hard part is done, paint it in the color you both agree on but a soothing color is more appropriate.

Then continue to place furniture pieces one at a time and if you feel that their room still lack some pieces, get the right kid’s bedroom furniture that is not only affordable but serve many purposes as well. One recommendation of placing the bed is to put it at the farthest part of the room so it is well away from the door and from anyone just barging right in. choose linens that are relaxing or if they want it with themes then let them go ahead and get one.

Then you can have the drawers and dressers come in next. Make sure that you store items inside that they will still use if not now then in the near future or else store them in other storage boxes and place them in other parts of the house not constantly being used. Also see to it that they bring in the toys and accessories that will really need to be stored in drawers or storage boxes so that it will not take up space needed for something else.

Your children’s bedroom furniture must be chosen carefully to maximize the space that your kid has. Other things such as artwork and other decorative items can be brought in to personalize their room and give it some jazz.

Even inside a house, your dogs still have access outside via their dog doors and bathroom break time. And access outside gives them the opportunity to get ticks! My mom recently got Lyme disease last summer and this is something really close to my heart.

If you take your dog hiking in the woods or in open fields, he is at high risk of picking up ticks. Ticks are not only very disagreeable insects, they also spread many serious diseases and if your dog has a tick infestation you should keep him away from other pets as they may become infested with ticks as well.

There are many tick creams and lotions available that kill ticks, but even if you kill a tick, it will remain attached to your dog’s skin and continue to cause frantic scratching and allergies. Dogs can continue to scratch even if the ticks are dead so you should remove any ticks on your dog.

Many people use tweezers to remove ticks from their dogs but this isn’t recommended for two reasons: ticks can attach themselves to humans so you should be very careful when removing ticks from your dog. The second reason is that you can easily puncture the tick’s body when using tweezers. Causing the tick to burst can result in the release of toxic substances which can make your dog very sick, so you want to avoid that at all costs.

The best way to remove ticks from your dog is to do so manually, with your hand. To do this you should wear a long sleeved shirt and some surgical latex gloves. Place several sheets of newspaper on the ground and have your dog sit on them. Look through your dog’s fur to find any ticks. Make sure you part your dog’s fur to thoroughly search for ticks and if you find one you should carefully remove it with your hand. Gently pinch the tick’s body and twist it in a counterclockwise direction while pulling it out.

Be very careful not to pinch too hard or you risk puncturing the tick’s body. If you’re having trouble pulling the tick out you should gradually apply more pressure until you are able to detach it from your dog. You’ll have to safely dispose of the ticks once you’ve removed them from your dog. You can crush them on the newspaper or put them in a bowl filled with alcohol or bleach and flush them down the toilet after they are dead.

Due to the fact that ticks attach themselves to dogs to suck blood, they can cause small wounds. You will need to disinfect these wounds in your dog’s skin after removing the ticks. You can do so by using an antiseptic such as Dettol or Germolene to prevent any risk of infection.

Ticks are most prevalent during the period from April to October and during this time you should try to avoid walking your dog in open fields or wooded areas. If you do take your dog for walks in these circumstances, inspect him regularly to detect any ticks he may have picked up. As ticks thrive in warm weather you should do everything you can to protect your dog from these parasites during the warmer months,

Vinegar and garlic are natural tick repellents and adding a few drops of vinegar to your dog’s drinking water should help prevent external parasites. Tick collars are also a good thing to use during tick season to keep your dog safe from these blood sucking parasites.