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Knowing CPR for Pets Critical for Animal Lovers
Just like feeding your dog nutritious food, installing safety gear like fencing and pet doors, and making sure the pet has gone through obedience training, knowing basic first aid is the mark of a responsible pet owner. Knowing how to respond to emergency situations can help ensure that you enjoy your pet for many years to come. CPR for pets is one animal first aid skill that can come in handy in emergency situations.
Should an emergency arise where you are unable to detect your dog’s heartbeat, follow these steps to perform pet CPR on your animal:
- Place the animal on a flat surface with its right side resting on the surface.
- Place one of your palms on the dog’s rib cage near the area of its heart and put your other palm on top of that... read more
Providing First Aid to Dogs
As much as we strive to keep our pets safe with fences and smart pet door designs, there will always be unexpected dangers we cannot protect them from. Knowing how to provide first aid for our canine friends can make a life-saving difference in emergency situations.
Every dog owner should know a few animal first aid basics they can use in the event of an emergency. Here are a few:
- If your dog has been poisoned, try to find the possible source of the poisoning and get on the phone with your vet immediately. Do not try to induce vomiting unless the vet tells you to. Should the vet ask you to induce vomiting, follow his or her instructions to the letter.
- If your pet is choking, and you’re unable to... read more
Preventing Dog Shedding
Shedding is a common complaint among pet owners, as it causes an unsightly mess and can contribute to allergies among residents of the home and visitors. Pet owners can reduce or even eliminate dog shedding by taking a proactive approach to the problem.
Consider these tactics for preventing dog shedding:
- Regular brushings – Brushing your dog daily to remove excess hair will improve the health of your dog’s coat and also make the animal less likely to shed hair all over your home.
- Improve food quality – High quality pet food can help reduce incidences of shedding.
- Supplements – Fatty acid supplements can help improve the health of your dog’s coat and also reduce incidences of shedding.
- Control fleas – Scratching by dogs to ease... read more
Obedience Training Builds Domestic Harmony
Sharing your home with a dog can be a wonderful experience, especially for families, but establishing the proper pet-owner relationship is important. Untrained dogs can cause any number of problems, including chewed up shoes, soiled carpet, and incidents of aggression.
Obedience training can help pet owners maintain a happy household, as it will acclimate dogs to their role in the home and also teach them to respond to basic commands. Some basics covered in dog training classes include:
- Socialization with other dogs and humans. Dogs are taught to respect and obey humans, and to refrain from aggressive behavior with humans and other dogs.
- Housetraining to prevent the animal from soiling the carpet or... read more
Common Food Allergies among Dogs
Food allergies can show up any time throughout your dog’s life. An allergy occurs when your pet’s immune system registers a food ingredient as harmful and creates defensive antibodies to counteract the intolerance. Allergies can cause itching and discomfort for Fido, so be sure to address any unusual behavior before it gets worse.
Symptoms
If your dog exhibits behavior that’s out of the ordinary, keep a watchful eye and consider a vet visit before things get worse. The more a dog is exposed to allergens, the more severe the reaction will become. If your pet exhibits any of the below problematic behaviors, you may want to have him or her checked by a vet:
- Skin rash
- Nausea
- Itching or... read more
A Balanced Pet Diet
Following a healthy diet is just as important for pets as it is for humans. Pets need a complete mix of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, and carbohydrates in order to stay fit. Revamp your pet’s diet with the following tips.
Health Matters
Feed your pet a mix of the below nutrients for good health:
- Protein: Cats and dogs are carnivorous and require more protein than humans. Sufficient protein in the diet will keep your pet strong and active.
- Fat: High in energy, fats are an essential part of your pet’s diet. Limit over-consumption, however – especially by avoiding excess “people foods” in your pet’s diet.
- Carbohydrates: Carbs give great energy... read more
Food Trends in the Pet industry
With humans taking strides to consume healthier food, this trend has started to spread to the world of pets as well. Many owners now seek the best possible diet for their pets, whether this means optioning for premium pet foods, or seeking organic feed for their furry friends. Here are some of the food trends that are taking the pet store by storm:
Increased Interest in Sustainability and Processing Methods
Recently pet owners have been dedicated to learning more about the ethics of their favorite pet food manufacturer. It is now common for owners to ask about a company’s approach to humane practices, factory farming, strategies for world sustainability, and adherence to environmental guidelines.
Quality Pet Foods
Pet...
read moreCommon Pet Names in 2015
If you’re having trouble picking a great name for your new dog or cat, why not try one of 2015’s most popular pet names?
For Male Animals
- Hudson: This name has recently become popular for human babies, so it’s no wonder puppy parents are using it for their little ones, too.
- Max: Simple, no-frills names are big for 2015. Max works well for both kitty and canine companions.
- Rocky: Perfect for the pet who is strong and playful, yet a touch mischievous.
For Female Animals
- Molly: This name has always been popular for dogs that are native to Ireland, such as dachshunds or setters, and in 2015 it makes a... read more
Tips for Raising a Well-Mannered Dog
All you really need to know about raising a well-mannered dog can be summed up in one statement: Your dog thrives on your positive attention. Yes, your dog might have a dog door to go outside while you have to turn a handle, but, in the eyes of your pup, you’re the pack leader, and your positive attention is the goal for the day—every day.
Be the Leader
Dogs are pack animals and, as far as they are concerned, so are you. They follow your lead, but they don’t do well with punishment, and it isn’t necessary. All you need to do to let your dog know you are displeased is remove the attention. When your dog jumps on you or acts out to get your attention, turn your back. When your dog behaves in an appropriate manner, lavish the...
read moreDifference between Human and Canine Vision
Humans and canines have very different vision, but it probably isn’t different in the way that you imagine it to be. After reading this, you’ll think differently about the way your dog sees the world when he or she heads out through the dog door. You may even better understand your pet’s behaviour.
Myth Busted
There is a myth that dogs only see in black and white. While they do only see in a two-color spectrum, it isn’t black and white. Humans see on a three-color spectrum that includes blue, red, and green shades. Dogs see on a blue/green spectrum. For them, that means that something pink may look like a different shade of blue or...