Here are some cat care tips from the Humane Society of the United States:

•  For safety, keep cats indoors.  If  she is  declawed  she can not [...]]]> By taking care of essentials — food, water, safe shelter, veterinary care, a clean litter box and love — you’ll develop a rewarding relationship with your cat.

Here are some cat care tips from the Humane Society of the United States:

•  For safety, keep cats indoors.  If  she is  declawed  she can not protect herself outside.

•  Cats like to climb in drawers, closets and cupboards. Check inside before closing. Keep washer and dryer doors closed.  Remember, it’s great fun and good exercise for your cat to play.

•  Put an identification tag on your pet. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a chance the cat may slip out the door.

•  Take the cat to the veterinarian for regular check-ups.  If you are not happy with the vet, for any reason,  find a new one. Don’t forget to get a copy of all the cat  health history records from the vet and bring it to the new one.

•  Spay or neuter your cat. This will keep him healthier and help reduce the number of cats put down every year because of cat overpopulation.

•  Feed cats a nutritionally balanced diet.  It’s fine to feed your kitten a few treats. However, treats should make up no more than five percent of your kitten’s daily nutrient intake, and the rest of his/her diet should come from a high-quality kitten food.  Before you buy cat food learn  What to look for on the label

• Compliance with AAFCO’s requirements for “Complete and Balanced,” as evidenced by that wording on the label.
• Named protein source – look for “chicken, lamb, or beef,” rather than “meat.”
• On canned food particularly, the protein source should be the first listed ingredient
• Check the expiration date for freshness

What to avoid

• Words such as “By-products,” “meat and/or bone meal,” “animal digest,” most other descriptions including “digest” or “meal,” and added sugars.
• Chemical preservatives, including BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and propyl gallate
• Corn meal as a filler
• Excess of carbohydrate “fillers” (Dry food can contain as much as 50 percent grain)

•  Keep the litter box clean. Scoop the box at least once daily and periodically wash it with dish liquid and hot water.

•  All cats, whether long- or short-haired, should be brushed regularly to keep their coats and skin healthy.  There is no need to bath cats as they do it perfectly without our help. But if she is very dirty or gets into something sticky or smelly, you may need to give her a bath. Make sure to trim the claws first for your safety. Be sure not to spray directly in her ears, eyes and nose. Use only cat shampoo (human shampoo can dry out her skin) Use one part of cat shampoo  to five parts water and work  from head to tail, dry and brush.

•  Keep nails clipped. Untrimmed claws can grow into the cat’s pads, leading to infection, pain, and difficulty walking.

•  Cats will appreciate simple and inexpensive cat toys. Ping-Pong balls, crumbled paper and paper bags (remove the handles) , empty box can provide hours of fun.

Look at the dog’s face …This has to be [...]]]> I am woman, hear me roar?

Look at the dog’s face …This has to be what he is thinking.

“What the hell just happened?

Did I just get my *ss kicked by a squirrel!?!!”

New law regarding pet traveling to Europe or within.

Are you going with your four legged friend?  European laws are about to require that all cats and dogs traveling to Europe, or within its boundaries, will be microchipped.  The law should be in affect after July 2011 , even if [...]]]>

New law regarding pet traveling to Europe or within.

Are you going with your four legged friend?  European laws are about to require that all cats and dogs traveling to Europe, or within its boundaries, will be microchipped.  The law should be in affect after July 2011 , even if you have your animal tattooed and you have the papers to match. This will be Europe’s new standard for identifying all pets traveling by air.

A microchip is no bigger than a grain of rice, and the vet implant these chips to cats and dogs but also into all kinds of pets – even reptiles and birds can get microchipped.  The chip uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and uses radio waves as a medium to transmit unique information of your pet like – identifying number that is accessible from a database which shows the pets name, owners name and contact information. So if your pet got lost, he can be scanned for a microchip and be returned to you.

In Europe  about one quarter of European pets have been chipped, in comparison to the U.S. with only 5 percent, roughly 130 million dogs and cats.

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After some research i found these wonderful home made Organic Dog Biscuits. Made with all natural and organic ingredients [...]]]> After all pet food recalls, and after checking the ingredient of what our dogs get for dinner, or the treats  for good behavior  i think it is really good time to go with the natural food.

After some research i found these wonderful home made Organic Dog Biscuits. Made with all natural and organic ingredients with 4 flavors to choose from.

Dog Biscuits Organic All Natural Cheese Bites With Garlic – this Biscuit made With Certified Organic Whole Wheat Flour, Natural Cheese And Garlic.

Dog Biscuits Organic All Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter – made with Certified Organic Whole Wheat Flour, Fresh Ground Peanut Butter Along With A Hint Of Vanilla.  Fresh Oat and Cornmeal.

Dog Biscuits Organic All Natural Dinner Mints – Made With Brown Rice Flour Activated Charcoal For Digestion And Parsley and Mint.

Dog Biscuits Organic All Natural Turkey Bacon Bites – Made With Certified Organic Whole Wheat Flour, Turkey Bacon, Local Eggs Straight From The Farm, Chicken Stock And A Hint Of Brown Sugar – (Natural Of Course).

Or just go with the mix bag and let your pooch show you his preference (if he can choose…)

They come in Half Pound Bags or Quarter Pound Bags.

Check them here - Now for introductory price

BTW – you can try them too,  but please leave some for him

Nylon Leashes

Nylon leashes are very durable and washable, and come in a variety of colors. Many owners like to get matching collars and leashes.

Leather Leashes

Leather leashes are very durable and long lasting. Leather softens from the oils in your skin, which is easier on the hands. Leather leashes [...]]]>

Choosing the Right Dog Collar and Leash

Nylon Leashes

Nylon leashes are very durable and washable, and come in a variety of colors. Many owners like to get matching collars and leashes.

Leather Leashes

Leather leashes are very durable and long lasting. Leather softens from the oils in your skin, which is easier on the hands. Leather leashes are also easier to grip.

Retractable Leashes

A unique feature about a retractable leash is the ability to control how little or how much lead the dog is given. The nylon lead is rolled up and housed within a plastic casing that you hold in your hand. A spring-type function allows the lead to automatically lengthen or shorten (retract) as the dog travels. Imagine retractables working somewhat like a fishing pole. You hold the housing of the lead in your hand and use the lead to “reel your dog in” if necessary. A one-button braking system stops the dog from traveling any farther. It also serves as a locking mechanism should you want to keep your dog at a consistent distance.

Retractable leads are great if you:

* Walk your dog

* Have a dog tied outside

* Own a large dog (the braking features are helpful in controlling large dogs)

* Will be traveling with your dog

* Are tired of messy, tangled leads

Cotton Webbed Leashes

Leads also come in a cotton webbing material that is washable, easy on the hands, and economical. They come in a variety of lengths. The 20-foot length, known as a “long line,” is ideal to use when teaching your dog to come when called. This allows your dog the freedom to roam a distance away from you while still maintaining control.

Tie-Outs and Chains

Tie-outs and chains are for dogs that spend time outdoors. Tie-outs are like stakes that are placed in the ground. A chain is attached to the tie-out so that the dog has room to move about, yet is restricted to a certain area. These are handy if you travel, or like to spend time outdoors, such as with camping or for a day at the park.

Dog Collars

How Heavy Should the [...]]]> There are a couple of items that every dog should have — a collar of some sort and a leash. There’s such an assortment of dog collars and leads (leashes) available it can be rather overwhelming when making a choice. Here are some guidelines to follow when making your selection.

Dog Collars

How Heavy Should the Collar and Leash Be?

Generally, the collar and leash you choose is merely a matter of personal preference. The most important thing is to remember is to get a collar that fits properly, and a leash that is neither too heavy nor too light for the dog you have. Every pet should wear a collar with an identification tag that gives your name, address, and phone number.

Getting the Proper Fit

That depends on the size of your dog. A large, strong dog can easily break a collar or leash that is lightweight, so they need a heavier collar and leash. Smaller dogs, on the other hand, don’t need to carry around a heavy, wide collar and leash.

For your dog to be safe and comfortable, the collar must fit correctly. Here’s the rule of thumb (or should we say finger?):

Place two fingers between the dog’s neck and the collar; there should be no more than the width of those two fingers between the neck and collar. Any looser than this and the collar could slip over the dog’s ears. Check the collar occasionally to see if your dog has any redness or hair loss under the collar.

Choosing the Type of Collar For Your Dog

Buckle Collars

Buckle collars are overall the best choice of collar for most dogs in most situations. Puppies should wear only buckle collars or harnesses. Buckle collars come in a variety of colors, are made with various materials, and even come in styles that make a real fashion statement!

Nylon Collars

Nylon collars are good for dogs that are in water a lot. Nylon is very durable and washable, and come in a variety of colors. Many owners like to get matching collars and leashes, and some owners even like to match the color of the collar to the color of their dog’s coat!

Leather Collars

Leather collars wear well and are very long lasting. Collars also soften from the oils in your dog’s skin. Rolled leather collars (round instead of flat) are designed for longhaired dogs and keep the hair from lying flat against the coat.

Training Collars

Training collars such as “choke chains” and “pinch” collars are meant to be used for training purposes ONLY. There is a right and a wrong way of putting these collars on and should only be used during a training session by experienced hands. They are designed to briefly tighten and apply pressure when the trainer is delivering a correction. Never leave a dog unattended with one of these collars on as they may cause injury or strangulation if the collar was to get caught on something. Never use a training collar as your dog’s everyday collar, and never put your dog on a tie-out with a training collar.

Leather  Dog Collars, Nylon Dog Collars, Crystal Dog Collars

Designer Dog Harness with Swarovski Crystals

Harnesses

A harness is placed around the dog’s chest and ribcage, and therefore eliminates the potential for choking. These are popular for dogs that tend to pull while they are being walked. Parti Poodle Express reccomends using a harness type collar for all poodle puppies up to the age of 1 year.

Simple Dog Harnesses

Fancy dog harnesses with Swarovski Crystals

Camo dog harness

Casper 12-year-old cat adopted from the shelter  in 2002 and it seemed he had found the perfect balance between a comfortable life in home and the search of [...]]]> One of Britain’s most famous cat, who used to take buses and walk  around town , died last week after he was  hit by a car.

Casper 12-year-old cat adopted from the shelter  in 2002 and it seemed he had found the perfect balance between a comfortable life in home and the search of adventure on the streets.  His many trips soon led him also to use public transportation. His affair with the bus company “First”, began early last year, without the knowledge of the owner.

“He used to walk by and sometimes just disappear. Once I had to carry him in the trunk transport back home, after he reached the parking lot of cars about two miles”, said a few months ago  Susan Findn (55) to the BBC. “He loves people. I do not know why, but he likes very large vehicles.

Susan used to use public transportation  every day. Last year she noticed Casper stalking her and tries to climb the bus also. When she reported it to the driver, he was not surprised and told her the cat was going with him for several months now. When Susan was first cols us , she did it to thank the courteous drivers who care about the cat and let him enter the bus, said Baxter, the company spoke man.

According to Baxter, Susan worried that the cat got a remote station and would not find his way back home. The bus company  instructed the drivers to seat Caspar in  front seats, so they can watch him and make sure he got at the station near their place of residence.

Caspar’s story was published in Britain and made many comments. He became one of the most familiar animals in the kingdom, the bus company has adopted it, and produced a large poster which he was photographed with the owner, Susan. The poster posted, among other places, near  line number 3, where  Kasfr visit regularly.

But Caspars’  happy life and luck  turned tragic last week in. He was critically injured by a car in a hit – and fled, and died of his wounds.

Susan, who received the sad news,  hung a notice on the  bus stations where Casper used to drive and wrote: “Many people knew Casper, he liked them all – he also enjoyed the bus. Unfortunately, the driver hit him and did not stopped … Caspar died .  I’ll  miss him greatly … He was a favorite pet with a prominent character. Thanks to everyone who befriended him

Published: ynet.co.il
21.01.10

If your pooch like to be dressed up that’s a great opportunity to show off his fabulous fashion sense. Don’t forget to check the weather first – you don’t want your pet catch a cold.  Do not force him if he does [...]]]> Are you ready to celebrate the furry baby day on January 14th?

If your pooch like to be dressed up that’s a great opportunity to show off his fabulous fashion sense. Don’t forget to check the weather first – you don’t want your pet catch a cold.  Do not force him if he does not like to wear clothes.  Show your pet extra love and attention. Take him to a pet-friendly park so he can celebrate his day and have fun, give him a special treat, buy new toy and play with him.

If you have a cat, from my experience they really hate to wear cloth. But they LOVE  playing , chasing after that red laser point, eating those tuna / salmon  treats or just being lazy and purr while you petting them.

What better way to celebrate National Dress Up Your Pet Day than to have a pet party.  Invite your friends to join you with their 4-legged family members, and in addition to the human refreshment, prepare variety of pet treats and ask everyone to bring a toy.

To commemorate the day, what about a photo shoot?  When your pet and friends pet are all dressed up in their special outfit, set up a fun scene in your home or outdoors and snap some pictures. Create a photo album online to share with friends, and other pet lovers and owners.

Have an idea….let us know

De-icing salts – may contain chemicals that are hazardous to pets if [...]]]> First a warning!! Hundreds of children and thousands of pets are accidentally poisoned each year from ingesting antifreeze. Most antifreeze contains 90-95% ethylene glycol, a substance that is attractive because it has a sweet smell and taste. Even small amount can be highly toxic.

De-icing salts – may contain chemicals that are hazardous to pets if ingests in large amounts. Look for “pet friendly” De-icing salts.

Dogs feel heat loss as much as we humans do. Remember that the temperature outside is lower then what the thermometer shows with the wind chill.

You need to protect your dog from his sensitivity to harsh weather elements, however this may depend on the weather condition, the type of coat your dog has and the time he spends outside. The short-coated breeds have the greater tendency of developing more sensitivity to rain and cold weather, on the other hand, thick furred breeds are equally vulnerable to water.

Frostbite is a risk during winter with the dog’s feet, tail, and ears being particularly vulnerable to attack from the cold. The best way to avoid these complications during winter is to restrict your pets’ time outside exposed to the cold.

If your dog stays outside during winter time in a dog house, it should have just enough room for Fido to stand up and turn around, but no more. The doghouse should be small enough to retain the dog’s body heat (but again, not to small).  Also, It should face away from the wind and be elevated from the ground, and you should not use a metal feeding dish, if the temperature drops low enough your pets tongue may freeze to the bowl.

After walking your dog dry his paws, legs and underbelly to prevent bleeding, pain and illness from freeze and chemical salts used for to melt snow. Antifreeze is another danger for pets, it is toxic and small amount can cause death.

Old dogs and puppies are more effected from cold weather that is why you should take them out only for short time.

Winter is Respiratory infections and colds for pets too. Try  Holistic remedies treatment option for health issues and paws heal.

To help dog cope with the cold and snowy weather most people buy their pooch warm clothing.

In general – It is essential that the dog clothes fit the dog comfortably to keep them secured in place even in the most rigorous activities.
· The dog clothes must provide protection for your pet against harmful elements like thick bushes and thorns.

During winter – the dog clothe you choose in this case are ones which are designed to close-in warmth while protecting him from harsh weather. If you own a shorthaired consider investing in a dog coat. Make sure it covers the dog from the base of the tail to the neck,  turtleneck sweaters good for added insulation.

Boots are a good solution for the paws, and added incentive -  it’ll keep your house clean from mud.

The correct way to measure your pooch:

In order to find out the right size of clothing that will feet your dog you need to take accurate measurements.
Make sure your dog is standing, and use measuring tape as follows:
* Measure pet’s back length from the base
of the neck to the base of the tail
*Measure neck circumference
* Measure the broadest part of the chest
Then, check the measurement of the manufacture for each clothe

Remember, pets suffering from the cold weather just the way we are, and dog clothing don’t just look good, but they also have purpose.