Is Eating Grass Good For Cats?

Is eating grass good for cats? The answer is no. They eat it because cats love the taste and texture. Cats will usually throw it up because they can't digest grass. Some people think that cats eat grass to make themselves throw up, but cats don't have that ability to comprehend their actions. Cats merely eat it because they love the taste and throw it up because they can't digest it. Just a fact about cats!

Feeding Schedules For Cats

I read an article on whether to feed your cat(s) at certain times of the day or to leave food out all day long. If you feed your cat(s) canned food in the morning and evening and leave dry food out all day long, they will probably get heavier than they should be. If this happens, you should only feed them canned food twice a day. They will act much healthier and lose the extra pounds. This feeding schedule is more natural for cats. In nature, cats would hunt, eat, sleep and do it over again. They wouldn’t have the opportunity to graze all day long. This is just an opinion from an article I read. You can decide for yourself what works or doesn’t work for your cat.

Dry or Wet Cat Food!

Dry or Wet Cat Food. What is the best choice for your cat/cats. Cats who are kept indoors and fed only dry cat food tend to be heavy, shed a lot more, and throw up more. This maybe because cats don't chew dry food well. Their teeth are not designed to chew dry food like dogs. If this effects your cat you might switch to canned cat food. See if your cat changes for the better. Some cats can chew dry food well and our heathy in weight, shed normal, and don't throw up a lot. All cats are different. You as an owner need to see what works well for your feline.

How Often To Bath Your Dog!

Deciding how often to wash your dog can be confusing. Most professionals say to just bath your dog once a month. If your dog has allergies and uses medicated shampoo, you may need to bath your canine more often. For dogs with very dry skin, bath them once every two months. To keep your dog clean between baths, you can use a soft towel and wash his/her face, ears (outside only), and feet.

Selecting The Right Tool For Your Dog!

Selecting the right tool for grooming your dog is very important. Dog's skin is more delicate then humans and having the wrong tool could injure your dog's skin.
For short, smooth coats you should use a tool called "hound glove". Just put the glove on your hand and rub your dog's coat. Canines with short, dense hair or ones with slightly longer and rough coats need both brushing and combing. Dogs with long, matting hair should also be brushed and combed.
When selecting a comb, look for one with rounded teeth so you don't puncture your dog's skin. The teeth should be wide enough to go through your dog's coat easily. Tools called a "dematting comb" will help with removing mats but carefully follow directions. If you feel you can't groom your dog properly, have a professional do it for you.

Brushing And Combing Your Dog

Regular brushing is important for house dogs because of the artificial light, they shed continuously. Brushing will remove dirt and loose hair and will leave your dog with a healthy coat and skin. You should brush or comb your canine everyday, but for most pet owners that is impossible. So if you can brush or comb your dog a couple times a week that will be adequate. Breeds like the Shih Tzu, or dogs with fur that tangles or mats should be brushed daily.

Halloween Candy Dangerous For Dogs!

Did you know that Halloween can be dangerous for your dog? The number of dogs poisoned with candy increases around this yearly celebration. The reason, there's more chocolate around. Chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains caffeine and theobromine. A dog's metabolism can't take it. They are different than humans. Giving a dog a piece of candy can be comparable to a human drinking 10 to 15 cups of coffee in a very short time. Just imagine what that would feel like. So this Halloween, keep the candy up high so your four legged friend will not eat any.

Does Your Dog Beg?

Begging is a bad habit for dogs. If you start feeding your dog from the table, you will have a harder time breaking the habit. If your canine begs, say "NO" and ignore him/her. You should continue suppertime talking with family and ignore your dog's begging. After awhile, your dog will get the message that begging gets nothing and will stop.
Reference "The Guilt-Free Dog Owner's Guide"

Does Your Dog Jump Up?

Have you ever thought about why your dog jumps up on you? It is to say “Hello”. We all like to be greeted when we come home, but letting your dog jump up on you says it is o.k. to jump up on your family and friends. So when you tell him/her no jumping up on others, you are sending mixed messages. To stop this behavior, you will need to say no when your dog jumps up and walk away. This will send a message to your dog that jumping up isn’t going to get any attention. The easy solution is to squat down and let your dog say his/her hello. That way you and your canine are happy.

How To React To Your Dog's Chewing

If you come home and see that your dog has destroyed something by chewing. A strong NO maybe in order if you catch him/her in the act. After that ignore your canine for 5 to 10 minutes. Because you don’t want him/her to associate attention from you with the act of chewing, even it is negative attention
If you don’t catch your dog in the act, don’t scold him/her but don’t give your dog any attention. Some trainers tell you to go pick up the chewed object or look at it, act as though you are displeased and go do some other business in the house.
The best thing is to keep your perspective. Try and put your valuables out of reach and remember that most dogs outgrow the chewing stage.
At Love That Pet Store, we have a variety of chew bones and toys. Also we have a Bitter Cherry Spray to help discourage puppies and dogs from chewing on your belongings.

Behavior Problems Common to Confined Dogs

Chewing is a behavior problem with canines who are confined. Puppies will usually chew because they are teething. Chewing helps their teeth break through the gums. Older dogs may chew out of boredom, anxiousness, or both.
A dog who is bored chews because he/she has too much energy and has no other way to release it. Dogs, unlike people, can’t watch tv, read a book or talk on the phone to pass time. They can’t sleep forever too. Unless you spend time teaching your dog what he/she can chew on. Dogs don’t know the difference between their chew toys and the leg on a table.
There are dogs who chew because you have left them alone. These dogs are know as “spite chewer”. They chew out of revenge. Even if you play and exercise them, they are still upset that you left. Behaviorist call this separation anxiety. Dogs like these need to know that you will return. Your returning needs to be a habit to these dogs.
At Love That Pet Store, we have a variety of dog chews and treats.

And Man Created Dog

I watched this National Geographic Special “And Man Created Dog”. It was very informative and interesting. It talked about how our ancestors 32,000 years ago came in contact with the wolf. Human and wolves didn’t know how to react at first, but over time they found a common bond. In those early day, wolves were known as camp wolves. They found out the humans left garbage, which made it easy for them to eat instead of hunting for their own food. One day a camp wolf protected her pups from a wild animal and got killed. By her protecting her young, she inadvertently saved the humans too. The humans took the young pups in and from that day there was a special bond. Our ancestors bred the wolves and only kept the ones who were less aggressive. Over many years, the wolves evolved into the dogs we know today. Now, there are over 400 breeds of canines and 70,000,000 dogs are living in our households today.

Toys For Dogs!

Toys are particularly important for dogs who are indoor or confined. They need as much encouragement as possible to exercise inside, playing with dog toys will help keep their interest and prevent boredom.
All dog toys are not suitable for all dogs. What might be safe for one dog might not be for another. Make sure dog toys don't have any small parts for your dog to swallow and choke on. When getting a new dog toy, observe your canine with it long enough to see that it is safe for your dog. With the exception of bones and chews, most dog toys aren't going to be much fun for your dog unless you play with him/her too.
At Love That Pet Store, we have a huge variety of dog toys.
This was referenced from "The Guilt Free Dog Owner's Guide".

Why Do Cats Scratch?

Have you wondered why cats scratch? They scratch to mark their territories. Through scratching, cat's paws have a scent gland that leaves their own special scent. They use this to mark their territories.
Exercise: Scratching also serves to keep cats in shape. The act of scratching, stretching and pulling works muscles in cats' front quarters. It is across between feline gym workout and Kitty yoga.
Finally, it is because it just feels good to scratch.

Fear of Thunderstorms

Most dogs are afraid of thunderstorms. Dogs can sense a storm coming even before it arrives.
Canines can sense fear or anxiety in you, so it is important to have a calm attitude toward storms. Let your dog stay close, and try to distract him/her with play. Don’t comfort him/her in a sympathetic voice; it will sound like praise and may increase his/her nervousness and confusion.
Keep window and curtains closed to reduce noise and bright flashes from the lighting. You can turn on TV or radio at normal volume to help distract your dog from the loud noises.
Provide a safe place for your dog during a storm, whether inside or out. Make a special den-like area in your home where your dog always feels safe and secure. When a storm comes, your dog will go to his/her special place so he/she can feel calm and protected.
This was referenced from The Guilt-Free Dog Owners Guide.

How To Stay Safe When A Dog Approaches

1. Don't turn and run.
2. Stand still with hands at your sides.
3. Don't put your hands out.
4. Don't scream.
5. Back away slowly when the dog loses interest, watching the dog until it is out of sight.
6. Watch the dog at all times, but don't stare. Avoid eye contact.

Information from K9 magazine.

Fact About Dogs

Have you always seen a dog curling up to sleep with its tail covering its nose? Well, this happens simply because of the cold weather. It wouldn’t hurt you to give it a thick cloth to sleep on or a dog bed. Love That Pet Store has a variety of dog and cat beds to keep your pet warm all the time.

Treating Your Dogs for Fleas and Ticks

Always follow directions when applying flea and tick medicine to your dog/dogs. Sometimes the directions can be confusing, so always treat with caution and watch your pet carefully for any reactions.
If you are using a flea spray on a young dog, spray it on a rag and then rub if on your dog in a small area rather than applying the spray directly on him.
Also, avoid over treating your dog with a variety of flea and tick products. If you take your dog to the veterinarian for a flea dip or spray your canine yourself, don't then put a flea collar on your dog, too. Always ask your veterinarian if you have any questions.
Love That Pet Store has a variety of flea and tick sprays and collars.
This was referenced from "The Guilt Free Dog Owner's Guide".

Interest Fact About Dogs:

The shape of a dog’s face suggests how long it will live. Dogs with sharp, pointed faces that look more like wolves typically live longer. Dogs with very flat faces, such as bulldogs, often have shorter lives.

Summer Travel: Rules of the Road

If people are required to wear seat belts, pets should be restrained too. Secure your dog in the back seat with a safety harness or pet carrier that fastens to a seat belt. You can also install a pet barrier or crate to keep your dog in the back seat area of your car. Dogs riding in the front can seriously get hurt by the deploy of airbags.
Avoid allowing your dog to hang his/her head out of the window- he/she could suffer an eye injury from flying debris or worse.
When stopping, make sure you attach a dog leash to your canine before opening the door so he can't escape.

Safety With Dogs and Water

A lot of dogs enjoy swimming, no matter how dirty the water. If your dog has had a swim in a lake or river, always rinse him off to avoid an ear or eye infection and pesky clingy insects which can imbed themselves into his/her fur.
If your dog loves jumping in your swimming pool, make sure he knows how to get out. Dog's instincts tell them to go out the same way they jumped in. In a pool, dogs could drown following their instincts so show your dog how to get out regardless of where they went in.
Not all dogs like or know how to swim. If your canine appears eager to swim let him ease into it gradually. Don't throw a nervous, inexperienced canine into the water.

Fun Fact About Cats

I heard on Animal Planet today, why cats climb up a tree but can't climb down. Their front claws are curled under so they can't use them for climbing down. Some cats do scoot down backwards but most of them rely on Fireman to get them down. I thought you would enjoy that fact, I did!

Tips for Keeping Pets Cool!

Here are some tips for keeping your pets cool during these hot summer days.
1. Keep plenty of fresh clean water around.
2. If your dog is outside make sure there is shade for him/her to lay.
3. If it gets too hot, bring your dog inside if possible.
4. Never walk your dog during the hottest part of the day. Check the ground to make sure it is not hot for their paws.
5. Never leave your pet in a car. It gets hot really fast.
Here at Love That Pet Store we have several items to keep your pets cool. Dog Pool, Dog Cooling Mats, and Dog Cooling Coats.

Natural Pet Foods

Now selling Azmira's Dog and Cat Food. Azmira's Dog And Cat Food is all natural, holistic pet food. They have been around since 1982. Azmira's Pet Food in U.S.A. made.

When to Bring Your Dog Home!

I got a book from the library about helpful information all about dogs. I thought this article was interesting because I never thought about when to bring a puppy or dog home. There are some dogs that settle in right away, but some need more time to adapt to their new environment. They suggest bringing them home over the weekend or holidays so they will have time to get to know you and their surroundings. If you do this, you will have less problems with barking, chewing, and other bad behaviors that happen because they are lonely or bored. I hope this information helps you when you think about bringing a puppy or dog home for the first time.

How Pet's Dental Care Costs Millions

Did you know it costs pet owners millions of dollars in dental care. Most pet owners overlook their pet's teeth until it is too late. Dog's teeth are similar to humans. Although pets don't show pain from a cavity or other mouth problems, the infection usually shows up in other ways. That is how pet owners know they have teeth problems. One way to prevent dental problems is to brush your pet's teeth with a pet toothbrush and visit your vet for a checkup annually.

To read more click on the link above.

Are Electric Dog Collars Humane?

Are you for or against electric dog collars? I recently read an article about this issue. It open my eyes to the fact that people want to control everything around them. Even their best friends. There are other ways to train your dog to stay in the yard then to shock him. I have a Jack Rat Terrier name Crackers that loves to sneak away, especially when my kids are outside with him. He has learned that running away isn't a good ideal.

This article speaks how untrained people are using these collars. They are doing more damage and even killing their dogs.
To read more about this topic, just click on the link.

Dogs Get Depressed Too!

Have you ever notice that sometimes your dog is not acting right. When we go on vacation, we leave your dog "Crackers" with the pet sitter. The pet sitter says that Crackers does not eat. I thought he just missed us, but it could be a sign of depression. Here are some signs: First, increased aggression, anxiousness, or restlessness. Second, lack of appetite or constipation. Third, disinterest in playing, moving more slowly than usual, sleeping more than usual, dramatic weight loss, drinking less water than normal and abnormal shedding. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, you may need to take him/her to the vet for a check up.

This article was from Moderndog Spring issue.

Second Hand Smoke on Dogs

Did you know that second hand smoke is just as harmful to dogs as to us? (According to the April survey in Tobacco Control)
The American Animal Hospital Association says that dogs react to smoke much like humans. They develop lung and breathing problems. Long snouted dogs are most likely to get nasal cancer, and medium and short nosed dogs are more likely to get lung cancer. After reading this, I hope you who smoke would think before lighting up.

This article was in Dog Fancy March issue.

Spring Time means Mud and Shedding

Do you hate the mess that comes with Spring Time? Especially the mud, dead grass, and shedding from your dog. Here are some helpful hints: After walking your dog, rub them off with a towel. Don't forget their paws. Brush them daily to reduce shedding hair. Keep dog's beds, blankets, and soft dog toys laundered regularly. Wash in hot water and a dye free detergent. When possible, let them dry outside. Your dog will enjoy that outside smell.

You can read more about this article, on page 18, Dog Fancy March issue.

When Older Dogs Get Grumpy

Here are some tips on grooming older dogs who are moody. Keep medium to long coated dogs in a short style so you will not have to brush them as often. If you don't care for a close cut, brush everyday. Groom in sections if you do it yourself. If you use a professional groomer, find one that is mobile. Make appointments at the end of the day so your dog doesn't have to stay long. Finally, for the canine who hates water, use products like foam or dog waterless bath.

To read more you can find this article on page 24, at Dog Fancy March issue.

Bad Breath?

Does your dog have bad breath? You can talk to your veterinarian or try some of these home remedies. A washcloth, raw carrots, a toothbrush, or fingertip brush. A dog's toothbrush will work great with or without toothpaste, just use water. But if your dog will not let you brush his/her teeth, you can simply use a moist washcloth and wipe over their teeth. This one I didn't know, to freshen their breath give your dog raw carrots. You can always check for products with veterinarians seal of approval too.

If you would like to read more. You can find it on page 16, Dog Fancy, March issue.

Making sure Dog Parks are Safe

One way to make sure dog parks are safe is to ask other pet owners questions about the park you are thinking of attending. Go to the park alone, without your dog, to see how clean and well behaved the other dogs act. If you have a small dog, see if it has a certain area for your dog. Don't bring your dog's favorite toy or food. This could cause fighting among other dogs. If for some reason you just don't feel comfortable, then by all means leave and just walk your dog around your block.

You can read more about this article on page 22, Fido's 40 issue.

World's Tallest Dog Legacy

I read a compelling story of the World's Tallest dog's fight with cancer. His name was Gibson. He stood 42.2 inches tall. He had a form of bone cancer. He was diagnosed in April 2009 and died August 2009. It is a very aggressive type of cancer. His owners formed a cause called Three Paws for the Cause to raise awareness of canine cancer. One in every 4 dog dies from cancer. Did you know that it is one of the leading deaths in dogs over two. It counts for 50% of all disease related pet deaths each year.

To read more you can find this article on page 44, Fido 40th issue.

Natural Remedies for Skin and Coats

Does your dog have skin and coat problems? This may be from food or sensitivity to detergents used on the floor or other surfaces with which they come into contact. A supplement with fatty acids is excellent for skin and coat. Example: Flax, coconut, olive, safflower and fish oils. You can find them at most health food stores.

As always check with your veterinarian before administering anything to your pet.

You can find this article on page 28 in Fido's 40th edition.

Cars going to the Dogs

Many automobiles are not only appealing to humans but also their dogs. They are making cars more roomier and dog friendly. The Honda Element has a rear-end ramp that stores conveniently into the hatchback and a paw print interior. The Toyota Venza has a low stance making it ideal for smaller and elderly dogs to get in and out of. Once inside the car, there are products made specifically for your dogs like, dog harnesses, dog booster seats, and barriers.

If you would like to read more, you can find it on page 18, issue 40 in Fido magazine.