Cheap Pet Insurance

May 21st, 2009 by Trevor

A joyful pup and its mistress once passed me on their walk in the park. The joy in the puppy’s half step half hop was quite evident. To it, every moving blade of grass was an investigative sherlock holmes mystery to be unraveled.

The high pitched yip yip yip repeated stops you in your tracks and like everyone else in the park, you turn to see what has happened to the joyful puppy. But your turn isn’t quite finished before you hear the deeper growl of another dog. Instinctively, you wish the puppy well and hope that the situation can be brough under control. You might even move towards the fracas in an effort to help calm the situation down.

In many parts of North America that problem dog is actually a dog that has inherent anger problems perhaps due to an owner who wasn’t loving and caring or problems due to inbreeding and or its part of its gene makeup.

My neighbor tells the story of his dog which is actually half dog and half Northern wolf.

Sometime last year he tied his dog to the back bumper of his vehicle and gave it a 5 meter length ( about 15 feet ) to play with. He remembers hearing a ruckus outside and running out to his front door to find the following scenario.

A pitbull was running full out at highspeed with its owner running behind holding an empty leash. The pitbull crossed his front lawn in the blink of an eye and was airborne before anyone could as much as move a few feet. His own puppy backed up against the vehicle and waited silent and expectently for the rushing pitBull.

In less than a blink the PitBull was high in the air and reaching for his puppy’s jugular. However, his puppy was no longer there at all. Launching itself a split second earlier it was also in the air and much higher than the pitBull. The pitBull attempted to twist before it even hit the ground, but the wolf puppy was faster yet and by then had a grip on the throat of the pitBull.

A very low wolf like growl emitted from my neighbors dog. For a moment the pitBull went slack and the half wolf tossed it about 2 meters.

I am told that the angry pitbull didn’t have 3 feet properly on the ground before it promptly launched itself yet again at the half puppy. This time meaning to surprise it. However, everyone was surprised when the puppy itself met the pitBull midway and without ado simply snapped its neck. There was a kind of silence that one hears when everyone is holding their breath.

No one knew how long this had all taken. It seemed to simultaneously happen so fast and then suddenly slow down as if time had been holding its breath. My neighbors big puppy, backed to the beginning of its leash and sat itself down gently, almost as if, all in a days work.

I don’t wish any animal ill, but we were later told that that pitbull was already under probation for having attacked a child the year before. In ontario, a dog can be put down for that behavior but apparently this happened weeks before some law was passed and the witnesses had differing stories so the pitbull was in its owners care while the case was being decided.

Who knows, sometimes nature itself is the great equalizer. Everyone there was certain as they told the story afterwards, that the puppy was a goner. No one had thought that there was quite that much quickness or wolf like strength and self preservation in that quiet puppy.

May 20th, 2009 by Ryan Williams

Dog lovers and owners everywhere are often faced with the issue of how to get rid of fleas! When your pet gets infested with fleas it can be an agonizing experience for both the dog and the owner and the rest of the family. We know there are side-effects of some well known dog flea products. The chemicals used in some of the nationally available household name products and may be harming our dogs and cats and potentially damaging our own health to boot. The local pet store sells a number of different flea shampoos, flea powders and flea collars including Frontline for fleas. Even though the staff are helpful and know their stuff, it is still difficult to know which product to use and almost impossible to know all of the chemical in these flea products. So for many of us the question still remains, how to get rid of fleas safely?

As people become more aware of issues pertaining to their health, dog owners are seeking all-natural alternatives to the question of how to get rid of fleas. Some of the more common and popular all-natural dog flea remedies are sketched out below:

1. Household salt remedy. Sprinkle it all over the house and particularly where your dog likes to snooze. Let the salt sit for a week or more. It seems that fleas don?t seem to like salt. Your dog will lie down on the car pet and the salt will also get on to his fur. A few days later and presto the fleas are gone.

2. Baking Soda to get rid of fleas. Cover your dog with baking soda. The baking soda will smother the fleas and kill them. This all-natural flea remedy is often recommended for puppies and kittens who are too young to be exposed to any flea remedy chemical. You can also use talcum powder or baby powder.

3. For the dog fleas on adult dogs, you could try an olive oil bath. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the fleas just drown in it and fall out. Start from the dog?s head and work your way back so the fleas don’t move to the face where it’s really hard to pluck them off. Then you just shampoo the oil out and the dog fleas will wash down the drain.

4. Other people think garlic is the only way to go in the battle against dog fleas. Use fresh garlic diced in a food processor or by hand. You can put a dab of oil into it in order to make it more paste-like plus the oil will make for a nice shiny coat. Some people use a garlic pill supplement while others use freshly chopped garlic and mix it into the food.

There seem to be a good number of all-natural solutions to getting rid of fleas. In figuring out how to get rid of fleas it is important to do some research and be diligent. Some remedies are bound to work better than other remedies. For a really serious case of fleas you might want to try a stronger dog flea remedy which are available at the pet store or online or at the vet?s office However, as with all matters pertaining to dog health, always check with your vet.

May 19th, 2009 by Tom Johnson

Have you finally decided to get a pet reptile? You have to have some idea where to start before you purchase a reptile. One of the first things to consider is what you are able to provide for your new pet. Remember, you will need to provide adequate housing that can safely accommodate your pet and food that you are comfortable feeding the pet.

Think about the time you have available. Many people buy a reptile and end up having to find a new home because they don’t have time to care for the reptile, or they decide to start a family and feel the reptile is not a suitable pet.

Keep these factors in mind and you will reduce the number of potential species on your reptile hotlist. It will also help keep you realistic before your purchase.

Once you have decided upon what you feel is the right animal for you, read everything you can find about the animal. Learn about housing, feeding, and where to find food locally.

Talk to the experts at your local reptile store. Ask questions until they feel sure you are prepared to own a reptile. Also, visit discussion forums to learn from people who own reptiles. Once you feel you have a reasonable grasp on the species, buy and set up housing before you buy and bring home the pet.

This includes the installation of heaters, lighting, an adequate substrate, and temperature and humidity monitoring. Once you feel satisfied that everything is in place it is time to go buy your pet. It is best to buy from a reputable pet store or specialist breeder.

Select a vibrant, healthy animal and give him or her adequate time to adjust to their new home before you start getting them out to play. Your last step is to find a local vet who specializes in reptiles. In the event of an emergency it is important to know there is a professional upon whom you can call for help.

May 18th, 2009 by Matt Jump

Dogs can be nice to have but but nerve racking when you consider the incessant barking that happens whenever they see a stranger or another animal. Its enough to make you go crazy when your dog starts going nuts over the sight of the mailman when you are on the phone, watching your favorite show, or simply trying to type on the computer.

A no bark collar is the easier and must effective way to stop out of control barking and bring back a little sanity back into your home.

Anti bark collars are special collars that go around a dog’s neck that gives me a minor shock when he starts to bark multiple times and in a loud manner. The collar is not designed to shock the dog when he gives just a couple barks nor when he barks softly. Rather its designed to shock the dog when he starts to bark out of control.

There are sensors on the collar that fit right bellow the dog’s neck that can sense the degree and pitch of any dog’s bark. The shock is not really painful as it is uncomfortable and shocking which in turn lets your dog know what he is doing is unacceptable.

The collar really works on more of the mental side of your dog than the physical side.

They may be depressed for the first day, this is quite common, but they will get over it quickly by the second or third day. Within a week you will notice that you do not have to use the bark collar every day. You can go every other day. Within two weeks your barking dog will be trained. He will know not to bark at the kid getting off the school bus, or your neighbor walking her dog, or your the landscaper down the road mowing the grass.

When used for several weeks they can be very effective and your “best friend” will be even more your best friend due to him or her being a little more quiet and well behaved. You will notice results within the first three days but really start to see results within two weeks.

May 17th, 2009 by Grace Lee

Choosing pet food for your beloved friend and companion, your dog, should be as much a concern as choosing food for you and your family. Your dog, just like you, requires the right mix of vitamins and nutrients in their daily diet. Like the average human, the average pet does not get as much exercise as they should. When they eat a diet high in fat, don’t be surprised to see them suffer the health consequences.

That’s why it is important to make wise selections when it comes to your pet’s food. Many of the same guidelines apply for choosing dog food as for choosing your own food. Find dog foods that are high in protein, contain a balance of nutrients, and are low in fat.

Cheaper pet foods use poor cuts of meat. They are usually higher in fat. Additionally, these foods are less likely to add nutritional supplements that your pet needs. They may also contain preservatives that extend the shelf life of the food, but over time these preservatives may be harmful to your dog.

Armed with this information, it is best to choose from reputable dog foods that provide for your dogs nutritional needs. Higher end dog foods are generally made from better cuts of meat, lower in fat, and have additional vitamins and minerals your dog needs. Many of these dog foods are organic, meaning they contain no harmful preservatives or additives. This is better for your pet’s health in the long run.

Some dogs require special diets. In response to that need pet owners have developed recipes for well balanced, high quality pet foods. Many of these recipes are available online. Making your own dog food is the best way to ensure they are eating the very best.

For many families pets are considered a part of the family. They are treated as such, including their diet. After all, it is your pet’s diet that will help determine their physical condition, longevity, and vigor. It’s wise to check into your pet’s food to make ensure they are eating a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet.