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Archive for January, 2014

Your Dog May Need His Own Bed

Friday, January 31, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

DOG BED3Dogs love to be cuddly and warm. This is clear when they incessantly burrow under blankets and snuggle in bed with you. But dogs that shed a lot or have flea problems may not be welcome in bed with you. You can curb this behavior by buying your dog a super warm, comfortable bed that they simply won’t want to get out of.

A dog bed is the perfect solution. A soft fleece bed with cushions will fill his need for surrounding warmth, harkening back to his days as a puppy sleeping with his litter mates. Look for a bed that features non-pilling fleece and is machine-washable. Your dog—and your bed—will thank you!

Remember, your pets count.

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SENSELESS KILLINGWe usually write about dogs and cats but there was a story that I heard today that really disturbed me. Each year, people kill about 22,000 dolphins and porpoises in Japan’s waters. The town is called Taji and every year they capture and kill these poor creatures. Dolphin is not an animal that should be eaten so this is done just for sport.  This is inhumane and should not be tolerated. The Japanese people say that it’s their tradition and is perfectly legal. They clearly don’t have any compassion for these creatures.

According to CNN, slaughterhouse-killing rules for livestock such as cattle require “rapid bleed out.” But when killing a dolphin, the workers create a massive spinal wound, then plug it to prevent the bleeding that would at least speed loss of consciousness to the dolphin, whose sensing brain remains undamaged.

I’m not singling out any particular group but I am opposed to any kind of animal cruelty. Too much of it exists. In our own country, dogs and cats are beaten and thrown to the curb to die. Each year in north Jersey, there’s a bear hunt. Hunters randomly shoot and kill black bears then brag about how many they killed. This is crazy and disgusting behavior. We need to try to put a stop to animal cruelty. Repost this blog, tweet about your feelings about this issue and do anything to get the word out that cruelty to animals in inhumane, senseless and will not be tolerated!

Remember, your pets count!

 

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Do Cats Like to Be Pet?

Tuesday, January 28, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

Most cats really enjoy the feel of a warm hand gently stroking their fur. You’ll often here them purr. My older cat Molly loves to be pet all the time. I can pet her for hours and she doesn’t move. Her favorite places are on CAT PETtop of her head and under her neck.  My younger cat Millie likes to be pet for awhile, then she’s had enough and has to go!  Cats do like to be pet but do it gently. Some prefer to be scratched instead.  Some favorite spots can be under their chin, on their cheeks or even on the bridge of their nose. That’s if they trust you. Another favorite place is behind the ears. Some cats like their stomach and tails petted but many don’t. My cat Mollie loves her stomach rubbed but don’t care for it too much if I pet her tail.  Always keep in mind that cats are different than dogs and require a special kind of affection.

Remember, your pet count!

 

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The Dreaded Pet Carrier!

Sunday, January 26, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy
Millie, the cat who won't even consider her pet carrier!

Millie, the cat who won’t even consider her pet carrier!

I have a cat, who gets stressed out when she sees her pet carrier.  Although, I must say that as she’s gotten older, it’s become less of an issue. I used to have to leave it out and open in the house a few hours before our trip., I would put treats inside and a soft blanket but no use, she did not even consider it! I frequently travel 4 hours to Delaware for the weekends and don’t want to leave her at home. I usually bring her bed, put it on the back seat and have her lie in it without the pet carrier. This is not only dangerous for me, the driver who keeps looking back to see that she is OK but it’s dangerous for my cat who is not at all secure in the event of even a minor collision!

Here is a method that might work for you.

Cats associate the carrier with a change of routine and so you must be very careful and try to outsmart them. Don’t bring the pet carrier out right before the trip. Bring the carrier out a day or two before you are leaving on your trip. Place a blanket, a snack and even some catnip inside which might entice them to investigate it. Cats hate being shoved in their carrier with the door slammed shut. If you see your cat go in on her own, close the door for a minute or two then open it again. This sometimes makes your trip a little easier – that’s if your cat isn’t like my cat Millie. Coming soon car sickness – what to do.

Remember, your pets count!

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Some Great Lap Dogs

Saturday, January 25, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

LAP DOG 1Do you like to relax in front of the TV or reading a good book in your favorite chair? Isn’t it great when your pet joins you for a nice, cozy relaxing afternoon? Most dogs are either too large to comfortably sit on your lap or  don’t have the temperament to stay awhile. They’ll jump up and quickly jump down and look something else to occupy their time. There are some breeds that make great lap dogs.

  • Bichon Frise
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  • Chihuahua (When he wants to chill out)
  • Maltese
  • Pug
  • Pomeranian
  • Shih Tzu
  • Yorkshire Terrier

There are many more but these breeds make wonderful lap dogs.

Remember, your pets count!

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LAP DOG 2

senior catWe really don’t like to admit this, but our cats really grow up quickly. I remember when my cat Molly would race all around the house chasing anything and everything! Now,she barely gets up at all. She spends all her day in the quiet comfort of her bed in our warm home. Here are some facts that may help you care for your senior cat.

  1. Did you know that cats are considered “senior” at seven years old?  This doesn’t mean that they’re over the hill by any means. Veterinarians just want their owners to be on the lookout for any health problems that may affect your cat since it is no longer a kitten and is getting a bit older.
  2. Did you know that most physical conditions in cats go undiagnosed? Cats don’t usually let you know when they are in pain unless there is something that is really causing the discomfort. This is why it’s important to take your cat to the vet at least twice per year.
  3. Did you know that more than half of cats become obese?  As older cats slow down, so does their metabolism. That is why you should try to engage your cat in some kind of moderate activity at least once per day. This is easier said than done. When I try to play with Molly by throwing a toy across the floor or using a cat fishing pole to stimulate her, all she does is look at it! Then look at me as if trying to say “are you crazy?” Usually something with catnip in it will get her going for a little while.
  4. Did you know that 70% of cats develop arthritis? Make sure that your older cat has easy access to his kitty litter, water and food dish.
  5. Did you know that older cats put on body fat even though they consume fewer calories?  Obesity, heart disease, periodontal disease can occur as a cat gets older. Make sure you speak with your vet about any changes you may need to make to your cat’s diet.

Remember, your pets count!

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Can Dogs Develop Prostate Disease?

Wednesday, January 22, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

GOLDEN RETRIEVER WITH CHILDRENA dogs prostate can become enlarged just as humans can.  When a dogs prostate becomes enlarged,it becomes pre-exposed to cysts and infections.  How can you tell if your dog has a problem with his prostate?  Check to see if he strains to urinate and also check to see if there’s blood in his urine.  In severe cases, a dog may become ill or even collapse. Prostatic disease is most common in non-neutered dogs.  Mary McClouglin, a small animal surgeon at Ohio State University recommends that all male dogs get checked for prostate problems.  Your vet will determine whether or not the prostate is enlarged, in the right place and the right shape. If abnormalities are detected,pet medication, neutering or surgery may be recommended by your vet to protect your pet. Look for these signs.  If you find anything abnormal, have your dog checked out right away. You won’t be sorry!

Remember, your pets count!

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Moving Can Stress Out Your Cat

Tuesday, January 21, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

Cat EMptyThe moving process in general can be very stressful.  All of the packing, labeling, and dismantling all that you own can be a very tedious process. The pieces of your life get boxed up and relocated. It can also be stressful on your cat. After all his life is in an upheaval as well. Here are some things that you can do to make the move easier on your furry friend.

1. Get your cat used to riding in the car. Take him out for a few short rides just to make sure that the car ride doesn’t cause more stress than necessary.

2.If possible, introduce your cat to his new home before the big moving day.

3. Set up his litter, food and water bowls in the new home before the move.

4. On moving day, try to get a neighbor or friend to take your cat for a few hours while the movers are doing their thing.  Movers usually do their job very quickly. This can frighten your cat and cause him to bolt out of an open door.

5. Give your cat time to get used of his new home. Let him explore and sniff his way through the house. Before you know it, he will never even remember his old surroundings.

Remember, your pets count!

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DOG BOOTSA lot of people take a lot of pride in keeping their homes spotless. Whether they scrub and work themselves or they hire somebody to clean the house, some people simply place a lot of stock in the appearance of their homes both inside and outside. If that’s the case, you might be reluctant to indulge in a dog. Dogs, after all, are notoriously messy. Especially if you want a big dog, you have to deal with excessive shedding, mud being dragged all over your furniture, and long nails scratching up the floors.

But it’s not impossible to achieve an immaculate home and be a proud pet owner. If you’re particularly concerned about your newly done and perfect hardwood floors, just invest in a simple pair of dog boots. These soft padded boots are the perfect way to allow your dog free reign of the kitchen without causing any lasting damage. Many of these slippers even have non-slip bottoms, so you don’t have to worry about your dog hurting himself by slipping on the slick surface.

Remember, your pets count!

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Mixed Bred or Pure Bred, Which is Better

Thursday, January 16, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

MIXED BREED PUPPYThere has been a debate for a long time on whether mixed breed dogs are better than pure breds.  Some believe that there are advantages in adopting a mixed breed.  Some say that a mixed-breed has a better disposition and can more easily adapt to its new home. Mixed breeds are much cheaper than pure breds. A mixed breed has a much lower chance of being born with inherited congenital diseases, since the mating process naturally leaves out the defective genes.  Other dog lovers disagree and say that it’s better to adopt a pure bred. One reason is that with a mixed breed, you cannot be sure about the exact mix of breeds that the puppy may have come from. This means that you may think the pup will turn out to be a small dog suitable for an apartment when in fact, it grows very large and is no longer suitable.

Breeders of purebred puppies  have the advantage of being able to tell prospective owners what they can expect in regards to size, behavior and health. Responsible breeders carefully match prospective breeding pairs based on temperament and physical conformity according to PetMD.

Dog lovers who are devoted to mix breeds say that mixed breeds are less likely to exhibit the results of interbreeding. Some of these results can be in the form of temperament, intelligence and health issues.  All this is true but if you adopt a mixed breed, this doesn’t mean that it will be free of health issues.  Sometimes a mixed breed is born with the negative health traits that originated from the breed that it is descended from.

There are pros and cons to both pure breds and mixed breeds. It’s up to you to decide which is best for you.

Remember, your pets count!

 

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