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Archive for December, 2021

Tips for a Happy and Healthy Dog

Friday, December 31, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

They say “a healthy dog is a happy dog” or is it the other way around?  All of us wish our pets would live forever and there are some things that you can do to make his years with you healthy years.

  1. Take your dog to the vet for a check up at least once a year. Work with your vet to ensure your dogs good health.
  2. Dogs can show signs of gum disease by the time they are four years old. Brush you dogs teeth regularly, daily if possible.  Always use a dog friendly toothbrush and toothpaste. Flavors like chicken and beef will entice him. Check your dogs mouth once a week. His mouth should be free of yellow tartar. His gums should not be swollen nor bright red or white. Provide lots of chew toys to keep his teeth and gums healthy.
  3. Stay away from dark chocolate or any chocolate for that matter. Chocolate can cause dangerous arrhythmia’s in dogs and can increase their heart rate and cause death. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage. Onions given in large amounts can damage your dogs red blood cells and cause anemia. Stay away from cheese steaks, this is a no no for dogs. (Sorry Fido’s from Philly!) Never give him mushrooms. These can cause shock and even death.
  4. Keep your dog’s weight in check. Just like with humans obesity can shorten your life and cause all sorts of problems.
  5. Feed him a nutritious diet. To make sure that his dog food meets his complete nutritional needs, check the label for the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement. Choose foods that list meat as the first ingredient.

Follow these simple steps and you can rest assure that you are doing the best you can to keep your best friend happy and healthy!

Enjoy this last day of 2021 with great oldies! Edgewater Gold Radio! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

 

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Things You Can Do If Your Cat Has Kidney Disease

Thursday, December 30, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

Kidney disease is very common in older cats and unfortunately, there is really no cure for it. On a positive note, a cats kidneys are extremely efficient and can function even when aren’t functioning at full capacity. Some vets recommend Sub Q hydration for cats that are not drinking enough water. They also recommend a renal diet. The problem with these diets is that lots of cats don’t like the food and the food contains lower amounts of protein. This is something that your cats need. Lower phosphorus is also recommended for cats with kidney disease.

I would recommend getting a water fountain for your cat. Cats are fascinated with water and seem to love drinking from the fountain. My cats always drink more from the fountain than they would from their water bowls. Hydration is vital for cats with kidney disease. I also use an omega oil which helps preserve kidney function. Astros Oil is the product that I’ve used on all of my cats that had kidney disease.  Most cat food does not list the phosphorus content. The recommended phosphorus range for a cat with kidney disease is between 0.3 – 0.6%.  Do some research on the foods. A couple of foods that I can recommend is Weruva and Fussy Cat. Both have lower phosphorous levels which are better for a cat with kidney disease.

As I mentioned, there is no cure for feline kidney disease but we can delay the process and your cat can enjoy more good years with you if you take these additional steps.

Remember, pets are family!

Edgewater Gold Radio is entering it’s 20th year of streaming the greatest variety of oldies! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Feeding Tropical Fish, Less is More

Wednesday, December 29, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

One of the biggest mistakes tropical fish keepers make is overfeeding. This contaminates the water and ultimately kills the fish. The frequency of feeding can depend on the type of fish you have.In general most fish do quite well on one feeding per day. However, some owners prefer to feed their fish twice a day. Keep the feedings very small. If you have fish that are nocturnal such as catfish, give them their fish food just before you turn off the lights at night. So how much fish food should you put in the aquarium? A good rule of thumb is to feed no more than the fish will consume completely in less than five minutes. When in doubt, underfeed! If you do overfeed, take the excess food out with a siphon or net.

Remember, pets are family!

The best variety of oldies are playing all the time on Edgewater Gold Radio. Listen to the 50’s 60’s 70’s and 80’s all the the time. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website; edgewatergoldradio.com.

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A Cats Protein Requirements

Tuesday, December 28, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

A cat needs twice as much protein as a dog. Cats also require about 20 different kinds of amino acids to make their own body protein and those amino acids come from protein in food. What ‘s the best source of protein for your cat ,chicken, beef or fish? The truth is that any and all sources of protein are good for your cat. Commercial pet foods contain at least 30% protein from a variety of sources to more than meet your cats needs. If your cat is a eats quality foods,  you can give him beef one day, chicken the next and fish the next. All are great sources of  protein.

Remember, your pets count.

We’re keeping your favorite oldies playing all the time on Edgewater Gold Radio. Just ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or you may listen from our website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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The Beautiful Chausie Cat

Monday, December 27, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

If you’ve never heard of a Chausie, don’t worry, many people have not. These beautiful cats are a result of careful breeding between wild “jungle” cats and domestic cats. They were first bred in the 60’s as a safer alternative than to keep jungle cats in the home. It has the looks, grace and style of a jungle cats but the gentle disposition of  a domestic cat. Today, the most common breed used to product a Chausie is the Abyssinian because it looks like a jungle cat but is much smaller. Adult males can reach 25 pounds so Chausies require lots of activity and lots of space. Chausies are heavy boned with long, slender legs and a muscular body. They have piercing oval gold or yellow eyes and a triangular shaped face with three round corners. They are loyal to their owners and have a high energy level.They love playing with their cat toys. Some are champion jumpers and they made an ideal companion for young children.

Remember, pets are family!

The greatest variety of oldies are playing all the time on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Allergies, Cats and Babies

Sunday, December 26, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

There always have been many misconceptions about having a baby and owning a cat. Some people really believe that cats are not good for a baby’s health. There was a study done at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and they found that children that were exposed to cats as infants grew up to have significantly fewer allergies then kids without pets. The study indicates that if you have a cat around at the beginning of a child’s life, they may develop a strong immune system.  Another myth that I’m sure you’ve heard is that cats try to harm infants.  This is not the case but I wouldn’t recommend a cat sleeping with a baby unsupervised.  The reason is that babies can’t always turn themselves. If the cat gets close enough, the baby may have trouble breathing. I would let the baby sleep alone.

Remember, pets are family!

The best variety of oldies are playing on Edgewater Gold Radio! Ask Alexa to “Play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Facebook and Instagram accounts hacked

Saturday, December 25, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

I would like to wish all you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I can no longer access my facebook account or instagram accounts. They have both been hacked and I can no longer access any information such as phone number or even email address. The hacker must have altered my profile and Facebook does not allow any access. They have no system to retrieve an account that has been hacked the way mine was. So right now, you won’t be hearing from me on Facebook.

Enjoy you holiday with your beloved pets!

Remember, pets are family!

Enjoy all holiday music today on Edgewater Gold Radio! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from the website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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The Pet Product Guru wants to thank all of our loyal readers and followers over the 11+ years. We all love our precious fur babies and want to do our best to ensure that they are happy and healthy. We look forward to more interesting and helpful posts in 2022.

Have a happy and healthy holiday and wonderful New Year. After all we’ve been through, we deserve a return to normalcy!

The Pet Product Guru

(Jim Murphy)

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Does Your Cat Look Like He’s Crying?

Wednesday, December 22, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

If your cat looks like she’s crying, she may not be crying at all. There could be many reasons why she’s tearing up.  You may need to take her to a vet to find out for sure.  If her eyes are suddenly watery, this could be caused by allergies,  an upper respiratory infection,  or even an injury.Persistent watery eyes could indicate an inherited defect or chronic problem such as glaucoma, cataracts or conjunctivitis. So keep an eye on your cats eyes. They should be clear and bright and the whites should not be discolored. If you do notice a problem, take her to the veterinarian for a proper exam.

Remember, pets are family.

All of your oldies and holiday favorites are playing right now on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Nutrition and Good Bacteria

Monday, December 20, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

For years antibiotics have been used to destroy bad bacteria in a pets body.  Today lots of veterinarians are looking for ways to promote the growth of good bacteria in a pets body using nutrition. Sherry Sanderson, an associate professor at the University of Georgia says that prebiotics are non-digestible ingredients that are added to the pets diet. When they reach the large intestines, they act as a source of nutrition for those large intestinal bacteria and promote good bacteria to thrive in the large intestine. The good bacteria produce energy for the cells that line the intestines and help with the production of nutrients. One of the most common prebiotics found in pet food is fiber. This is listed on the label as  crude fiber or b pulp. Feeding your pet foods that will maintain his health will help you cut back on the cost of pet medication down the road!

Remember, pets are family!

Holiday music and great oldies are playing all the time on Edgewater Gold Radio! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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