Your Pets Count

pet information that caters to your special friend

You are currently browsing the The Pet Product Guru blog archives for August, 2022.

Archives

Calendar

August 2022
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  

Archive for August, 2022

Considering Insurance For Your Pets?

Wednesday, August 31, 2022
posted by Jim Murphy

Pet medical care can get very expensive. Ask me, I know from what I’ went through with two of my cats. They  had regular visits and tests done to monitor their renal and thyroid disease. Their medication was also very expensive. We usually don’t budget for our pet medical care. It’s just a given, we do what we have to do for our beloved pets.

You may consider purchasing pet insurance but you have to be careful and clearly understand what is covered and what’s not covered. Here are some tips when considering pet insurance.

  • Always consider lifetime coverage. According to the Guardian, lifetime coverage is designed to pay for any chronic or recurring condition during the pet’s entire lifetime, compared to other policies which might refuse cover once they reach a certain age, or because of pre-existing medical conditions. Trouble is, it is expensive: for a labrador it can cost four times as much as basic accident-only cover.
  • Always read the small print. Look for the best coverage rather than the best price.
  • Don’t pay for unnecessary coverage. If you’re never going to take your pet abroad, you don’t need European coverage.If you don’t live on your own you won’t need emergency boarding coverage. A couple of these things can lower the cost.

Do your research and compare coverage. Make sure you are getting the proper coverage for what you’re paying for.

Remember, pets are family!

The greatest variety of oldies are on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “Play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website, Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

add comment    Comments Off on Considering Insurance For Your Pets?

Brush Your Cat Regularly, Cut Down on Hairballs

Tuesday, August 30, 2022
posted by Jim Murphy

My cat Millie has hairballs every now and then. I brush her nearly every day. Brushing is the most common way to groom your cat. It can also help cut down on hairballs if you do it regularly. You’ll save on hairball remedies. If your cat has long hair, she should be brushed everyday to prevent the hair from becoming matted. Brushing is also a good way to reduce the amount of fur on your clothes and furniture. When I stop brushing Millie, she will “meow” telling me that she wants more!

While brushing her, it’s a good idea to sometimes comb through her fur and check for fleas. Brushing is also a good way to check the general condition of your cat. Check to see that the fur is smooth and shiny and also check to see if your cat has any lumps or bumps on her. If you find one have your vet check it out right away. It could be nothing or something serious but treatable if detected early.

Remember, your pets count!

Enjoy your oldies. The best oldies from the 50’s through the 80’s are on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website, Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

add comment    Comments Off on Brush Your Cat Regularly, Cut Down on Hairballs

Canine Joint Problems

Monday, August 29, 2022
posted by Jim Murphy

Does your pet have a bad shoulder, knee or elbow? You toss him his favorite dog toy in the park and you notice him limping towards you. If this is the case your vet may refer you to an Arthroscopic Surgeon. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of joint conditions. It involves making very tiny incisions into your pets joint. One incision allows a surgeon to insert surgical instruments and another will allow an arthroscope to be inserted. This is a tiny telescope with a light. Dr. John Payne of the Pittsburgh Veterinary and Emergency Center says that the arthroscope allows the surgeon to view the joint and see everything that’s going on. He also says that the incisions are so small that infections after surgery are very rare. After surgery,you should see an improvement in your pets condition. Your vet will prescribe any pet medication that may be necessary.Before you know it, your pet will be chasing those toys in the park once again!

Remember, pets are family!

Enjoy the greatest variety of oldies on Edgewater Gold Radio! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website, Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

add comment    Comments Off on Canine Joint Problems

Most of the time, we talk about the friendliest dog breeds for dog owners. Today we have a list of the most aggressive dogs according to PetHelpful.com. I always say that the way the dog is socialized is key to their behavior. Although these dogs are considered aggressive if they are socialized and trained well, they still can make good pets.

#1 – Chihuahua

#2 – Dachshund

#3 – Chow Chow

#4 – Doberman Pinscher

#5 – Dalmation

#6 – Rottweiler

#7 – Jack Russell Terrier

#8 – German Shepherd

#9 – American Staffordshire/Pit Bull Terrier

#10 – Siberian Husky

This is helpful if you are thinking of adopting a dog and have small children in the home.

Remember, your pets count!

Enjoy your weekend with the greatest variety of oldies on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website, Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

add comment    Comments Off on Some Dogs that are Considered the Most Aggressive

The moment that you decide to adopt an outdoor cat, it becomes part of your family. Usually these cats spend most of their lives both indoors and outdoors. You let them out periodically, you feed them, they cuddle with you on the couch, you give them a name and take care of their needs. I’ve heard some disturbing news where some people who have adopted an outdoor cat, abandon that cat when they move!

You know what I’m going to say about this! These people are not animal lovers and have no right owning and caring for a pet. Period! end of story!  I don’t understand how someone can abandon a beloved pet. The only answer that I come up with is that these type of people are self centered and agree to adopt an outside cat because their child wanted it or they are amused to see this cat appearing in their yard and started feeding it. This is the wrong reason to adopt.

I had a cat (Molly) who was a feral cat. Many years ago when I was coming home from work, and parked my car .I heard a tiny “meow” from under another parked car. A tiny kitten only only about 5 weeks old walked over to me. I picked her up and took her inside. The moment I picked her up and took her in, she belonged to me and became part of my family. She made three moves with my partner and I.  Molly became by beloved pet and part of my family for the next 19 years.

It is the same thing when you adopt a cat who goes in and out! I’ll always say there are very cruel people out there! If for some reason you can’t take your pet with you, you make arrangements for her adoption. Take some responsibility, it’s your duty!

Remember, pets are family!

Have a great weekend and enjoy your favorite oldies on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website, Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

add comment    Comments Off on When Adopting an Outdoor Cat, It Becomes Part of Your Family

Behavior Changes in Senior Cats

Wednesday, August 24, 2022
posted by Jim Murphy

As your cat ages, you can expect changes in his/her behavior. Sometimes we don’t realize that these changes are occurring but sometimes they can get us a bit concerned. Pet MD has put together a list of changes you may notice as your cat ages.

1. More Talkative
Excessive vocalizing as she ages doesn’t mean she’s becoming more conversational, but it could indicate that she’s disoriented due to feline cognitive decline (FCD). It could also be that she’s becoming deaf or is in pain, perhaps from arthritis. Have her thoroughly examined to rule out any medical conditions. If there’s no physical cause, your veterinarian can try to resolve it with pheromones if her meowing stems from anxiety brought on by age.

2. Restlessness or Waking at Night
Your aging cat could be experiencing hearing or vision loss, which can impact how deeply she sleeps. Or she may need to use her litter box more frequently but have trouble finding it due to feline cognitive decline (FCD). Geriatric anxiety could also be the culprit, caused by being separated from you because you’re asleep or being worried about finding her way around the house. Medication may possibly help with this.

3. Disorientation and Confusion
An aging cat’s mental decline can resemble a human’s Alzheimer’s disease, where the once familiar becomes confusing or forgotten. Predictability in your cat’s schedule and environment can help ease her stress. Keep the location of her litter box and food in the same places as always, and avoid any changes to what she eats or the litter she uses. If her distress is at a fever pitch, keep her in a room with food and litter box at opposite ends. Having both in the same small space can increase her feeling of security.

4. Using the House as a Litter Box
If she has taken her elimination habits outside of the box, so to speak, she is not being willfully disobedient. Inappropriate elimination has many causes, such as a decrease in mobility, a more frequent urge to eliminate, less control over her bowels or bladder, and serious organ issues, urine tract infection, kidney disease, or even brain tumors. Take her to the vet to rule out any medical issue and, if that’s not the cause, increase the number of litter boxes. You may need to get a litterbox with lower sides than her current box so that she can comfortably enter and exit.

5. Becoming Emotionally Distant or Especially Needy
This sign is fairly easy to spot, since a formerly friendly cat becoming less interested in you and your petting is a stark contrast to her “normal” behavior. Conversely, a previously aloof cat can become clingy and overly dependent — such as following you around the house or meowing plaintively and constantly — and may feel the need for constant physical contact. Try to think of this change as getting to experience the flip side of your cat’s personality.

6. Apathy with a Decrease in Activity
Apathy with a drop in her usual activity can also mean illness, so check her eyes to see if her third eyelid (haw) is showing. If she passes this test and is not significantly different, such as not grooming herself at all or being less responsive to activity in her environment, chances are that she’s just slowing down with age. At any time that your cat refuses to eat, get her to the vet immediately. Not eating can cause fatty liver disease, which is both quick and fatal.

7. Crankiness and Irritability
When your cat reacts to being disturbed with irritation and crankiness, she could be feeling the physical effects of aging — stiffness, soreness (maybe from arthritis), muscular weakness, or diminished smell or hearing. She also could be feeling some confusion and sadness about her restricted activity and diminished ability to be part of family life. Find ways to include her, even if that means just holding her on your lap as she watches Junior’s antics, and take care to leave her alone when she’s settled in comfortably.

8.. Pacing … pacing … and pacing
An older cat that continuously paces during her waking hours is showing one of the classic signs of feline cognitive decline (FCD), a condition that mimics dementia in humans. Though it can be unnerving to see your cat constantly walking back and forth, it can also be a bonding experience for the two of you. Try walking along with her and carrying on a conversation, even if it’s one-sided; surprise her with treats along her path; or drag a shoelace in front of her if she seems playful. Consult your veterinarian for possible options for your cat.

Thank you once again to Pet MD for providing this valuable information.

Remember, pets are family!

The best 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.

add comment    Comments Off on Behavior Changes in Senior Cats

One of the issues faced by first time dog owners is how much to feed them. Some dogs will eat all the time and always seem as if they’re starving. If you read the labels of your dog’s favorite foods, you will notice lots of discrepancies in the recommended amounts to feed him. The amount of food that you feed your dog will change throughout his life. Most weight problems develop slowly and are likely to occur during the transition period from puppy to adult. Remember, an adult dog’s appetite is always greater than his need. Another time when weight gain increases is when your dog gets older and his activity level decreases. Be aware of the need to adjust your dogs calories and give him periodic weight checks. This will help you with overfeeding during these transition times.

Knowing how much to feed your dog can be confusing. Always start with a quality food and note the feeding instructions on the bag or can. Then, add or decrease the amount depending on your dogs activity level. Start feeding this amount but monitor his weight on a regular basis. Make adjustments along the way and always check with your vet. So don’t overfill that dog dish right away!

Remember, pets are family!

The music to remember by. Edgewater Gold Radio with the best variety of oldies. Ask Alexa to ‘play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website or the dozens and dozens of apps  Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

add comment    Comments Off on Keep Canine Weight Gain Problems Down, Feed You Dog the Proper Amount

If you’re dog owner, there will be two common items on your “to do” list. One is walk the dog, the second is either “go to the gym” or “exercise.” If you are having trouble sticking to an exercise schedule, research has shown that dogs are actually natures best personal trainer. Your friends my make excuses to skip exercising or convince you to go for a drink instead of going to the gym but your dog will never give you an excuse to forego exercising.

Research has shown that only 16% of Americans over 15 exercised at all on a given day.

A survey of dog owners, conducted at the University of Western Australia and published in Health Promotion Journal of Australia  revealed that dogs are great motivators for walking because they:

  • Provide a strong motivation to maintain a program
  • Are good walking companions
  • Provide good social support when exercising

In a study published in the journal Preventive Medicine, Dog owners who reported walking their dogs were almost 25 percent less likely to be obese than people without dogs. A total of 30 minutes per day is sufficient. A ten minute walk around the neighborhood in the morning and a twenty minute romp in the park tossing around your dogs favorite dog toys and having him run free from his dog leash would be sufficient. Most people walk their dog three times a day so in most cases, you will get more than thirty minutes of exercise.

So grab that dog leash, call your dog and go for a brisk walk. You both will benefit. Have a great day!

Remember, pets are family!

The best variety of oldies are on Edgewater Gold Radio! Just ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website, Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

add comment    Comments Off on Dog Walking and Exercise – the Two Go Together

The Importance of Keeping Your Bird Cage Clean

Saturday, August 20, 2022
posted by Jim Murphy

Cleaning a bird cage can seem like a chore and you could tend to put it off frequently. Bird cages should be kept as clean as possible at all times. The first thing that you should do is select a particular day of the week to clean the cage and make sure that you stick to it. Here are some steps in cleaning your birds cage.

  1. Wash the cage tray.  – The tray should be removed and scrubbed with a damp rag and cage cleaner. Make sure that the tray is dry before putting the liners back in.
  2. Remove and scrub the grate.- The grate on the bottom of the cage must be removed weekly to remove any dried droppings that may have collected on it. Place the grate in the bathtub and use a  scrub brush to clean it. Make sure that it is completely dry before returning it to the cage.
  3. Clean and change the perches. –Perches can accumulate dirt and waste and can be a breeding ground for bacteria. They should also be soaked once a week. Wooden perches take a while to dry so it’s a good idea to have a few perches on hand and rotate them.
  4. Clean and rotate bird toys. – Much like babies, birds use their mouths to play with their toys. Remove, soak and scrub all toys once per week. It may be helpful to have a variety of toys so you can rotate these each week as you do with the perches.

Remember, pets are family!

The greatest variety of oldies are playing on Edgewater Gold Radio! It’s a classic oldies weekend! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website, Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

add comment    Comments Off on The Importance of Keeping Your Bird Cage Clean

A Pet Water Bowl Reminder

Friday, August 19, 2022
posted by Jim Murphy

During Summer, pets can easily get dehydrated especially if they go outdoors. I have an indoor cat but let her out on the porch or deck while I’m out there occasionally. When we go indoors she usually goes right for her water bowl. After walking your dog in the hot sun, check to make sure that the water bowl is filled with fresh water when ou return. You should be checking and filling those dog water bowls more frequently during Summer anyway. Keep some fresh water outside. If you’re traveling with you pet, make sure he has access to water at all times. Prevent problems this summer and keep your pet hydrated.

Rremember, pets are family!

End your week with the greatest oldies of all time!  Edgewater Gold Radio is your place for the best oldies1 Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio or listen from my website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

add comment    Comments Off on A Pet Water Bowl Reminder