You’re brushing your dog and notice that he has some bald spots. Hair loss constantly happens in a dogs life. When should you be concerned that your dog is losing too much hair? If you see areas of bare skin exposed, there is something definitely wrong. If this is the case, check your dog for other bald spots. Do this by wearing a rubber glove and gently check all other areas while talking gently to your dog.

Is the hair loss confined to only one area or is it generalized? If it’s all over, sometimes this is due to an under active thyroid gland. Patchy areas of hair loss could be due to an infection or parasite infestation. If it’s a single area, it could be due to an injury. I once had a friend who’s dog injured himself by breaking through his gate in the backyard. The owner didn’t realize in until she notice a patch of hair missing on his thigh. Keep monitoring the spot to make sure that there’s no bleeding or brusing.
Does your dog have a rash? A rash or other irritation could directly affect the hair folicles and cause hair loss.
Always wear disposable gloves when checking your dog. It could be Ringworm which is highly contagious even to humans.
Do not administer any pet medication yourself. Take your dog to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. He may need antibiotics.

Remember, pets are family!

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Does cleaning up your cat’s fur drive you nuts? You may want to purchase a cat hair magnet. This great invention comes in a variety of forms. Some are large arched brushes that your cat can rub against effectively grooming herself, others are small rubber tools that you can use to clean your furniture. The term “magnet” is a bit misleading. Although the products are designed to trap cat hair, they’re not technically magnets. The rubber bristles in these products generate an electrostatic charge that help attract and hold loose fur. Then you can easily vacuum it up before it sticks to your furniture.

Remember, pets are family!
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Back in the days when I had a dog, I would be gone for many hours during the day. I would buy all types of toys, there were so many rawhide bones around the house that I could have filled an entire room with them! This did not keep my dog content while I was gone. It was quite apparent that he was lonely and need so much attention when I would arrive home. Looking back now at this situation really saddens me. Are you in the same type of situation now? Maybe you should consider hiring a Pet Sitter. If you decide to go this route, here are some things that you should remember.

1. The Pet Sitter should conduct himself/herself in a professional manner and give you his undivided attention while being interviewed.

2. Your Pet Sitter should have insurance and be bonded if they are with a pet sitting company.

3. The Pet Sitter should conduct business with honesty and integrity. They should also observe all federal, state and local laws pertaining to operating the business of animal care.

4. The Pet Sitter should have a least three references which you should check out thoroughly.

These following issues regarding your pet must also be considered when hiring a Pet Sitter.

1. Your pet needs to be comfortable with the pet sitter. You must allow time for your dog to get used to the Pet Sitter by allowing the sitter to come by several days while you’re at home before being left alone with your pet.

2. The Pet Sitter must be interested in learning as much as possible about your pet. This includes eating habits, health issues, temperament, exercise etc.

3. Make sure you give the Pet Sitter a list of emergency phone numbers in case your pet becomes ill or has an accident. This list should include your vets number, as well as the numbers of other vets in case your vet is not available.

4. The Pet Sitter must be knowledgeable of pet first aid and other concerns such as pet food re-calls.

5. You must agree that your Pet Sitter can or cannot have others visitors while they are pet sitting your dog.

6. Determine the Pet Sitter’s experience by asking some pointed questions during the interview.

7. You must be completely confident before offering the job. Treat this like hiring a nanny for your child.

Once you have a pet sitter, you will notice the change in your dogs attitude when you arrive home. You will no longer feel that he is being neglected and you will feel confident that his needs are being cared for.

Remember, pets are family!
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It’s always a good time to examine your yard for pet hazards. We may not realize it, but we plant flowers that are poisonous to our pets. Here’s a list compiled by the Blue Buffalo Dog Food company.

• Sago Palm – It has leaves and seeds that can be deadly to pets.
• Oleander – This outdoor shrub has leaves and flowers that can be extremely toxic and even deadly if ingested by dogs and cats.
• Azalea/Rhododendron– If your dog eats just a few of the leaves, he will vomit and have diarrhea and excessive drooling.
• Tulips – The bulbs of these plants are highly toxic to pets, more so than the leaves and flowers. The bulbs are the perfect target for dogs who like to dig.
• Crocus – If consumed, they can cause gastrointestinal problems.
• Cyclamen – The roots of this plant can be deadly if ingested by pets.
• Daffodils – The outer layer of it’s bulbs have crystals that can irritate a pets mouth. Eating the stems and roots can also be toxic.

Remember, pets are family!

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We call our 17 1/2 year old cat “needy” but in reality she is now more comfortable and spoiled. She is the only cat in the house, her brother and sister who passed called the shots and held her hostage in a back bedroom for much of her life. She was intimidated by Molly my older female cat who was the dominant one. Molly ruled the roost for many years and Millie never wanted to get in her way. Our cat Atlantis was adopted later in his life and although he was a very good, peaceful cat, just having another cat in the house intimidated Millie.

Now Millie is comfortable and loves to spend most of her time in the same room as we are. She loves her treats,getting brushed and the abundance of attention that she receives from us. Some cats are “needy” for different reasons. Animal Food Planet.com outlines some of the reasons why some cats are more need than others.

More often than not, there are several reasons behind your feline’s needy behavior. Clinginess can mean that the cat’s hungry or a way of showing affection to you. However, a cat can also show its insecurity and boredom through clingy gestures. Other times, they’re merely needy due to habit. But, clinginess can also be a sign of something serious. Illness and emotional trauma can also trigger this atypical behavior, so it’s best to get it checked in case.

Remember, pets are family!
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Erica Freeman, a professor at the University of Maryland School of nursing says that studies have shown that animals are good for our health. This is true whether we own our own pet or just spending some time with one. According to Dr. Freeman, pet owners have better health in general, fewer doctor visits, higher self esteem and tend to be more independent that non pet owners. She says that dogs can also motive people to exercise. I know that if I had a dog, I would be taking him on long walks and have him running around chasing his dog toys. This is great exercise for the two of us! People who won’t take a walk by themselves would be more motivated if they knew that they had to get up to walk their dog. People who walk with a dog walk longer and faster then people who walk alone.

My cat provides me with companionship. Her soothing purrs while asleep calm me down. Cats can actually lower blood pressure.

You don’t have a pet yet? I would think about adopting one! They offer more than just good health. They offer unconditional love that is very difficult to find these days. So head on out to get a pet carrier for your new pet!

Remember, pets are family.
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Dogs are social animals and a well trained dog is generally well behaved when meeting strangers. It helps to follow some basic steps when approaching any dog that you haven’t met before. First, it’s a good idea to ask the owner if it’s OK to great the dog. Always approach a dog when he’s on his dog leash. So you don’t intimidate the dog, bend on one knee beyond the reach of the dog. Remember, size matters and you are a big presence. Don’t stare directly at the dog and if you’re wearing a hat or sunglasses that may spook the dog, remove them slowly. Then, extend the back of a closed hand so the dog can sniff you. Once mutual contact is established, some mutual scratches under the chin and chest will help you become fast friends with you knew acquaintance.

Remember, pets are family!
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The following was written and published by the American Kennel Club. It is a great guideline on how to recognize and curb dog aggression.

Jumping on people. Counter surfing. Chewing up shoes. We love our dogs, but not so much when they’re exhibiting these unwanted behaviors. Any dog, whether they’re puppies or adults, may develop habits we find unacceptable. Here are some strategies to help you curb unwanted behaviors.

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Strategies for Success

Training is key. Teaching your dog to sit, come, or lie down may not seem related to a barking, jumping, or chewing problem, but it is. Positive reward-based training teaches your dog that good things happen when he does what you ask, strengthens your bond, and provides mental stimulation that will help tire him out, making him less likely to misbehave. Try introducing a new command each week and continue to practice the old ones.
Exercise helps release energy. A tired dog is a good dog. If you’re gone 12 hours a day, and your dog’s walk consists of a quick dash into the backyard, you’re not providing your pet with adequate exercise. Excess energy may be channeled into chewing your shoes, or dragging you on the leash. Puppies generally have more energy than adult dogs and require more exercise. Also, your dog’s breed influences the level of physical activity he needs.
Prevent your pup from learning bad behaviors. Puppy-proof your house. Put shoes and toys away. Pick houseplants up off the floor. Supervise the puppy, even in your fenced-in yard. It’s easier to prevent bad habits from being learned than it is to correct them.
Reward desired behaviors. If your dog is lying quietly instead of jumping or barking, praise and pet him. If your dog walks beside you on the leash, tell him what a good dog he is. Telling him what you want him to do is easier for him to understand – for example “sit” rather than “don’t jump” or “heel” rather than “don’t pull.”
Consistency makes the difference. If you don’t feed the dog from the table but your spouse or children slip him treats, he’ll learn to beg. Or if you ignore him for jumping on you, but others pet him when he does, guess what he’ll do. Everyone has to follow the same rules when it comes to setting standards for dog behavior.

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Tactical Tips for Unwanted Dog Behaviors
1. Jumping

The first step is to greet your dog calmly, so you’re not getting him over-excited.
Since the objective of jumping up is attention, refusing to give your attention is the best way to discourage jumping. Stand like a statue or turn your back.
If you’ve taught the “sit” command, ask for a sit — a sitting dog can’t jump. Then get down on your dog’s level and give him the attention he wants. Eventually, the dog should initiate the sit without being asked.
To prevent your dog from jumping on people who visit, use a crate, a “place” command, a baby gate, or keep him on leash until he calms down.

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2. Chewing

Chewing is a necessary and normal behavior for dogs, especially when they’re teething. The most effective way to save your possessions from destruction is to keep them out of your dog’s reach.
Offer your dog objects he can chew on that are appropriate for his age and size — but never old socks or shoes.
Give him lots of exercise and mental stimulation.
Teach him the “leave it”

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3. Counter surfing

Once rewarded, counter surfing may take a long time to stop. If you can make sure that they never, ever find anything good there, then maybe they will give up.
Put your dog in her crate or teach her to keep her “place” on her mat when you’re preparing food.
Teach the “leave it” command.
Never feed your dog scraps from the counter when you’re preparing food or cleaning up.

4. Leash pulling

Try not to pull your dog — if you pull on the leash, it’s instinctive for your dog to pull back.
Reinforce your dog for walking nicely on the leash when he walks by your side by praising, clicking, or offering treats.
He must learn to pay attention to you no matter how exciting he finds the environment, so it’s a good idea to first practice where there are few distractions.
If he pulls, you stop. You can also redirect by quickly doing a 180 and calling him back to your side. Be consistent – don’t let him pull you, and make sure others who walk him also won’t let him pull.

5. Barking

It’s a given — dogs bark, but barking can quickly become a nuisance. Teach a “quiet” or “enough” command. Then as soon as your dog starts to bark, you calmly say “quiet.” He should stop barking and come to you – and you can praise him or give him a treat.
Remember, the more excited you get the more likely your dog thinks there’s something to bark about.
It’s a good idea to consider why he’s barking – he’s bored, needs exercise, or is afraid of other dogs and people and needs additional socialization.
If he’s barking at you for attention, don’t give it unless he’s quiet.

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Dogs are creatures of habit, and once habits form it can take lots of effort for you to change them. Your dog wants to understand what you want him to do, but it will take time and patience to make your objectives clear and guide your pup away from unwanted behaviors to better ones. Consulting a qualified dog trainer can help you get started.

Remember, pets are family!
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Older dogs have special nutritional needs and some of those needs can be given in the form of vitamin supplements. Check with your vet for some recommendations for higher level of vitamins that your dog may need.

A large percentage of older dogs suffer from arthritis. There is a daily supplement that contains glucosamine that helps dogs suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia, or other bone or joint problems. Make sure that your dog is eating a balanced diet. If he isn’t then vitamin supplement may be required. Again, check with your veterinarian to get the best advice and don’t try to be your dogs doctor.

Remember, pets are family!
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Some people prefer dogs over cats and vice versa. There are lots of people who prefer both. According to some new research from a University of Texas at Austin psychologist, there is really a difference between cat people and dog people. Now don’t take offense to any of this as it’s only a study. According to this research study, people who define themselves as “dog” people are more extraverted, more agreeable, and more conscientious as those defined as “cat” people. Fans of our feline friends are more neurotic but also more open than dog lovers .So whether you shop for dog leashes and fancy dog clothes and dog collars or cat carriers the findings below will help clarify this matter.

The findings:

Forty Six percent of the respondents defined themselves as “dog” people, while twelve percent said that they were “cat” people. Almost 28% said that they were both and 15% said that they were neither.
Dog people were generally about 15 percent more extraverted, 13 percent more agreeable and 11 percent more conscientious than cat people.
Cat people were generally about 12 percent more neurotic and 11 percent more open than dog people.
The person who conducted this survey is a professor in the psychology department and is a leading authority on human personality. He recently made international headlines with his findings that people’s Facebook pages reveal their true personalities not their idealized personalities.

So don’t worry, I would like to see the characteristics of those who were classified as neither cat or dog lovers. I think we may see some interesting facts in this category!

Keep spending your money on dog clothes, cat toys, and pet accessories, we have some great qualities!

I guess I would be classified as both and he’s right, I’m a bit neurotic!
Remember Pets are Family!

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