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How to Avoid Problems when Boarding your Dog
Most dogs, especially older ones, develop a sense of pattern in their daily lives. Transporting them to new places or doing something that could disrupt those habitual patterns can be upsetting to them.
Experts say that old pets are more likely to have health problems. Common to senior pets are deafness, blindness, and arthritis. As dogs get older, they are more prone to kidney, heart, and liver diseases. Sometimes your pet won't get around very easily. They might be experiencing arthritis and other degenerative conditions. Keep in mind that if your pets are not used to being boarded, or are not boarded properly, their health problems might worsen.
Planning to board your dog
When you are planning to board your pet, do not hesitate to drop by your chosen kennel beforehand. Speak with your kennel personnel regarding the care of your geriatric pet. Perhaps the kennel has a special area where older pets stay, or maybe they offer special services for senior dog care. Whatever health problems your pet has, be sure to discuss them thoroughly with your kennel personnel before boarding. The kennel staff will be better able to recognize problems with a particular condition if they know what to look for. Be sure to observe the following:
Make your reservations early at the chosen kennel. You will just get disappointed if you book your reservations at the last minute. The best kennels fill up quickly and are booked months in advance. You should also find out what types of payment they accept, what types of equipment you should bring with your dog, and what kind of food they will feed him.
Prepare your pet for boarding. Dogs, just like people, appreciate a break. They enjoy being in new surroundings. Once they get familiar with the place, they will probably have an exciting and marvelous time. For dogs that have never been boarded before, consider some short overnight stays to help him or her get used to boarding.
Check in during office hours. Make sure to bring all the paperwork needed by the kennel. The kennel needs to know your name, address, phone number, your veterinarian's name and phone number, and where you can be reached when you go away. So in case of emergency it will be easy for them to reach you. If your pet has any special problems that are not covered in your check in forms, point them out to your kennel operator.
This will help your kennel take better care of your pet. Most kennels have special services they provide. They sometimes provide a special diet for your dog or a special boarding place away from the general pet population. Kennel personnel provide nice resting and exercise places for your pets; they may even give your dog soft music to release their stress. Discuss your pet's individual needs and health conditions in advance, along with what to do if something changes. Remember, your kennel owner is in the business of boarding because he/she loves animals.
Relax and enjoy your trip. Remember that your pet is in good hands. Your pets will probably get more care and attention than they would in your home.
Many older pets have underlying conditions or undiagnosed illnesses that are not readily noticeable. Stress plays an important role regarding your pet's health. Stress can be caused by a variety of factors: being away from home and loved ones, a new environment, other dogs and cats, new noises, smells and people associated with a kennel, a change in food or water... the list goes on.
Whatever triggers a stress reaction also triggers physical changes in your pet. We may see physical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, or increased respiration. Stress helps animals (and people) cope with a situation. However, when stress is not relieved or reduced sufficiently, the body does not have a chance to rest. This is why your pet can become ill away from home, even when he appeared normal when you dropped him off. Be sure to check for these conditions when you pick up your dog and find out what triggered them.
Author Bio
Katie Simpson is a longtime dog lover. For more tips and strategies for caring for and enjoying your canine companion, be sure to visit her Brilliant Dogs.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content
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The following cartoon BirdBreath Life from a bird's point of view. BirdBreath changes regularly so come bakc to see what is new. Go to the BirdBreath site to see more. Books are available along with very orginal items that for gifts or keepsakes.
Thanks to Robert Seymour for allow WebSpeak Ezine to publish this cartoon.
A click on the cartoon goes directly to BirdBreath's site where Robert Seymour has more than just cartoons. This is a great site to visit and very entertaining.
*What Are the Top 10 Most Popular Pedigreed Cat Breeds?
By Amy Nutt
Pedigreed cats are a source of joy and pride for their owners.
Besides their gorgeous coats, beautiful lines, and great
disposition, these animals offer companionship and entertainment
to those who love them. Choosing a pedigreed cat is not easy,
but knowing the most popular breeds of pedigreed cats may help.
1. Persian
Persian cats are known for they beautiful long coats and open
faces. They supposedly originated in Iran and were transported
to the rest of the world along with exotic spices and fine
jewels. Cat breeders and owners of Persian cats enjoy their
gentle dispositions and quiet voices.
Persian cats are best suited to living indoors because of their
long coats. The coat of a Persian cat requires considerable
maintenance, but this breed is extremely hardy and long-lived.
2. Maine Coon
The origin of the Maine Coon cat is something of a marvel. Less
a product of the work of cat breeders than the result of natural
selection, the Maine Coon originated in North America and is
known for its superb mousing ability.
Also known for its loving disposition and keen intelligence,
the Maine Coon is a beautiful long-haired breed. These cats are
wonderful with children and good with dogs as well.
3. Exotic
The Exotic is a variant on the Persian breed. Exotic cat
breeders strive to meet the standards of the Persian cat in all areas except coat. Here, the Exotic differs from its
higher-maintenance cousin. Exotic cats have a short,
easy-to-care-for coat.
Quiet, with a soft, gentle voice, these cats make excellent
pets. They are not demanding but are playful and sweet. Exotics are also clean and mature later than other cat breeds. These
cats physically resemble a teddy bear or other stuffed animal and make wonderful family pets.
4. Abyssinian
Resembling the sculptures of cats in Ancient Egypt, the
Abyssinian has a beautiful, arched neck, slanted eyes, prominent ears, and a powerfully-muscled body. The extremely short hair of this breed makes it distinctive and easy to care for.
Besides their appearance, the Abyssinian has a personality that is unique and easily identified by a cat breeder or educated enthusiast. Abyssinians are known for their remarkable intelligence, amazing sensitivity, and personable attitude.
5. Siamese
Originally from Thialand, Siamese cats are easily identified by their distinctive coats and markings. The color contrast on
their coats is remarkable, and the structure of their bodies is also unique. Cat breeders strive to produce a animal with a wedge-shaped head, long, muscular body, and a long neck and tail.
The coat on Siamese cats is very short easy to take care of,
making this breed a low-maintenance pet. They are first-rate communicators with a distinctive voice and clear body language. Siamese cats love people and become extremely attached to their doting owners.
6. Ragdoll
A large cat with a relaxed disposition, the Ragdoll has long
hair and striking blue eyes. When breeding Ragdolls, a cat
breeder is focused on producing animals with specatular, pointed coats, affectionate personalities, and a large body. These animals love people and usually want to be close to their owners.
The coat of a Ragdoll cat requires regular maintenance, but
otherwise, these animals do not require any special care. They were developed in the 1960s as cat breeders bred domestic longhaired cats and other free-roaming felines.
7. Sphynx
The result of a 1966 natural genetic mutation, the Sphynx is a cat breed that is sometimes entirely without hair. Cat breeders have worked hard to create a breed that is extremely hardy and has few health problems.
Sometimes there is fine downy hair present on the nose, tail, or body of this cat. The Sphynx has a friendly personality, and is very curious and attention-oriented. Due to the lack of hair
on this breed, it requires bathing. However, some people with cat allergies find that they can tolerate a Sphynx.
8. Birman
Orignally from Burma, where it was held as a sacred animal, the Birman is a large, stocky animal with long hair. The coat of the Birman is not prone to matting, making it easier to care for than some other breeds.
The personality of the Birman is considered nearly ideal by
many cat owners and cat breeders: at once sweet, quiet, playful, and energetic. The long coat is tipped and is generally a light color with a golden glow. The eyes of this breed are very round and blue.
9. American Shorthair
Known for their spectacular disposition, the American Shorthair is a breed that makes a wonderful companion. This breed is also extremely healthy, long-lived, quiet, and good looking.
Records show that the American Shorthair, originally called the “Domestic Shorthair,” came to America on the Mayflower. Cat breeders have worked for years to ensure that these animals have the desired qualities for the breed, despite their physical
similarities to ordinary, non-pedigreed animals.
10. Oriental
Devoted to their owners and interested in being a part of all
daily activities, Orientals make great pets. They are bred to be curious and intelligent, as well as to have colorful,
distinctive coats and long thin tails.
Cat breeders have been able to produce over 300 different
patterns and colors of Orientals, making the selection of these animals extremely diverse. They are also noted for their large, open ears and almond-shaped eyes.
About the Author: Cat breeder directory features free and
premium listings for cat breeders and other pet related
websites. When looking for quality information on cat breeds,
refer to Cattery Index. http://www.cattery-index.com/directory
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=313021&ca=Pets
How To Keep Your Dog Happy
By Adam Katz
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and I thought I would quickly send this out to you, before I leave for the
weekend.
We were discussing how to keep your dog's mind stimulated.
Remember: Bored dogs cause problems. If you don't keep your dog's mind stimulated, chances are that he'll find activities to stimulate his mind, himself. And you won't like those activities.
A dog that is mentally stimulated on a daily basis is a happy dog. And happy dogs don't cause dog problems.
Here's a quick list of how to keep your dog mentally
stimulated:
1. Exercise. Lots of exercise. If you can incorporate exercise
with another activity such as playing, "Find the ball," or doing
some agility exercises, then that's even better.
2. Brain teaser toys. I'll be adding some of these to our web
site store, later next week. There are a number of cool toys
that actually challenge your dog's mind. For example, one of the
more popular ones is the "Buster Cube," a plastic cube that
releases a pellet of food, every third or fourth time the Cube
is rolled over.
3. Small rituals done at the same time of day, every day. For
example; feeding time, grooming, walks, "cookie" time, car trips
around town, etc...
4. Dogs like to work. Teach your dog to bring in the newspaper,
carry mail back from the mailbox or to walk out with you when
you take the trash out. (Whenever I go through the drive-thru
window at McDonald's, Forbes - my dog - gets to carry the trash
bag to the trash receptacle when we're finished. Sound silly,
right? But the dog loves it!)
5. Do obedience training with your dog. Obedience training
requires your dog to use his brain and think. Knowing that he
will be praised for making the right decision and corrected for
making the wrong decision (and allowed the opportunity to make
the right decision again) instills a sense of responsibility in
your dog and demands that he use his noggin. Remember: Dogs are
bred to work. They've been blessed with super-human instincts
and drives and they need an outlet for those drives.
That's all for now, folks!
Adam
About the Author: Adam G. Katz is the author of the book,
"Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To
The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In
bravenet.com