Many people in this world treat their pets as if they were their children. The reason behind this is because pets are so loving and caring. They often fill a void in our lives, and making them look absolutely beautiful is important to so many pet owners. It shows a respect for the pet, and it lets the owner know that they are doing the right thing for the animal.

One of the best ways to keep your pet looking beautiful is by feeding it the right types of food. You can buy dog food online that will really help your dog’s coat to shine like it never has before. The dog food can be found at many retail stores online, so it is in your best interest to shop around and try to get some samples of foods that will promote a healthy looking coat for your dog.

When you are looking for pet food online, you should also check for food that promotes healthy teeth and gums. If you can get a combination of foods that will help with the coat and the teeth, then you will have found something special. If you cannot find these foods together online, you can simply purchase one for the coat and one for the teeth, and then mix the foods together at home. Many pet owners, especially dog owners, take a great amount of pride in their dog’s teeth and coat. Getting the right food into your pet helps with both of these goals.

Cat owners can also get cat food delivery services right to their own home. You should find a cat food that promotes the fur and the teeth as well. Cat lovers also need to find a food that will help to prevent the cat from having hair balls. There are treats available as well that will help with the hair balls, teeth, and immune system. In order to have a beautiful cat or any pet, the animal must feel good from the inside as well as look great from the outside.

Typing the words “pet food deliver” into your favorite search engine will give you a lot of choices of foods that will help to make your pet look beautiful each day. The food can be delivered directly to your home, and all that you will have to do is continue to feed and groom your pet.

My beautiful little yellow lab “Vega” has the spirit of the star after which she is named. When she knows she is in trouble, those in her presence know she believes it is worth it to have achieved her mission.

When she was selected from her littermates, she was only two weeks old, and her little eyes were still closed. Over the course of the next six weeks, she was most likely dropped by one of the children at the daycare where her litter was raised.

The day I went to pick her up she hid in the corner of her pen while every other puppy rattled the fence with their front paws screaming to go home to a new family.

During her first few days at home she continued to hide. She slept underneath a bookcase until she could no longer fit. As days became weeks she dared to try things, and her sweet personality emerged. It was impossible not to love her. Adventurous and brave, she started patrolling the boundary lines of her territory, chasing chickens, and laying out in the open soaking up the sun.

She ruined one of my favorite sneakers. Her lack of remorse was remarkable. I realized I admired her will and dedication to stand by the choices she had made. She taught me to never look back. She chewed the shoe because she wanted to. It was that simple. Whatever she had to face because of that decision, she was prepared. And I loved her for that.

Neither one of us knew that I was going to have to leave her. I was in an abusive situation and could not take Vega with me when I decided I could not return home. Since I know her so well, I know she is fine without me. She still has her territory and her chickens and her sunshine. I am severely more burdened by her absence than she is by mine. I love that little dog and will always remember that shoe she destroyed.

This guest post was written by Emma Seyes, who also writes for Hound Crazy.

As you may or may not be aware, the nutritional needs of your pets change over the course of their lifetime, just as the nutritional needs of people change when they transition from childhood to adulthood and even into their twilight years.  But if you are unaware of the ongoing (or changing) needs of your pet when it comes to nutrition, you may be giving them food that is inappropriate in some way.  And if you’ve never really considered how one pet food is different from another, you could even be speeding the aging process.  So when your best friend starts to get along in years and you’re wondering what that means for his diet, here are a few things you can do to figure it out.

1.   Research your pet.  Not all animals are built the same.  Dogs, for example, will gain weight as they age if you continue to feed them the same food, while cats will experience just the opposite.  So before you try to switch the food your pet is eating, consider that you may not know precisely what he needs and take the time to do your homework so that you don’t end up basing your choice on an assumption rather than fact.

2.   Talk to your vet.  If you’re having trouble choosing a food for your senior pet, it behooves you to talk to your veterinarian.  Not only can your pet’s doctor give you the 411 on changes your pal is likely to experience with age; he can also base a recommendation on your pet’s particular needs since he is familiar with them.

3.   Read labels.  You should have started doing this from the moment you brought your pet home, but it’s never too late to start taking an interest in the nutritional needs of your little friend.  Here’s what you’ll see at the top of most ingredient lists on pet food: corn.  You might think to yourself, “That’s great!  Corn is a vegetable!”  As a matter of fact, it’s not a vegetable, it’s a grain, and it turns out that it doesn’t actually have much nutritional value.  Most companies that manufacture pet food use it as a filler.  So start by looking for food that has meats and bonafide veggies listed before corn.  And take your pet’s special needs into consideration when it comes to calories, fats, and any extras (like food specifically designed to meet the needs of overweight dogs or cats prone to urinary tract problems, for example).

4.   Consider organics.  If you really want to do something good for the health of your pet, at any age, then organic pet food bears consideration.  Although there is, as yet, no USDA Certified Organic pet food on the market, there are several organic options of varying levels.  You can tell by looking at the ingredient list; every ingredient that has been grown or raised free of chemicals will have the word “organic” listed before it.

5.   Learn about supplements.  There’s really no such thing as anti aging products for your pets, but the right supplements can certainly make it seem like you’ve turned back the clock for your elderly pets.  These could include vitamins, minerals, and even healthy oils.  Again, your vet can probably give you an idea of which ones are right for your senior pet.

Jennifer Dubrow is a contributing writer for Get Prograde where you can find articles and tools to help you start losing weight.

You know the feeling: The panic, anger or embarrassment of your dog’s sudden dramatic change of temperament. Maybe he lunges and barks at a passerby while out on a walk. He runs and nips at your guest’s leg after two hours of calmly laying by your feet. Or perhaps he randomly tears up your couch pillows when you’re at work. But of course (and this is the key) he doesn’t do it all the time. How the heck do you stop something like THAT?

First, it’s important to understand that “unpredictability” is not a characteristic of the behavior, but rather of your challenge in understanding it. That’s not really your fault. You aren’t a dog, after all.

The good news is that dog behavior does follow rational patterns, and they give us lots of signals about what they’re thinking and feeling. All it takes is a trained eye to identify problems before they happen. Dog behavior makes sense when you know how to think like a dog, and chances are you already know a lot more than you might imagine.

Consider these typical scenarios:

• Has your dog ever suddenly asked to be fed “for no reason at all?”
• How many times have you thought your dog wanted you to pet him “out of nowhere?”
• Were you totally baffled as to why your dog wanted to play?

These all sound like silly questions for two reasons. One, they are considered normal behavior, so you don’t think about identifying a cause; the behaviors are expected, and they make sense. Two, the consequences of these behaviors don’t bother you, so you don’t give them much thought.

Your dog’s desirable and otherwise non-offensive behavior is easy to explain because it fits pretty much into the same set of patterns that your own behavior does. You want more of the things you like, so you act in ways that help you get them. Naturally, your dog does the same thing.

So what about the times when you want LESS of something? Here’s where the confusion starts between you and your dog. When we humans don’t like something, it is usually within our control to avoid it or do something about it. We have options. Our dogs, however, have very few options when it comes to “fixing” a problem situation– barking, growling, biting, or throwing a destructive tantrum to let out some stress. This leads us to the second major revelation.

Your dog’s behavior isn’t the real problem. His behavior is a symptom of the problem. The real problem is that he feels stress, anxiety or fear and he doesn’t have an effective way of dealing with it. Not only are we humans generally bad at empathizing with our dogs’ emotional needs and perceptions about the world in order to make proactive adjustments, we don’t usually allow them to exercise healthy options when they do become upset. In other words, we tend to cause our dogs to act out.

Because we don’t naturally act like dog leaders would act, and we don’t tune into the kinds of things that concern our dogs, it’s common for them to gain a feeling of authority and responsibility when it comes to “taking care of” the family. That feeling of responsibility is often the dog’s pretext for having to worry about things. For most dog owners, this issue never even occurs to them.

Are dogs likely to show that they do feel stress about their perceived responsibilities? Absolutely! Unfortunately, those signs are seldom broadcast at us like a big wagging tail and a happy smile. Stillness, hesitant movements, staring, darting eyes, pursed lips, a tucked or stiff tail are among the signs of stress that we can easily overlook.

When an owner does notice stress, he may very well discount it with a verbal rationalization that does nothing at all to calm the dog, and may even cause the situation to escalate: “Oh it’s OK, Fluffy, Jim is a nice guy. Go ahead, Jim, you can pet him.” Chomp.

Having worked with countless “problem dogs” who were considered “untrainable,” I can tell you with confidence that your dog probably isn’t crazy at all. You just don’t have all the information about what he thinks and feels, and that’s what makes him seem so unpredictable. So don’t give up hope!

An experienced dog behaviorist who specializes in problem behavior can help you shift the dynamic in your household by teaching you how to gain a canine perspective. This allows you to reduce your dog’s stress and eliminate the causes of problem behavior in the first place. Good training is a holistic process that is just as much about the owner as it is about the dog.

Albert Duran is a term life insurance expert. In addition to no medical exam life insurance, he provides great insight for people looking to get the most out of their life insurance policies.

When it comes time to take your dog, cat, or parakeet to the vet, the park, or even with you on a road trip, you may be concerned about how they will fare in the back of your vehicle.  Will your pet be comfortable, or will he be crunched up on the floor or unceremoniously tossed around the cabin?  Could he find a way to hide under the seats?  How hard is it to remove any messes he might make?  And what about safety?  Are there features to keep your Spot or Mr. Bigglesworth from experiencing injury during an accident?

These are all things you may want to consider if your pet spends a lot of time in the car.  And while you can certainly purchase accessories (cages, carriers, barriers, etc.) to help, you might be surprised to learn that some cars actually come with the features that pet-owners seek.  So here are just a few things to look for when purchasing a pet-friendly vehicle.

1.   Hatchback.  Any car with a hatchback is going to be a lot easier to get your pet in and out of, regardless of size (of your pet or your car).  So you may want to leave sedans behind and focus on wagons and SUVs.

2.   Roomy rear cargo space.  Whether your pooch (or other pet pal) prefers to ride in a carrier or out in the open, a larger space behind the back seat is going to provide you with the options you need to ensure a safe and comfortable ride for your pet.  While some animals are content to lie down, many more like to be up and looking out the window when you drive.  So consider height as well as floor space here.

3.   Luxury suspension.  You might be keen to buy a zippy car with a sport suspension, but your pets are not going to like the jarring that comes with every little bump (by the way, they’ll feel the effects of a stiff suspension a lot more in the back).  So make sure to ask about the suspension that comes with any car you look at and think about riding in the back for a test drive so you can really feel what kind of ride your pet will have to contend with.

4.   Animal options.  Considering how many people cart around their animals, it’s not too surprising that some companies have jumped on the pet-friendly bandwagon and started to offer packages that cater to pooches.  The Honda Element, for example, could be purchased with a package that includes a ramp to help older (or smaller) pets get in and out (and then easily stows), a built-in soft kennel, and of course, a spill-proof water dish.  Uh…WOW.  These people really like their pets!  The point is, you may be able to find a vehicle that not only meets your many needs, but also saves you time on finding the products that will make taking your pets with you hassle-free.  At the very least, you should look for stain/odor-resistant interiors, plenty of hooks for attaching barriers or securing carriers, and even smudge-proof glass (unless you like finding little nose-prints everywhere).

5.   Alternative fuel.  Greenhouse gases affect us all, and that includes our pets.  Although your dog or cat may not live as long as you, they still suffer from the air pollution caused by petroleum-fuel vehicles.  So if you want to make the air a little more breathable for people and animals alike, consider a hybrid, electric, or alternative-fuel vehicle the next time you shop for a pet-friendly car.

Sarah Danielson is a contributing writer for usedpontiacengines.com where Suzuki engines are shipped nationwide every day.

Man Triumphs Over K9

Washing your dog is one of the toughest parts of owning a four-legged friend. Most dog owners need to wash their dogs at least once a month, so having a space where washing your dog is easy and manageable is important.

Some people opt to wash their dogs in their bathtubs, but this can be a hassle because of space constraints and the mess that dogs can make when they are wet. Often times, your entire bathroom ends up soaking wet, with the smell of wet dog and pet hair everywhere.

Instead of using your own bathtub to wash your dog, why not get them a bathtub of their own? Dog washing tubs are an easy and affordable way to easily bathe your dog in their own bathtub, which can be placed anywhere for ease of use and reduced mess in your home.

Fido Gets Pampered

Dog washing tubs, like the Booster Bath series, offer a solution for pet owners that have difficulty washing their dogs at home. Taking your dog to a groomer to have them bathed can get expensive over the lifetime of your dog, so investing in a Booster Bath is really a cost-effective choice. Booster Baths are available in a variety of sizes and styles to suit your needs, and the needs of your dog.

Why Choose A Booster Bath?

Portability: The main advantage of a dog washing tub is that the tub is portable, and can be situated anywhere on your property, including outdoors. This vastly cuts down on the mess of dog washing by taking the mess out of your home and reduces the clean up process. You can simply hook the Booster Bath tubs up to an outdoor hose to provide the water source for the tub. A drain hose drains the water from the tub easily.

No Bad Backs: The Booster Bath revolutionizes the way that pet owners bathe their furry friends. A stable tub that has adjustable pedestals makes the Booster Bath comfortable for owners as well. Instead of bending over a bathtub trying to reach around your pet to clean them, you can instead raise the tub to your level, while also having 360-degree access. An open entry at the back of the tub makes it easy for dogs to enter the tub, and an adjustable leash restraint with collar will keep your dog in place while you wash them.

Paws Stay Steady: The Booster Bath also features a No-Slip EVA rubberized mat so that dogs won’t slip, and durable stainless steel knobs. A shampoo caddy holder for supplies makes it easy to have everything you need to wash your dog within arm’s reach. A fan nozzle component allows for easy washing that snaps right to rim of the Booster Bath between rinses. The nozzle also has a dial allowing the owner to choose from gentle to heavy streams of water.

Store Out of Sight: With the Booster Bath dog washing tubs, owners can stay drier and dogs will get cleaner than ever. The Booster Baths easily removable snap-on legs and other components make the tub easy to store without taking up much room between baths. It’s also lightweight and portable, so that you can store or travel with your Booster Bath. In addition to the medium, large and extra-large bath sizes in the standard line, Booster Bath also offers an extra-large groomer’s edition that include most functionality, and a ramp for easier access to the tub.

Why not take a look at the full range of Booster Baths today and also check out the very cool testimonials.

When dogs travel with owners in the car, it’s important to make sure that their safety and comfort are priorities. A lot of dogs get anxious in the car and need a secure spot to relax when traveling. Other dogs get overly excited and seem like they want to jump out the window at any exciting thing that they see. To make sure that any type of dog is safe while in the car, a dog booster seat should be used.

Dog booster seats are a great way to not only ensure that your dog is safe and secure, but also give them a chance to enjoy the scenery without endangering themselves. Dog Booster seats allow dogs to see out the windows of the car without straining themselves to be outside of the window, and scaring owners that are worried that their dogs will accidentally fall out of the window or get hurt by having their heads outside of the car. Dog booster seats make it possible for dogs to get the view that they want, and owners to have the peace of mind that their dog is safe in the passenger seat or backseat.

Available in a variety of styles and sizes, there is surely a dog booster seat that is perfect for any dog size or breed. Choose from a variety of dog seats to find one that is perfect for your dog so that they will be comfortable while in the car. For large dogs, you can find dog seats that will accommodate their size and needs. Smaller dog booster seats offer more of a boost so that they can see out of the window while also being secure in a property fitted seat.

Dog booster seats will also keep your dog in one place in the car while you are driving. Some dogs like to move around when they are in the car, which can be dangerous for the driver. Dogs that want to be near their owner, or want to look out of different windows in the car, will often climb over seats to get to the place that they want to be. This can cause a disturbance to the driver, and can be very dangerous if the dog bumps the steering wheel or gearshift. Injury can be caused to the dog, the car, the driver and anyone else in the car if the driver loses control of the car because of a dog. Dog booster seats secure the dog in one area of the car so that they cannot roam and be a disturbance.

Booster seats and travel seats for dogs also given them a sense of stability while driving. Often times, dogs are anxious in the car and may get sick or whine. You can get your dog accustomed to a dog booster seat before they are in the car by having the dog booster seat in the home for your dog to sniff and sit in. Once they are used to the dog booster seat, you can put the seat into your car and place your dog into the booster seat. The familiarity of the dog booster seat will be a source of comfort for your dog and hopefully reduce some of the anxiety associated with riding in the car.

Pet obesity graphic produced by Matt Beswick for Pet365 – a UK stockist of dog jackets, collars and accessories. Click here to view the full post.

If you pay attention to the news then you are probably aware that there is a bed bug epidemic sweeping New York City (and spreading).  The reappearance of these household pests en masse has been attributed to Americans traveling to infested countries and bringing the little buggers back in their luggage.  But the spread is due largely to the fact that few people recognize these ectoparasites, and even if they do, they haven’t the faintest idea how to get rid of them.  It is no easy task as bed bugs have a tendency to get into bedding, carpeting, and even your clothes and then migrate all over the house.  And unfortunately, they also see your beloved pets as a meal ticket and mode of transportation.

This is going to be a pain in the neck for your dog (literally), because he will quickly become a moveable feast.  And bed bug bites can be both itchy and painful.  But it is also bad news for you.  Even if you toss your mattress and linens and tent the house, the problem will manifest again in short order if you fail to kill every last bed bug, including the ones that may be traveling around in your dog’s coat.  Luckily, there are several ways to treat bed bugs on your pets.

The first and best ways is to kill them in the environment.  Since bed bugs tend to come out at night to feed and then retreat to a hiding spot during the day, it is somewhat rare to actually find them living on your dog.  However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible for these parasites to take up residence in your best friend’s furry coat.  So once you’ve got a massive cleaning effort in the works within your home, it’s time to address the possibility that Fido could be playing host to one or more bed bugs.

While steam is a good way to kill these bugs in your mattress or carpeting, it may not necessarily work on your pet (you don’t want to damage him in the process).  In the ‘70s many people used DEET and other pesticides and insecticides to try to kill bed bugs, as well, but again, you may not feel comfortable trying this tack with your pet since these chemicals tend to be equally harmful to all living beings.

In truth, your best bet is really to simply clean or toss your pet’s bedding and any plush toys where bed bugs could nest.  Ridding the environment of bedbugs is essential since that is where they really live.  If you happen to find one on your dog, you can use rubbing alcohol to kill it without harming your pet.  And if you’d like to avoid chemical treatments there are a number of organic bio-pesticides on the market that you can use (in the form of bed bug powder or spray that is safe for pets).  But as long as you can get the critters out of your home, your dog will be safe from their uncomfortable feeding habits.

As a proud owner of a new pooch, Rodney, whom I got from the pound, I have little experience with the tribulation involved with taking animals to the veterinarian’s office.  Now because I got him from the pound he has his shots, has been neutered, and is already house trained…thank goodness!

So you may be asking, why do I need to get him to the vet?  Well two weeks after I brought him home he ended up with not one, but two nails in his paws. Yes different paws. Odd?  Indeed!

Now I’m not doing construction on my home so there’s no reason for stray nails to be lying around inside or outside. So I can only conclude that Rodney must have picked these up while on one of our daily walks, or possibly running in the dog park.  I hope it’s the former, because the thought of someone purposely leaving nails in a dog park really chaps my hide.  Unfortunately, I can’t help but think that he picked them up in the dog park.  It occurred to me, perhaps I could remove these nails myself, but I’m clueless and don’t want to risk an infection or further pain to Rodney.   So while my new best friend is limping in pain I was scheduling an appointment with the veterinarian, Dr.  Wallace.

Rodney saw me get his leash out and of course he thought we were heading out on a walk. Wrong. As soon as I opened the car door and motioned for him to get inside, his knees locked, neck stiffened, and the mild mannered pooch turned into an obstinate cranky dog.  The whimpering and barking was loud enough to make the kids walking to their school bus stop, turn their heads, and watch. Ugggh.  I was talking sternly to Rodney and trying to use my ‘controlled’ voice to coax him into the car. I said “Rodney, get in.” Well wouldn’t you know it, Rodney got into the car and off I drove to the vet clinic.  Easy. It was miraculous, I felt like a dog whisperer.

When we arrived at Dr. Wallace’s office, Rodney bounds out of the car, as if there were no nails embedded in either paw. Of course he lands gingerly and gets the reminder of the sharp metal objects and lets out a little whimper. We approach the clinic and I slowly open the door.   Again Rodney’s knees locked and he got the stiff neck.   I’m thinking to myself, Oh I got this, and I brought out my ‘controlled’ voice again. “Rodney, get in.” Nothing.  Attempt #2.  “Rodney, you need to come.” He didn’t move an inch. “Rodney, we’re here to help you.” At this point I think he was yawning.  So much for my talents as a dog whisperer.

Then out from behind the receptionist counter comes a very nice vet tech holding a tiny little milk bone.  Rodney bounds over to her just like she’s his new best friend.  He was literally eating it right out of her hand, while she was petting him on his ears.  Easy.   Dr. Wallace removed two nails from Rodney’s paws, I paid the bill, and on the way home stopped to pick up a giant box of milk bones. Lesson learned for a new pet owner.

Leslie Handmaker spends her working hours as a link builder. When she’s not working or spending time with Rodney, she enjoys playing tennis, catching a new movie, and anything that includes family and friends.