How to properly care for a dog.

Adopt don't shop.

Looking for your first puppy or adult dog? Try the local shelter first and if you don't find what your looking for find a reputable breeder.  If you do go to a breeder remember these things:

• Don't be put off if a breeder isn't immediately responsive. Hobby breeders often have full-time jobs and they don't always have available puppies. Be selective. Find a breeder who is knowledgeable and make sure you're comfortable with them.
• Visit the breeder's home or kennel and ask to see at least one of the puppy's parents. Get an idea of what the future holds for your dog in terms of temperament and appearance.
• Observe the premises. Is the house/kennel clean? Odor-free? Dogs and puppies should be clean, well fed, lively and friendly. Look for signs of malnutrition such as protruding rib cages or illness such as runny nose/eyes, coughing, lethargy and skin sores.
• Pay attention to how the dogs and puppies interact with their breeder. Does the breeder appear to genuinely care for the puppies and their adult dogs? Both dogs and puppies should not shy away from the breeder and should be outgoing with strangers.
• Find out about the health of your puppy and its parents. Breeders should be honest about the breed's strengths and weaknesses and knowledgeable about the genetic diseases that can affect their breed - including what's being done to avoid them. Breeders should be willing to share proof of health screenings such as OFA and CERF certificates with potential buyers.
• Establish a good rapport with the breeder. He/she will be an excellent resource and breed mentor for you throughout the life of your puppy. You should be encouraged to call the breeder if your dog has a crisis at any stage of its life.
• A responsible breeder may ask you to sign a contract indicating that if specified conditions of care are not met or you become unable to keep the puppy, he/she will reclaim it.
• Don't expect to bring home the puppy until its eight to 12 weeks of age. Puppies need ample time to mature and socialize with its mother and litter mates.
• Breeders should be willing to answer any questions you have and should ask many of you as well. Breeders will want to make sure their puppies are going to good homes, with people who know what to expect and have made all the necessary preparations.

After you take your puppy or adult dog home remember the five basic necessities: 

Find a veterinarian.

Find a veterinarian that will listen to you and provide all necessary information for such things as a shot schedules and basic care for your new dog. Always keep your veterinarians information in a place where it can be found quickly in case of emergency. 

Training

Make sure your pet knows basic commands like sit, stay, come and leave it. You can self-teach your pet in which case there are plenty of resources in books and online. You can also take your pet to puppy classes or a professional certified dog trainer. Always be careful when taking any advice from anyone what they say may not necessarily be the right training for your pup. Stay clear from anyone insisting hitting your dog is okay!

Exercise

On top of basic training your pet will also need exercise. Don't expect just letting your pet out in the backyard will give them enough exercise. Walk, run or bike with your dog is the best case scenario. At the very least play games with your dog be it fetch or hide-and-seek. The more you keep your dog's mind busy the lest likely they will develop bad habits.

Feeding

Most dogs will be fine with basic dry kibble. However occasionally you may have a pet with food allergies in that case ask your veterinarian whats the best pet food their specific needs/ Always follow the suggested feeding amounts designated on the pet food bag. This way you don't overfeed your pet or your pet gets to skinny. If your dog is a active breed and participating in a lot of exercise feed a little extra. This also goes for if your pet will be outdoors during the winter always feed a bit extra.

Shelter.

Indoors is best but if you must keep your new pet outside provide adequate shelter. Insure the shelter sits slightly off the ground a couple inches and their are no drafts. If you must use bedding use something like hay/straw or cedar shavings that you can clean out if it gets wet. Avoid blankets and towels which can get moldy  and have to be washed/sanitized often. Most dog do fine outside however if it is exceptionally cold, well below freezing, bring them inside or at least put them in  a draft free barn or shed.

Common pet emergencies and pet first aid tips

Choking

• If your pet’s airway is totally blocked, you must take immediate action, as there is no time to go to the veterinarian for help.
• Open the mouth and look for a foreign object. If the dog is unconscious and an object is blocking the airway, grab the tongue and pull it outward to try to dislodge the object.
• Regardless of consciousness, sweep your finger through the dog's mouth in an effort to feel or dislodge any object. Use caution to avoid being bitten. CPR or the Heimlich maneuver may be required.

Seizures

• Make sure your pet is in a safe place, but do not try to restrain her. She may be scared during a seizure and not recognize her owner, so keep your hands away from her mouth.
• Seizures can occur for a variety of reasons. It is urgent that you take your pet to a veterinary hospital immediately.

 

Heatstroke

• If your pet has been exposed to the heat and has a bright red tongue, red or pale gums, thick or sticky saliva, diarrhea, is panting rapidly, weak, depressed, dizzy, or vomiting, he may be suffering from heatstroke.
• In the case of heatstroke, immediately remove the dog from heat and lower his temperature by wetting him thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water (NOT ice cold) and increase air movement with a fan. Then take him to the vet as soon as possible.
• As the weather continues to heat up here in Austin, we’ll go more in depth about symptoms and prevention of heatstroke and other heat-induced emergencies. 

 

Poisoning

• Signs of poisoning include bleeding, both internally and externally, dilated pupils, drooling or foaming at the mouth, seizures or abnormal behavior and mental state.
• Some of the obvious culprits might be rat poison or cleaning products, which should be kept out of reach, but pets can also be poisoned by unassuming household items. 

 

Animal Bites 

• Keep an eye out for one or more small puncture wounds, tremors, nausea, vomiting, weakness, difficulty breathing, bleeding and bruising at the site of the wound.
• If you think your pet has been bitten by a snake, seek immediate medical attention.
• Sometimes, injuries from being bitten by another animal seem minor; however, your pet should still see a vet to prevent infection and check for internal wounds.
• If bleeding, apply gauze to the wound. Should the bleeding continue, apply new gauze without removing soaked gauze until you reach the veterinary hospital.

  . .  

OTHER PET EMERGENCY TIPS

• Stay calm! Pets are keen. They can very easily sense when you are nervous, scared, or stressed and may mirror your emotions.
• During an emergency, a relaxed, confident and educated guardian can help save an animal’s life.
• Use your best judgement when deciding if it is something that can be handled at home or if you should call the vet.
• Download a pet emergency app. 
• Buy a pet first aid book. There are numerous resources available to educate pet parents on first aid plans. 
• Take a pet first aid class. 
• Create your own pet first aid kit.

What to Do If Your Pet is Poisoned

Ear Mites & Cat Ears

So as of lately our little kitty Remmie has been getting a constant buildup of black crumbly earwax junk in one of ears. Come to find out through Google as well as a trip to the vet it is definitely ear mites blah. So ended up cleaning her ear out with q-tips and baby wipes and administering some OTC ear mite medicine. Now its a wait and see if it will clear up. Fun stuff.

Ear wax or mites?

If its yellow or brownish in color and kind of moist and waxy, it be just ear wax.

If its black crumbly like coffee grain like and keeps coming back its more then likely ear mites.

Any redness, excessive moisture and ear wax buildup might suggest some sort of infection.

Pets may or may not shake their head or dig at their ears with claws and paws depending on the severity of the ear mite infestation.

Ear Mites can spread pet to pet so keep a eye on all your household pets and treat each one individually has necessary.

Always check with your veterinarian before making any assumptions. 

Better off treating the exact cause correctly otherwise  the problem can continue or get worse.

Better safe then sorry.

Pet First Aid And CPR For Your Pet

Ever wonder what you need to do first aid wise for your pet if you cannot get your pet to a veterinarian quick enough and it is a emergency situation? Here are some tips and informational websites.

Get Certified Training

http://www.pettech.net/index.php

http://www.cprseattle.com/pet-cpr

http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/program-highlights/cpr-first-aid/wilderness-sports-pets#pet-first-aid

http://www.e-trainingfordogs.com/2011/03/pet-first-aid-and-cpr/

http://www.cprcertificationtrainingonline.com/pet-cpr/

Pet First Aid Tips

https://www.avma.org/public/EmergencyCare/Pages/First-Aid-Tips-for-Pet-Owners.aspx

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=20

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/pet-first-aid-tricks-for-owners_n_1440540.html

http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/first-aid/First-aid-tips-for-dog-owners

The Top Ten Best Dog Food Brands

Ever wonder what food is best for your canine friend?

After all the phrase "you are what you eat" applies to your puppy pal as well ^_^

Here is a article to give you some idea of the healthiest premium dog foods to feed your dog.

http://www.womansday.com/life/pet-care/10-best-dog-food-brands-77104

Always talk to your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet especially if they have food allergies or sensitive  tummies.

A veterinarian will be able to recommend the best food to feed your special dog.

Taking Your Pet To The Veterinarian

So time for a visit to the veterinarian with your pet? Here are some things you need to know:

1. First visit with your pet to the veterinarian? Try to make it fun and stress-free for your pet for that first visit. Bring treats if necessary! Introduce your pet to the veterinarian and at the very least a basic wellness exam so your pet gets use to being handled by a stranger. After all do you really want a pet that dreads the veterinarian because of a bad experience? I think not. Take it nice and easy.

2. When waiting in the waiting room keep your pet close. You may have the friendliest pet ever but some pets and their owners may not be and it really is bad pet etiquette to let your pet wander around pestering people and other animals. Keep your pet on a leash or in a pet carrier.

3. Tell the truth about your dog's health. If he/she got into something that maybe poisonous let the veterinarian know exactly what  your pet got into. Your child/someone else's child play a little rough with your pet let your veterinarian know. You won't be judged the vet just wants to treat your pet in the best way possible if they have all the facts.

4. Make sure your pet has regular check-ups. Be it a annual physical examination, to update your pet's shots, or external and internal parasite/pest prevention are investments to your pet's health to prevent any serious and costly diseases. The more regular you are at your veterinarian the more likely they are able to keep a close eye on your pet's overall health.

5. If your pet has unusual behaviors please let the veterinarian no matter how minor it may seem. Any change in your pet's normal routine may mean something serious so let your veterinarian know as soon as possible.

6. Never play doctor your self! Never give people medications to your pets ever! Be careful with home remedies as well without proper guidance from a holistic veterinarian because your pet could have bad side affects or could interact with a current pet medication you are giving your pet. Always get a veterinarian's referral or prescription before trying any pet medication on your pet.

7. Be detailed and precise about your pet's symptoms. It will help your vet determine if what your pet has is a contagious disease in which case your pet would have to be isolated immediately and more then likely would have to be taken in at a time or place where no other animals are present. Otherwise you could cause a pet disease epidemic if your not specific enough on your pet's symptoms.

8. Have a number for your local 24-hour animal hospital handy. Since most veterinarians have 9-5 office hours it would be wise to get a referral for a after-hours clinic is case you have concerns or a emergency for your pet late at night.

Veterinarian Care For Less

So you want to cut down on your pet's medical costs without going for broke? Here are some tips:

1. Prevention is key. Keep your pet well-fed, up-to-date on shots, spayed/neutered, flea/tick free, well exercised and out of dangerous situations will help reduce literally a lifetime of expensive medical bills 

2. Develop a relationship with your veterinarian. Go in for routine care and your veterinarian will have a overall health picture of your pet hence diagnosing and treating illnesses will make it easier for your veterinarian which in turn means big savings for you with a quicker diagnosis. If you have a good relationship with your veterinarian and their staff, the financial people will more likely help you with making pay arrangements or refer you to someone who may help you with financial burdens from expensive surgeries or other major treatments.

3. If you live near a veterinary school you could possibly get free or low-cost care for your pet there especially if your pet has a serious health problem.

4. Keep your pet away from poisonous things!

5.  Pet insurance. Yes it's out there but please do your research and always read the fine print. Pet insurance can cover things such as x-rays, surgery, hospital stays and lab fees. For additional premiums and the such routine car such as annual physical checkups, vaccinations, heartworm and flea/tick control medications, spay or neuter surgery and teeth cleaning can even get coverage.

http://www.petinsurance.com/

6. Your local pet shelter/rescue may offer low-cost or even free spay/neuter clinics and routine vaccinations and even micro-chipping. So definitely check them out!

7.  Check out Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Websites if interested in low-cost, homeopathic and herbal remedies pet healthcare:

http://www.altvetmed.org/

https://www.avma.org/Pages/home.aspx

Always check with your veterinarian or a registered/licensed holistic veterinarian before trying any sort of home remedy or alternative treatment!

How to Deal with Pet Smells

Dirty, Smelly Dogs and Stinky Litter Boxes >_< Ewwwww!

So your pet smelling a little off lately? How about is his living quarters or place of dootie smelling not so fresh? Well here are some tips to help your pet smell like roses or at least a little less dank:

1. Give your pet some air! If you keep them cooped up in the house or in their living area for long periods of time all that pet odor will just linger in stale air. So let them outside so they can air out and get some wind in that fur. Open the windows in your house to get some air flow as well.

2. Groom your pet daily even if it's just brushing or combing  their coat out. Bathe your pet at the very least monthly unless they have a flea problem or prone to getting down and dirty then bathe more often.

3. Baking soda is awesome. You can rub it in your pet's fur for a quick deodorizer or sprinkle some in the litter box to cut down odors.

4. Buy a good premium clumping cat litter. That way you can actually remove the pee clumps without having to dump the whole litter box and putting new litter in it pretty much daily with regular clay litter. At least with clumping litter you can wait maybe a week before having to dump the whole litter box and giving it a quick scrub down. Scoop pee and poo daily. Scrub down litter box at least once weekly. Simple.

5. Vacuum, clean, scrub down and launder pet bedding and pet living areas twice weekly.

6. Use enzyme cleaners specifically made for pets when it comes to urine, poo and throw-up stains. Enzymes cleaners work way better then any homemade cleaning attempts, vinegar and the such. Never use ammonia to clean up pet stains! Instead of deterring pets, ammonia may make pets, specifically kitties, want to eliminate in the same area. Clean up these stains fast! The quicker the better, the more likely the stain and smell can be removed.

7. If you have a really stinky cat or dog and nothing seems to be working to get rid of the stank please take your pet to the veterinarian they might have a skin condition or disease that needs to be looked at.

How to Feed You Pet Properly

If you feed your pet any premium pet food dry or canned for the most part go with the directions on the back of the packaging by how much your dog weighs at ideal body condition.

 Please never free feed your pet! This is not a good idea. Such a feeding practice can lead to a overweight pet or a pet with potty problems.

If you feed your pet a raw food diet please consult your veterinarian about the nutrient needs for your pets. Don't just throw your dog/cat a raw meaty bone and say your feeding him/her a raw diet. A raw diet is a science and you must mix specific nutrients carefully and methodically to make sure your pet is getting what it needs nutritionally.  Example, cats needs a certain nutrient called taurine in their food otherwise they could go blind or even die without this important nutrient in their diet.

Never feed dogs table scraps this induces begging and food grabbing. 

If you suspect your pet is overweight contact your veterinarian first before putting your pet on a diet and throwing him/her into a whirlwind of exercise.

If you suspect your pet is to thin, not gaining weight or seems hungry all the time once again contact your veterinarian to make sure there is nothing medically wrong with your pet and follow directions given by veterinarian 

Use pet treats for training aids only! Randomly giving treats throughout the day will make your pet fat. Treats are meant to be worked for not to be given out of love. Sorry but if you associate love for your pet by feeding him/her so much that they can barely walk cause they are so obese from over-eating I suggest you rethink your thoughts on what love is cause frankly I find that as animal abuse otherwise.

Watch what your pet eats and monitor his/her body condition. Make changes as needed with your veterinarian's approval and you will have a happy, healthy pet ^_^

Craigslist Pets: Get Lucky on Craigslist

I have a love, hate relationship with the craigslist pet section. I love it because this is how I found my little Milo =) I met the military wife/mother in a public park. She was very nice and told us why she couldn't keep him due to a move overseas. I kept her number to give her updates and she was sweet enough to mail me Milo's (Rex at that point and time) veterinary paperwork with proof of shots, microchip and neuter plus all the tags that came with it. This woman genuinely care about this puppy and I thank her for letting me give Milo a home. I did pay a fee nothing outrageous....$100...which frankly all his health paper work included I'm not complaining I'm lucky to have little Milo.

However unfortunately not all people on craigslist are has sweet and honest has this nice lady. A lot of people on craigslist simply want to make a profit by selling mutt dogs with no shots, under 8 weeks of age, not fixed, no veterinary care whatsoever other then maybe some dewormer for $300 or more. This is nuts!

I have heard horror stories of people buying puppies and then dying days later due to parvo or some other untreated illness. This is not right. These sort of people selling sick puppies do it to make money and could care less about the well-being of the dog or feelings of the person who has to go through the heart ache of seeing a dying puppy.
Then there is the dreaded "puppy flipper". These inconsiderate, low-lifes pick up puppies for cheap and then try to flip them for a profit. It's all about money and once again these people don't care about the well-being of the dog.

If your going to re-home your pet make sure they are up-to-date on shots and are fixed. Ask for a small re-homing fee of $150 or less. Never give your pet away for free!  There are some sick people out there who pick up free animals and just abuse them or use them as bait for dog fighting. Abide by craigslist rules about re-homing your pet otherwise you will get flagged continuously and relentlessly.

All in all craigslist is a iffy place to re-home your pet. Your better off going through a no-kill shelter or even a Facebook group made specifically for re-homing pets. If your going to buy a pet off craigslist do your research. If the person cannot provide veterinary paperwork then you are better off not buying from that person. Don't support these backyard breeders and puppy flippers! Please be careful and good luck  on your pet search.

If you can always try a registered non-profit animal shelter/rescue first. There are so many great shelter animals desperately in need of homes!

Responsible and Courteous Dog Owner Behavior

1. Clean up after your dog if he poo's in a public place. Yes even at the dog park! That is why they provide poop baggies otherwise bring your own for the sake of the people who like walking in the grass without stepping in yucky dog doo 0_o

2. Don't let your dog jump on strangers. It's dangerous for the elderly and children getting knocked over.

3. Pay attention to your dog at the dog park. If your pup is misbehaving or being overly aggressive in any way remove your dog immediately. Safer for you, your dog and everyone else around.  Nobody likes a dog fight =(

4. Don't let your dog bark constantly especially late at night -_- In which case usually this happens if a dog is left outside for hours on end without getting any attention or just maybe you have a talkative dog. Either way be courteous and respect your neighbors. Train your dog not to bark or bring your pet inside please. There is no excuse for a noisy, obnoxious pet!

5. Never hit your dog in the face or body period. This will just create a fearful dog and it is also animal abuse. If you must scold your dog do it in a fashion where your dog actually understands. If he has a accident in the house take him outside immediately. If you don't want your dog to get into something put it up or doggy proof it.  Use the word "No!" in a firm voice. Please don't yell at your dog he won't understand why your being loud.

6. Don't let your dog run lose in public areas excluding dog parks. A lose dog is a accident waiting to happen. Not to mention there are leash laws and you can get ticketed.

7. If your dog is sick take him/her to the veterinarian. No one likes seeing a animal suffer. If you can't afford it you should not have a pet. Sorry but that is the harsh reality. A animal is a commitment and so are the expenses that come with them. If you love animal so much you would care for them properly. Improper care for a animal is animal abuse Nuff' said.

8. Spay and neuter you pets please! There are to many shelter animals in need of homes. Why add to the overpopulation explosion? Not to mention do you really want issues with a roaming male dog  or a female in heat attracting every un-neutered male dog in a 5-10 mile radius?

9. If your going to breed your pet please breed responsibly. Breed only registered, full-blooded, healthy animals. Have good breeding practices i.e. please breed and produce a litter maybe once every other year if not just only a one time affair would be even better and make sure both parents get a full health checkup to make sure there will be no hereditary health issues. Always have good homes pre-planned before you even produce a litter! There is no such thing as a "designer" dog breed. These dogs are mutts plain and simple. I don't care if both parents are registered, purebred whatever once you mix to different breeds they are just that mixed breeds...mutts.

10. License and keep your dog's shots up to date. In other words keep your dog legal. Microchip, ear tattoo or name tag on the collar are important in case your pet ever gets lost or stolen.