Archive for category Pets Galore
Shedding blade for dogs.
Posted by in Pets Galore on February 23rd, 2010
Dogs are loving and loyal pets and in return they deserve lots of love and attention. You can keep their coats in good condition by using a dog brush regularly to remove dirt and knots and stimulate natural oils that keep their coat shiny. Dog grooming is generally a simple process involving brushing and checking of eyes, ears, teeth and nails. Pet grooming supplies are easily come by in any good pet store where they can also give you information and advice.
However, if you don’t feel too comfortable with doing all this yourself then it is easy to employ a professional dog groomer. They will undertake more complex tasks such as removing a coat that is beginning to shed using a shedding blade. A shedding blade should only be used on a dog with a shorter coat and it will help to reduce matting and remove loose hair.
Cleaning Cement Kennel Flooring
Posted by admin in Pets Galore on November 3rd, 2009
If you have a cement kennel flooring, it can be a little difficult to keep totally clean and hygienic. Many people seem to feel that cement kennel floors are the best because they are very easy to clean, they’re hardy and stand up to a lot of use and wear and tear without showing any sign of deterioration. And of course they are very convenient and last for years.
However, cement is actually quite a porous subject, and fluid that ends up on cement can actually quite easily seep down into the cement and remain there. This then can become a health hazard to the dog, as it can breed germs which can have a very negative impact on your dogs.
One of the best things to do with cement flooring is to use a sealant on it. Paint alone won’t seal it properly, but there are some very good sealants on the market these days, with some specifically used to treat dog kennel flooring.
As far as cleaning your cement flooring, the best solution I have found is to clean it with a Clorox bleach solution. Bleach is one of the few things that will eradicate almost all disease causing germs. Mix the bleach with water according to instructions on the bleach bottle, and be sure to rinse off the kennel floor with hot water after cleaning with the bleach solution as bleach left on the surface can be an irritant to some dogs.
Farm Dogs and Fat Dogs
Posted by admin in Pets Galore on October 21st, 2009
Question: what is a farm dog?
Answer: any dog trained by its owner to work on a farm.
A farm dog, by the very nature of its work, cannot function efficiently if it is overweight. These animals need to scamper about, rounding up sheep, herding the cattle home for milking and alerting their owners to any potential danger. Fat dogs need not apply. A fat dog would be virtually useless out on the farm.
Farm dogs herd, watch over other animals in their care, protect their master and sometimes go hunting with him. They are very territorial and mainly live out of doors in kennels and outhouses.
Because they are used to accompanying their owner and are out in the fields all day, they seldom make suitable family pets.
They have been bred as outdoor animals, and that is how they like to live.
Akita Puppies are hard workers
Posted by in Pets Galore on October 12th, 2009
Akita puppies are classed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a “working” dog. No, get your mind out of the gutter, not that kind of working. Other breeds joining Akita are Labradors, Huskies, St. Bernards, and Mastiffs. The Akita breed originated in Japan. Helen Keller is widely credited with bringing the dog to the United States after receiving two as gifts from the Japanese government in 1937
While Akita puppies are not classified as “guard” dogs, you will see them used often in this role. The size of the animal and its fierce loyalty make this a good secondary role for the dog. Akitas will make a LOT of noise if an intruder is spotted. With the combination size of the dog, and lots of noise, most intruders find another place. An Akita puppy is well known for its temperament. The dogs should be supervised around small children, and particularly around other animals. The attitude of the animal ranges from bouncy to aggressive.
Size: for males 26 to 28 inches tall, females 24 to 26 inches. Dogs under 25 inches from floor to withers are disqualified.
Tail: large and full carried high in a curl over the dog’s back
Head: forms a blunt triangle when viewed from above
These are just a handful of the breed standards with the AKC.
Click for more information on Akita puppies, including a trailer of the Richard Gere movie, Hachi.
Training Your Havanese
Posted by admin in Pets Galore on October 6th, 2009
For some dog breeders, the pastime is all about making money and, believe it or not, there are quite a few breeders and trainers out there doing it strictly to make a buck and NOT because they are strong animal or dog lovers. While you would think that people would get into that line of work because of their undying love for everything canine, the reality is that – like any other job – cash is king. In fact, it’s estimated that one out of every three dog breeders is in the business strictly as a capitalist enterprise and there are even breeders out there who are allergic to dogs – the money is just that good! And if you are talking about specialty of novelty breeds – such as Havanese training or Pomeranian puppy rearing – there is even more money to be made as these niches are not filled by too many people. So the bottom line is this: if you meet a dog breeder, don’t automatically assume they are in it for the love of the dogs.
Sheltering Your Dog Outdoors
Posted by admin in Pets Galore on September 29th, 2009
In many counties there are legal requirements for owning a dog, aside from the dog license. For example, in many counties the law states that you must provide water, food and shelter for your dog. That means, that if your dog lives outdoors, or spends much time outdoors not only does he need to have a water bowl filled with water at all times, sufficient food to eat but he also needs an outdoor kennel where he will find shelter from not only extreme temperatures, but also from rain, wind, snow or sleet.
If your dog is happy when he is outdoors, and he does not try to run away or escape, but he is happy to just stay close by home then there is no real need for a run, or a pen. But a dog kennel or dog-house is a must! The kennel should be big enough for your dog to stretch out and sleep in and it should be high enough that the dog can stand in it without having to lower his head below his shoulders.
You can either buy a ready made kennel, or you can try to build a dog house yourself. This should be one of the first things you do if you are planning on keeping your dog outdoors either at night or during the day. If you fail to do so you may find you get in trouble and are fined for not providing your dog with decent shelter.
Dog Skin Allergies Tips
Posted by admin in Pets Galore on September 16th, 2009
There are some simple home remedies that might help you and your dog through these tough times. Common sense plays a role in treating his allergies through home remedy options. If his skin seems to get worse after certain activities then it would make sense to cut down or eliminate those activities from his life, especially during allergy season.
Sometimes a dog will have a bout of skin allergies that magically appear to clear after a few weeks. Some dogs have severe dogs skin allergies that plague them all of their life. The severity of your dog’s skin allergies will in part determine whether treating him via home remedies will work.
Wash your dog’s sleeping area regularly. This helps control smells, germs, and allergens that are making the situation worse. The cleaner his sleeping area is kept the less likely he is to develop additional problems with his skin. Use a clean, hypoallergenic detergent to make sure that he is not reacting to dyes and perfumes that can be added to some detergents.
How To Take Care Of Your Pet Parrots
Posted by admin in Pets Galore on July 24th, 2009
Parrots need more time and attention than dogs and cats. But, even so, they can be really wonderful creatures who can show off neat tricks. If you take good care of them, they can be with you for a very long time, even until you have children or grandchildren of your own.
There are many things to consider if you are taking care of a parrot. For one, their environment should be one that they can live comfortably in. If you want to have healthy exotic birds as your pet, be sure that you always keep their cages clean all the time. They might not be able to do the cleaning duty in the cage like they do in their natural habitat – it is your responsibility as the owner to do it.
You can try placing old newspapers under your parrot’s cage to collect their droppings. This way it will not take too much of your time just cleaning the under the cage. Replace the papers as often as you can or at least twice each week. Also, do not place in colored papers as they could contain harmful chemicals that are dangerous to your parrot’s health.
You also have to keep in mind that parrots are social animals. They would need someone to communicate and interact with. If you do not have other pet parrots, be sure to have an extra time allotted to bonding with them. Or, you may also get a companion for you parrot so it does not get too lonely. Parrots can tend to have behavioral problems, or harm its own self, if it gets too bored or lonely.
Of course, make sure that you give your parrots the best diet. They usually eat different types of foods such as fruits, vegetables, crackers or bread. Give your pet a different type of food everyday so it can get a lot of vitamins and minerals. There are also pellets available in stores that could provide your pet the nutrients that it needs.
These are just simple things that you will have to remember if you want to be a great parrot owner. If your parrot feels happy with you, it will stay healthy and strong, live a long life and thus become your companion for a very long time.
Tips for Choosing a Quality Dog Food
Posted by admin in Pets Galore on May 20th, 2009
When you are looking for a quality pet food for any type of dog, you need to look at what type of animal you are feeding, and what job it is doing. For example, if I am feeding a Shih Tzu, I want something that is going to help with that incredible coat they grow, and since I know they have issues with bad teeth, I want a good tartar control agent to address that. If I am feeding a duck hunting dog, I am going to choose a food with special attention paid to a joint supplement. Choosing a food because it is on sale is always a bad choice, it can actually cause all sorts of digestive problems and dog food allergies. Also, if you can’t easily identify at least the first three ingredients of a dog food, it is an automatic loser in my book. You don’t want the food your dog is eating to be filler material. Royal Canin is the product my house pets all eat.