Is your home dry in the winter? If so, this could be causing dry skin itch. Use a room humidifier to moisten the air that are accessible to thier dog crates. Also, try a moisturizing shampoo from the pet store. Do not bathe your dog too often; keep his coat clean but that is all–this will help with the scratching and, also, keep them from being uncomfortable during winter months. Water and winter do not mix well with your pet. When you must bathe your dog, be sure to use a dog shampoo. A dog’s ph level is different from our own and human shampoos can be harsh on their skin. Instead, buy a dog shampoo that can offer moisturizing effects. Besides providing moisture, many shampoos can also offer flea and parasite protection, which can also help lessen scratching. Some of the more promising cures are herbal extracts such as horsetail, dandelion, spirulina, and fucus, which can help maintain skin and fur health, improve digestive health, and promote general well-being in dogs and cats. Brush your dog often to remove dead hair and dander; if possible, a quick brushing every day will help your pet immensely. Healthy skin, ultimately, reflects a dog’s lifestyle. By using quality foods and adding fatty supplements to their food (oil, etc), you can guarantee your dog to have a flake-free coat.

But when your dog skin is flaky, red and irritated or some noticeable bumps, rashes or other unusual inflammations, this could be a sign of something serious. Others see some open sores in dog body or dog’s hair is falling out excessively, your dog needs to see his vet. He could just be allergic to his fleas or something in your home. It’s important to get some sort of flea control. Your vet can help you determine and eliminate any other allergens that are causing your dog trouble.

Also dog hotspots are very common, they are typically a bacterial infection. They might have started out as just an allergy, but as the dog scratched, he broke open the skin and introduced bacteria into the sore with his dirty paws. The bacteria grows and causes further irritation to the skin. The vet will want to clear up the initial allergy as well as treat the new infection. He may also prescribe a pain reliever. Most of the time, your dog’s skin troubles can be solved using a variety of treatments. Some are topical like creams and shampoos. Others are pills or injections. Be patient though, not all dogs respond similarly to treatment. It may take a while to find what works.

Common tips to prevent and treat dog skin allergies is to give the right and healthy food. Premium dog foods like Wellness, Royal Canin and Science Diet are balanced nutritionally, with less grain and more meat. One way to determine the quality of a dog food is to look at the first few ingredients, which should be a meat, rather than a grain. Fresh foods like meats and vegetables are high in nutrients and vitamins, which will help to improve a dog’s skin and coat by improving overall health. Consider adding fresh meats, and vegetables and fruits like carrots, celery, broccoli, apples (with no seeds), and greens like kale to each meal. Always introduce new foods gradually to avoid stomach upset. A dehydrated dog is going to be prone to dry skin, among other health problems, and some dogs simply don’t drink what they should. Provide extra fluids by serving wet food or by hydrating dry food. Add hot water to kibble, allow the kibble to sit for about ten minutes – this should cause the kibble to swell with water, providing extra fluid with each meal. Fresh vegetables also have high water content, aiding further in providing moisture to the dog’s body. Oils can greatly improve the condition of a dog’s itchy or dry skin. So once daily, soak one or two pieces of bread with olive oil and serve with each meal. Or add the oil directly to the dog’s meal by providing a teaspoon of olive oil for each 15 pounds of body weight.

Here are some points to consider when choosing a dog that’s perfect for you. First is the size, a large dog is not suitable for an apartment, for elderly owners, or for mild-mannered women because of their strength and incredible energy and exercise need. Large, agile dogs adapt well to apartment or condo living as long as they get a daily walk, and some are gentle enough that anyone with a firm voice and manner can easily handle them, they are good for house with children. Small dogs may be unsuitable for families with active children or elderly or infirm relatives who could trip over a small, bouncy critter. Some dogs are lethargic and others are very energetic and needs enough exercise a day to let these energy settle down. Those who fail to give enough exercise for very energetic dog, dogs tend to bored and divert it on unnecessary behavior like being too destructive, aggressive and many other behavior problems. Active families would be happier with a pet that can jog, hike, and play ball, and more sedate folks would most likely prefer a quieter animal. Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, and Corgis are not jogging companions, and Airedales, German Shepherds, and Border Collies are not typical couch potatoes, they love to walking and usually likes to perform agility around. All dogs need some exercise to stay healthy. Most adult dogs will not exercise themselves, so time for walks and other activities is important. Some breeds are fairly easy to train, and some are quite difficult. If you lack time and patience to deal with a dog that is difficult to train, then an older dog from a rescue service may fit your bill as well as a pup of a breed that is traditionally easier to train. Intelligence is not necessarily an indicator of trainability; smart dogs often have their own agenda and require firmness of purpose on the part of their owners. Smart dogs bored easily, specially on activities that are repeated, have some different routines and activities to do, or a higher level of training like on agility training class where they can show what really they got. As a rule, terriers, hounds, and northern dogs are tough to train because of their intelligence and independent natures, and sporting and herding dogs are easier to train. The sharpest-working obedience breeds are Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Shetland Sheepdogs, breeds that developed to closely with humans.

Dog barks, they range from a lovely small bark of a puppy into annoying barks that are so embarrassing and might turn into hating neighborhood, too much barking can lead to noise laws or even pet limit laws. Terriers and scent hounds use their voices to broadcast their progress in chasing prey animals. Shelties and Collies bark to tell the sheep to git back to the barn. Canaan Dogs bark to alert their families to potential intruders. Barking dogs do not endear owners to their neighbors in apartments, condominiums, and close-knit suburbs. Dogs bark if they are too bored so ensure you have enough time and ability to train, walk and have playtime with your pet. There are some special collars available to deter barking dogs and some training methods that can help in some cases, but if potential owners take the noise factor into consideration, problems are more likely to be minimized. Owner’s capabilities and commitment always have a dog with good behavior and temperament. Breed and group temperament can be described, but there is latitude within that description for individuality. Thus Akitas are declared to be tough animals, loyal, aloof, dominant, aggressive to other animals, and often challenging. However, many Akitas are sweet and cuddly, love small critters, will climb in laps if allowed, and are anything but aloof and dominant. Terriers are scrappy, yappy, tough, and independent, but Airedale Terriers bond very closely to their humans and are somewhat protective. Hounds follow their eyes or noses and are often oblivious to human presence, but Dachshunds bond closely with their families and Greyhounds and Whippets are sweet, gentle pets.

Meticulous housekeepers and folks with little or no time for grooming will be happier with dogs that don’t accessorize the living room with dog-hair dust bunnies a couple of times a year. Double-coated dogs may also have longer, stiffer guard hairs that can penetrate bare feet like splinters. Long-coated and double-coated dogs shed, shed, and shed some more, leaving tufts of hair to float about the house and land everywhere. Dogs with oily outer coats can develop a doggy odor that can be unpleasant, dogs with heavy coats may suffer in southern climes, and dogs with short coats may shiver in the north. Brushing is needed to remove the dead hair from wire-coated terriers, poodles, and poodle relatives, and professional grooming is necessary to maintain texture and color in wirehaired terriers. These breeds are generally better than heavily shedding breeds for owners with allergies. Your environment, dogs can be destructive to gardens, lawns, and landscape plantings, prepare a safe dog crates for them. Common problems such as urinating on lawns or shrubs, roll in flowers, chomp on vegetables and branches, dig holes, and generally cause havoc unless they are restrained from doing so. Sturdy fences will keep dogs from entering gardens if they are tall enough so dog owners use underground radio fences or wireless fences.

On health, have good knowledge on what to feed for your dog. Ask or look for some comments or testimonials about certain dog food before giving it to your dog. Dogs in the wild naturally eat raw food, it was natural, healthy and cheap so consider them, ask your vet about it. A good vet will say about dog raw food, if they always recommend those process food then look for a new vet that could suggest. Although purebred dogs are sometimes denigrated as harboring all sorts of genetic abnormalities and mixed breed dogs are sometimes claimed to be healthier than their purebred cousins, the truth is that all dog have the same range of health problems. Some of these problems are genetic, some result from exposure to disease or parasites, and some are the result of non-inherited birth defects or injuries. Joint problems, including hip and elbow dysplasia and loose kneecaps; eye problems; cancers; skin diseases; heart and other organ diseases; and more affect canines of every size and background. Some dogs have additional problems caused by short muzzles, long backs, giant or diminutive size, or other physical features. When you finally decide on what kind of breed, research everything about this breed. Make sure you get the dog on the right place, visit first rescue or shelter house where then can study if the dog will be perfect for your lifestyle. Also make sure you are getting the dog on true responsible breeder, they should have all the papers and required shots, etc.

The most common signs of ear infection of otitis externa include bad ear odor, discharge of the ears or dog shaking his head or he tilts his head to one side. If you also notice your dog is scratching or rubbing of ears and head, check for the ear’s redness or swelling of the ear flap or canal, slowly check if your dog could feel pain around his ears. Also some changes in dog’s behavior like depression or irritability are observed. Some animals may also paw the ear or try to rub it on other objects to relieve pain and discomfort. Ear infections often result in a darker red ear, dirt in the ear, or a general inflamed appearance. Dogs with progressive pathologic changes in the ear canal my turn into this disease and proper pet safe should immediately observed..

Dogs with noticeable allergies to his foods, to his environment or to something he inhales might often have ear problems. As a matter of fact, the ear problem may be the first sign of the allergy. Since the allergy changes the environment within the ear, we sometimes see secondary infections with bacteria or yeast. If we just treat the infection, we are not getting to the root of the problem. We need to treat the allergies too. Otodectes cynotis or dog ear mite is also major cause of ear infection but most commonly observed to occur on cats and rare for dogs. Some dogs are hypersensitive (Hypersensitivity disorders or Keratinization disorders) to the mites, however, and the resultant itching can be intense. These dogs may scratch so much they severely traumatize the ear. Numerous types of bacteria and the yeast, Malassezia pachydermatis, cause ear infections. The normal, healthy ear has a good defense against these organisms, but if the ear environment changes due to allergies, hormone abnormalities, or moisture, the bacteria and yeast can greatly multiply and break down these defenses. Hormonal abnormalities like deficiencies or excesses of various hormones can result in skin and ear problems. Thyroid hormone, glucocorticoids produced by the adrenal gland, and sex hormones all influence the health of the skin and ears. Plant awns, those little “stick-tights” that cling to our clothes and our dogs’ fur, can sometimes enter the ear canal. Their presence causes irritation, the dog scratches, and before you know it we have a traumatized, infected ear So when you groom your dog after a walk in the woods, be sure to check the ears, too. There are various rare hereditary diseases that occur in different breeds or lines and affect the ears. These include dermatomyositis in Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs, and primary seborrhea in Shar Peis and West Highland White Terriers. Squamous cell carcinomas, melanomas, and other tumors can be seen in the ears.

In mild cases, a product with anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial ingredients are often employed. In more severe cases, ear cleaning under sedation or anesthesia may be required and evaluation for otitis media may be indicated. Treatment for ear mites include ear drops that contain pyrethrins or an avermectin such as ivermectin or selamectin. Cleaning of the ears is very important for treatment of ear infections. Cleansing and antiseptic mixtures are made from isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, boric acid and acetic acid (vinegar) in various proportions. In some recipes, povidone-iodine (betadine) is added as well. Treatment regimen for fungal ear infections includes ketoconazole, and miconazole both topically as well as orally. However, despite the advancement in the therapeutic approaches, otitis externa can be resistant to antifungal antibiotics. Emergence of drug resistance is an important contributing factor. In view of these facts, herbal ear preparations may be of therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of otitis externa in dogs. A number of antibacterials have been suggested for use and have been found to be effective in the treatment of otitis externa and these include gentamicin, sulphadiazine in combination with trimethoprim, ampicillin, ampicillin in combination with cloxacillin, enrofloxacin, amoxycillin, cephalexin and cefadroxil. Apart from antimicrobials, ear infection require treatment for associated itichiness and other inflammation related signs using steroidal drugs like prednisolone, dexamethasone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like clemastine fumarate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, pheniramine maleate et cetera.

For prevention, cleaning dog ears is very important as well as the place where they usually stay like in their dog crates. Your dog’s ear is more L-shaped than yours, and debris loves to collect at the corner of the L. To remove this debris, fill your dog’s ear canal with a good ear cleaner. Ear cleaners should be slightly acidic but should not sting. Massage the base of the ear for 20-30 seconds to soften and release the debris. Wipe out the loose debris and excess fluid with a cotton ball. Repeat this procedure until you see no more debris. Depending on your dog’s ear condition, you may have to start out doing this twice a day. Cotton applicator swabs can be used to clean the inside of the earflap and the part of the ear canal you can see. They should NOT be used farther down in the ear canal since that tends to pack debris in the ear canal, rather than removing it. Some ear problems are so painful, the dog must be anesthetized to do a good job of cleaning the ears. You may find your dog does not like to have his ears cleaned because it is uncomfortable. Talking to him during the process, stopping momentarily to give him a treat if he is doing well (we do not want to reward fussiness!) and doing something fun afterwards may all help. Remember, if your dog is showing severe discomfort, the ears have a bad smell, or the ear canals look very abnormal, do not delay in contacting your veterinarian. If your dog has a ruptured or weakened eardrum, some ear cleansers and medications could do more harm than good.

Raw food diet provides a range of benefits including no doggy odour or smell, they naturally cleans teeth as well as they will surely enjoy it like other dogs in the wild. Promoting raw diet will make much less stool production and normally turn them into firm and chalky dog waste. When they gnaw raw bones, the time it takes to chew a raw meaty bones give their stomachs adequate time to get acids moving. Puppies develop at a more appropriate growth rate and quick growth spurts are avoided. A good puppy owner will want to stop fast growth which is better and much considerable. The ripping and chewing involved in eating raw meaty bones develops the jaw, neck, and shoulder muscles of the dog. Commercial dog foods will never assist in this important muscle development. And of course, less food cost plus decreased vet bills, the dogs are healthier.

Other benefits that other experienced raw diet feeder testimonials, dogs who were previously un-energetic, and sluggish become completely new dogs once the raw diet feeding begins. Remember, grains are one of the biggest sources of allergies in dogs, allergies their dogs previously had on commercial foods, disappear once they start with the raw diet. It is effective for older dogs, arthritis has significantly reduced or disappeared in some dogs switched to raw diet. There is also good balance in their weights; raw diet is a better weight and food consumption control. And with dog natural diet, dogs are living longer than what their other dogs previously had survived on commercial dog foods.

Start with the basics - a range of different raw meaty bones, or preferably whole items, such as chicken, quail, fish, eggs. For the majority of raw feeders - chicken is the base of the majority of their dogs meals. However, if chicken is not available readily, use what is available locally - raw meaty - lamb, beef, venison, duck, rabbit, kangaroo, pig, raw whole fish.

Aren’t chicken bones dangerous? It is one of the biggest myth of all time, Raw chicken bones are fantastic for your dog. They are soft enough so that they bend easily, and break well for the dog to digest. Remember, cooked chicken bones can be a problem, and I recommend that you do not feed cooked chicken bones.

First start off having your dog eats just the meat and bones the first few days. Make sure that their stomachs are ok with this before moving on. Go slow with the food variety and gradually introduce new meats. You may want to stick with one protein source for several weeks before slowly introducing new ones. This will help your dog adjust and help avoid stomach upset which can also happen when individuals switch from one variety of kibble to another. Feed your dog based on their energy requirements. It will differ for how much work your dog does, and what their metabolism is like. Look at your dogs and cats regularly - if they are looking a bit porky, then remove all carbs in their diet. If they look a bit thin, then, an extra chicken quarter in the diet for a few days may be the solution.

About bacteria on raw chicken, there is bacteria everywhere. Dogs have an amazing immunity system specifically designed to eat all manner of bacteria. And a healthy raw fed dog manages those bacteria without a problem. E-coli, salmonella, etc are found on raw chicken, but those nasty bacteria are also found in your fridge, in your sink, on your floor, in your backyard, in your car, on the footpath, down at the park, and perhaps in your bed and even possible on commercial dog foods. The most important thing is to wash your hands thoroughly after feeding your dogs, and even after cutting up meat for your own meals. Our digestive systems are not quite as robust as our dogs, so we must protect ourselves.

Before you run out to your local butcher and start ordering all the raw meat and bones for your dog, be sure to check with your veterinarian. Remember, best educated vets recommend an all natural diet. You need to make sure it is right for your dog before starting them on one. Just as you should check with your doctor before going on any kind of diet, the same is true for your dog. Talk to your local butcher, abattoir, or chicken processor to get raw food stuff. Many of the leftovers that these guys consider waste, us raw feeders people consider fantastic for our dogs. Things like chicken carcasses, chicken necks, chicken feet, and chicken heads are considered rubbish, and are sold for next to nothing. You should be able to get these fairly easily.

From 50% to 70% of the ingredients should be meat, such as beef or chicken. Be sure to take all the bones out first, as dogs can choke on bones, especially soft chicken bones. The remainder of the meal should be made up of carbohydrates and vegetables. Good carbohydrates are potatoes or rice. Do not use pasta or any other carbohydrates made from corn, wheat or soy, since they are not good for dogs.

Good vegetables to use are: carrots, peas, green beans, spinach, beans, cabbage, yams, sweet potatoes, etc. Also, ask your vet as to what vitamins and minerals should be added to your dog’s meal. The amount you should feed your dog varies, and depends upon the size, breed, age and activity level of your dog. John Miller’s Book has hundreds of dog food recipes based on the above building blocks, and has recommendations as to serving sizes and other things to take into account when cooking for your dog.

Homemade dog foods and treats are safer since you have more control on what your dog is eating, taking and his dog poop they should be prepared chemical and preservatives free to avoid harmful effects and allergies, as well as possible cause of certain diseases and cancer. Some researches have also found that some chemicals from commercialized foods may interact with dog’s delicate brain and causes to impede dog’s behavior and aggression. We all know that less fat, means a healthier heart, the same principle for our dog’s heart by reducing or eliminating fat contents on their food, also beneficial for dogs to avoid becoming obese later in his life.

Make homemade treats taste better, also consider ingredients that will keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean. Overall digestive tract will be seemed healthier and in control against stomach upsets and diarrhea. You dog will surely appreciate your effort for him and could love you more. Just like a caring for your children, they also love to smell right from his dog crate your homemade treats for them coming from the kitchen and made especially for him.

BRENTWOOD, Ca - Established in November 2007 innovative Patent Pending pet finding service has quickly caught the eye of newspapers and news stations nationwide, such as Fox News Channel & Good Morning America.

FindToto.com is the only company in the U.S. providing neighborhood specific lost or stolen pet alerts through recorded telephone messages to surrounding neighbors. For a fee, pet owners can choose the amount of homes, ranging from 250 up to 5,000 homes to receive a message describing the lost animal and providing contact information to assist in their return. “Amber Alert” for pets! A.K.A. the “Toto Alert”, “Bringing your neighborhood together”!

Millions of pets in the U.S. go missing each year, said John Snyder, vice president for companion animals for the Humane Society of America - leaving heartbroken families wondering what to do. With our dependence on technology and busy lives, it only makes sense that lost dog flyers on the neighborhood streetlamp would evolve too. With a FindToto telephone message, the alert finds you, increasing the search area and the chances of a safe reunion.

Let FindToto.com find your lost dog, lost cat or any type of animal.

Contact info:

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877-PET-TOTO (738-8686)

These days, Persian cats are among the most popular breeds of cat.  Well known for their gentle and sweet personalities and their long hair, Persian cats have very attractive features.  They are great companions for virtually anyone, and not very demanding.  Unlike other breeds, such as the Siamese breed, Persian breeds need very little attention.

Although white is the color normally associated with Persian cats, they actually come in a variety of other colors as well.  During competitions, they are divided into seven color divisions – solid, silver and gold, tabby, shaded and smoke, particolor, bicolor, and Himalayan.  No matter what color of Persian cat it may be, they are best noticed during competitions by their long and flowing coats. 

Persian cats should always be kept inside of the house, to protect their coat.  If they travel outside, they can easily damage their coat.  They will also need to be brushed daily with a metal comb, or their coat can become tangled, which will lead to hairballs.  You’ll need to bathe your Persian cat on a regular basis as well, to help protect his coat.  Bathing works best when the cat is young, as it will get him used to it.  Bathing should never be overlooked, as it will keep your cats coat looking clean and healthy.  Although some breeds can maintain their coats on their own, Persians can’t. Their fur is long and dense and you’ll need to groom them daily to ensure their coat stays healthy.

The Persian breed is gentle and sweet, getting along great with everyone – including kids.  They have a pleasant voice that is always good to hear.  Using their voice and their eyes, they can communicate very well with their owners.  They are very playful, yet they don’t require a lot of attention.  They love attention however, and love being admired.  Unlike other cats, they don’t climb and jump much at all.  They aren’t destructive either; they just love being admired and lying around.  A majority of the time, Persian cats love to bask in the sun and show others just how beautiful they truly are.

Although most breeds can be kept indoors or outside, Persian cats should always be kept inside and never allowed to go outside of the house.  Keeping them inside with protect their coats and also keep diseases and common parasites away from them as well.  You won’t have to worry about cars or dogs either if you keep your pet inside. 
To ensure that your Persian pet stays healthy, you should always take him to the vet on an annual basis.  If cared for properly, such as grooming, shots, and checkups, Persian cats can live as long as 20 years.  One thing you’ll need to be aware of that’s common with Persians is their eyes.  Their eyes are very big and can sometimes be too much for the cat to clean.  This is a common healthy problem with the breed, and should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that it doesn’t get out of control.

When you compare Persians to other breeds, you’ll notice that the Persians are among the easiest to keep.  You don’t have to worry about things like jumping or climbing, as Persians don’t like to do either.  All you’ll need to do is feed your cat and groom him or him on a daily basis.  Even though grooming can be quite a bit of work in the long run – it’s well worth it when you have a healthy an beautiful Persian cat.

In August 2004, a Harlequin Great Dane dog named “Gibson” from California was recognized by Guinness Book of Records as the world’s tallest dog, measuring 42.2 inches (107 cm) at the withers, he is more than 7 feet tall standing on his hind legs, he’s 170 lbs. The 17 common giant dog breeds are divided into 3 main groups:

- Mastiff Type: Bull Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Mastiff, Neopolitan Mastiff, Rottweiler and Great Dane.

- Mountain Dogs: Bernese Mountain Dog, Leonberger, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Estrela, St. Bernard, Newfoundland.

- Other Types: Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Irish Wolfhound, Komondor, Hungarian Kuvasz, Bloodhound.

The giant dog breeds grow more rapidly comparing to smaller dog breeds, they take longer to mature up to their full adult size, about 18 months to 24 months. Their lifespan is generally shorter than smaller breeds, often living around only 6 years to 10 years of age. Giant expenses more on overall, they eat more and require less exercise than smaller dogs. On health issues, giant dog has common joint problems such as hip dysplasia and arthritis, others where hypothyroidism or low thyroid function and bloat or gastric dilatation. Proper petsafe caring and support can be able to double the life spans of some gentle giant dogs like Great Danes up to 14-18 years. By catering physical and emotional needs of dogs such as like freedom going in and out of the house, just like human, proper feeding, balanced diets, scheduled exercise, caring procedures and out of harm and heat of sun. Enough shelter space is needed for them like giant dog containment fences and large heated dog beds are required to ensure quality rest and comfort.

I’m Not Evil is the fastest horse that Marvin and his dad, Nick, have ever seen. When Evil is on the track, it seems like he could run all day. The black colt is just as big as he is fast. Evil’s desire to run burns so strongly-no rider on his back or bit in his mouth can ever tame it. Can Evil win the Triple Crown and other big races? Will any other horse ever catch him?

Amber Ooley wrote Down to the Wire to express her imagination and enjoyment regarding this very exciting sport of horse racing. Since it can be difficult to get a book published due to minimum age requirements, cost and time, lulu.com was chosen as the publisher, a print-on-demand process, which is fast, easy and, most importantly, free. Down to the Wire is available for purchase at www.lulu.com, as well as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and other online bookstores world wide.

Link to Publication: http://www.lulu.com/content/957449

The author, Amber Ooley, is only 14 and in the eighth grade. She has only been into horseracing for just about a year and a half, and has learned a lot about the sport. The book took approximately eight months to complete. Amber, herself, takes horse riding lessons and very much enjoys it!

Link to Publication: http://www.lulu.com/content/957449