It is important to read the labels of animal food products before purchasing them. The first ingredient listed is the main ingredient contained in the pet food. Inexpensive pet foods may be made mostly from fillers like corn meal because the filler is inexpensive. Some grains are important, but a food should not be made primarily from grains.

While it is tempting to think that only inexpensive dog food brands use this tactic, it is not always the case. Even expensive pet foods may have a large amount of corn products or fillers. Many dog foods may also have a large amount of meat by-products. These by-products include intestines and even bones. While your dog may not mind, this is not the healthiest way to make sure your dog gets his protein each day.

Of course, there is more to choosing a healthy pet food than looking at the first ingredient on the back of the dog food bag and avoiding foods that are full of grains. A good dog food will also have vegetables listed for the ingredients. In fact, some dogs may actually prefer vegetables to meat.

If your dog is a senior or has special health needs, then you may need a special dog food. Senior dogs may need more calories or they may need a food that is easily digested. If your senior dog has problems with his teeth, he may need to eat a softer kibble. Dogs with allergies can usually tolerate lamb and rice formulas. There are a number of pet food companies that make this type of dog food. Your veterinarian may be able to suggest a dog food if your pet has other health issues.

If you have decided to switch your pet’s food to a healthier pet food, it is important to make the switch gradually. Suddenly switching your pet’s food can cause digestion problems as well as other issues.

Sometimes, dogs can be very picky. If your dog simply does not like the taste of the new and healthy dog food, then you may do several things. Your dog may adapt to the taste of the dog food, or you may be able to encourage him to eat the food by adding a tablespoon of wet dog food. Then, mix the wet dog food thoroughly into the dry dog food. It doesn’t matter how healthy the food is, if your dog doesn’t like the taste and you have tried the above tips, you may need to try a different dog food.

It is sad that your dog may not appreciate your efforts to keep him healthy, but eventually, most dogs adapt very well to healthy dog food. By feeding your dog healthy food, you can ensure that the two of you have a very long and wonderful life together. Here’s to healthy pet food!

If you are a pet owner then you know how important your pet can be to you and your family. However, did you ever stop to think about how important you are to your pet? The bond we create with our pets means just as much to them as it does to us, sometimes even more. When that bond becomes so strong that your pet becomes totally dependent on your presence, separation pet anxiety can kick in. Some pets, like your dogs for instance, are social creatures, which simply indicate they need that socialization to be content and fulfilled.

Experts have yet to identify any specific reason separation anxiety occurs with some animals and not the rest. It is thought that it could relate to a past trauma. Although we do not know why some dogs get it and some don’t, we do know that it can have serious effects on your dogs. Since dogs are social creatures, they get lonesome too. They experience many of the same feelings we humans do like boredom and stress. Our four legged family members are as prone to behaving irrationally as we are when these emotions are invoked. Unacceptable pet behavior can be altered, but it takes time and patience.

Dogs don’t want to be lonesome any more than you do. When you get ready to leave them they can sense it and if they are suffering from separation anxiety they will begin to act accordingly. The reason for this is because when you depart many questions enter your dogs mind. They begin to question where you are going and why they are not tagging along. In addition, they wonder when and if you are returning. This is a lot for your pet to deal with.

Signs Your Pet has Separation Anxiety

If when you leave, your dog begins jumping up and down, barking or pacing the floor this could easily indicate separation pet anxiety. If the pet is totally ecstatic every time you return then this is a sign as well. Some of the bad behaviors a dog can show when they feel anxiety is excessive barking, the desire to chew up your favorite couch pillows and urinating in places that makes your hair stand up. The desire to dig holes all over your landscape and whining when they even think you are leaving them are self evident.

At this point you must be asking yourself if a remedy to pet anxiety exists. The answer is yes and it is best imposed when your dog is a puppy, but sometimes that is not an option. Here are some tips that will make your dog a little less lonely, reduce their boredom and improve their problems with separation pet anxiety:

1. Always ensure your dog has all the comforts of home before you leave like food, water and a place to sleep.
2. Leave them dog toys to occupy their lonely moments when you are gone.
3. Leave an old item with them that would have your scent on it so they can smell you throughout your separation.
4. Feed them a good meal just as you are departing the area.
5. Keep the mood familiar. If you would typically have music on when you are home; leave it on when you leave.

Dogs are habit creatures as well and don’t always respond well to changes like moving or a changes in the time you spend with them. Give them plenty of exercise when you are with them and give them good obedience training too. Always show them you are in charge and you will earn their respect. Slowly introduce periods of separation with them and you will reduce their stress and pet anxiety issues. Your pet is worth the effort.

If you are looking for something that is easy to take care of, completely safe and friendly around children, and inexpensive to care for, then you may want to consider something as simple as a fish or several of them. These make great first pets for children as a way to teach them responsibility, while still being fun. On top of this, they are simply kept in a tank at all times, so you never have to worry about your child being hurt by the animal.

However, for those who are looking for a pet that is a little more interactive and that the family can play with more, then you may want to consider a pet such as a cat or dog. Either of these can make great first pets for any family, but there are some specific breeds that you may want to keep in mind when choosing either a dog or a cat.

Cats are generally great pets for families who want to be able to have a fun and interactive pet, without having to worry about taking the pet everywhere they go. Cats are very independent, but they still love to play, especially when they are kittens. Still, to keep them kid-friendly, it is best to stick with a breed such as a Tabby or Calico, and to consider getting the cats declawed when they are young. Not only will this prevent cat scratches in the future, but it can also save your furniture. One breed of cats to stay away from if you have children is a Siamese cat, as these can be very needy and sometimes a little overwhelming for those who already have children.

Dogs also make great pets for families because they are energetic and always by your side. Not to mention, they love to play and spend time outside, play fetch, and go for walks. Some specifically good breeds to consider for families with children are:

• Labrador Retriever
• Dachshund
• Dalmatian
• Bull Dog
• Beagle
• Bull Terrier
• Collie
• Irish Setter
• Poodle
• Golden Retriever

Overall, choosing a family pet for the first time can be very exciting, but it is always best to consider your family’s specific expectations and wants for the pet. On top of this, taking the time to visit the pet a few times in its shelter or pet store before taking it home is a great way to ensure that you are making the right choice.

Cats are great pets to have around because they are so loving and fun! It’s extremely important to make sure you are taking care of this companion with the care that they deserve.

Although feeding and providing them with a clean litter box is important; it’s also essential they are in good health. Most cats end up with hairballs that cause them a lot of pain. By knowing how to go about cat hairball prevention, you can help a lot!

What prevention options are available for cat hairballs?

It’s really easy to tell if your cat is dealing with hairballs. They will start by coughing up hairballs all over the house. They will also start vomiting a lot of their food as well. This is really bad for the digestive system since hair cannot be digested into the body. The easiest way to prevent these from occurring is to groom your cat often! There are a lot of products, like brushes, available that are designed to help eliminate extra hair growth. If there isn’t extra hair for your cat to swallow, they aren’t going to have hairballs! Take several minutes out of your day to brush the extra fur out of your cat. They will probably like this if you are gentle and loving.

Don’t push down too hard on their body or you could end up hurting their skin. Firmly brush with a slight amount of pressure so the extra fur is coming out but the cat isn’t getting hurt. This doesn’t have to take long, so it’s something that can be done each day. You will notice that your furniture and clothing with have less cat hair building up as a result of doing this as well.

What cat hairball treatments are available?

If you just can’t seem to stop your cat from swallowing their hair, there are treatment options available. Soft chews are easy to find and cats love to eat them. There are special soft chews available that are made just for cats with hairballs. These provide relief by limiting hairball formations inside the body. It also helps make the skin and coat healthier and shinier than ever before.

There are also hairball lubricants available that help actually eliminate the hairballs. These come in easy to administer gels and are completely safe for cats to have. They even come in flavors like catnip, which most felines love to have! Just a small amount has to be given to the cat a few times a week. Dosage amounts for this vary depending on the size of the cat.

In addition to these, there are also catnips that are formulated with certain ingredients to prevent hairballs. The cats won’t be able to tell the difference and they will enjoy all the benefits! They will start to feel a lot better when they aren’t coughing up hairballs all day long. You also won’t have to worry about cleaning up messes all over the house and dealing with a sick kitty. Any of these treatments are worth considering since they are safe and effective!

Reiki is energy healing and is becoming one of the most popular natural therapies especially with pet owners whose furry loved ones may be experiencing stress, anxiety or other behavioral issues. The healing process is all natural and often benefits the pet owner as much as the pet. During a Reiki session, the Reiki therapist is able to transfer life energy from her own body through her hands onto the animal using a therapeutic touch or even from a distance.

Reiki for pets can help boost their immune system which is particularly effective if they have just undergone any type of surgery, as this can promote a faster recovery. It can increase the overall well-being of your pet by reducing stress and anxiety and greatly increasing the bond between you and your pet.

We encourage you to learn more about this wonderful therapy option by visiting our articles page or call us at 727-641-2531 and set up your free consultation with Pauline today!