Cats and dogs may seem like mortal enemies, but there are many examples that support the idea that they can coexist quite
peacefully. Cats and dogs do not hate each other simply because they are cat and dog, and it more often than not comes down
to how they were introduced and that crucial period where they had to get to know each other.
Both cats and dogs are similar in terms of their territorial instinct and we need to understand how they work. Wild cats,
from which the common house cat was slowly bred, are generally quite solitary. Cats tend not live together in packs unless
they are trying to bring up the next generation. Their territory is important to them and they will defend it as well as
mark the boundaries with urine. Since cats have exceptionally high territory instinct especially at home, any additional
members to the family will need to be examined in detail. Changes in a cat's life including new additions to its territory
can be very stressful, especially for a cat who leads a very static life.
Dog ancestors, unlike cats, prefer to live in big family units, and marked territory where they hunt and live. A dog
might see all members within the family as part of the pack, it will still be cautious when there are new addition, especially
an animal. With some time, a dog will realize that the cat is another member of the pack, maybe one that might ignore him
totally.
Because a cat and a dog will approach a new addition to the family in a different way, a pet owner must consider this
when allowing them to meet each other. A dog will want to hop right in and test the cat, sniff it, see if it wants to play
or if it will try to be dominant over him. A cat on the other hand needs time to observe from a distance. Cats are naturally
more cautious and are unlikely to dash towards unknown objects.
Keep your dog out of the house until you can figure out where the cat is. Once you have discovered the cat's location,
bring the dog in on a short leash. Enter the room with the cat and have your dog sit and stay or lie down. Your objective
is to give the cat enough time to understand the dog a little bit and to get used to his presence. It is important to keep
your dog calm during the introduction. You might consider to bring him out for a walk or play to exhaust his energy a little.
When both pets are comfortable with each other presence, reward them with treats.
The first introduction doesn't need to last very long, but you will want to keep the dog on the leash until the cat has
a good idea of how the dog is when acting calm. Do not unleash your dog before you feel that your cat is comfortable with
the dog presence.
Do you know that you need to include fats in your cat's diet because her body cannot produce it on her own? To find out more
about cats, including information on cat health and training & cat
supplies, visit PetCustomer.com.
Keep Your Dog Looking and Feeling Cool During Summer with Fashion Forward Dog Clothes
Some people think dog clothes are just for keeping your pup warm during the winter, but your precious pooch needs protection
during the summer too! Just like humans, dogs can get skin cancer if not properly covered while out in the sun. Luckily there
are a lot of hot new dog fashions that will keep your fur baby looking AND feeling cool during the summer.
When going out into the sun for long periods of time, consider covering your pup with a cool t-shirt. A bonus perk is
if you have a dog suffering from an allergy, a shirt will stop him or her from licking and pawing at the affected area. Louisdog
offers a large variety of fashion forward, high-end top-fashion tees as well as low-key vintage-looking tees. Wooflink takes
an edgy turn and shows off a rocker sense of style with rock-and-roll dog t-shirts featuring skulls, studs and rhinestones
for punk rocker pooches. Wooflink also offers a number of light-weight cotton fabric choices perfect for warm or hot weather.
Last but not least, Juicy Couture has a great selection of puppy polo shirts and crystal rhinestone embellished dog tees that
will make any dog the life of the block party.
If your little lady prefers something more feminine, darling dog dresses are all the rage right now. Dog designers Wooflink,
Louisdog, Juicy Couture, and Ruff Ruff Couture all have a wide selection of dresses in their collections perfect for a summer
picnic or warm summer night at the beach.
Speaking of the beach, there are great styles for dogs that love to swim too! Brands including Juicy Couture and Little
Lily offer a diverse assortment of swimsuits for dogs, and you can also find many styles of dog swim trunks online. If you
are taking your dog out on a boat or surfing (yes! dogs can surf!) it's essential that you get your dog a swimming life vest
too.
If your fur baby isn't the type to wear clothes or if you're in the hottest dog days of summer, why not just stick with
accessories? Dog accessories are the perfect way to express style, fashion and attitude without the heavy layers (your pooch
is already wearing a fur coat, after all). Sizzling dog accessories for the summer include dog jewelry, collar charms, paw
wear to protect paws against hot sidewalks, cute color-coordinating collars and sunglasses. Designer Susan Lanci's collection
includes a large range of luxurious ultrasuede dog beds, harnesses, and hair bows embellished with high end Swarovski crystals.
Ultrasuede is stain resistant, very breathable, and easy to clean.
The last thing you want to do is overheat your dog by putting too many clothes on them during the summer, so it's always
important to keep a close eye on your pup and monitor his or her comfort level. With the help of Cool Vest, a light weight
thin vest worn over your dog's chest, your dog will be able to stay cool, dry, and be able enjoy their summer walks and playdates!
If you see your dog panting excessively, drooling, acting fatigued, anxious or wobbly, he or she may be overheating. If your
dog shows any signs of overheating immediately take off any clothing they may be wearing, take him or her to a cool, shaded
area, and get them cold, fresh water to drink. Heatstroke is considered an emergency that must be treated without delay, so
if your dog continues to show symptoms take them to a veterinary hospital ASAP.
Be safe in the sun and keep your dog looking and feeling cool during the summer with fashion forward dog clothing from
the hottest dog clothes designers, including Juicy Couture, Louisdog, Ruff Ruff Couture and Wooflink!
FunnyFur.com is a luxury pet boutique dedicated to helping pet owners find everything they fancy with convenience and ease,
all in one place, for their stylish dogs. Happy dogs and their smitten pet parents dig FunnyFur.com for their fashion forward
designer dog clothes, posh puppy clothes, one-of-a-kind couture
dog clothing, fashionable pet carriers, designer dog accessories and more.
It's a dog eat dog world. The dog days of summer. It's a dog's life! There's a reason we have all these sayings: it's
hard being a dog! So why not pamper your pooch every once in a while? (Or why not all the time?) Your dog deserves only the
very best, so take these tips on pampering your dog and be prepared to have one happy pup!
Gone are the days of having just one pet aisle at the store with solely dog food, flea shampoo and chew toys. Nowadays,
pretty much anything that a human uses is now made for dogs too (including high-fashion clothing, bedding, organic foods and
spa items). You can find pretty much anything online with which to pamper your dog. Some of the top favorite items for dogs
include dog clothes, shampoos and conditioners, skin and coat care, and nail care.
Dog Clothes
If you haven't been into a pet store lately, you will be amazed at the wide array of dog clothing now available - and
it's not just mainstream styles. Dog fashion is all the rage, with many designers now creating fashion forward designer doggy
couture clothing for beloved fur babies everywhere. You can find a large selection of dog clothes in sizes, colors and styles
to fit any dog's personality.
Pamper your pooch with a gorgeous cable knit dog sweater from Louisdog during the winter or treat your terrier to an adorable
dog bikini for swimming during the summer. When you choose high fashion dog clothes for your fur baby you're not only ensuring
that they are stepping out in the most stylish clothes, you're guaranteeing that they'll turn heads and make friends wherever
they go!
Shampoos and Conditioners
There are many, many dog shampoos and conditioners now available on the market that are designed specifically for dogs
and their special types of skin and fur. Even if your dog isn't the pampering sort of pup, or if he or she hates water, they
still need to have a bath on occasion (no one wants a smelly dog!). Waterless shampoo, waterless conditioner and waterless
dog baths are all great products for dogs that hate taking baths, don't like water, or for when it's simply too cold for your
dog to get totally soaked with water.
There are also organic dog shampoos available which are completely free of chemicals, artificial foaming boosters, artificial
preservatives, artificial colors or artificial fragrances. Most are bottled in BPA-free plastic containers so they are completely
safe for you, your dog AND the environment.
Isle of Dogs Canine Grooming System makes an entire line of dog shampoos specific to nearly every type of doggy hair or
skin care need. Their dog shampoos include formulas for puppies, coarse coats, oily coats, black coats, white coats, copper
or chocolate coats, detangle formulas, veterinary grade shampoo, and heavy management dog shampoo for thick, double-coated
breeds.
Skin and Coat Care
Sometimes pampering is more than just dressing up your dog. Just like your hair can get dry, your lips or nose might get
chapped during the winter, or you get bug bites during the summer, your dog experiences all of these things too! Luckily,
many products have been created for this sort of thing.
Natural Dog has created a Snout Soother which is great on drying, chapping or cracking dog noses, for use as windburn
prevention in extreme weather conditions, or for use as natural sunscreen - it's just like chapstick or lip balm, but for
dogs!
There are also many soothing insect sprays for dogs, odor neutralizing sprays, breath fresheners and even calming aromatic
spa mists and spritzers. Any dog with skin or coat problems will appreciate being pampered with these skin and coat care products
designed especially for their ailments.
Nail Care
Last but not least, doing your dog's nails is a fun way to pamper your pooch to the ultimate extent. On top of trimming
them to the proper length on a regular basis, there is now dog nail polish available that works great on pet's nails and is
designed to dry fast and last longer than regular human nail polish.
When applying polish to your fur baby's nails, make sure they are completely relaxed and will be less likely to twitch
or run away in the middle of their manicure/pedicure. For the smoothest application of polish, trim any fur away from the
nails and remove any dirt or natural oils with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol. Hold one paw firmly (but gently) and stroke
on the polish. You should only need one coat, but if your dog has black nails you may need to apply a base coat of white nail
polish prior to applying the desired color. With quick drying polish you should be able to do all the nails in very little
time, and then you will be free to coordinate any number of cute outfits to go with your fur baby's nails.
While pampering your dog may seem petty or trite, it's actually very important to take good care of both the physical
and mental health of your dog. Treat him or her with care and your furry friend will be sure to reciprocate with lots of love,
snuggles and kisses.
FunnyFur.com is a luxury pet boutique dedicated to helping pet owners find everything they fancy with convenience and ease,
all in one place, for their stylish dogs. Happy dogs and their smitten pet parents dig FunnyFur.com for their fashion forward
designer dog clothes, posh puppy clothes, one-of-a-kind couture dog
clothing, fashionable pet carriers, designer dog accessories and more.
Pet Travel Survey Reveals Increase in Automobile Safety Precautions
Want to go for a ride? Those six little words are often music to a dog's ears. Whether you're bringing them to the local
dog park or to visit friends and family, many dogs enjoy a road trip. You probably ensure that you and your family are buckled
up before you go, but are you also keeping your pet safe when they are riding in the car with you?
Trips with Pets, the leading authority on pet travel and pet friendly hotels, conducted a poll to find out how many pet
owners are securing their furry companions while on the road. 53% of the 765 respondents reported taking proper safety precautions,
which is up from just 44% only two years ago. Many states now have pending legislation regarding the use of pet restraints
in a vehicle, so if you currently have your dog or cat loose in your car, it's time to consider using one of the following
methods:
Vehicle Pet Barrier: This was the most popular pet travel restraint in the survey, cited to be used by 41% of pet owner
respondents. These barriers are used in the cargo area of the vehicle, keeping your pet safely away from you and your passengers,
and more importantly, away from the windshield in the event of an accident.
Pet Travel Crate: 32% of pet owners in the poll reported putting their pet in a travel crate or carrier while inside the
car. Make sure it's well-ventilated and large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around in. There are
a variety of wire, mesh, hard plastic and soft-sided carriers available to fit your pet. If you're buddy hasn't been familiarized
with a crate environment, it will be important to do so prior to heading out.
Pet Safety Belt: Buckle 'em up like 9% of the people in the survey do. Dog seat belts are made to easily slip onto your
existing vehicle seat belt and acts as a harness to keep your pet safely in the seat in case there is a sudden stop or impact.
It also keeps pets from distracting drivers.
Pet Car Seat: For smaller pets, pet travel car seats are the perfect answer when you're on the go, and are a good option
for 8% of the survey respondents. Reminiscent of a booster seat, your pet is able to look out and see what is going on while
your vehicle's own safety belt holds it in place. Your pet is secured in the car seat with a lead which is attached on to
their harness.
Roaming Free is Not a Good Option: It's encouraging that owners traveling with their four-legged family members are trying
to keep them safe, but 47% of the people who took the survey do not currently secure their pets in the car. Letting your
pet have free reign in a vehicle or sit in your lap while driving can have serious consequences. Aside from the obvious implications
during a crash, if the scared pet gets free from the car, he could wander out into the road or try to hamper the efforts of
rescue workers. And although dogs love to stick their heads out windows, doing so can actually damage their eyes and ears,
not to mention put them at risk of falling out. The same also applies to truck beds.
An unrestrained pet can multiply its weight by hundreds or even thousands of pounds during an automobile accident. Some
vehicle accident statistics report loose objects, including pets, to be one of the top five reasons for automobile injuries.
Don't put your beloved pet in harm's way when you take them for a ride.
Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TRIPSwithPETS.com. She founded the pet travel
site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular pet travel site features pet
friendly hotels & accommodations across the United States, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission
is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels.
No dog owner wants to have to choose between their dog's health and their wallets. PetFirst Health for Dogs goes a long
way to making sure this decision will never have to be made. In addition to details about the levels of coverage available,
PetFirst has a list of suggestions on how to keep your pet healthy and avoid at least some veterinary expenses. Such matters
as ear cleaning, home dental care, and watching your dog's weight are found here.
PetFirst Health Care for Dogs, while covering many conditions, does exclude certain things. As is usual, pre-existing
conditions are not covered by PetFirst. Cosmetic and elective surgeries and procedures, such as tail docking, ear cropping,
special diets, and nail clipping are not covered. However, PetFirst carries a number of policies, and one of them will probably
be right for your dog.
PetFirst's Basic Plan offers coverage for dogs from age 8 weeks up to 9 years. (A separate Senior Plan is available for
dogs older than 10 years). The deductible for the Basic Plan is $50 with a 90% reimbursement. This plan provides $7,500 of
coverage for accidents and illness, with a per incident limit of $1,500. Also covered, at least in part, are physical exams,
vaccinations, and preventive care. Reward and advertising costs for a lost pet will provide you with $250 coverage, as will
boarding fees at a kennel. The Basic Plan, for one dog, costs about $29.95 per month.
The next level of care offered by PetFirst is the Preferred Plan. There is still a $50 deductible with 90% reimbursement,
but now the illness and accident coverage has increased to $12,000. The per incident limit is now $2,500. Routine care coverage
for physical exams, vaccinations, and preventive care have all increased as well, and routine maintenance and routine screens
are now added. The single dog Preferred Plan policy now starts at $39.95 monthly.
The Preferred Plus Plan is a plan that is especially useful for owners of purebred dogs. The illness and accident coverage
is now $15,000, with $3,500 as the per incident limit. The deductible is still $50 with the same reimbursement rate of 90%.
The routine maintenance rider includes dental cleaning, spay/neuter, health screening, and behavioral training. More benefits
under this program include trip cancellation coverage, and burial or cremation. The Preferred Plus Plan begins at $49.95 per
month.
Coverage for the Accident Only Plan will provide accident coverage of $3,000, with a per accident limit of the same. This
plan covers any age of dog and costs $16.95 per month.
To file a claim with PetFirst Health Care for Dogs, it is necessary to supply them with a claim form that must be signed
by your veterinarian. Your dog's medical records for the treatment being claimed and for your dog's previous year's medical
records must be included. This company will accept faxes only from your veterinarian. To submit a claim yourself, you must
mail it.
For More Pet Insurance Reviews please visit my web site below. You'll find Reviews on the following Pet Insurance Companies:
24Petwatch, Petplan, Embrace, Purinacare, Pets Best, Petfirst, ASPCA, VPI, Trupanion and Pet Assure.
PET and DOG INSURANCE REVIEWS
