The Causes of Dog Fleas and Ticks

Much like any other dog, your lovable canine can be prone to getting fleas. This would perhaps be one of the most annoying situations your four legged best friend can ever deal with. To have parasites feeding on their skin can be harmful to their health. You'd notice this when they continuously scratch themselves to a point where patches of their skin would now be evident due to the hair falling off. Of course, fleas and ticks can also bring about a number of diseases which can affect their health in the long run. As the owner, you would want to make sure that your dog is free of these parasites. In order to do that, however, you will need to identify the reasons as to why they are attacked by fleas and ticks in the first place. Below are some of the causes of pest infestation in dogs.

One of the main reasons as to why dogs get fleas is because they often socialize with other dogs that may have these parasites in the first place. Fleas require a host in order to breed; without one, they'll die in a matter of two days. Once it has acquired a host, it can breed on a dog's skin for up to 115 days, which can pose all sorts of health risks to your dog and even your family members. It is because of this that you will want to ensure that your dog, no matter how sad it may be for them, avoids coming in contact with stray dogs or cats. Remember that fleas can also be found in cats, rabbits or even rodents. If you own a number of pets in the house, you might want to see to them not coming anywhere near each other. Fleas are very nimble pests that can easily jump from one host to another.

Dogs get fleas as well due to unclean environments. This can range from a kennel that hasn't been cleaned for days or even rolling around the ground where a lot of dirt and bacteria is present. Just when you thought your dog needs a bath, they're actually being infested with fleas and ticks on the skin, leading to a lot of scratching. These nasty pests can cause all sorts of rashes which can grow into something very critical to your dog's health.

These are some of the causes as to why dogs get fleas. If you're dealing with flea problems, bathe your dog with flea repelling shampoo and soap. You will also want to get them vaccinated and medicated with the help of a veterinarian.

Bernard Yao invites you to http://www.petsinfoplace.com dedicated to sharing useful information on raising happy and healthy home pets for the online community. Come on by for more great updates on Dog Care.

It Travels Down The Lead

Have you ever heard someone tell you that everything travels down the lead? When you heard that, did you give them the RCA dog look (head cocked to the side)?
Here's an explanation as to what that means. Your dog is very in tune with your emotions and body language. And what that means is, if you are afraid, tense, worried, excited, happy, or whatever emotion you can think of, your dog knows it. They can smell it on you, whatever it is.
Now how does that translate to it traveling down the lead? Well, what ever emotion you are feeling, you normally carry your body differently and when you are holding the lead with your dog at the other end, you can bet you are holding the lead differently. And that is something your dog picks up on very well.
Here's a scenario. You are going for a walk in your neighborhood and there is one yard that you hate you have to pass on your walk. There is a sign that tells you there is one of those fences that you can't see, but is very much there, on the corner of the yard, and in that yard there are always two dogs. Each time you walk past the yard the dogs rush at you and just stop before they get to the boundary of the unseen fence. And each time it happens, it really scares you, even though you know they can't get to you.
So now every time you walk past that yard you anticipate the charging of the barking dogs. You are afraid, you tense up your muscles and you pull the lead tight on your dog Fluffy. Now Fluffy is aware that you are afraid, and she is aware that you are putting tension on the lead. A lot of tension. Now she is on alert, because her human is sensing danger. Fluffy must now protect her human. You walk past the yard, the dogs charge, Fluffy now reacts and charges back at them making guttural noises, snarling and foaming at the mouth like the demon dog from that scary movie you watched the other night. Whoa! You knew those dogs were bad. Look what they have done to Fluffy!
So who do you think actually made Fluffy react that way? Those dogs? No, it was you. Were the dogs obnoxious? Yes. But did they truly cause Fluffy to start acting like Cujo? No. Fluffy learned from you that danger was present and being the protector she is, she knew she had to act to protect her human.

Even though Fluffy knew you were afraid, you brought Fluffy into your bubble of fear by tightening the lead. You didn't even know you were doing it. And somewhere deep inside you felt a need to protect Fluffy so you pulled the lead tighter so that she wouldn't get too close to the charging dogs.
OK, now what do you do to fix this? Well, you could just go another route that wouldn't take you by that particular yard, but that really wouldn't solve anything. The next time you encountered a stressful, fearful situation, you will have the same thing happen with Fluffy. You need to address the issue and the issue is you.

I would recommend you walk past the yard several times by yourself, without Fluffy, to try to address your fears. Try to stay as calm as possible and realize the dogs really can't get to you. Once you feel like you can pass by without flinching or tensing up, then add Fluffy back into the equation. As you approach the dreaded yard, take a deep breath, find your mental happy place, relax your shoulders, drop your arms and walk with purpose. Walk right past the yard with deliberation and poise. If Fluffy reacts back at the dogs, just pop the lead and make a correction noise ( I use a noise that sounds like ehrnt, erhnt) and just keep walking forward like nothing happened. Don't ever stop and stand there with Fluffy lunging and charging and try to talk to her to get her to stop. All you are doing is allowing her frenzy to climb higher. Just keep walking forward, don't look back.
If you continue to act like it's not an issue, it will become, not an issue. Fluffy will begin to realize your fear is gone, that there is no more tension on the lead, and that those dogs are nothing to worry about.

You can approach most stressful situations like this. You first have to think about what your stress level or fear is. If you go into a situation with your dog with those kinds of feelings, your dog already knows you are upset, but when your posture affects the tension on the lead, you have now engaged your dog in that emotion. And what happens then is, your fears become a reality, but what you don't realize, is that you created and manifested them and made them a reality.
Now not every reaction from Fluffy will be initiated by you. However, how you handle that situation will determine what Fluffy will do in the future. If you over-react, start pulling on the lead and or yelling, you can be assured, Fluffy will feel justified in continuing the unwanted behavior. Pulling on a lead while a dog is lunging, only makes the dog want to lunge more. You need to correct with the lead with quick pops and correction words or noises all while moving forward. Never stop and stand facing the issue while Fluffy is in a frenzy. You have to keep moving and you have to stop the frenzied mind by getting her attention with a quick pop of the lead and with a noise or word. Also, when a dog is in a frenzied state and is barking and snarling, you yelling sounds to your dog like you are barking and snarling right along with her, so now she knows she is doing the right thing because her human is doing it too. No matter how hard it might be, you have to remain calm!
If you don't handle the situation in a calm and assertive manner, the next time you encounter that similar situation, you anticipate Fluffy's reaction and you tighten your shoulders and tighten the lead. Fluffy now goes on alert and reacts in the manner she feels is justified. She knows this because, the message or signal just traveled down the lead.

One word of caution when correcting your dog around stressful situations, if you over-react and over-correct, you can cause the dog to over-react, thus causing her to get worse instead of better. A scenario would be, if you were using a pinch collar (I do approve of them, but only if used correctly!), and Fluffy lunged at someone or something. You jerk the lead with all your might and yell, "No!". Potentially in Fluffy's mind, she was afraid of something and that something some how came around and bit her on the neck and caused the human to freak out. Wow! Now Fluffy knows to really be afraid and now knows to be sure to make the first move so she doesn't get bitten again. Or, she knows now that she is going to get bitten, so she must never face that situation again so she knows she must run away.
Not every situation is going to be easy to fix, but not every situation is going to be the end of the world either. You just have to remain as calm and relaxed (hard at times I know) as possible and realize your dog is picking up on your emotions and deciding what the best reaction to the situation should be.
If you have a very bad situation that you can't seem to fix, or realize you will never be able to find your "Zen" when you encounter a stressful situation, seek professional guidance. There are a lot of good trainers and behaviorist out there that can help. But realize, you do have the power to have a balanced dog, you just have to start with you.
Happy calm, assertive walking!
Dog Training At Home Tips

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Tips on Matching Your Wooden Dog Crate to Existing Furniture

Thanks to innovations with new wooden dog crates, you no longer have to choose between looking at an ugly wire crate and keeping your pet in a separate room of your home. Today's designs leave plenty of opportunities to blend your dog's favorite indoor hangout with existing furniture. Read on for five great tips on how to match these essential pieces of pet furniture to existing furniture.

1.) Look at your furniture style. If you have mis-matched pieces in your room, only consider the ones you like the best and will be keeping for a while. There's no sense matching your pet furniture to a coffee table that you plan to replace in the next year. If you have a modern style, consider Amish wood dog crates with crisp, clean lines and beautiful finishes. If you have a more refined style, perhaps a designer dog crate would better suit your needs.
2.) Consider how much space you have. Today's pet crates can be designed for dual-purposes. The popular end table crate design is a great example of how wooden dog crates can also function as furniture. This space-saving technique is great for people who live in apartments or other small spaces.

3.) Finish the crate yourself. If you can't find any wooden dog crates in the color you need to match your furniture, consider finishing it yourself. You can find unfinished wooden pet crates online or in specialty wood stores that you can finish yourself with a color to match your furniture. Likewise, you can build your own designer dog crate and finish it however you like.

4.) Use textiles to your advantage. If you really want to match your crate to your furniture, using simple textiles for the craft cover and your pet's bedding is a great way to create a cohesive look. Choose a material in a coordinating color to your space and use it to cover the crate or as a crate mat for your pet crate. Then use some of the same material to create curtains, throw pillows or other accent pieces that will help tie the room together. Whether you're working with a designer dog crate, an end table crate or even Amish wood dog crates, adding textiles will add warmth and help match your indoor pet residence to your existing furniture.

5.) Hide the pet gear. When all else fails, you can always hide the crate, dog bedding or other pet accessories. Although a crate, whether wooden, plastic or wire, are large and may seem difficult to hide, with a little creativity, you can easily disguise your pets hide-out. For example, adding a large wooden top to a smaller pet crate transforms it into a coffee table. If you have several pets, try placing two or three of their crates together with a decorative board over the top and you make a great place to rest our television. Elevate your hound's crate or add a tall top to it and you have an end table dog crate. The choices are endless.
Matching your dog crate to your existing furniture doesn't have to be difficult. With a little bit of time and some creativity, you can successfully blend your pet's indoor home into your life and home.

Nadia Paone runs an online dog supply store that specializes in quality pet gear including wooden dog crates and amish wood dog crates. Although dogs make wonderful, loyal and loving pets, they also have specialized needs for security, companionship, training, safety, proper nutrition, health and exercise. Nadia loves tracking down the latest in pet trends and technology to help us identify and meet those needs with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for our canine best friends.

Etiquette for Dining Out With Your Dog

Some restaurants allow dogs to come inside, although this is not socially acceptable in some areas. If the restaurant's exterior does not make it clear if your four-legged friend is welcome, then your best bet is to check with a staff member before bringing your dog inside. An advance phone call can save you and the restaurant workers a lot of hassle if you are unfamiliar with the regulations of that particular joint. Even in the most flexible establishments, however, there are certain behavioral codes that should be respected.
The other people in the restaurant may not love animals as much as you do, so you should keep your dog on a leash out of courtesy for them. This also helps the servers get around without having a furball underfoot. It is a good idea to keep your dog close to your feet, and preferably under the table. That way he or she is out of the way.
If your dog is especially friendly, you might want to consider training him or her to obey commands in groups. Like people, animals can get overly excited when a lot of humans are around, especially if those humans are showing interest in them. The key to keeping your dog from wreaking havoc in a restaurant is to teach him or her from a young age to settle down when other people are around. If you got your dog later in its life, then you might find this a bit more challenging, especially if the previous owner made little effort to train the dog.

Unless specifically noted, most dog-friendly restaurants prefer not to have the animals on the chairs or tables. Similarly, letting them drink out of restaurant dishes is generally frowned upon, so you are safer bringing your own doggie bowl for food or water. A light plastic dish usually works best for this. If the restaurant uses disposable dishes, then you can probably get away with having your dog poke its nose in to lick up the scraps, but you should put the dish on the floor, rather than bringing your dog up to table level.
One useful piece of advice is to take your dog for a walk before you head to the restaurant. This will ensure both that he or she won't have to pee while you are eating, and that your pet will be at least somewhat tired, ensuring a less active dinner companion. Unless you want to keep the leash tied to your wrist or leg, you should attach the dog to a chair - not the table. Tying your dog to the table could result in food and drinks flying all directions should something suddenly cause the animal to jump up or make a break for it.
In most cases, you will find yourself eating on the outdoor patio. If you have the choice, it is wise to sit near the edge, in order to keep out of the main path of servers and also away from other diners. If your dog starts to bark or other cause a disturbance, you should be willing to pay your bill and leave, taking the rest of your meal home. Taking your dog with you to a restaurant is a privilege that should not be taken for granted, so respect is due to everyone else in the establishment.
Eating out with a dog can be a pleasant way to keep track of your pet without having to put off your own needs. Just remember that no matter where you go, others will be grateful for your courteous attitude.

Our goal at Michael's Pack is to help you understand and communicate better with your dog. During our sessions, we will provide helpful information on various topics such as nutrition, behavior issues, and dog thoughts. Most importantly, all training that he does is based on positive reinforcement coupled with a holistic method, making it as easy and rewarding as possible for you, the owner, to bond with your best friend. For Long Island dog training, contact us at http://www.Michaels-Pack.com.

How to Find a Natural Treatment for Dog UTI

Frequent and common occurrences of urinary tract infections, caused by the E. coli bacteria can cause serious complications such as a life threatening kidney infection. Also, your dog may have diabetes which can cause the pH of the urinary tract to become unbalanced creating an unhealthy environment ripe for infection. Kidney and bladder stones can also be the culprit of repeated UTI's. If your dog has repeated infections a health checkup may be needed.
On the other hand, the outcome of treating a urinary tract infection for your dog or cat can be comparable to antibiotics if the UTI is from E. coli. If your dog is obviously in pain a trip to the vet is recommended. However, if you are familiar with past urinary tract issues and the symptoms; trying to urinate more often and in places that he normally doesn't go are present, then maybe it's time to try a natural treatment for dog UTI.
The majority of veterinarians will treat your dog's UTI with antibiotics, and while they have their place in medicine, they are over and unnecessarily used to treat problems that many times can be resolved with a natural treatment. Antibiotics while eradicating the bacteria temporarily does not address the problem causing the repeated UTI's. Repeated UTI's are often caused by diet; lack of fluids, dry food, parasites, even stress.

Many people have found that apple cider vinegar works well. It can inhibit the growth of bacteria and help the symptoms. Like all natural treatments for dog uti, including vitamins, they should be given on a regular basis to prevent and reinforce a healthy urinary tract.

Another popular product is D-mannose, a plant sugar found in cranberries and other fruits. The upper segment of the gastrointestinal tract absorbs the D-mannose which does not elevate blood sugar levels, especially important for diabetics. The E-coli bacteria, the cause of most bladder infections, will connect to the D-mannose instead of the bladder wall, washing itself out with urination and clearing up any and all infection and irritation. For years many people thought it was the acidic property in cranberry juice that was helping bladder infections, but it is the sugar (D-mannose) that aids in removing the bacteria.

If you are not sure of the correct dosage and amounts to give your pets another natural treatment for dog UTI are formulated holistic products available specifically for pets which cover a wide range of remedies from behavior to urinary tract health. Holistic vets use homeopathic remedies such as natural herbs and supplements. The same products that help humans can also be used for your dog. Supplements such as garlic, Echinacea, vitamin C, Uva Ursi and Yarrow used in conjunction can clear and maintain the urinary tract.

If you're looking for an alternative to medications for UTI visit Natural Pet Cures or Natural Pet Health for a list of alternative medications available to pets.

What is a Pet Shelter Home?

The shelter home will also make sure that the dog goes through a vet check such as getting the right amount of vaccination, checking its worm temperature and all the medications before they become available for adoption. Most pet shelter home provides good accommodation, food, and veterinary care and their aim is to provide home again for those reclaimed dogs as many as possible. However, it might not work out for all shelters as sometimes there are too many dogs to be feed, and there are not much dogs getting a new home so many of them are put to sleep.

To cover the cost of the shelter home, most shelters provide animal welfare services such as educational programs and affordable veterinary services. One of the missions in most shelter homes also includes matching up the right owner and the right dog. New or current dog owners are also recommended to get advice from the shelter staff or volunteers to ensure you make the best choice.

Public can help in a way to keep the shelter operating smoothly. Since they are mostly owned by not-profitable organization, they somehow depend on donations not just in term of money but also pet food, blankets, any pet materials to survive. Many shelters also organize fund raising to raise money and by donating goods, usable, clean and good items allow them to sell it at a reasonable price and gain money from there. If you have spare time that you would like to offer them, you could also be a volunteer by assisting in running their shelters, give them a call and see how you can assist them.

There are a few things you need to know before adopting or bringing a dog in your life. Taking care of your dog requires a lot of work, time, effort, responsibility and also cost. It is just like taking care of a baby. By the time you own a dog, it will stay with you for the next 10 to 15 years. Dogs can be a good companion but when some owner could not afford the burden of cost and time with the dog, most dogs end up at the shelters. Dogs are not toys for your kids, when your adopt them, they are already part of your family and you should be treating them well. Do the discussions with your family members before getting a dog or getting the right breed.
If we plan to adopt a dog, we should all start to find one at the shelter home nearest to you which is a good deed. This way you are giving the dog a home and appreciating the services the shelter home had been doing all along.

Chewie is a cute little 3 yr old shih tzu that has brought joy and happiness to my family and we love her lots. She is like our nightingale who will sit with any of the members who is not feeling well till they recover. I am Chewie's master and I am a pet lover. I like to share some information about Chewie and about pets stories, to read more visit pets shelter home

Pet Care Home Jobs: Do You Have What It Takes to Do Them?

Imagine that you are opening your own home business. You want to have something that is exciting and fun, fresh every day and most of all, profitable. But, you know, there is no way that you want to have the same type of business that everyone else has. You don't want to sell things or buy things or make things. In fact, you don't want to deal with things at all.
What you are really interested in is caring for pets. And that is where you get the idea for a pet care home job for yourself and a few of your friends. You will have more than just a pet sitting or pet home visit company. Yours will encompass all sorts of different activities. Before you get started, you have to run through a checklist to make sure that you have what it takes to run this type of business.
Pet Care Home Experience

Most people like doggies and kitties and even birds and fish, but not everyone has had the experience of dealing with all of them. To be able to have a pet care home job, you have to be able to instill some sense of confidence in your clients that you are able to care for their pets. Most people care for their animals like they would a child and they want to know that they are entrusting their Fluffy or their Mopsie to the right people. The more animals that you have had experience in caring for, the more respected you might be.
Time Management Skills

As a pet care home care giver, you will have to be able to set and keep a schedule so that all of your clients are getting the care and the time that they need. You can't just expect to spend all your time with Tiny, the adorable beagle and then gloss over the time you spend with Rocco the Rottweiler because you think he has an attitude. You can't just contract a daily visit with the fish of one client, waiting until the last day of the week to run in and feed whoever is still alive. Each client pays the whole fee so they each deserve to get the full service that they are contracting for.
Business Skills

Your pet care home job will still require that you keep records and pay taxes. You will want to be able to keep track of who has paid and for what services and who still owes you. If others are working with or for you, you will also need to keep track of how much money is owed to them as well.
As your company grows, you will have more than just pet care home tasks to keep track of. If you start offering new services or stop offering others, you will have to update paperwork or your web site so that you are not advertising the wrong information.

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Your Dogs and Cats Can Actually Live Together: But How?

Animal lovers would surely like to have as many animals as possible at home. They'd love to have as many as they can fit at home and afford to feed and maintain - and all the while remain acceptable to their families. That sometimes means having animals that might not be able to live together under one roof, at least that's how those animals are perceived. And the perfect example of that are cats and dogs.
The problem with having those two pets live just besides each other indoors is that it has always been known to everyone that cats and dogs just don't get along. But if you really like both then you need to find a solution to that problem. And above all that you need to have the patience to try and use whatever solution you do come up with.

Let's suppose that you already own one of two - let's say that you already have a dog and would like to introduce a cat into the household, or it could be the other way around and you'd like to introduce a dog when you already have a cat. You would need to remember some steps on how to do it right and here are some that you could try to do:

• Probably the most important thing to remember is that you would need to introduce cats and dogs to each other while they are still quite young. The reasons for this are obvious enough, so that they could still get used to each other very early on.


• A great starting point for the puppies should be when they are still less than three months old and for kittens when they are not yet over seven weeks of age.


• The kitten should be introduced while the dog is being supervised or probably when on a leash. This should be done a few times over a few week's time to make the two comfortable with being near each other and aware of each other's presence.


• It should be a positive experience overall for your dog - which means that he should be given rewards whenever he behaves properly. Any unfriendly move or behavior towards the kitten should given some form of reprimand, although shouting at the dog is not advised.


• While still in the process of being introduced to an adult cat, a puppy should not be allowed to just freely wander within the house.


• A special place or area should be given to the cat that the dog does not have an access to. Remember to put some food, water, and of course a litter box in that place.


• Broom the cat and your dog privately from one another. Each of those pets requires your special care and attention and should be given what they really need.





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• The puppy should be placed inside a cage and then allow the cat to come closer. Or the cat can be placed right on a table and you should reassure him by petting, while at the same time the dog is sitting or lying down on the floor very near you and the cat.

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Salmonella in Raw Dog Food

The potential for bacteria in all types of pet food has become an increasingly hot topic. With all the pet food recalls that have occurred in the last several months, people are wondering where they can turn to for a safe and healthy option. What is the risk in feeding food that may contain bacteria?
One of the most common bacterial infections obtained through food is salmonellosis which is caused by Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella is a bacterium present in food sources for both pets and humans. While chicken is the most common protein source where it can be found, it can also be found in young cattle, horses, pigs, and other
livestock.
How Does Salmonella Infect Meat?

Animals become infected mainly when they are fed low-grade meats or milk, are given polluted water to drink, or if they ingest the feces of another animal. Since salmonella thrives in moist environments, these are all ideal breeding grounds for the bacteria. Salmonella is quite resistant to environmental factors and can remain alive for months and even years making it an easy bacterium to be infected with.
What Makes A Dog Susceptible to Salmonellosis?
While it is rare for a dog to become infected with Salmonella, it can happen, and often results in digestive upset. Dogs become infected from Salmonella bacteria mostly from eating food that has been exposed to high levels of the bacterium. However, dogs, which are on a raw meat diet, are less likely to become infected with Salmonella bacteria than dogs eating dry pet food. It sounds strange since most experts contribute the cause of salmonellosis to eating uncooked or undercooked meats.
But the reason is quite simple: a healthy dog's digestive system is able to produce the enzymes necessary to eliminate Salmonella bacteria. Added protection is also given to dogs by nature. A dog's stomach acids are stronger than a human's. That point, paired with the fact that a raw diet has a shorter digestion time (4 to 6 hours) than a heat-processed, dry or canned food diet (which takes 8 to 12 hours to digest), all attributes to a dog's ability to handle raw foods while not being infected by salmonella.
A Dog's Natural Defense Against Salmonella
In the same way our dog's ancestor, the wolf, has existed on a raw meat diet for hundreds of thousands of years, your domestic dog is biologically designed to digest raw meat. Healthy dogs have natural means to fight with bacteria, and the disease only occurs if the dog has an immunocompromised system - or other problems - which can lead to salmonellosis.
The Most Common Cause of Salmonellosis
Raw pet food is not usually the reason for infection from Salmonella. If you examine the recent history of pet food recalls, you'll notice a commonality: dry pet food. Dry kibble diets are more likely to become the cause of Salmonellosis infection from food due to the fact that it is digested for much longer time than raw food. Dry kibble diets not only irritate the lining of the bowels, but they also provide the perfect wet, warm environment (with a great deal of undigested sugars and starches), which is a smorgasbord for Salmonella bacteria.

Contrarily, raw meaty bones produce a very hostile environment for bacteria. This along with the fact that raw meaty bones are easily digested by your pet and do not contain starches, carbohydrates, or sugars to feed Salmonella bacteria make a perfect solution to salmonellosis prevention.
Why All The Fuss About Salmonella?
Since humans do not have the same defense mechanisms required to dispose of salmonella, we need to be much more careful about preventing infection in us and our family.
Here are some simple rules, which every owner should follow to avoid salmonella infection:
1. Use plastic bags or gloves to protect hands from Salmonella bacteria when handling feces, and dispose of them where nobody can touch them.

2. Wash hands thoroughly in hot, soapy water after handling feces, even after using protective gloves.
3. Make sure to wash all utensils and preparation surfaces in warm, soapy water after serving a meal made with raw meat for your family or your pet.
4. If raw meat looks discolored or smells odorous, exercise caution and throw it away.
By following these simple handling rules, you and your pet should enjoy a long, happy (and salmonella-free) life together!

Essentials of a Dog's Daily Diet

As with their human companions, dogs need a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. But, unlike us, the recommended 2,000-calorie diet for humans doesn't translate to our pets. Dogs, because of their varying weights and body types ultimately require more or less food on a normal basis and dogs with certain deficiencies might need supplemental food to keep them healthy. If you happen to be adopting a dog, it can prove to be helpful, to keep a strict doggy diet.

So, the hard questions is, what should your dog be eating anyway? Begin with the four items listed below that can be found in almost all premium-style dog goods. A good thing to look for when looking for that great dog food is to look for the Association of American Feed Control Officials' stamp of approval on the package.

1. To begin, your canine companion should always be drinking plenty of water. As with all mammals, our pets require water depending on the level of activities, but should realistically be drinking water on a regular basis to remain hydrated. For the most part, dogs are great at drinking water when they're thirsty, so keeping a full and fresh water dish is essential.
2. Second, you dog and any dog needs plenty of protein. Most dog food is developed to include a mix of animal and vegetable proteins, animal protein being much easier for a dog to digest. Most vets suggest that a dog eat a minimum of 18% protein in their daily diet. That number should increase to around 22% while they grow, become pregnant or begin to nurse.
3. Next, your canine will need a good portion of vitamins. Similar to children and the elderly, your dog may not be able to produce the correct or digest the correct amount of vitamins, so providing your pooch with the extra nutrients not available in dog food is suggested.
4. Finally, your dog should consume a good amount of fat as well. Vets recommend that a minimum of 5% of fat in your dog's daily diet will keep their coat shiny and provide the right amount of energy to play an endless amount of catch in the back yard.
But, since dogs aren't all equal in terms of body size or exercise level, you should control daily food allowance for your dog - based on, mnre or less, 2 levels. Weight and activity levels. DogFoodAdvisor.com has a great dog food calculator that I insist will help you understand what your specific dog needs. Happy feeding!
Remember though, just like humans, dogs will not portion control themselves. What you provide your pooch in term of culinary delights will be consumed with no argument. If your dog has become overweight and sluggish at an early age, serious health issues will ultimately arise. They can range from arthritis to hip dysphasia.

Isaac Macalister is a frequent contributor for Hartz and has written many articles pertaining to cat and dog needs. Including anything from dog training to summer fun with your dog including tips on Hartz UltraGuard Flea Control

Leaving Pets at Home? 16 Tips for Preparing for Pet Care While you Travel

The height of summer travel is upon us and whether you're heading for a trip to the beach or a wild and wonderful adventure down some rapids, chances are you're not taking your pets. (Although, if you do want to take them, write me and I'll send you a copy of my column from last September on tips and hints for traveling with your pet).
When you're leaving your pets in the care of another there are basic "rules" you both should follow:
1. Reserve your time. You'll note that many of your neighbors and colleagues travel the same time of year that you do. If you're hoping your neighbor will watch your cat while you head out of town, confirm that he'll be in town! Professional companies fill up quickly during busy seasons so you're wise to reserve your spot for pet-care as soon as you reserve your airfare.
2. Be specific. It's important that you and your pet-care provider are on the same page. When you say "One scoop of dry in the morning and the evening" make sure your sitter knows which scoop you're talking about. It's also a good idea to ensure that the person staying with your five cats "does" litter boxes, otherwise you're bound to have a huge mess (and possibly strained relationship) when you get home. Other items to specify include: where to dispose of dirty litter, cage liners or doody-bags, how many and what kinds of treats can be distributed, how to use the electronic cat watering machine, the location and instructions for the can opener, which items your bird likes to get into but will do them harm (zippers come to mind), and most importantly what time each day you'd like your visits to occur.

3. Determine liability. No one wants to think about bad things happening, but sometimes they do. Determine now who is liable if your dog bites the neighbor's child while on a romp in the yard? Or who will pay for the vet bill if your kitty hurts herself while you're away? There are many different scenarios here, so think them through and discuss your options with your insurance agent before assuming you're "covered."
4. Let your sitter know if anyone else is expected in your home during your absence. If your housekeeper comes every Friday, let the sitter know. If you've hired an electrician to come in and rewire, again, let the sitter know. Also, ensure that you and your sitter are clear on liability if the electrician unwittingly lets the cat out the front door while he's unloading his truck.

5. Do you want updates? Let your sitter know how and when you'd like to be updated on your pets' activities and behavior during your absence. However, be sure your sitter has a number or a way to reach you no matter where you are, in case of an emergency.
6. Leave plenty of food, toys, litter and other supplies. Most folks keep their dry food in special containers - meaning if its running low, the sitter may not be able to find the original bag to determine what brand of food your pet 's been eating. It's a little embarrassing to carry a piece of kibble into a pet supply shop and ask the clerk, "Do you know what kind of food this is?"
7. Provide the name and contact information of a neighbor who has a key to your home. Emergencies happen, and if your sitter is incapacitated for any reason, they'll want the name of someone who can get to your pets. This is less likely to happen with larger pet-care companies who have a team of sitters who can provide back-up.
8. Keys. Before handing over the spare set to your sitter, test them (the keys, but let the sitter test the keys too.) Also, don't leave your keys on your property in hidden places for your sitter. This is a huge liability should some criminal see them leaving the key in your hiding spot - what if some less than stellar person watches your sitter "hide" the key and decides to help himself to your possessions?
9. Re-confirm your plans. Make sure you call and confirm your reservation with your pet-sitter at least two days prior to your departure.
10. Agree on a fee. Make sure you and your sitter agree on a fee for the service provided before your departure, this way no one will have bad feelings or unrealistic expectations upon your return.

11. Block off areas of your home to prevent unwanted access. It's okay to close bedroom doors, or put up baby gates to keep your pets from heading into "unprotected territory." Because no matter how well trained your furry kids are when you're home, they are going straight for the comfiest couch while you're gone. To save angst and frustration, block off areas that are forbidden, and make sure your sitter is aware of the "house rules."
12. Be honest about your pets' personalities. The person caring for your pets must have a realistic understanding of your pets' personality. If your dog is a big barker, make sure you note that, same thing if your cat doesn't like to be petted. Set your sitter up to succeed and you'll be pleased with the results.
13. Close off "doggy doors". While you may be happy to have your pets roam in and out throughout the day while you're home, your pets' safety is in jeopardy if you leave that doggy door accessible while you're gone. Your dog or cat is used to your routine and knows what to expect when he comes in and out. He's likely worked out a routine around yours. However, when you're gone, his routine is thrown for the loop. He can become bored and is more likely to pick fights through the fence, or to dig out to follow a scent, a person or an intriguing sight. Both you and your pet sitter want your pets to be at home and healthy when you return from your trip, so keep that doggy door locked and help achieve that goal.

14. Make it easy to access your home. We've already discussed keys, but make sure the outdoor lighting works so your sitter can enter your home safely at night and ensure that the walkways and entry ways are clear of debris and clutter.
15. Write down the extras. If you expect that your sitter will bring in the mail and paper and take out the trash, say so. Your sitter is concerned with the health and well-being of your pets and may not think to water your plants unless you ask. Make sure you specify what extra tasks you'd like your sitter to complete and then write them down so you are both in agreement.
16. Call when you get home. Your sitter is concerned about the welfare of your pets and most will continue to come and visit even after your scheduled return home, unless you call and let them know you've returned safely.
Following these sixteen steps will ensure that both you and your pet have a relaxing vacation!

Peggie Arvidson-Dailey is the owner of peggiespets.com and the founder of petcareuniversity.com. She's also the "Pets in the City" Columnist for the Del Ray Sun and has been a guest expert on "This Week in Small Business" on Chamber of Commerce Radio. Her company has been recognized as "Best of the Best" in the DC metro region by The Washingtonian. To get all the tips and hints you want to keep up with your pets, subscribe to The Care of Pets e-zine at http://www.peggiespets.com today.