Dog toys are things that provide entertainment and keep your dogs busy all day long. These are simple yet very efficient tools that help develop the ability of dogs in properly obeying the command of their masters.

Though it is not that necessary, dogs still need dog toys. It is important for it gives a lot of benefits for them. You may not immediately see the effect, but you will see its wonders when your dog continuously plays with it.


Dogs, specifically when they are still puppies, need the right nourishment and affection similar to raising a child. You’re probably aware how your dogs run and come close to you as soon as you arrive home. This only means that your dog also needs some of your affection.

It is a reality, however, that not all dog owners have that much time to focus on their pet’s needs because of busy schedule. To compensate on that, the best thing to do is to look for an alternative tool which can entertain and develop the abilities of your dog even while you’re away. And the simplest, most affordable yet very effective way to perform all your duties as a master is with the help of dog toys.

Dog toys can act as your furry friend’s best partner while you’re away and during a very lonesome day. Dog toys may keep him busy all day long. Your absence will be forgotten and a very cute dog toy will serve as their playmate. Dogs love to play at all times so this is definitely part of their need.

One aspect of a child’s growing up years is the effort of their parents to develop their kid’s mind by letting them play toys and do other activities for recreation. Just like human, dogs also need this kind of attention to help develop their own abilities to properly interact on the environment they are living in.

Dog toys provide a major role in sustaining dog’s agility while slowly training them and boost their conference. Dog toys also have the power to emphasize the needs of your dog and also the things your pet hates the most.

Along with this, another good reason why your dog needs dog toys is that it encourages him to positively play with or without a companion. Dog toys also help stave off boredom which is very usual for domesticated pets like dog.

Keeping out dog’s misbehavior is also one of the major reasons why your pet needs dog toys. Moreover, dog toys allow your dog to have the most suitable item to chew so you no longer need to worry what other things inside the house your dog will mess up the next time.

So if you want to simply train your dog while not spending too much, dog toys are the best solution. It comes in various styles, colors, shapes and sizes depending on what your dog prefers the most. Don’t let your dog suffer anxiety, boredom and other unwanted behavior. Simply give them the dog toys of their choice and you will no longer have to worry about their situation especially when you’re away.

Face it, you like toys. So does your pet. That's because toys are a fun source of amusement for your pets when you're busy living the part of your life that doesn't involve leashes and plastic bowls with the name "Killer" across the side of it.



Plus proper use of toys can keep your pet healthy (and you thought they were just good for making fun of Bower when he spins out chasing it across the linoleum). Toys put your pets in the habit of regular exercise as well as building a sense of enjoyment that will keep them young. After all, a playful pet is a healthy pet.



In fact, toys play a major and important role in emotional and mental development of your pet (they may not have the same effect for
you, sorry). They offer a great solution for boredom, inappropriate chewing and anxiety (and you thought you had problems).

Now keep in mind that just like the multitude of mood swings your furry friend can have, there are a multitude of toys to choose from, but hey, variety is the spice of life, and don't worry, when it comes to picking the toy that's right for your pet you just need the right information from your pet. To start with, let's say your cat is touchy and demands a smorgasbord of play things, the message in those creepy green cat eyes is simple, buy cat toy. Dog owners don't worry because dog's always have the same idea on this as the cats and it's just as simple; buy dog toy.

So just where do you do that? You will find that smorgasbord of pet toys at any pet store, and they come in affordable prices. But before you walk in like a cat-eye hypnotized zombie chanting "buy cat toy" or "buy cat toy", put some thought into what to look for in a cat or dog toy (after all, let's be honest, you're going to play with it just as much as they are). Also, don't forget to buy dog toy while you're there.

So, to get you started here are a few tips to keep in mind while purchasing;

1. Try to buy a toy that matches your pet's size, not your size.

2. Make sure that there are no dangerous small pieces, as your pet could try to swallow it leading to choking, whereas if you tried to swallow it you just might feel really weird for the next three days.

3. Bones and sticks can splinter and cause choking and vomiting. Actually, they can even perforate your pet's mouth and throat (for those of you not in the know, perforating your throat is bad) so use non-splinter chew toys such as Nylabone Edible Bones, to allow your pet to gnaw with no fear.

4. Bells can be problematic for birds, besides just being really annoying. Use a treat dispensing roll toy instead, after all, food equals fun. On that note do not offer any leather toy (if not specially tanned), paint or any wood preservatives to your feathered friend for they can be toxic. So to recap, food equals fun, toxic equals not fun.

5. Cats often enjoy hiding out in plastic bags, and while you are unlikely to go to the pet store for the sole purpose of buying a plastic bag it is important to know because doing so can get their head stuck in it's handle, leading to choking and suffocation, so you're better off with a treat dispensing roll toy which will not choke or suffocate them.

6. When purchasing toys online, make sure to do a price comparison before ordering because many online shops will offer seasonal discounts that you can cash in on.

And lastly, make sure to supervise your pet while they play with their toy, this will minimize any accidents and then maybe later, if you ask nicely, they may even supervise you while you play with it too. Enjoy the toy.

A wise purchase will make sure that you make the worth for money. Look at the following ideas and determine which one suits you more.


• One of the most important pet supplies, provided by almost all pet care industries today, is pet bowls. You can’t ignore buying a pet bowl for your pets. You must buy water bowls and food bowls before you bring in your home your pets. This pet supply should never be skipped from your pet supplies list. It is a good option to buy a stainless bowl because almost all pet foods don’t react with stainless bowls.

• You should also think about some traveling pet supplies like trailers or carriers as you may want to get them on a ride.

• You should also consider buying some grooming pet supplies for your pets; using these grooming pet supplies, you can make sure that your pets are always huggable.
• Toys are must for pets since they love to play and they enjoy even simplest of the toys like balls etc. Toys makes your pet busy while you are away in attending any other issues of your daily life like cooking food, bathing, studying etc.

Tips for Pet Supplies:

There are many tips that can come handy for you but it usually depends upon the nature of your pet. However, following are some of the very common tips that you can use for your pets:

• It is always advisable to buy various pet supplies before you bring in home your pets; hence making your pet feels comfortable with their supplies.

• A leash or a collar is optional for cats but they can be thought as a necessity for dogs. But if you think that your cat needs to go outside, then a collar becomes necessity. It is a good practice to mention your phone number on the collar.

• Make sure that your cat needs a bed or not because most of the cats ignore beds and they usually their own spotted comfortable places in your home like sofas, chair or even in the middle of two beds. However, you should look for those beds that are recommended by pet care industries.

• You must buy toys for dogs; especially puppies. You should go for some sort of interactive toys for your pets which will make them happy as well as they will serve the purpose of a little exercise tool as well. Such toys may include balls or any wand-type toys; especially for cats.

• If you have puppies in your home then one of the best pet supplies for them is chewing toys since it suits their natural instinct as well. Never give your puppies things like shoe etc as a shoe toy or they will develop a habit of chewing your shoes even when they grow up.

• Squeaky toys can make you crazy but these toys can become really handy when you are planning to leave your dog and you go out.

If you've ever felt confused about how to choose the healthiest cat food for your feline companion, you're not alone. The pet food recall in the spring 2007 sent many spinning. Most pet owners are aware that pet supplies food manufacturers are required by law to list all of the product ingredients in order of weight. While that is helpful, an organized checklist is more useful when shopping. Here are some guidelines from top animal food experts.

Cat Food Ingredients in Order of Importance

1. Proteins

LOOK FOR: Meat or fish named on the label with words like--chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, herring, salmon, etc. Also acceptable are concentrated named meat proteins like--chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, herring meal, etc.

WHY? Cats are what scientists call "obligate carnivores". This means that they are designed to eat a meat diet. When you're choosing a food for your cat, you want it to have all the available nutrients to provide for good energy, strong muscle tone and a
stable immune system so the meat protein source should be primary.

AVOID: Unnamed food ingredients with words like--poultry by products, meat and bone meal, meat meal, poultry meal, animal digest, etc. Also avoid protein fillers like--corn gluten meal, wheat gluten, egg product meal, soybean meal, wheat germ meal.

TIP: If you look at a cat food label and group all the grain ingredients together, they are often more primary than the meat pictured by manufacturers. This disguises protein ingredients that are inferior, portraying them as nutritious.

REASON: Cat foods containing by-products, meat and bone meal or non-specific, generic meat meals are often rejected leftovers from the human food chain. That means they can contain "4-D" nutrient-deficient animal protein sources such as:

* Dead animals (including meat with sodium pentobarbital, the most common euthanasia drug though industry sources deny they use dead dogs and cats, however there are no laws or regulations against it).

* Dying animals (including those that FDA meat inspectors reject for the human food chain plus dying animals from zoos and pet farms).

* Diseased animals (according to federal meat inspection regulations, fuel oil, kerosene, crude carbolic acid, and citronella can be used to denature diseased meat before rendering).

* Disabled animals (including those who are too weak to walk due to disease or malnutrition).

2. Carbohydrates and Vegetables

LOOK FOR: Whole grains like brown rice and barley or starches like whole potatoes or sweet potatoes. Whole fruits and vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, alfalfa, apples, cranberries, etc.

WHY? These whole grains and starches are actually digestible by cats providing a good source of energy. The whole fruits and veggies provide an excellent source of fiber plus natural occurring vitamins and minerals.

AVOID: Vegetable proteins and gluten, which are indigestible and cause allergies for cats, are made from refined flours, wheat, mill runs, brewer's rice, etc. Also watch out for processed fruits and vegetables like dehydrated potatoes, tomato pumice and alfalfa meal.

REASON: Vegetable proteins, especially soybean meal protein, have become favorites of pet food manufacturers because they are cheap sources of protein, giving them bigger profits and making it appear that cats are getting good protein. Glutens made from flours are merely cheap binders or "glue" in pet foods. Both sources can result in severe nutritional deficiencies.

3. Fats, Oils and Preservatives

LOOK FOR: Named fats from quality sources like--chicken fat, lamb fat, sunflower oil, herring oil, etc. Natural preservatives like mixed tocopeherols and Vitamin E from whole foods are preferable.

WHY? Fats and oils from named, nutritious animals and plants provide a rich source of essential fatty acids that help produce healthy skin and lustrous coats. The natural quality preservatives in proper balance to your cat's foods ensure they get all the necessary nutrients for life and good health every day.

AVOID: Fats from non-specific sources like--animal fat, poultry fat, vegetable oil. Also stay away from synthetic preservatives like BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.

REASON: Because the standards for pet foods are much less than for human food, pet food manufacturers are allowed to use rendered animal fat, vegetable fats and oils that have been rejected as inedible for humans. They can include rancid oils and fats or used restaurant grease, which have been disguised with flavor enhancers made from processed by-products. Plus synthetic preservatives like butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ethoxyquin can cause liver and kidney damage or even cancer. They are used solely for a longer shelf life, not nutrition.

4. Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements

LOOK FOR: Antioxidants from natural sources like fruits and vegetables. Vitamins like Ascorbic Acid, Beta Carotene, Biotin, etc. Chelated minerals may also be added like iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, etc.

WHY? These are all natural or food sources of quality nutrition and supplements ensuring your cat stays healthy and lives longer.

AVOID: Artificial flavors and colors. Another common additive is propylene glycol, a less toxic version of antifreeze used in cars.

REASON: The flavors and colors are added by the manufacturers to make them look more appealing to pet owners and taste more appealing to cats (and dogs). While propylene glycol adds a sweet taste to the food, it should NOT be part of your cat's daily food fare.

SOURCES: Pet Food Report from Animal Wellness Magazine, Fall 2007; Animal Protection Institute "Get the Facts: What's Really in Pet Food," May 2007 at API4animals.org; Dr. Wendell O. Belfield, DVM, "Food Not Fit for a Pet" at Belfield.com.

With the recent recall in pet food, most dog owners are doing just that – making dog food on their own! Though most experts will argue that there is nothing better than a homemade diet for your pet dog, it is best you do this temporarily until and unless you consult with you local vet, as most dogs have certain nutritional requirements. If there are going to be any dietary changes, then it should be done very slowly so as to avoid digestive upsets. Ingredients and recipes should be rotated to make sure there is nutritional variety in your pups diet.

Never feed your pet dog bones, especially if the bones are cooked. Fragments of the bone can break loose and get lodged in the dog’s digestive tract. Wild dogs and stray dogs who eat bones can do so because they also tend to consume a lot of hide and hair, which act as a ‘padding’ for the bone fragments and help them pass through without getting lodged anywhere. Other dangerous foods to avoid are avocados, macadamia nuts, raisins, garlic, chocolate, mushrooms, grapes and onions.

Dog Food Recipes: Doggy Hamburgers

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of hamburger meat (stir fried in a tablespoon of canola oil).
  • 1 boiled and chopped eggs.
  • ½ a cup of cooked oatmeal.
  • 1 jar of baby food green beans.
  • 1 jar of baby food carrots.
  • 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese.
Mix all these ingredients well and serve at room temperature. You could also add a good puppy mineral/multivitamin supplement for good measure. Make sure you store the unused portions in an airtight container in the fridge and throw away any remains after three days.

Doggy Casserole

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup of boiled and chopped chicken.
  • ½ a cup of brown rice, cooked.
  • ½ a cup of mixed vegetables, boiled.
  • Three to four tablespoons of chicken broth, unsalted
(Point to be noted: Salmon can be substituted occasionally for broiled poultry, but chicken broth has to be omitted.)

Stir the contents together and serve the mixture at room temperature.

Basic Dog Food Recipe
This recipe combines rice with meat and veggies for a well-balanced dog food.

Ingredients:
  • 1 ounce of ground beef, preferably hormone and antibiotic free.
  • 2 cups of brown rice, cooked.
  • 1 ounce of mixed vegetables.
  • 1 or 2 ounces of plain yogurt.
Fry the ground beef in a frying pan till it turns brown and then set the dish aside. Steam the vegetables until they are soft and tender. Remove the veggies from the steamer and allow it to cool slightly. Add the veggies to the beaker of a food processor and pulse them till they are chopped coarsely. Mix these chopped vegetables with the ground beef and rice.

Multi-Grain Kibble

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups of whole-wheat flour.
  • One and a half cups of unbleached, all-purpose flour.
  • ½ a cup of soy flour.
  • 1 cup of corn meal.
  • 1 cup of dry powdered, non-fat milk.
  • 1 cup of rolled oats.
  • ½ a cup of wheat germ.
  • 1 tablespoon of salt.
  • ½ a cup of brewers yeast.
  • 1 egg.
  • 3 cups of water.
  • 5 tablespoons of corn oil.
Heat the oven to about 350 degrees. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, mix the corn oil and egg. Stir water into all the dry ingredients and add the egg mixture and mix all the contents well. The batter should be thin. Pour the batter on baking sheets and spread it evenly like you would for a pizza base. Bake the sheets for about 45 minutes.

Cool this kibble and then break it into smaller pieces. Store the pieces in an airtight container and refrigerate.

Grooming For Your Dog

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Scratching, licking and shaking are some of the ways dogs keep their coats clean and somewhat free of debris. Dogs take care of some of their grooming needs on their own, but still need a helping hand from their owners. A good brushing performed by you will keep her fur clean and free from painfully matted hair. Taking the time to groom your dog on a regular basis has its own rewards; it strengthens your bond with your dog and allows you to notice health problems before they become serious. Look carefully for signs of skin irritations, lumps, painful spots or signs of fleas.

If you find your dog won't sit still for an ear-to-tail going over, do one task each day until he is used to it, give him a treat at the end of the session. Each time you work with him, increase the length of time you brush him.

Hair - Regular brushing and grooming will remove loose and matted hair to help keep your dog's skin free of disease and parasite. Long-haired dogs generally need to be groomed daily while short-haired breeds can get away with a weekly grooming. Fine-toothed dog combs are used for soft, thin or silky coats whereas medium-toothed combs are used for normal coats. If you dog has very heavy or thick coat, use a wide-toothed comb. Bristle brushes are good for dogs with long coats and grooming mitts are good for short-haired breeds.

When brushing your dog, run your hands through his fur down to the skin to look for plant debris and fleas. If you notice any dark specks on the skin, they are most probably fleas. The specks are flea droppings. A very obvious amount of droppings indicates a flea infestation that should be treated immediately. When brushing the hair on and around the tail, look for rice-like debris. These are usually a sign that your dog has worms.

If this happens, take your dog to your veterinarian to determine the type of worm it is and get the proper medication. Remember to choose a time when your dog is calm and you have enough time to ensure a pleasant grooming session. Get your puppy accustomed to grooming early by handling your puppy often and touching its ears and paws, be gentle and keep reassuring your puppy.

Ears - You do not have to perform grooming tasks everyday. Ears should be checked weekly - inspect your dog's ears by looking inside them and if you spot coffee-ground-like specks, your dog may have ear mites. Ear mites are contagious and can cause severe inflammation in your dog's ears. They are susceptible to many medications, including pyrethrins, rotenone, fibronil, thiabendazole and ivermectins.

It is necessary to treat for at least 3 to 4 weeks in most instances to be sure to kill the adult mites and any eggs that may hatch later. You can quite easily obtain over-the-counter products for treating ear mites. However there are numerous causes of ear infection in dogs and it is best to have your veterinarian thoroughly examine your dog's ears to determine whether the infection is caused by ear mites or other irritations before deciding on the best course of medication.

Nails - Your dog is probably wearing his nails down on the concrete if you walk your dog frequently on pavements or sidewalks. Dogs with overgrown nails tend to develop physical problems as they shift their weight when they walk to avoid discomfort. It is therefore very important to check that the nails have not grown too long. It's good to give your dog a pedicure at least once a month. You should only remove the very end of your dog's nails and no more.

It may be very tempting to trim off all the excess but in dogs, the nerve endings and blood vessels inside the nail continue to grow as the nail grows which means long nails must be clipped little by little, over several weeks or months until the "quick" (the area of flesh under the nail) gradually recedes. If you accidentally clip too far and your dog's nail starts to bleed, apply pressure to the tip of the nail or dip the nail in a bit of styptic powder. Keep your dog inactive for a short time to recover. You can learn the proper way to clip your dog's nails from a standard pet care book, or your veterinarian.

Gums & Teeth - Dental problems are common in dogs. Does your dog suffer from nasty "doggie breath"? This can be a symptom of a much more serious and insidious health problem. It is estimated that 80% of dogs over the age of 3 suffer from periodontal disease, which essentially is a serious deterioration of the gums and supporting bones of the teeth. If left unchecked, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, thus causing infection or damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, lungs, heart and liver. To avoid costly veterinary treatments, keep your dog's teeth in top shape by brushing its teeth everyday. It is fine to use a child's toothbrush, or a finger toothbrush designed for use on a dog's teeth.

Please make sure that you only use toothpaste labelled for use on pets as human toothpaste can be toxic to your dog. In addition to brushing, give your dog rawhide chews to gnaw on to keep the teeth and gums healthy. Some pet oral hygiene solution which is an odourless and tasteless solution can be added to your dog's drinking water to promote healthy gums and eliminate bad breath, thereby fending off bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Correct and regular oral health care can effectively extend the life of your dog by 2 to 5 years.

Cats, by their nature, are independent and require little attention beside cleaning out the litter box, feeding and the stroking they get on their owner's lap. You can be sure that your cat will always come back to your home once he has had his fill of chasing mice and exploring the territory around your home.

But just because they are independent creatures does not mean that you can ignore their health needs. Like your own health, if you want Fuzzy around for a long time, you should be aware of certain health requirements your cat needs beyond insuring they get their distemper and rabies shots.

Stress is not just exclusive to humans. A move, the loss of human companionship or a change in family routine can lead Fuzzy to stop eating or claw up the furniture in frustration.

As a cat ages, free radical damage occurs and the best way to keep the cat healthy is by supplying them with herbs and anti-oxidants like quercitin and rutin to maintain their vitality.

We don't always think in terms of our pet's health assuming that all that's necessary is to feed it. Cat food alone doesn't provide the kind of nutrition that leads to a shiny coat of fur and good digestion. Just like you and me, your can also needs some herbal help as can be found in echinacea and reishi mushrooms. Prevention from sickness is just as important as it is for you.

One of the best ways to keep your cat healthy is by feeding it the kind of food that a cat really needs. A quality canned food meat diet is preferable over dry kibbles. The type of protein found in dry kibbles are often too high in plant-based protein. Cats are carnivores and require meat rather than grain in their diets. It's what they normally eat in the wild. Water is an essential element of the diet and you don't find much in a bag of Purina Cat Chow. Cats need to consume water with their food as the drive for thirst is not very strong in cats. Without water, the cat will experience kidney and bladder problems down the road.

And if you think your veterinarian knows what's best for your cat, think again. Even the prescription diets sold by veterinarians are not formulated for your cat's optimal health. They often contain corn, wheat and other ingredients that put a high carbohydrate load on your cat. Before you consider a vet for your cat, find out if they have a good knowledge of pet nutrition, especially for cats.

While millions of people suffer from the effects of diabetes, your cat can get it too! Because those dry kibbles are plant-based, they can affect the blood sugar levels in your cat. Dry kibbles is the junk food for a cat. The manufacturers coat the kibble with an enticing animal digest spray. This makes it difficult to wean a cat to meat-based canned food like chicken or beef just as it is to get your children to eat what's best for them.

Joint health is an important factor, even in a young animal. You should allow your cat to roam around in the outdoors. That provides them the exercise they need to stay flexible. An indoor cat becomes bored and lazy as well as fat. As a pet owner myself, I've observed my cat getting fat during the coldest months of winter and slims down during the summer when it feels more willing to romp in the grass rather than the cold and wet snow of winter.

While your cat may seem quite frisky and agile, joint health starts at an early age which becomes evident as the animal ages. Any abnormal development shows up in limping and restricted movement the older the cat gets. Hip dysplasia occurs in both cats and dogs, even in animals as young as 5 months old. It only gets worse as the animal ages. Osteoarthritis isn't limited to us humans..

If your pet limps and has limited mobility, consider giving it natural minerals such as glucosamine sulfate, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM), devil's claw or boswellia serrata. Don't assume that your cat's limp is due to old age. Feed your cat the herbs and minerals it needs to stay agile longer. You can't do much if your cat has hip dysplasia, but it will see more mobility with less pain.

So if you want to have a healthy cat, consider these points. Feed it "muscle" meat, such as chicken or turkey rather than organ meats. Leave out the dry kibbles. By all means give it the shots it needs, but don't reply completely on your vet. Most vets have a poor education when it comes to nutrition.

By following the basic rules, your cats will live long and pain-free lives.

Through rain, snow, sleet or 90-degree temperatures, something else is delivered to our homes as regularly as the mail: seasonal health hazards that affect the family dog.

Depending upon the time of year, your dog is likely to suffer from certain medical problems. The winter months bring exposure to the cold weather, dangerous plants -- like poinsettias -- and potentially hazardous foods, such as chocolate. On the other hand, from late spring through early fall, fleas, ticks and other parasites attack.

Here's how you can make sure your mental calendar is on the alert for your pup's seasonal health issues:

Avoid long-term exposure to the elements Dogs left in freezing temperatures for too long can develop frostbite in their ears and paws. How much exposure they can take depends on the breed -- hairless or small dogs can succumb to cold weather in minutes, while a thick-coat breed may be able to sleep in the snow, Peterson says. You can help by trimming the fur around your dog's pads so that ice and snow won't stick and clump. You can also towel off your dog's feet so that they dry quicker. Also, consider investing in an ointment to keep pads from cracking. During summer, your dog should not be left in the car when temperatures rise above about 70 degrees. Be careful when taking your pet for a walk on asphalt or the beach in high temperatures. Touch the surface yourself to make sure it won't burn the dog's paws.

Ready yourself for allergies and pests in the spring and summer When you start sneezing because plants are blooming, be aware that your canine companion may be an allergy sufferer, too. "Dogs can develop allergies to the same things people can, so seasonal pollens are common causes," Beaver says. Some clues: your dog may start to scratch, lick or bite its body. Or it may shake its head frequently or rub its snout along the carpet. Treatments include allergy medications and baths with shampoos that contain soothing oatmeal and/or aloe vera. Flea allergies are among the most common in dogs, particularly in summer when fleas are most active. Also active in the summer are ticks, which can cause illnesses, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Fortunately, flea and tick medications are available to prevent infestations. Consult your veterinarian for advice.

Watch what your dog eats during holidays You may need to avoid certain foods during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or other seasonal celebrations. Your dog's diet also should be monitored. "Dogs often get into very fatty foods like gravy, turkey fat, etc. and can develop pancreatitis," says Dr. Bonnie V. Beaver, BS, DVM, MS, DACVB, who teaches in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University. This inflammation of the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach that helps with digestion, can result in vomiting in mild cases or it can be life threatening. Beaver says you should also be aware that some holiday foods that you might cherish may be poisonous to dogs. These questionable foods include chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins and grapes.

Deck the halls -- with limitations When breaking out the icicle lights and plastic Santa, be aware that some holiday decorations are harmful to pets. "People need to look at what their decorations are throughout the house," says Lisa Peterson, spokesman for the American Kennel Club. "Are they within the dog's reach?" Dogs will zone in on new decorations. Poinsettias, mistletoe, holly and other plants can be poisonous and/or harmful to dogs, Peterson says. But you also need to watch out for the Christmas tree. Don't let them drink the water, which may contain additives or plant foods. And avoid low-lying decorations -- particularly glass -- which may look like a chew toy to a curious pup.

See your vet for checkups Every pet should have a check-up at least once a year. "As they get older, the frequency should increase to twice a year and be more intense, such as monitoring blood work," Beaver recommends. During a checkup, you and your veterinarian can discuss preventative care, such as vaccinations against infectious diseases (such as rabies and distemper), or medications to fight flea infestations and heartworm. Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm spread to dogs through mosquito bites. In the Sun Belt, dogs need to be given medication year-round; time it for the first of the month or put a sticker on your calendar as a reminder. In Northern climates, at an annual spring check-up, dogs can be tested for heartworm and started on a seasonal dosage of medication.

Pets are an important part of any home, and your dollhouse is no exception! As you set up your dollhouse, think about whether you want to purchase a dollhouse pet and a few accessories to go with it. Here we will describe the pets and accessories available if you are looking for a cat. Some other animal options, though not discussed here, include dogs, birds, fish, farm animals, small critters such as rabbits, amphibians, and butterflies.

Cats, like dogs, come in a very large variety of options. There are just as many kittens as cats available, and most types of cats are represented. Like dogs, dollhouse cats are made and painted to look as much like their real-life counterparts as possible—in size, shape, and color.

Again, though the breeds aren’t specified, some of the cats available are Burmese, Shorthair, Persian, British, Balinese, Tabby, and Calico. There are striped, tiger, orange, black, white, gray, and tawny cats to choose from.

Though not as many specific breeds of cats are available as with dogs, there are many more cat “poses” you can buy. You can buy cats standing, laying down, sleeping, in a pouncing position, in a “curled-up-and-purring” position, cats who are batting at toys and playing with balls of yarn, cats who are climbing over a wall or a piece of furniture, cats perched as if on a windowsill, stretching cats, cats curled up on pillows, cats who are scratching their ears or grooming, cats wrestling with each other, cats basking in the sunlight, and cats trying to get a fish from a fishbowl! Again, most of these “poses” are available with cats or with kittens, and you can choose which type or color cat you want.

Accessories for Cats

In addition to some of the accessories that come with a few of the cat poses mentioned above, there are a lot of options you can choose when buying accessories for your cat. There are several beds for pets—most made out of wicker—in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can also purchase the necessary litter box and kitty litter. There are several colors of kitty food dishes, and you can choose to have them empty or with food already in them. For food, there are generic foods and brand name items. Some boxed options include Meow Mix, 9 Lives, Ocean Blend, Crave, Special Dinners, Chef’s Blend, Tender Vittles, Fish Ahoy, Friskies, and Purina Cat Chow. You can also buy canned food (Bright Eyes and Purina are available). Speaking of “food”, you can also buy mice for your cats to catch, and you can even buy mousetraps to place around the house as well. There are also “toy” mice for your cat to play with. Finally, there is also a pet carrying basket.

Conclusion

Having a cat in your dollhouse makes your dollhouse feel more like a mini home. It gives your dollhouse a little extra something for everyone to “ooh” and “aah” about, and children will be delighted once they spot your pet.

When you decide to add a new cat to your home, it's normally more exiting for you and your family than it is for the cat you already own. Although most cats are solitary by nature, most will also come to accept or eventually tolerate any additions. Cats can be very territorial, which is why you should always be careful when you introduce a new cat to your current cat.

If you are introducing kittens to one another, the entire introduction process can be short, lasting as little as 10 - 15 days. Introducing cats to each other all depends on their temperament and their personality. When you introduce a new cat to your current cat, you should always make sure that you give your current cat plenty of love and attention. This way, your cat will feel secure and know that he isn't in competition with your new cat for affection.

When you bring your new cat home, you should let him stay in a safe room until you have finished introducing the cats. Your safe room can be any small room in your home, such as a bathroom or spare bedroom. The key here is to use a room that your current cat doesn't go in. In the room, you should leave your new cat a scratching post, bed, water dish, litter box, and food dish.

At first, your current cat may howl and hiss when he stands at the door, trying to tell the other cat that he doesn't belong. When this happens you should ignore it, as punishing your cat for his behavior will only lead to more problems. After a while, the first cat will start to act calm when he is near the new cat's door. As he starts to act calm, you should pet him and give him praise.

When your first cat starts to go by your new cat's door and doesn't howl or hiss; you can start introducing them to each other. The best way to do this is to get them used to each others scent. You can start letting them eat out of the same food dish, although you'll want to feed them at different intervals at first. This way, the scent of each cat will be present at the food dish, and each cat will get the scent when he eats his food.

Once both cats have got used to the scent, you can begin to feed them closer together. To do this, you should keep your new cat in the safe room with the door closed, and your first cat on the other side of the door with his food dish. This time, feed both cats at the same time. After doing this a few times, they should start eating without any hissing or growling. At this point, they are ready to be introduced to one another.

When you introduce them to each other in the same room, a bit of growling and hissing is to be expected. Although they may be used to each others scent; your first cat will still feel a bit awkward with your new cat being in his territory. You should play with them both at first, so they can smell one another and greet in their own way. If they start to fight you should break them up, and give them some time apart.

It may take some time to get them fully used to one another, although once they do - they will become playmates for life. Cats love to be social, although it may be a bit rough at first, especially for your first cat. Cats can be very territorial, especially if you have a kitten around. If you get both of them used to each other early on - it will be a lot easier to add future cats to your home.

When you get a pet home, there are some basic things that you will need and they come under pet supplies. Some of the important pet supplies include pet food, eating bowls, harnesses and pet bed among many others.

One of the important things that you need to consider while buying a pet bed is the way your dog or cat or any other pet sleeps. A pet bed is mostly required for dogs and cats only although you can buy it for rabbits and some of the other smaller pets too.

The second most important thing to understand is that a pet bed will be different for a dog and different for a cat. Normally, what you use for your dog will not be used for your cat. You can find pet beds at various stores offering other pet supplies and even online. One of the good things is that you will find a lot of variety when it comes to pet beds including the popular heated beds. The heated beds have grown in popularity because of the fact that they have a heating element that will keep the bed warm in the winters and will be comfortable and relaxing for your pet. You can choose from a heated orthopedic bed to a heated thermo pet bed. Most of the pet beds are available in three sizes, which are:

Small: 19"x24" - The small pet bed can take weights of up to 20lbs
Medium: 26"x29" - The medium pet bed can take weights of up to 40lbs
Large: 36x38" - The large pet bed can take weights of up to 60lbs

Another type of popular pet bed found in pet supplies is the round bed. This is a perfect bed for dogs that like to cuddle up when they sleep and for cats that love to sleep with their legs thrown apart. This pet bed is available in three sizes for dogs and they are:

Medium: 36 inches - The medium pet bed can take weights of up to 50lbs
Large: 42 inches - The large pet bed can take weights of up to 80lbs
Extra Large: 52 inches - The extra large pet bed can take weights of up to 140lbs

You can also get these beds in different combinations of colour and design like blue polyester suede that will look neat and even go with the overall décor of your home. The important aspects that needs to be considered while buying a pet bed include the size of your pet, the amount of space in the room, the number of pet you have, their weights, if you need separate pet beds or a single one, the colours, do you need a simple pet bed or a heated bed etc.

When you have decided on your pet bed the next thing will be to consider what other pet supplies you will require. What do I need? These items will vary depending on your pet; cat, dog or rabbit, all of which will each have its own requirements. The most important thing of your pet supplies will be food; a pet won't last very long without it. Once you have selected your food then there will be all the sundries that we spoil our pets with, like collars, lead, pet beds and clothes.

If you need further information on finding the right pet beds visit on line store. You will also find a large range of pet supplies which include dog collars, cat litter, dog clothes and many more for all pets.

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