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.

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.