Feline Obesity, a Danger to Your Cat

The growing epidemic of obesity in the United States isn't restricted to the human population alone.

Read on... Feline Obesity, a Danger to Your Cat

Does My Dog Have Kennel Cough?

Does My Dog Have Kennel Cough?

Perfectly healthy dogs occasionally make hacking or coughing sounds when they are exposed to dust or get something stuck in their throats or noses. In such situations, canines experience brief coughing spells that are simply attempts to clear their throats or noses. This type of coughing goes away as soon as the external stimulus causing the animals to need to clear their airways is gone.

However, coughing not triggered by some sort of bronchial irritant is another matter entirely. If you notice your dog making dry, raspy coughing sounds and you don't see any external factors that could be causing such a reaction, it's important to begin watching closely to see if the problem continues and grows worse. When a dog starts coughing for no apparent reason and experiences coughing bouts that last for more than a day, there is a good chance that he or she has kennel cough.

Kennel cough is a respiratory infection that can pose serious health risks for canines if it remains untreated. If you suspect that your dog has kennel cough, it's important to seek veterinary care immediately. Many people mistakenly think that their pets can't be sick if they remain energetic. Other than continuous coughing, often so severe that it causes them to throw up, canines with kennel cough don't exhibit any other physical symptoms of illness.

Caught early and treated properly, kennel cough is easily curable with antibiotics, and is not likely to pose significant health risks to your pet. However, if kennel cough remains untreated over a period of time, you dog can develop a serious case of pneumonia. This is why seeking veterinary care as quickly as possible is so important. You don't have to rush your dog to the veterinarian's office for an occasional cough. However, any time he or she coughs repeatedly for more than a day, a visit to the vet is warranted.

Copyright © 2008, Ian White

Super Sitter found for Walden New York pet sit

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Pet Sit: Walden New York

The pets in our home have their human caregivers trained to cater to their every whim. While we are away, we like to maintain the routine of opening and closing the door, filling the food bowls, cleaning up the spilled water, protecting the furniture, vacuuming up cat hair, cleaning the litter box, brushing and scratching and fussing over two nine-year old cats and one spunky five-month old kitten.

In addition we have a very social guinea pig, who requires an assortment of fresh vegetables, scratching, and kind words at least twice a day. The cats are indoor-outdoor; however they are only outside when we are at home (especially important where the kitten is concerned).

The ideal situation would be to have a sitter arrive early evening, stay the night and leave mid-morning (mimics our usual schedule). Alternatively, a sitter could arrive early morning, come and go during the day, and leave late evening. If you are a cat-lover, you will enjoy this assignment. The cats are sweet and gentle (the kitten, too, although he is in the terrible-twos stage of development). Our home is a non-smoking, peaceful environment. Our sitter will also be asked to bring in the mail, and load the bird-feeders

Tips for Keeping Your Pet Healthy and Happy in the Car

Does your pet gets sick every time he gets in the car? Here are some tips to make travelling with your pet, easier on everyone.

Read Entire article- Tips for Keeping Your Pet Healthy and Happy in the Car

How to Remove Dog Urine Stains from Carpeting

By Dr. Kristie

If you have a dog, you know that sometimes “little accidents” can happen and sometimes they occur right on your carpeting. This can be a source of great frustration and heartbreak especially when your dog’s urine leaves a visible stain on your beautiful rug. Fortunately, there are a variety of effective ways to remove dog urine stains. Here are some general guidelines for removing dog urine stains:


Work quickly.

The faster you start the stain removal process, the less likely that the stain will become bonded to the fibers of your carpeting which will make stain removal more difficult.

Test stain removal products before using them.

Test any stain removal products on an area of your carpeting that doesn’t show before using it on the stain. You want to be sure the stain removal product doesn’t leave a stain of its own or otherwise damage your carpeting.

Try inexpensive home remedies first.

There’s no point in running out and buying an overpriced urine stain remover when there are simple, inexpensive solutions to remove dog urine stains right in your own cabinet.

Remove all of the urine odor.

If you leave some of the urine odor on your carpeting, your dog will have a tendency to mark that area again out of instinct.

Never rub, but always rinse.

Always blot the urine with a soft, clean towel. Never rub the area since this damage your carpeting. Always rinse the area with water to dilute the stain before beginning the urine stain removal process.


Here are some common household products that may remove dog urine stains from your carpeting:

Vinegar

Mix together a half and half solution of white vinegar. Use this after completing the blotting and rinsing process. After applying the diluted vinegar solution, blot several more times.

Peroxide

Dilute peroxide to a strength of around 4% with water. Put this solution into a spray bottle and spray the stained area. Allow it to set for four minutes before blotting. Be sure to do a patch test on a nonvisible portion of your carpeting before applying it to the stain.

Dishwashing detergent

Apply undiluted dishwashing detergent to a damp sponge and gently work it into the urine stain. Use a damp sponge and repeated blotting to remove the dishwashing detergent.


If the above methods don’t work, you may have to resort to buying professional strength products to remove the dog urine stain or have a professional carpet cleaner work his magic on the area. Removing dog urine stains from carpeting can generally be done safely at home with common household products and a little elbow grease.

Salt lake City Pet Sitter Paw's pet sitting service LLC grows her business

"I have been very pleased with your service. I have recieved the majority of my pet sits through pet biz. Thanks to all! username: kchristina
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Should You Use the Services of a Professional Pet Sitter?

Here is a well researched article on the reasons for choosing a pet sitter over boarding kennels or catteries.

The main points are: pets stay in familiar environment, keep feeding schedules and familiar diet, avoid stress even depression, avoid exposure to communicatable diseases.

Why choose a professional pet sitter