Removing burrs from your Pets Hair

Crush burrs with pliers before combing out of your pet's hair. This makes removal much easier

Questions to Ask When Adopting a Dog

* What do they know about the dog history? Where is he from? How long has he been at the shelter?
* Why is he available for adoption? Has he ever been returned for adoption?
* How old is he?
* What breed or breed combination is he?
* Is he full grown or how big do they expect him to get?
* Is the dog male or female? Is he or she neutered or spayed?
* Is he housebroken?
* Has he had any training? Does he know any commands? Can he walk on a leash?
* What is his personality or temperament like? Have they seen any behavioral problems such as aggression? How is he with other dogs? Kids? Cats?
* What health problem does or has he had? Is he on any medications?
* Has he been de-wormed or heartworm tested?
* What vaccines or preventative mediations has he received (flea control, heartworm), etc? Is he up-to-date?
* What are his grooming requirements?
* What are his exercise needs?
* What is included in the adoption agreement? Cost,of the pet? Is spay/neuter included? Vaccines?
* What happens if the adoption doesn’t work out? What is their policy?
-- Dr. Jon, PetPlace.com

Prostate Glands

Dogs and humans are the only animals with prostate glands.

Dog that Blush

Pharaoh Hounds are the only dogs that blush. They do this when they are excited or happy; and their ears, nose and eyes become pink.

First Aid. Assessment of Traumatic Injuries: Shock

Shock is a situation of "last resort" in which the body shuts down "non-essential" functions in order to preserve blood flow and adequate oxygen delivery to the heart and brain, which are the truly "essential" organs. A number of events can trigger shock, such as rapid blood loss, overwhelming infection, or serious trauma to internal organs. Although the series of events that constitute the shock reaction are intended to preserve life, they can also threaten life if they go on for too long, because inadequate blood flow to other organs can damage them severely. The most obvious signs of shock in a dog are pale gums and coolness of the extremities (lower legs, paws, and tail). To tell if the gums are pale, lift the dog's upper lip and look at the part of the gums near the teeth. Even in dogs with pigmented colored) gums, there is usually a thin line around each tooth without pigment. This should be pink. If you can't tell, press firmly on the gum with your finger for a moment. Then release the pressure. The area should blanch (become white) with pressure from your finger, but in normal situations, the pink color should return within 1 to 1 1/2 seconds. In shock situations, there is little change in color and what color there is often takes longer than 2 seconds to return. Shock is a life-threatening situation and requires immediate veterinary attention. Keep the animal covered with a blanket but do not apply extra heat, which may cause dilation of the blood vessels in the skin, robbing the heart and brain of much needed blood and oxygen.

Canine Anatomy (Click on Photo to enlarge)

Cat Ears

A cat has 32 muscles in each ear!

Stop your Dog from Jumping on You and Others

For dogs that jump up we have to think that a dog will do what is rewarding, if its good he does it, if it is not good he does not do it. Simple as that.

When a dog jumps up, do not be aggressive and knee, simply hold him up by his front paws and in a loving voice tell him you love him. He has jumped up so you react by holding him up. Do not let him down, keep him up as long as you can. By keeping him up, I mean stretching him up, and up and keep talking. He will then start to mouth your hands, then and only then drop him down. Do not place him, drop him.

When he is on all four legs which God gave him, love him to bits, cuddle and talk. Then encourage him to jump again, he might well try, as soon as he does grab the paws and repeat the whole exercise.

It is important to get the timing right, it is important that the whole family learn. Your dog will learn in a few minutes that to jump will make you react and he will not find this rewarding.
Its easy, simple and kind..

Training an Adult Cat to take a Bath!

Cat´s don´t like water; that is a well known fact. However, any cat can be trained to tolerate a bath. Use this method once a day, every day, and at the end of a month, you should be able to give your kitty a full bath without too much trouble.

First, the water must be warm, because a cat´s normal temperature is higher than humans. A hot bath for a human is a normal temperature for cats. If the cat shivers, the water is too cold; if he pants, the water is too hot.

Second, choose a location that has a flat surface, so the cat will feel secure that he can stand easily. Add a towel or rubber mat to the bath surface so the cat won´t slip, creating more panic.

Third, start with just enough water to cover his feet. For the first week, just dunk his feet into the water and immediately pull him out and dry his feet. Then give him plenty of treats and special attention.

Gradually increase the depth of the water, and the amount of time you ´dunk´ him. Always give him treats and special attention after the ´bath.´

Finally, use only enough water to get him wet and rinse him; usually no deeper than his ´knees.´ This should be enough water to give him a bath, without creating the panic of trying to swim. Also, don´t leave his feet in the water unless you have to. Allowing him to stand on dry land (like the back end of a bath tub) will decrease his discomfort and make him easier to control.A note of caution: don´t use a sprayer, this will cause panic in the cat. Instead, use a plastic cup or glass to pour the water over his body.

Excessive Licking and Grooming

Your pet’s excessive licking and grooming can have several causes: stress, food allergies, and more. Your first step is a visit with your vet to determine whether it’s a health or behavior problem. Many pets are allergic to corn, a main ingredient in most dried pet foods. If your vet suspects an allergy, change the pet’s food and watch for improvements in your pet’s coat and behavior. Your vet can suggest brands of food that will help the most. If the licking is due to stress, try to remove the source, or simply manage the stress. This is particularly important in multiple pet-households. We have four, & the low man on the pecking order stopped chewing his fur when I started feeding him without the others present. I also give him ´special time´, i.e. an hour per day, when he is with me alone and gets undivided attention.