Showing 15 posts from August 2008
I am sure everyone's eyes have been glued to the Weather Channel and Gustav. I know all of us here at Big Paw have our paws crossed that our furry friends on the Gulf Coast stay dry and safe. We are especially thinking of our friends at Used Dogs rescue in New Orleans. At last check they were packing up all the dogs for higher grounds and evacuating with all of their NOLA friends.
Here's to dry thoughts for the Gulf Coast and keep everyone safe!
Woof!
Here's to dry thoughts for the Gulf Coast and keep everyone safe!
Woof!
Pets exhibit behavior that indicates they do grieve as well as humans do when the loss of a loved one occurs. Pets grieve whether the loss is a human companion or another pet in the household.
How can you tell if your pet is grieving? There will be noticeable symptoms such as lethargy and loss of appetite. The pet may display behavioral changes such as anxiety of change in temperament. A very active playful pet may suddenly become quiet and withdrawn. He may refuse to play with his favorite toy or engage in regular activities.
If the loss was another pet, the one that is left may wander around the house searching for the pet that passed away. Pets will behave in much the same way if the loss is a human companion. A dog may sit by the door expecting the person to come home. A cat may sit in the window for the same purpose.
Animals are more intelligent than we often realize. They experience emotions too. What can you do to help a pet through the grieving process? Try to keep the pet’s regular routine as normal as possible. Households may tend to become hectic following the loss of a family member, which can be even more disruptive for the grieving pet. Try to provide the pet with as much normalcy as possible considering the circumstances.
If the loss is another pet, many pet owners wonder if they should get another pet as soon as possible so the survivor won’t be lonely. This is a personal choice for the pet owner but there are a few things to consider before making a decision. The grieving pet may not adapt easily to a new pet in the household. The current pet may resent the newcomer and could even react aggressively toward the new member.
It may be best to allow the pet time to grieve and adjust. When you and your pet are ready for a new addition to the family it may be best to bring a kitten or puppy home rather than an adult pet. Although this is not true of every animal, some pets will be more accepting of a young companion.
Give your pet time for the emotional wounds to heal. Spend time with your pet. Animals can sense that you are grieving too. Your pet may make attempts to comfort you by climbing into your lap, lying next to you, purring or licking your hands or face. Your pet knows you need him as much as he needs you. Together you can work through the grief process.
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View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
How can you tell if your pet is grieving? There will be noticeable symptoms such as lethargy and loss of appetite. The pet may display behavioral changes such as anxiety of change in temperament. A very active playful pet may suddenly become quiet and withdrawn. He may refuse to play with his favorite toy or engage in regular activities.
If the loss was another pet, the one that is left may wander around the house searching for the pet that passed away. Pets will behave in much the same way if the loss is a human companion. A dog may sit by the door expecting the person to come home. A cat may sit in the window for the same purpose.
Animals are more intelligent than we often realize. They experience emotions too. What can you do to help a pet through the grieving process? Try to keep the pet’s regular routine as normal as possible. Households may tend to become hectic following the loss of a family member, which can be even more disruptive for the grieving pet. Try to provide the pet with as much normalcy as possible considering the circumstances.
If the loss is another pet, many pet owners wonder if they should get another pet as soon as possible so the survivor won’t be lonely. This is a personal choice for the pet owner but there are a few things to consider before making a decision. The grieving pet may not adapt easily to a new pet in the household. The current pet may resent the newcomer and could even react aggressively toward the new member.
It may be best to allow the pet time to grieve and adjust. When you and your pet are ready for a new addition to the family it may be best to bring a kitten or puppy home rather than an adult pet. Although this is not true of every animal, some pets will be more accepting of a young companion.
Give your pet time for the emotional wounds to heal. Spend time with your pet. Animals can sense that you are grieving too. Your pet may make attempts to comfort you by climbing into your lap, lying next to you, purring or licking your hands or face. Your pet knows you need him as much as he needs you. Together you can work through the grief process.
All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
A healthy dog needs a healthy diet. This means that the dog should be receiving food that includes all of the major nutrients in substantial quantities, as well as all of the minor nutrients in a somewhat lesser quantity.
Proper nutrition is important to several functions of a dog’s body. It is necessary for the growth of the dog, as well as the repair of any body tissue that has sustained damage. Additionally, proper nutrition provides the energy the dog uses to go about his daily living activities. Plus, proper nutrition helps the dog’s body to provide the heat it needs to maintain its body temperature.
The major nutrients that all dogs need in their diet include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Obviously, too much of any of these nutrients and your dog will become fat.
The carbohydrates provide the energy that your dog needs to run, play, or do just about anything. Excess carbohydrates are not good for your pet. They will not provide extra or increased energy. Too much is too much. Therefore, excess carbohydrates will simply be stored as body fat.
The fats are also needed to provide energy to the dog’s body for the same functions. In fact, ounce per ounce, fats provide double the amount of energy than carbohydrates. Therefore, too much fat should be avoided since it, too, will only be converted and stored as body fat.
The proteins provide the body building elements for your dog’s body. Proteins aid in maintaining and repairing body tissue. They are also important in the growth of the dog’s body.
The minor nutrients that all dogs need in their diet include vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Typically, the amounts are needed in small quantities only to ensure the health of the dog. However, even though the quantity of vitamins and minerals necessary to the dog’s health are small, they are critical.
The vitamins that a dog needs are broken down into two categories: fat soluble and water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. The water soluble vitamins include vitamin C and B complex.
All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
Proper nutrition is important to several functions of a dog’s body. It is necessary for the growth of the dog, as well as the repair of any body tissue that has sustained damage. Additionally, proper nutrition provides the energy the dog uses to go about his daily living activities. Plus, proper nutrition helps the dog’s body to provide the heat it needs to maintain its body temperature.
The major nutrients that all dogs need in their diet include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Obviously, too much of any of these nutrients and your dog will become fat.
The carbohydrates provide the energy that your dog needs to run, play, or do just about anything. Excess carbohydrates are not good for your pet. They will not provide extra or increased energy. Too much is too much. Therefore, excess carbohydrates will simply be stored as body fat.
The fats are also needed to provide energy to the dog’s body for the same functions. In fact, ounce per ounce, fats provide double the amount of energy than carbohydrates. Therefore, too much fat should be avoided since it, too, will only be converted and stored as body fat.
The proteins provide the body building elements for your dog’s body. Proteins aid in maintaining and repairing body tissue. They are also important in the growth of the dog’s body.
The minor nutrients that all dogs need in their diet include vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Typically, the amounts are needed in small quantities only to ensure the health of the dog. However, even though the quantity of vitamins and minerals necessary to the dog’s health are small, they are critical.
The vitamins that a dog needs are broken down into two categories: fat soluble and water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. The water soluble vitamins include vitamin C and B complex.
All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
Designer dogs have been around for a few years, and so, their numbers are growing. In fact, their popularity is growing as well. People are discovering that designer dogs glean the best traits from both breeds in their parentage, making the crossbreed a better pet in some cases than the purebred.
Even the fact that these designer dogs are quite often more expensive than purebreds, people still clamor for them. In fact, demand can sometimes exceed the supply. Perhaps, this is one of the root causes for more crossbreeds turning up in more areas of the country than ever before.
Labradoodles, recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, have been around since the 1970s. Requests for allergy friendly companion dogs helped the labradoodle to evolve. Attempts were made to produce a steady supply of these dogs especially to people with special needs. However, crossbreeding labradoodles encountered some initial setbacks, and it wasn’t until later on that the practice of crossbreeding labradoodles actually picked up intensity.
A labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle that exhibits characteristics of each breed. However, the labradoodle appears to be without some of the more annoying characteristics of each breed.
The typical labradoodle exhibits the intelligence and slight frame of the poodle. Labradoodles are often aloof in a manner quite similar to the aloof nature of a purebred poodle.
The typical labradoodle also exhibits the loyalty of Labrador retrievers. Moreover, they are lovable and friendly like Labrador retrievers. Additionally, they are not prone to the medical problems of either breed.
Additionally, the labradoodle seems to have also inherited the non-shedding characteristic of the poodle as well as being regarded as having a low allergy risk. However, a crossbred labradoodle that is one part Labrador retriever and three parts poodle has the best chances of producing a low shedding dog that will be a good match for people with severe allergies. However, a crossbred that is not a balanced 50-50 of the two breeds is not as healthy as a crossbred that is 50-50.
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There is a belief that keeping your cat secluded indoors will prevent her from catching diseases or getting worms or other parasites. Sadly, this is not true.
Indoor cats may be exposed to organisms carried through the air, just like humans. Open windows and doors allow airflow between the outside world and the indoor environment. This does not mean you should seal up your home, but that you should be aware that if you cat becomes ill, there may be an outside cause.
Parasites can hitch a ride on your shoes and clothing. Intestinal worms can be brought into the environment simply by walking across infected soil or grass, then onto your carpet. Fleas can also hitch a ride inside on your pants leg or hose. Unless you are de-lousing before entering your home, bringing outdoor pests in to your cat is always a possibility.
Be sure your cat has proper medical evaluations and their shots are up to date, even if they never leave the house on their own. Making sure your cat is healthy and parasite free helps make your entire home healthier.
All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
Indoor cats may be exposed to organisms carried through the air, just like humans. Open windows and doors allow airflow between the outside world and the indoor environment. This does not mean you should seal up your home, but that you should be aware that if you cat becomes ill, there may be an outside cause.
Parasites can hitch a ride on your shoes and clothing. Intestinal worms can be brought into the environment simply by walking across infected soil or grass, then onto your carpet. Fleas can also hitch a ride inside on your pants leg or hose. Unless you are de-lousing before entering your home, bringing outdoor pests in to your cat is always a possibility.
Be sure your cat has proper medical evaluations and their shots are up to date, even if they never leave the house on their own. Making sure your cat is healthy and parasite free helps make your entire home healthier.
All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
