Secrets To A Happy, Healthy Pet

The first secret is to understand what your pet is eating. Science tells us that genetically the average size cat has the potential to live 30 years and the average size dog 25 years. Quality nutrition is essential to your pet's longevity.

Unfortunately, more than 80% of all pet foods don't provide the quality nutrition that is needed for your pet to thrive. The good news is that 20% of pet foods do.

While there is a HUGE amount of information to consider in order to completely compare one pet food to another, the following highlights should provide you with a foundation in order to make healthier choices for your pet... 1. Please don't base your choice of pet foods on advertising! For a quality pet food, base your product decisions on the ingredients of the food. 2. Ingredients on a pet food/treat label are listed in pre-cooking order - heaviest ingredient to lightest ingredient. Concentrate on the first five ingredients which is the majority of the food. 3. Avoid any pet foods that list any of the following within the first five ingredients...

o 'By-Products' which can consist of hooves, feet, feathers, and other discarded animal parts from the human food industry.

o 'Meat and Bone Meal' or 'Meat Meal' or 'Animal Digest' - these ingredients can contain rendered meat from incredible inferior sources including but not limited to euthanized dogs and cats (horrible, but true).

o 'BHA/BHT or Ethoxyquin' - these are chemical preservatives linked to tumors and cancer.

o More than two grains of any variation within the first five ingredients (ex: Ground Corn, Whole Grain Wheat, Soy Oil, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten, and on and on). If you find more than two grains listed within the first five ingredients, you can assume this food is providing your pet with grain proteins versus an optimal meat protein.

Don't feed strictly a canned/soft/moist diet. All canned/soft/moist pet foods are mostly water - anywhere from 70% to 85% water (check the Guaranteed Analysis on the can/pouch for moisture percentage). Feed a quality kibble or a combination of a quality kibble and a 'good ingredient' filled canned. And it's best to feed your adult pet two meals per day.

Always check with your Veterinarian before changing foods!

Secret#2 - Know what is normal for your pet. It is 'normal' for one of my dogs to miss a meal, actually even two meals in a row. However, for another one of my dogs - if he missed even a crumb of food I would be alerted something was wrong.

Take note of what is normal behavior for your pet. When you know what's normal, an unusual behavior could be the first signs of a health concern.

Secret #3 - Clean up. As un-popular as this secret might be, daily pick-up of your pets' waste is another important key to monitoring their health. Again, knowing what is normal in the elimination department can alert you to something more serious.

Secret #4 - Exercise your pet daily. Along with quality nutrition, daily exercise is vital to your pet's health. Exercise is not only good for them physically, but it stimulates the brain as well. If you think about it, all dogs were designed to work - while cats are natural hunters. Home life has removed the opportunity for our pets to perform the jobs that Mother Nature trained them in.

For dog owners, you've got many options for exercise. Throw a tennis ball, Frisbee, or squeaky toy across the yard for 10 to 15 minutes a day. Or better yet, take a daily walk around the neighborhood. For cat owners I think the best exercise toy is one of those wand toys. Most cats love them. Mine also loves those balls with a bell inside.

For senior pets - please consult your veterinarian before starting any type of exercise program.

Secret #5 - Household safety. OK, this isn't much of a 'secret'. Most pet owners are aware of common dangers around the house. Please make yourself familiar with all possible toxins for your pet from the ASPCA website (www.aspca.org) but here are some common concerns - Alcohol, Chocolate, Coffee, Macadamia Nuts, onions, grapes, garlic, Anti-freeze, ice melting products, rat and mouse bait, moth balls, pennies, and human medications.

As well, there are concerns with electrical cords and thread or ribbons. If your dog or cat is even tempted to chew on electrical cords, you might try bundling the cord and wrapping it in foil. Most pets will not chew on foil.

And if your dog likes to drink from the toilet, please be careful with drop in the tank toilet bowl cleaners. Most would be toxic to pets. I'd suggest changing to a flushable cleaner and keeping the lid closed as best as possible.

If you think your pet has eaten something harmful - contact your Veterinarian immediately. The ASPCA has a 24 hour poison control center - (888) 426-4435. A $55 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

Secret #6 - Car safety. Just the same way a seat belt keeps us humans safe in the car, the same holds true for our pets. For dogs, a great investment is a seat belt harness. Most all pet shops have them in various sizes to fit your pet. Typically there is a wide soft strap that runs down the chest, and a big loop in the back to run the seat belt through. All of my dogs wear them. It's quite a site when I load up my 3 dogs in my convertible, all seat belted in, convertible top down and off we go to the dog beach! But they are safe - that is the important part. For cats, if you crate them in the car, simply run the seat belt around the crate and through the handle.

Please, oh please, don't let your dog hang its head out the car window! For one thing, they can jump out that window before you know it. I've seen it happen right in front of me two times. The results aren't pretty. And even if you only have the window open enough for their head to hang out, there are still dangers. Small debris and gravel can be flipped up from the car in front of you and can injure your dog. Don't take the chance.

Wishing you and your pets the best.

http://www.TruthAboutPetFood.com Susan Thixton Pet Behavior and Nutrition Consultant Email: Susan@TruthAboutPetFood.com

Pet Care Tips - Basic Advice on Keeping Your Pet Healthy and Happy

Follow these pet care tips to ensure that your dog or cat is kept happy and healthy. These basic tips are intended as a resource for those of you who are new to pet ownership or are thinking of getting your first cat or dog. Experienced pet owners will know most of these details already!

Food and drink

* Make sure that your pet has access to clean, fresh water. Change this every day.

* Feed cats twice a day with a premium quality cat food. Give them one meal of dry food and one meal of tinned food. Do not feed them dog food or milk.

* Feed dogs once or twice daily, but use premium quality dog food. Make sure they have a mix of dry biscuits and moist tinned food.

* Feed puppies and kittens on small amounts of soft food 3 to 5 times a day until their teeth are strong enough for dried food.

Treatments

* Give your pet a daily natural supplement to help boost his/her immune system. This can help to stave off many common minor illnesses.

* Give your pet an anti-parasite supplement periodically. The dangers of worms are not to be underestimated.

* Use a natural health solution to keep fleas, ticks and mosquitoes off your dog.

Training

* It is critical to train your dog. Obedient dogs won't soil your house, bite, jump up on guests, chew your shoes and ruin the couch. They are more hygienic and less likely to be involved in fights and accidents. Once trained, you can give your dog much greater freedom as you know that he/she can be trusted.

* Cats should be toilet trained as soon as possible and taught that a scratching post is the only allowed place for them to sharpen their claws.

Exercise and play

* Dogs need to be exercised every day without fail. Ideally twice a day. Letting him run round the back yard on his own doesn't count. Enjoy the time that you spend walking with your pet and it's good exercise for you too!

* Cats kept indoors at any time need a litter tray and this needs to be changed daily. Cats will exercise themselves sufficiently if you let them outside each day. Better still, fit a cat flap and allow them to choose when they go out. But keep them inside from dusk till dawn. This makes them less likely to be run over and they pose less danger to other small animals.

* Keep an eye on your pet's weight and attitude to food. If he's getting overweight, then you need to cut down on the food a little and get him some more exercise. If he's off his food entirely, then there may be an underlying health problem that needs attention.

* Make sure that your pet has a few toys to play with. Dogs love rubber bones or balls to chew and squeaky toys too. Cats love scratching towers, toy mice and string.

* Take time to get to know your pet. When you really get to know your pet's character and physical appearance, you will find that you can quickly spot any injuries and illnesses that are developing.

Grooming

* Grooming is important for all dogs and cats. Long haired cats need to be groomed more often than short haired breeds, but you should groom shorter haired ones too. Dogs and cats both like to be stroked. It is a good bonding exercise that also lets you examine your pet's hair and skin for any problems.

* Dogs need to be bathed periodically and use a special dog shampoo for this purpose as many human shampoos or shower gels will irritate. Once every two months is about right. Their skin can become irritated with bathing too often. Cats clean themselves so don't try to bathe your cat!

Reproductive

* Spay/neuter your animal. Neutered animals are better behaved and don't contribute to the countless thousands of homeless cats and dogs. Dogs and cats that have not been neutered will be at the beck and call of their hormones. They will roam far and wide looking for a mate and are more likely to get into road accidents and fights.

Let us help you to help your pet with general health products and pet health advice?

Or why not sign up to our mailing list at herbapet and we'll show you how you can naturally treat common pet conditions at home?

Original article at Pet Care Tips.

Complete Turtle Care Guide - How to Help Your Pet Turtle Live a Long and Happy Life

Caring for your turtle the right way is important to help it live a long and healthy life. Below are some of the basics of pet turtle care.

What to Feed Your Turtle

Standard pet turtle are naturally herbivores, living on a diet of vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, carrots or leafy vegetables. They also eat fruits such as berries. You can also feed your turtle earthworms or live insects such as crickets, beetles or spiders. Commercial turtle food is available at pet stores if you feel your turtle isn't getting all of the nutrients it needs. Keep in mind that turtles can be picky eaters sometimes, so you'll have to find what works for your turtle. The age of your turtle may also determine how often you feed them.

How Often Do I Feed My Turtle?

How often you feed your turtle depends on a variety of factors. Most healthy turtles are fine being fed every other day or three times a week. If your turtle is pregnant she will need to be fed more often.

What's The Right Environment for My Pet Turtle

For indoor turtles, a 20-50 gallon aquarium should suffice. The temperature should be about 80 degrees fahrenheit, although you can lower it slightly at night to try and imitate a more natural environment. Make sure there is plenty of water and try to make it as pure as possible. Lighting is also important. Turtles need sunlight for vitamin production and proper bone growth. If the turtles don't get natural sunlight, buy a fluorescent light or other specially designed lights. These may be available at your pet store. Finally, keep out things that could harm the turtle if they eat it, as things like woods chips or other organic materials can be dangerous to your turtle's health. If your turtle is an outdoor turtle, you'll need to make sure they have a proper environment as well. See my other articles for more information on caring for your outdoor turtle.

Other Resources

Check out my other articles on caring for your pet turtle. There are also other free turtle care guides available. You can also find great information in comprehensive turtle care guides for a small cost.

Did you find those tips on pet turtle care useful? I've been a turtle lover since my childhood and I've written other resources you can find on how to care for your turtle. You can click on the lens above. It will link you to my other free resources that will hopefully answer most of your questions on pet turtle care.

The best resources that I've used can be found at [http://www.turtlecaresite.com] There you can purchase a course that will teach you everything you need to know about how to care for your pet turtle. It goes into more detail than I can here and it is probably the only resource you'll ever need. It is also reasonably priced and the information you'll get is well worth it. Click on the link below to visit their site. One thing that I've found is that you can never know too much about your pet turtle and the more you know the happier you'll both be.

Tips For Keeping Your Pet Healthy and Happy in the Car

There are some pets that love to go along for the ride but some dogs and cats just aren't the traveling kind. If your pet gets sick every time he gets in the car, here are a few tips to make the trip easier on everyone.

If you know ahead of time that you need to take your pet for a drive such as to a veterinarian appointment or even if you're going on a trip, limit your pet's food intake. Try not to feed him at least four hours before leaving. If you must feed your pet give him a small portion of food rather than a normal size feeding.

Do be certain to give your pet plenty of fresh water though. A full stomach can make pets more likely to become queasy in the car. Likewise some pets may become nauseous on an empty stomach. You know your pet better than anyone so feed him accordingly.

If traveling for a fair amount of distance, be sure to stop often enough for your dog to stretch his legs and go to the bathroom. Some dogs love to gaze out the window and watch the scenery. Remember to crack the window for your pet so that he can get fresh air but don't leave the window so far down that he can hang out of it and endanger himself.

By making sure that your pet has adequate fresh air the chances are lessened that your pet will become sick in the car and vomit. Drive carefully and slowly. Take turns easily. Speed and curves can make your pet anxious as well as nauseous. You want your pet to be comfortable in the car not nervous. Animals can suffer from motion sickness just like people so take it slow and easy unless you want to deal with a sick pet and a messy, smelly vehicle. If your pet suffers from severe motion sickness despite your best efforts consult your veterinarian. He or she can prescribe a medication such as Dramamine.

It helps to get your pet used to riding in the car. Take him out for frequent rides around the block at first then gradually increase the length of time spent in the car. Use safety when transporting your pet by car by making sure he is properly secured. You can purchase carriers and kennels that buckle into seatbelts.

Don't forget to reward your pet with a treat for good behavior in the car. Traveling with your pet doesn't have to be stressful for either one of you. Your pet may even start to look forward to a leisurely drive.

Copyright © 2007, pet-sitters.biz

Author Ian White is founder of Worldwide Petsitting Registry

Pets are happier in their own environment. Pet friendly alternative to catteries or cat boarding. Find a pet sitter to care for you cat or kitten while you are away.

How to Make Your Pet Happy!

Most pets can't actually speak, so it's up to us to go out of our way to understand them. The more we know about their needs, the happy we can make them. The happier your pet is, the happier you will be!

We'll assume that you love your pet, and give them as much attention and love that you can. We'll also assume that you feed them properly and are attentive to their needs. What should you do to make your pet happy?

Understanding the basic items that you provide for your pet each day, and how to choose the best one, is actually one of the best ways to make and keep your pet happy. Consider your own life. When we build homes and buildings, the designers put doors at ground level, allowing us to walk in by just opening a door. Wouldn't it get tiring if you had to throw a rope up and climb through a window, every time you had to go into a building? Of course it would! As people, we constantly make changes in our lives to make things easier. New inventions, new products and new ideas often result in making us happier.

Now consider something as basic as a your pet's food bowl. If you did not read this article, what would go into your buying decision? Probably a couple of factors including the retail price, maybe how it looks, what it's made of? Now, turn this decision over on it's head and lets look at it from your pet's happiness potential.

First of all, does this bowl hold enough food for your pet's normal feeding schedule? If you feed both wet and dry food (canned and bagged) does it have a separate spot for each? Dry food can sit out for hours, but wet food can't. It is best not to mix them, because if you leave the unfinished portion out, it could go bad. Now, consider the height. Taller dogs have a hard time bending down to eat at floor level. Older pets may have difficulty bending down as well as pets with joint problems. Pet bowls with adjustable or raised legs might be better. If your pet needs to eat or drink outside at times, such as in a dog kennel, you might need a heated bowl to keep water or even wet food from freezing. In this basic example of a pet bowl, you actually should consider the design of the bowl, number of compartments, the amount the bowl or compartment can hold, the height your pet will eat at, and under certain conditions, the necessity of additional features such as being heated.

To help make your pet happy, and keep them happy, evaluate how the item will be used by your pet, and try to make it the best match you can at a price you can afford. When buying any product for your pet, use the same criteria as you would if you purchased it for your own use. In addition to price, you would want it to meet all your needs, be easy to use, and make you feel comfortable. You would also want it to be available where and when you want or need it, enhance your daily routine, make you feel good about yourself and to solve any problem associated with the reason you purchased it.

It can take nothing more than a moment of your time to look past the obvious and see what your pet really needs and wants from the product you are buying. You can save money by buying only products your pet can and will use. Think like your best friend before you buy. You wouldn't be happy if you had to climb a rope to get in your house every night after work - communicate with your pet by thinking about what is really important to them and you'll be well on your way to knowing how to make your pet happy!

Bill VS is an Internet Marketer that owns successful webstores as well as promotes unique opportunities for his readers to begin to solve their own financial problems and to reach their own financial milestones. He also Loves Pets and offers extensive FREE information to Enhance the Relationship between Pets and Pet Parents! Please learn more by clicking the following link: http://4urpet.blogspot.com/

The Right Dog Food Will Keep Your Pet Happy

If you want your dogs to remain happy and content then you have to feed them with the best dog food. This in turn means that you will have to consider a few things that will help you pick the best foods for your pet, especially when you are planning on buying dry food. Though it is quite possible that your animal(s) might not have any preference between dry and wet foods it still pays to see which type your animal loves the most. In case of most dogs they do tend to be picky and so you have to use trial and error methods to establish which kind your pet loves the best.

Regulate His Diet

It is also a good idea to ensure feeding your dog with regulated diet so that you can choose certain foods that the pet will relish and eat happily. It also means avoiding feeding him with human food as this can give rise to numerous health concerns including stomach aches and obesity as too problems with behavior.

Another important consideration related to dog food is that you must ensure feeding him according to his body weight and for more information you must check the animal food label to see how much of a portion is safe for feeding your pet favorite. Even when starting your pet on a new dog food it pays to start off slowly to ensure that the food goes down well with your favorite animal and does not make him feel sick.

If you want your pet to feed on moist food you can add a little water to his dry food and get the desired results though be careful that by adding water to his food, it can spoil the smell of his food. And, after having fed your pet it is also necessary that you ensure that he gets his fair share of exercise so that he remains in shape.

It pays to also select dog food that has enough vitamin content as this will help to create a shinier coat and his nails too will grow stronger. When picking his food, you should check the major animal food brands which are well known for having a lot of nutritious content and which also come in many flavors that will appeal to your dog's senses. Some dog lamb accompanied by rice is OK for your favorite.

Choosing the right dog food can often be confusing because of the different ingredients used as too because of the terminology used. There are also foods that are suited for puppies and those that are suited for larger sized dog breeds and you will also come across foods that help control your pet's weight and there are also wellness foods that suit pets that have allergies or some other kind of health problems.

Times have indeed changed since the beginning of the nineteenth century before which dogs generally subsisted on wheat, bread and barley and rye. Only rarely did pet owners feed their animals with meat. During the nineteenth century feeding dogs with meat was something that signified the pet owner's status - that is until the first dog food was introduced in the year 1860 when in England an American called James Spratt founded his own dog food company.

Since then animal food has become big business and of course many changes have taken place in what we can and cannot feed our pets. The fifties saw the advent of dry food and today there is much variety in the type of commercially produced dog food that is available on the market.

The bottom line is that you should only feed your dog the correct type and amount of food. For a ten pound dog it is necessary that he gets 850 calories on a daily basis; for a twenty pound the number of calories should not exceed 1400 per day while a thirty pound pet must not be fed more than 1800 calories on a daily basis and a fifty pound animal should get at most 2700 calories per day.

Rolf Joho is owner of http://www.internetinfomedia.com and writes on a variety of subjects. For more dog food questions visit: http://agentmon.com/dogfood/