Misconception 1: Is neutering dogs and cats bad?

People actually get very confused about neutering and spaying and some believe it has pet health implications.   Some think that neutering makes the animal fat and lazy, but this is only the case if you feed it more.  Neutering can cut down on the risk of wandering outside and never returning, and in essence it makes dogs and cats a little more “homesick”, which can be quite comforting to see.  There are some beliefs around the world that neutering is a sure fire way to reduce the dog or cat’s lifespan, however there is no evidence of this yet.

Misconception 2: Dogs know when they have done something wrong

Wrong!  This is not always true.  Some dogs do not know when they have been badly behaved and they will continue to misbehave if they don’t get appropriately informed that what they have done is wrong. As you would a child, show the dog what it has done wrong so it learns.  Otherwise, they will never know.  Try and shift your voice to sound angry rather than getting high-pitched as this relates too closely to happy sounds.   Never hit a dog though. No pet owner should lay a hand to a dog and think that it is an acceptable part of dog care; for it quite simply isn’t. The same applies to any mistreatment of cats and kittens – this is not good cat health care.

Check with a vet if you are concerned about something not being accurate with your dog health care and cat health care practices. Trust in your vet to steer you in the right direction so you don’t end up believing any more misconceptions.

Submitted by Guest Writer

Cats – Furry Feline Fun

The great thing about cats is that they are relatively easy to look after.  Cats are strong willed and like to get out and about on a regular basis, so be sure to let them have their own space.  Although exercise isn’t a must with cats, they just need easy and quick access to outside.  In terms of pet health, cats generally suffer with hairball problems the most. Vets also recommend that milk is avoided as it can be hard for cats to tolerate.  Cats can also suffer with constipation because dry food is quite difficult to swallow, so add some water to their dinner if need be.

Cats are great pets and easy to look after.  In comparison to dogs though, cats are not as willing to show affection which can be a bit of a problem if you’re looking for something loving and loyal.  Some people suffer with cat allergies too, caused by the saliva, so make sure none of your family are allergic before getting a cat.

Dogs – Barking Mad?

Dogs have always had a warm place in people’s hearts and there are more dogs than ever before in Britain.      Generally thought of as quite high maintenance, dogs offer loyal companionship to all family members. Dogs are faithful and will also act as good guards of the family and the home. Give your dog a walk on a daily basis and make sure you keep on top of your pet health in general. In terms of food, dry dog food is recommended. Ensure the dog has regular access to plenty of water.

Remember that grooming is an important aspect you need to be aware of and this can help with general pet health.  Some dogs require very little grooming whereas some dogs require quite a bit.  Make sure you know how much the dog you select needs to be groomed.

Submitted by Guest Writer

It is important to remember that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas. There are boyfriends out there that will be buying their girlfriend a pet for Christmas, but you have to make sure the pet is going to have a long and happy life in the home. If this isn’t something you can be sure of, don’t buy a pet as a Christmas present. The problem is that when boyfriends and girlfriends break up, the dog gets brought into it and often ends up without a home. There are some people that will mistreat the dog and it can be rescued in very bad condition. Naturally, this is very sad, which is why the pet should never be associated with the person that gave it as a gift. Remember, the dog is part of the family too.

Many people would agree that what we need is a better dog health care advice, so fewer dogs end up in shelters by the New Year. Learn about what the dog needs and how it needs affection just like everyone else in the family. Regular food, playtimes and walks will help to keep your dog happy and healthy. If you devote a good few months to dog health care, you’ll soon find that your hard efforts pay off and you will have a very obedient and healthy dog, which ultimately means you have no reason to get rid of it after Christmas. Lets stop the number of homeless, shelterless and mistreated dogs there are, and the first step is understanding basic dog health care so you know how to look after it. Don’t buy a pet at Christmas time, or any other time, unless dog health care really will be top of your priorities.

Guest Writer

1) Antifreeze: Something like antifreeze can kill pets quickly and painfully. It smells and tastes very sweet to your dog and is very appealing to him. The core ingredient of antifreeze is ethylene glycol and this is very dangerous. Symptoms of toxicity include seizures, vomiting, stumbling and lethargy leading to kidney failure. So, to prevent this, simply keep antifreeze far away from your dog. If your dog does end up ingesting some antifreeze, call the vet immediately.

2) Chocolate: Dark chocolate is a prime example of something very dangerous to dogs. While it usually takes a somewhat large amount of chocolate to kill a dog, poisoning and death do occur with smaller amounts ingested. Chocolate poisoning has horrific symptoms for dogs, including frequent urination and hyper-activity. Your dog might even suffer seizures and it can raise the heartbeat. If you think your dog might have just eaten some chocolate, visit the vet promptly. Chocolate is bad for your dog’s health.

3) Bleach: As you might imagine, household bleach is toxic to dogs. All bleach-related products are to be kept high up out of a dog’s reach. Bleach-related symptoms include drooling and vomiting. It is an owner’s common instinct to try and make the dog be sick to get rid of the product it has eaten, but doing this can be fatal for your pooch, so please don’t try it. Remember that by doing these simple things, your dog health care routine stays in check.

4) Mouthwash: Again, something else that is found in the home and can prove fatal is mouthwash. Mouthwash poisoning can even send your dog into a coma, which is a heartbreaking thought. Just like with the other household products, a dog that’s drunk mouthwash should be taken to see the vet.

With diligence on our part, we can help prevent our dogs from getting into substances that are toxic to them. Making sure your dog has a lovely conditioned coat is important, as is showering it with love, but this isn’t a good dog health care routine if your pet ends up dying from ingesting a toxic substance. As long as you stay vigilant, you shouldn’t need to visit the vet with a sick dog that has just ingested something toxic.
Submitted by Guest Writer

The first thing – before you even run the bathwater – is to collect all the supplies you will need. Get a dog coat conditioner and a decent sized brush if your dog has a long coat. Also get a generously-sized towel to wrap your pooch in later. Next, put on clothes you don’t care about getting soaked. It is advisable to bathe the puppy when he is hungry, as he will be more attentive then. If you call your puppy over and give him some treats he will be well behaved in the bath. Most importantly, you have to convince your dog that this is a fun process. Now it’s time for a thorough brush-and-comb. Any knots or tangles in your puppy’s coat will tighten and become worse when wet, so you want to comb out all tangles before turning on the tap. Spray long coats with conditioner and brush thoroughly, then comb through, making sure you get all the way down to the skin.

Something important to remember is that the dog’s ears need cleaning at the back. Also offer continuous praise and your puppy will think he is getting rewarded. Some dogs are more attentive if they have toy in the bath too. If your puppy has sensitive eyes, use a baby shampoo on his head area. Also, check the temperature of the water before spraying it on your puppy. Once checked, gently soak the puppy’s coat with luke warm water. The trick with shampoo is massaging it, and this should be done in short circles. Providing you have a gentle brush, this can be used to massage the shampoo in all over the puppy’s coat. When you are sure you’ve rinsed out all the soap, do it again. There’s always more soap that needs to be removed. Finish with a conditioner for dogs and wrap your puppy in a large towel.