How to Train Shy Cat

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How to Acclimate a Shy Kitty to New People, Places and Things

shy cat

Google.com images, lolkatz.com

Cats are sometimes shy by nature. Adopted cats can be timid. This article will help you turn a shy kitty into a cuddly cat. Here's what has worked at our house to acclimate a shy kitty to new people: Knowing when to show affection to the cat. Knowing how to pet her if she is shy. Using a soft baby-talk "puss puss" voice when speaking to the cat. And, having several comforting rituals in the home.

Things You'll Need:

• a shy kitty
• cat comfort spray
• patience
• safe haven for cat
• cat brush
• Nutri-cal gel ~optional
• Greenies cat treats ~optional
• feeding schedule
• a "puss puss voice"
• your pointer finger
• bells & feathers on a stick, cat toy

1. 
   
   Step 1
   
   
    
   
   
   big man, small cat
   Use your "puss puss voice" when speaking to your shy kitty. It's similar to baby talk. Speak softly, in a high tone and use sweet words: "That's a goooood kitty, puss puss puss". Ask friends and house guests to use a puss puss voice. Loud, low voices tend to scare a shy kitty. It's fun to hear a 300+ pound lumberjack of a man go along with this. LOL It does work, try it. Give it time.
   
2. 
   
   Step 2
   
   
    
   
   
   good smells
   Schedule feeding times. Measure food so half the food is doled out, twice a day. Wash & dry your hands. Get your fingers into the food and then put it down for the cat. I learned this tip from Cesar Millan, the dog whisperer. He puts his scent on the dogs' food to bond dog to people and it can work with cats too. Putting a T-shirt you've worn to bed into the cat's bed so they are comforted by your scent can work also.
   
3. 
   
   Step 3
   
   
    
   
   
   comfort the cat
   Spray the areas you want your cat to be comfortable in with one or two mists of cat comfort spray. Mist once every 24-48 hours. It has scented hormones it in that naturally relax a feline. Use it on your favorite easy chair or the sofa guests will be sitting on when they visit. Use comfort spray when cat comes home from a shelter, after a move to a new house and mist the blanket inside kitty carrier before going to the Vet.
   
4. 
   
   Step 4
   
   
    
   
   
   ouch!
   Cats have long memories. Avoid a 7 year old niece or nephew pulling cat's tail so she never trusts him again. Teach children to be kind to your kitty. Ask them not to pick her up. Tell them to sit still and wait for the cat to come to them and to be gentle. Explain that the cat's tail is not a toy, don't close doors or step on it either, please.
   
5. 
   
   Step 5
   
   
    
   
   
   safe haven
   Safe haven. A small kitty condo or cat bed can be designated the cat's "safe haven". Cats are very smart. If no human EVER touches her when she is on that bed or condo, she will not leave it even if 20 noisy kids come stomping in after Little League baseball practice, etc. The trick here is to never ever let anyone touch the cat on her safe haven.
   
6. 
   
   Step 6
   
   
    
   
   
   the dreaded vacuum
   The vacuum. Cats generally shy away from the running vacuum cleaner. Some cats are terrified of it. Although no one has ever chased them with it or ran over their tail, they just fear it. The best way to deal with the vacuum is to let a scared kitty hide and coax her out afterwards when you're done.
   
7. 
   
   Step 7
   Smoking. Many cats run away from a lit cigarette. If you allow smoking in your house or are having a party and smoking is permitted, your cat may be very shy or hide. Might as well spare her the second-hand smoke and let her hide or ask guests to smoke on the patio outside.
   
8. 
   
   Step 8
   
   
    
   
   
   bonding
   Use a pointer finger to entice a shy cat closer to any person. Use a healthy treat such as "Greenies" teeth cleaning treats or a dab of Nutri-cal vitamin gel. Get down low on the floor or kneel down to cat's level. Hold out one pointer finger (with treat on it or not) and let cat sniff. This is how they check out new people and things. Let cats' natural curiosity melt shyness away. Often they will rub their mouth and head into your hand after sniffing and *viola*! Gently pet cat.
   
9. 
   
   Step 9
   
   
    
   
   
   entice cat
   Pet a cat without spooking her. Sit down in sunny spot or easy chair. Jingle a bells & feathers on a stick cat toy. Once the cat is in close proximity and is interested in the toy, put it away. Read a book or Sunday newspaper, remaining still. Wait for cat to climb into your lap. Kitty will curl up, sleep, allow petting and purr; after a few tries. This is especially helpful for bonding a shy cat to a young child because the child stays seated. Once cozy on the lap, brush kitty with a soft baby brush to really bliss her out. Purr purr purr!!
   

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Does Your Cat Need a Pet Cure for Dysplasia?

By Derick Mcgee

Does your pet have dysplasia or some other condition? Do you need a safe and reliable solution to relieve that pain? Maybe it is time for you to take a look at natural pain relievers. There are newer pain products available now that have less side effects the the medicines we used to use. You will start to see dramatic improvement in the energy your pets very quickly. The products you may want to take a look at are Flex Pet, Old Bones and Joint Rescue.

Consider a situation where you have got a middle aged cat or dog. Usually you will notice that they appear "calmer" as the years go by. Whilst you can welcome a more docile pet, he / she might also be afflicted by the onset of arthritis or dysplasia. Interestingly enough, felines will develop these conditions just as frequently as dogs. So , if you notice changes in your pet's energy levels, it could be time to start inquiring about pain management.

Most times pet owners don't notice that their pet is suffering till the vet tells them that it's time to make a call about euthanasia. Though the best pet cure will not unjustified years of damage to frail hip, shoulder, and wrist joints, they can reduce pain and inflammation.

At the very least, if you are hesitant about saying that final goodbye to your cat or dog, you can give natural pain remedies a short trial. If they work, then you can look forward to a little bit more quality time with your favorite pet.

Yearly, millions of pet owners are challenged with the incontrovertible fact that aging pets suffer from all different types of pain. Luckily, there are some natural pet care products that may be used to treat both mild and complicated joint pain. Any one of these products can enable your pet to live a long, satisfied life without the common complications associated with typical pain killers. Pet Pain

About the Author:

Derick Mcgee is a pet expert and creator of the popular blog PetPain.Net. He is an expert on pet care. He provides honest information and advice on topics like Pain Relief For Dogs and more. Visit the blog for the latest information!

What Causes Mange And How To Treat It

By Catherine V. Testaratti

We have probably all seen a dog afflicted with mange at some point in our lives. Mange is known as Demodicosis in dogs. The Demodex mite causes this itchy inflammatory disease and the identification of the particular mite can ascertain the harshness of the mange.

There are several side effects of mange again, depending on the type of mite inhibiting the hair follicles and skin. Mange can cause genetic disorders; immune system problems and lesions just to name a few. Mange is not only a condition known to affect dogs but cats as well.

There are two forms of Demodectic mange that can affect your pet. Localized will effect a specific area whereas generalized will be in many places over the entire body. Once the vet determines which type of demodectic mange your dog has, proper treatment will be determined.

Localized mange is the mild form typically appearing around the dog's trunk, legs or face with small patches of lesions. Generalized mange is mostly over the entire body in the form of patches of lesions accompanied by redness of the skin. There is no known cause for mange but some doctors believe that problems with the dogs immune system might predispose a dog or cat to this condition.

It is believed that one form of mite can be transferred from the mother to the baby via nursing. There are to other forms of mites and it is not yet known how those mites are transferred. Demodex canis gets into the hair follicle of the pet causing this transmission during nursing.

Testing is done either with a urine sample if you are able to get one or by scraping a piece of the dogs skin. The vet will want to rule out that possibility of your dog having an infected hair follicle. They can also determine the mite by plucking a few hairs.

Generalized mange can be the hardest to cure. You have the option of the lime-sulphur dip and continuous medication, which should alleviate some of the discomfort. In the more severe cases, it should be ascertained what type of life the dog will have to endure with this chronic condition, then determine the best solution for your dog.

Remember that if your dog is diagnosed with mange, you will need to continue to monitor the condition. If your pet requires treatment, you must continue to test skin scrapings for the presence of mites. As with generalized cases, medication must be administered regularly and continuously in order to control the spread of mange.

Remember that if your pet has generalized mange, it's best that you not breed it. Prevention can be simply maintaining a healthy diet for your dog. Regular grooming and good health may be all you need to keep your dog free of mange.

About the Author:

Have an Animal that you Love? Check out Catherine's recommended Pet Supplies for Dogs online store that uses nature's best ingredients. They have the most wonderful Natural Organic Dog Shampoos available.

What Kind of Cat is This Cutie? Even CNN Wants to Know- Video

Uncontrollable Urinating And Your Dog

By Catherine V. Testaratti

Is your new puppy or adult adopted dog having a problem with uncontrollable peeing during play, while excited or when it's scared? Well, this is not uncommon in puppies or adult dogs that have been abused. Submissive or excited peeing is easy to cure but you have to be consistent.

We always suggest first make a trip to the vet to make sure that there are not any medical issues the dog is suffering from. Once you determine it's nothing medical, then these lets try a few things to help your dog stop this embarrassing reaction. After all, when guests arrive you don't want to be running around cleaning up the remnants from your dog's excitement.

Being dominant over your dog or looking into its eyes without any peeing we can determine that your dog's issue is with excitement. However, if you are noticing that the peeing is occurring when you are scolding the dog or it's in a dominated situation then it is safe to say your dog suffers from a submissive issue. Many dogs have these problems but they are easily dealt with.

Praise is the most important way to train these dogs to stop submissive peeing. Teaching them to sit, stay, and roll over then rewarding them when they complete this request will start to build your dog's confidence. Approach your submissive dog by getting level with them, never pat on top of the head, always under the chin and of course never yell at the dog.

Accidents are going to occur so it best to remember that you cannot scold during the training. Just clean it up and continue on with the positive praise when the puppy or dog does go in the correct spot. As with children, dogs and puppies respond better to positive praise over negative discipline.

Having a puppy that pee's from excitement during their first year is not uncommon. Adult dogs will get excited too when you arrive home from work or have guests, but just don't react to the accident. Keep a calm tone, clean the mess and remember to make a big deal when they do go in the right place.

Puppies are known for peeing while playing. They just can't contain themselves with all the excitement. Because of this we recommend that you do all your playing outside to eliminate any accidents on your expensive rug.

Keeping your welcome to a minimum, no high pitched voices, excitement when you arrive home, will help with this problem. One thing that most dog owners find hard to do is to ignore the dog when they come home. This too can help considerably with the excitement peeing issue

Don't feel you are mistreating the dog, remember they are not humans. This can work to cure the excited peeing dog. Calm hello greetings when the dog is not excited, affirms the calm behavior, whereas the greeting when the dog is excited encourages the excited behavior, which makes perfect sense.

About the Author:

Have a Pet that you Love? Check out Catherine's favorite Pet Supplies for Dogs online store that uses nature's highest quality ingredients. They have the most amazing Natural Organic Dog Shampoos available.

Is Banfield Pet Insurance Nothing But a Money Game? Banfield Wellness Plan in Review

By Howardz Swang

Today, Banfield is the largest general veterinary practice in the whole world. They have more than seven hundred hospitals all across the United States of America as well as in Mexico and even the United Kingdom. Banfield hospitals employ close to two thousand qualified veterinarians who feel passionately that our pets deserve and receive the same quality of medical care that we as human beings expect to receive. As a result, all Banfield hospitals offer state of the art medical services, preventative care plans, extended operating hours, and Banfield is the only veterinary practice in the world that has an extensive quality assurance program as well.

Warren J. Wegert, a veterinary doctor of medicine, founded the Banfield Pet Hospital in October of 1955. Banfield grew to 300 hospitals by the year 2001. Then by the year 2004 within only 3 years, Banfield had enrolled over 1,000,000 pets in their Optimal Wellness Plan. By their 50th anniversary of doing business Banfield had opened over 500 hospitals, this was in 2005.

After five decades in practice, Banfield has gained a wealth of experience and this has enabled them to design and pet healthcare plan. It is intended to cover all routine care that is necessary to the health and well-being of your cat or dog.

This comprehensive type health care pet plan is the Banfield Wellness Plan and can actually prolong your pet's happy life up to 25% longer. This plan can also be transferred between the various Banfield locations when you need to with no problem. Also this plan makes pet care much more affordable by saving you about 50 percent on standard type care. This is because through these plans you get office visits at no cost for life, on top of their other discounts they offer on their other services. This wellness plan also offers a valuable warranty on vaccination of up to $1000.

Similar to people the pets can come down with various issues concerning their health over their lifetime. The Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan provides all services your pets require to stay healthy, and stop problems for occurring.

A Banfield Wellness Plan at this time covers cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies. This method is very cost effective as far as providing your pets the kind of care they deserve which includes physical exams, vaccinations, and unlimited free office visits.

It is not surprising how large Banfield has grown over the years when one considers all that they provide along with outstanding service both to our pets and the human beings with which they share their lives. Just like us, our pets deserve to enjoy a full life that ensures he, or she, will live a long and healthy one. They deserve the same dedicated and quality medical care that we do and Banfield clearly holds to this same notion.

And just like we do, our pets can benefit from an insurance plan and the Banfield Wellness Plan goes a long way in promoting the ongoing good health of our pets. After all, our pets are a part of our families and, as such, deserve the best medical care so that they remain part of the family for as long as is possible.

About the Author:

Have you had problems with Banfield as well? Be sure to read the comments in the two following articles: Revealing Banfield Pet Insurance Review and Banfield Pet Insurance Secrets. Both are filled with comment from other customers of theirs.

Silica Cat Litter Raises Concern About Pet's Health

By Ned Dagostino

We've all used those little sachets of silica gel in our cameras and electronic equipment. Silica is highly hygroscopic which means that it simply pulls moisture into itself, even out of thin air! Now they're using silica as a cat litter to suppress the odor of the cat's litter box. An inch high layer of silica is laid in the litter box. The cat's waste - liquid and solid, both - are thoroughly dried out in a very short time. That takes care of the odor! The solid waste is so dried out, that it's almost petrified! You can scoop it out very conveniently without encountering any unpleasant sight or smell.

The wonderful thing about this type of cat litter is that a single one inch layer lasts for two weeks and maybe even a month for one cat. Now you don't have to re-lay the litter everyday and that's really going to get a huge round of applause from all you cat owners! But there are health concerns involved in the use of silica as a litter for cats.

The particles of silica are very small but they are edgy, not rounded. The edges can bruise the cat's paws as it tries to scratch around in the litter box. Moreover, the particles cling to the cat's paws. When the cat licks its paws as is its custom, the silica particles get licked up as well. Over time, the particle build-up inside the cat's intestines can cause a number of health problems.

Some owners have an issue with the fact that it is not necessary to re-lay the litter everyday. They say that litter which is not changed for two weeks or more will be a happy hunting ground for bacteria which will adversely impact your cat's health.

There is no doubt that silica cat litter is superior to the other cat litters available now. Its odor-killing quality alone is sufficient to make it the numero uno cat litter. The application cost is so very low, that even cost conscious pet owners have no reservations in using it. The daily chore of fishing around the litter box for the cat's droppings is now, no, not pleasant but, simple and bearable. You are spared the sight (and obnoxious smell, phew!) of stomach-turning slimy stuff. You just pick out some 'stones' from the litter and carry it off for disposal. Then the chore of refreshing the litter box has been erased from your daily task list. Once or twice a month is like... freedom!

The contra to these advantages is that, firstly, the cost of conventional clumping litter works out to the same as that of silica, and secondly, you get to remove the clumping litter everyday.

Lastly, the cat can be harmed by the silica particles, either by getting bruised or by licking it up. The middle path being the best path you may want to try out a mixed litter, with silica absorbing all that awfully foul odor, and the ordinary clumping to take care of all the criticisms against silica cat litter.

Silica cat litter is actually a very good product suffering from some severe drawbacks. The mixed variety can be a bridge between all-silica and all-clumping. This way you get the benefits of both varieties of cat litters. The clumping prevents your cat's paws from damage, and the silica litter prevents the foul odor from pervading the house!

About the Author:

Another great solution, but also a more costly one, is to invest in an automatic cat litter box. Visit www.CatLitterBoxesPlus.com to read about all your cat litter choices. You'll find out why clumping cat litter remains the most popular choice on the market today.

Cat Behavior Problems - How To Train Your Cat

By Melissa Fielden

In today's society, more and more animal lovers and enthusiasts take on the role of being a responsible cat owner and thereby are bound to encounter a number of cat behavior problems along the way. This can perhaps be attributed to the fact that while cats are known to be one of the cuddliest, friendliest, most witty and affectionate domesticated pets out there, cats are also very temperamental, sneaky and stubborn in their inherent ways and behavior.

The occurrence of these cat behavior problems may be rooted to the personality of your pet. Contrary to the beliefs of many, each cat is different from the other. This means that there is no single way in dealing with these problems. Each case may have a different solution and the cure for one problem may solve or worsen another. Experts have found that cat behavior problems are most likely triggered by some things or events that your cat does not like. The following are some of the most common cat behavior problems and some tips to deal with them.

One of the most common cat behavior problems is the cat's being either overly aggressive or overly shy to the point that the cat refuses to do anything with anyone. In the case of excessive energy or aggression, such unwanted cat behavior problems can be fixed by means of training your cat to channel its aggression on to other harmless things.

Going out and purchasing a scratch pad or ball of yarn might be a good idea in that your cat will be able to release his or her energy in the process of playing rather than damaging your belongings or possessions. On the other hand, behavioral problems in your cat that involve your cat being overly shy may be fixed by training your cat to overcome his or her inhibitions.

Shyness- A cat may feel shyness or awkwardness when in the presence of strangers or even your friends that it does not know. This is because the cat does not feel comfortable on things that it isn't familiar with. With proper training and familiarization, you can help your cat get over his or her inhibitions.

Cat behavior problems such as shyness can be cured by gradually increasing the size of its social environment. By getting it involved in activities with other people it will soon develop tolerance and familiarity. Litter Training The most challenging cat behavior problems you can come across is litter training. It is very irritating to have your cat unload just about anywhere in the house. This should be corrected as soon as possible because the longer you wait to take action; the harder it will be in breaking its bad habit.

However, like all cat behavior problems this one is also treatable. Just situate a comfy litter area and lead your cat into it whenever it litters. You can also use the trusty reward system and give it a treat whenever it uses the litter box. This method will help your cat develop better potty habits.

About the Author:

Did you find those tips on Cat Behavior Problems useful? Melissa Fielden, who has been a zoo keeper for over 8 years, runs a very informative website specifically about cat behavior problems. You can learn a lot more about how to solve cat behavior problems by visiting www.CatBehaviorProblems.info

Play Time! Exercise Options for Fat Cats

By: WebVet

Eliminating obesity in cats goes beyond diet. It also involves getting cats to exercise and stop being cat potatoes. In addition to getting your cat to exercise, it’s also important to enrich your cat’s environment—that means shifting the focus from feeding time to play time.

Colleen Currigan, DVM, of the Cat Hospital of Chicago, suggests employing “environmental enrichment” techniques. Environmental enrichment provides cats with interesting, stimulating surroundings and activities, and is a win-win situation for cats—it gets them moving, plus it adds new stimulation to their lives, which can help take some of the focus away from the food bowl.
Currigan said owners should:

• Play with their cats. “All animals love to play,” she said. “Playtime is fun for cats, and it’s excellent bonding time with owners for them. It’s attention without food, and it’s fun and stimulating for them.”
• Offer a variety of toys and switch them around. “To keep your cat from getting bored with them, don’t leave the toys out all the time, and regularly alternate the ones your kitty is allowed to play with,” Currigan said.
• Use food as a toy. Currigan said owners also could feed their cats by putting dry food in a treat ball. The cat has to move the ball to get to the food. Some veterinarians also suggest moving the food bowl around to different locations—or splitting the food among several bowls in different locations.

Playing with Your Food
Currigan said she personally gets her cats exercising by taking a portion of each cat’s dry food meal and “playing” with it, and her cats love it. For example, she’ll toss pieces of dry food in different directions or down a long hallway for her cats to chase.

“They love to run after and pounce on those pieces of dry food, and one of them routinely jumps in the air and goes after them,” she said. “They actually treat those little pieces of food like prey.”

Currigan initially started this to get her cats moving a bit more—but it turns out that not only do they move more, but they also look forward to the game. She has started doing the same thing at night with one of the hospital cats, Bella, who is chubby.

Award Beggars with Attention, Not Food
For cats that beg for food, Currigan suggests that owners reward them with attention—either in the form of play, or brushing and combing, rather than with food.

“I truly think that for many of our cats, the highlight of their day is when they are fed—that’s when they get the most attention,’’ she said. “If we can shift that focus and make an effort to play with our cats, the cats will have a more enriched, stimulating environment, they will be less likely to suffer from the stress of boredom, and they will be less likely to become overweight. They will have stimulating highlights to their day as well as having their basic needs met.”

Indoor pet-run facilities offer winter exercise for pooches | 7 Tips for your pets health

www.post-gazette 
If you are lucky enough to live in the Pittsburgh area you and your dog can enjoy an indoor pet-run facility.  Check online to see if your area has one.

Bill Wade/Post-Gazette

Amanda Peck of Fox Chapel, left, and Jen Miller and Patrick Buchinski of Squirrel Hill at The Dog Stop.

Winter weather may bark and bite, but it doesn't have to curb the time you spend with your best four-legged friend.

Indoor dog parks and agility courses, dog yoga and massage, even canine-friendly cocktail parties can add dimension to the bond between you and your pooch.

For structured play time, Splash and Dash K9 Sports Inc., a dog training club in Plum, offers plenty of options, including fly ball, in which teams of dogs run races, perform jumps and retrieve balls.

"Winter is our busiest season because people are looking for things to do with their dog," said club member Leslie Meyn of Ross, and the owner of five Keeshonds. Her 1-year-old, Sefina, is learning freestyle, a canine form of dressage that combines obedience with choreographed dance moves.

"Any training you do with your dog builds his self-confidence. A confident dog is more adaptable, less afraid of new situations, and happier," said Meyn, whose dogs have all gone through agility training, which involves navigating a course with a series of obstacles including seesaw, tunnel and tire jump.

For unstructured play, The Dog Stop near Homewood has a total of 17,000 square feet of indoor space where pets can run off-leash or walk with their owners in a well-lighted, climate-controlled environment.

"Given Pittsburgh's weather, people like having that option," said owner Jesse Coslov.

It's open from 5 to 7 p.m. weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and folks pay $5 per visit or $25 for a month of unlimited use.

"Any way you can physically participate with your dog is good for both of you," said Coslov, who also rents dog-washing facilities. "Your dog is getting rid of a lot of pent-up energy that could otherwise make him engage in destructive behaviors, and you're deepening a special bond."

The Dog Spot began offering massage classes in November, when licensed chiropractor Dina LiVolsi showed owners how to gently manipulate and stroke their pets for improved well-being. Coslov admits to being surprised when 14 owners and their pets showed up.

"I was a little skeptical as to how popular this would be, but I think, in general, pet owners today are more open to providing dogs with what they need to be ideal companions," said Coslov, who has scheduled another session for Feb. 13. "Thirty years ago, it was acceptable to leave your dog outside. Today, they are more members of the family."

Leta Koontz, owner of Schoolhouse Yoga, believes "doga" can make for a happier pooch. The owner of a golden retriever and three mixed-breed shelter adoptees, she periodically leads classes to raise funds for Animal Friends and other venues.

"Anytime you go on the floor, your dog sees it as an invitation to play. He'll put his front down and his butt up in the air -- like our 'downward-facing dog' yoga position -- and he'll wag his tail to tell you he wants to roughhouse," she said. "Dogs read our energy. They read our emotions and our stress levels. When I'm meditating, my dog puts his head in my lap."

Doga practice includes walking meditation, yoga postures and nose-to-tail massage.
"Dogs are excited when they enter class, and by the end of the session they're calm," she said.
Dr. Paul Maza, a veterinarian affiliated with Cornell University's School of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, N.Y., said he's unfamiliar with the benefits of doga but endorses canine massage.

"It can help reduce soreness and lactic acid after exercise, and improve your dog's mobility and flexibility," he said. "After exercise or as part of rehabilitation, it's great. Of course, any instance to interact with your dog increases that special bond."

Dogs waiting for a loving home need human contact, too, and local shelters invite volunteers to walk, bath and socialize with furry residents, including cats. Shelters also offer a host of programs for dog owners, too.

"When we built our new facility four years ago, we built a place that would keep pet owners coming back, and not just those who've adopted from us," said Jolene Miklas, communications director of North Hills-based Animal Friends. "Our goal is to encourage sustained ownership."

The shelter's Paws and Pours wine and beer tastings are "hugely popular," Miklas said. "It's BYOD -- Bring Your Own Dog -- and we usually sell out in advance. They're designed for the working professional who wants to go out after work but doesn't want to leave their dog behind."
Animal Friends also helps parents-to-be prepare their pooch for a new baby.

"You don't have to surrender your pet because you're expecting," said Miklas. "At our Baby Ready Pets class, behaviorists talk about downloading baby noises and wearing baby lotion on your hands in advance of bringing baby home. They show you which changes to anticipate in your pet, and how to get him used to more visitors who may come to the house once baby arrives. They help you help him with the jealousy factor."

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7 Tips for your pets health:

By Mr. John Sommer, PhD.

Being either a cat owner or a dog owner you will most likely know these 7 tips. But study shows that you are probably not aware of the importance of each them so in order for your pet to have the best possible health condition I am here to remind you.

* Amount of exercise: Both cats and dogs need physical activity. Movement is vital to any pet and the larger pet the more exercise is needed. That is why dogs will often require more exercise than cats.

* Exercise options: Whether you have a cat or a dog you can easily take the for a walk. Just put on a leash and go outside. If you live in a crowded city you might want to go to a park but if you live in the countryside you can just go for a walk in your neighborhood.

* Don't spoil: Giving your pet food in excess amounts will be just as harmful for them as it is for you to overeat. The problem is that since they are pets they don't know that what you're giving them will actually harm them.

* Proper nutrition: Make sure to provide your pet with healthy organic foods. If youre in doubt what would be right for your particular pet be sure to ask your VET. Dont guess and end up making vital mistakes.

* Affection: Show your pets that you truly and deeply love them. Hug them and tell them that you love them. You might think that they do not understand what you're saying but I promise you that they can sense what you feel.

* Insure your pet: Every day thousands of pets get hurt by cars and there is nothing we can do about it. But instead of hoping that it'll never happen to your pet be sure to get an good pet health insurance that will cover everything if bad luck strikes.

* Plan: Make sure you use a schedule for all major appointments. Be sure to note the regular VET check-ups and that your pet gets any medication or vaccines that it'll need. Small things like these will add up in the long run.

About the Author:

About the author: J. Sommer is one of the leading experts on pet health and will assist you in finding cheap pet insurance for your pet. Get valuable insights by visit his website at www.petinsurancepro.com.

Pet Zoom Pet Park: An Indoor Pet Potty

Pet Zoom Pet Park is an indoor pet potty made of a synthetic surface that’s similar to grass. It prevents pet accidents by giving your dog a designated place to urinate instead of using your carpet or furniture. Pet Park's triple stage protection allows fluid to pass through the anti-microbial mat. The mat stays high above the liquid in the collection tray because of Pet Park’s elevated grid system. It can hold an entire gallon of liquid! Simply empty the collection tray at the end of the day.

Pet Park’s reusable surface stays fresh and sanitary. It rinses clean and stores easily. Now, you don’t have to spend lots of money on expensive dog walkers or messy wee wee pads. With Pet Park, you’ll be happy your dog went in the house!

Monitoring your Dogs Elbow Dysplasia

By Catherine V. Testaratti

As many of us probably already know from experience, there is a common bone and arthritic condition that larger and giant dogs are prone to. This condition can present itself early in a pup's life, especially between the ages of 4 to 10 months. This abnormal growth of bone, cells or tissue can be managed but it requires a vet's intervention.

The Dysplasia abnormality can lead to your dog becoming lame if not treated. There is a type of condition similar to this that affects males more than females. Typically this condition is found in the larger breeds like Labs, Rottiweilers, Chows and other giant breeds.

Males and females as we said can both be afflicted with Dysplasia. More common though in males more then female is the condition where the bone fragment is found in the inner surface of the upper ulna. This condition will be found in the foreleg just below the elbow joint.

If your dog is showing signs of forelimb lameness after exercising which in turn causes stiffness, they might suffer from Dysplasia. They can also show signs by extending or flexing their elbow away from their body. However, not all dogs will show signs or symptoms for Dysplasia.

The cause of this condition is not only genetic but can be caused by nutritional or developmental issues. It is important for you to get your pup to the vet for a medical examination. The vet will be able to make a diagnosis after a series of tests to eliminate other causes for the symptoms.

Initially your vet will want to take a variety of tests to determine if your dog is actually suffering from Dysplasia. The symptoms that are associated with Dysplasia can also indicate a variety of other ailments; therefore x-rays and other tests will be completed prior to making a diagnosis. There is a good chance that surgery will be needed if the diagnosis is Dysplasia.

After surgery, keep the dog's limb iced down throughout the recover process to avoid excessive swelling. Control your dogs weight, keep him from being very active in the beginning but remember to encourage some mobility. Also, the possibility of medications might be involved in your dog's recovery.

If you monitor your dogs diet you can help prevent the onset of Dysplasia. Keeping them from rapidly growing by managing their diet can help. If you have a dog that has been diagnosed with Dysplasia, it's best that you do not breed them.

Large dogs are prone to this condition so it's not anything to be overly worried about. However, if you purchased your dog from a breeder, better to let them know about the condition. Dogs with Dysplasia can live long happy lives; just remember to keep up with their yearly checkups.

About the Author:

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How to Have a Pet-Friendly Home

 San Jose Mercury News -Writer Jean Cocteau once mused, "I love cats because I enjoy my home; little by little, they become its visible soul." Dog owners feel the same way.

The downside of sharing our homes with pets, of course, is dirt, hair and odors. How to keep things chic and clean and still have room for Spot?

Designers and manufacturers offer some ideas.

Liz Levin's experience with her own kids and pets led her to launch a design service, Liz Levin Nesting. Her advice? Color-coordinate with your pets.

"Flying fur's a reality. Unless you're prepared to stand guard with your vacuum 24/7, choose a color that blends with your pet. If you have a black Lab, for the sake of your sanity, don't pick a cream-colored sofa," she says.

Cats are difficult to train; better to just work around them. "Floor lamps with heavy bases. Glass tops for fragile finishes. And a good scratching post!" she counsels.

Pets sleep a lot — dogs about 13 hours, cats several more — so bedding is key.

"Most dogs like to stretch out on rectangular beds that keep their shape, with defined edges for hanging one's head over," says Julia Szabo, author of "Pretty Pet-Friendly: Easy Ways to Keep Spot's Digs Stylish and Spotless" (Howell, 2009).

She recommends a polar-fleece, futon-style bed by Bowser "that's tufted, so the insides don't shift. Burrowing dogs, such as dachshunds, should have a small blanket they can snuggle under. Cats prefer a
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round concave nest."

Beds should be away from drafty, high-traffic zones, which can disrupt rest and lead to health problems.

William Wegman, the photographer known for Weimaraner portraits, has designed a fun line of illustrated fabrics for pet beds.

The Crypton material is resistant to stains and odor.

TempurPedic makes a MEMORY FOAM bed for older, arthritic dogs. Put a Throver over the top to protect the cover; it's a stain-repellent blanket.

Cool Bed III is a waterbed for dogs. Bowser's Buttercup cat nest has a drawstring to close it up snugly.

Want your pet's bed to blend into your décor?

Consider the Hardwood Hideaway, a side table with a door that opens to a sleeping spot.

Place it next to your bed or the living-room sofa; the door can be adjusted to allow pets independent access, and the piece is available in several finishes.

Bowser's Moderno chair is an upholstered chair that looks like a miniature Corbusier. Max Comfort's Gustavo pet sofa is a lounger with memory foam mattress.

Szabo says floor maintenance is another priority. Elevate your pets' food dishes if you can, for easier eating and less mess.

Moderntails.com has contemporary and classic dish styles.

Cats tend to prefer a wide, shallow dish that accommodates sensitive whiskers; OnlyNaturalPet.com has a smart recycled glass one.

Moppable surfaces like wood, bamboo and tile work best.

Carpet is necessary if you live in an apartment where the clicking of claws may disturb neighbors.

Flor's carpet tiles are easy to vacuum, lift up to wash and won't damage the floor.

Szabo, who writes a Pets column for The New York Post, notes several new technologies to help keep pets safe. General Motors is developing an alarm that will sound if you leave a pet or child in the car, she says.