Traveling With Your Dog and Cat

Do you travel often with your dog or cat? Will this be a new experience for both of you? Are their special safety precautions you need to take for your pet? Are there any restrictions regarding pets where your travels will take you?

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, the following suggestions may help you.

Traveling with your dog or cat takes your traveling experience to a whole new level. If your pet is not used to traveling, for their comfort and yours, here are a few ideas you can consider.

First, ask yourself, do you really need to or want to take your pet with you on a long distance travel experience? Some pet experts suggest that taking your pet with you may not be the best idea, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't or couldn't take your best companion with you. This is a decision only you can make.

If you decide that you want to take your dog or cat with you, the key is preparation. Pet travel safety and comfort is important, so start with the pet carrier.

The dog carrier or cat carrier needs to be big enough so that your dog or cat can stand up and turn around. You should provide a plastic traveling dog bowl and water bowl that can be placed in the carrier. A picture of your pet with his name should be displayed on the outside of the carrier for identification purposes. A pet should never be taken out of the carrier or container unless you have a leash for him. If you are traveling by air, make sure your carrier is approved by your air carrier.

If your pet is not used to being in a dog carrier or cat carrier, bring the pet carrier into your home for up to a couple of weeks before you travel so they can get used to it. Keep the door locked open so they can go in and out at their leisure. Put a blanket or towel inside, and maybe a toy or treat, anything that would entice your pet to go into the carrier on their own.

Once they find it a pleasant place to be, you can lock the carrier with them in it, and take your pet for their first ride. Drive for 5 to 10 minutes on the first outing, increasing the time of travel each time you take them for a ride. Keep the carrier on a flat surface in the car such as the floor or a seat. Talk to them in a calm voice so you can help relieve any anxiety they may feel. Never put your pet in the front seat of the car. In case of accident and an air bag deploys, it could severely injure or kill your pet!

If you are traveling just for a day or less, small dogs may like dog booster seats. Larger dogs may need a barrier in the back seat, or in the back of the van or SUV that will allow them to be somewhat contained in a small space, and be able to move around slightly.

Dogs that ride in the back of a pick up, which is extremely dangerous for the dog, could be safer if you use a restraint designed for the back of a pick up where a dog may move side to side, but will be confined enough so as to not jump out, or be bounced out on a rough road. Your priority should always be their safety, then their comfort.

When planning a car trip, make sure your pet will be accepted at any hotel enroute, and also at your final destination, whether that is a hotel, resort, a friend or relative's home.

Checking with your veterinarian before you travel is good advice. He can give you suggestions about pet travel also. He may suggest a medication that may help your pet stay calm, or if your pet suffers from motion sickness. However, medication is not always recommended for your pet's travel if there is another option. Your Vet will also make sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date and can give you a certificate of health, should you need it.

While traveling in a car, make sure you stop often enough to let your pet get out, stretch, relieve himself, and get something to eat and drink. Try to keep them in a close-to-normal eating schedule as possible.

Changing your pet's routine and environment can be difficult for them. Bringing bottled water from your tap and their usual food will be advantageous for their good health. Change of diet could upset their physical well being.

If you are traveling with your pet in an RV, it is not advisable to let them roam free while the vehicle is moving. They could be injured when the vehicle turns and stops, or they could distract the driver.

Traveling by air creates the need for other precautions. Small pets may be allowed to travel with you in the airliner cabin, under the seat. Large dogs will have to travel with the luggage in the luggage compartment. When your dog will be traveling in the luggage compartment, tell as many airline personnel as possible that your dog is traveling with you so they will be aware incase there are any long flight delays.

Schedule non-stop flights whenever possible. Book either early AM or late PM flights so the dog will avoid the excessive heat at midday. Be sure to check with your air carrier for their rules and regulations.

Remember, if you must travel with your pet, do all you can to make it a safe, comfortable, protected, and pleasant experience for you and your pet.

Happy traveling!

Lori Kniff loves cats and dogs. She has had a cat most of her life and several dogs. She is concerned with the health and welfare of our pets. Please visit http://www.pawsitivepamperings.com/ for items that will help you show your love for your cat or dog.

View the original article here

earning training 

Prevent Canine Attacks With Pepper Spray Or A Stun Baton

I'm an enormous animal lover. I own two, a pit bull plus a Yellow Lab. They are each extremely loving and loyal animals and each are treated like family! I've had my Pit for more than five years along with the lab is a year old. They're great with folks and they adore my children. They are, by nature, protective of our home. It really is instinctual that our house is their territory. Understanding this, I am very cautious to make sure that my animals are safe and secure. This in turn also assures that neighbors and other animals are also secure and can go about their business without having to worry about my dogs.

Being inside the self defense business we get calls each day from distressed and concerned people who are victims of aggressive neighborhood dogs. We hear it over and over again. Folks can't walk about their block without fear of being bitten. Other people are afraid to walk their dogs at a park because unleashed dogs attack theirs. Still other people have had their bike rides turned into a really traumatic circumstance as a dog chased, causing them to fall off the bike and be attacked by the animal. Worst of all we hear of tiny kids who are bitten badly or attacked by dogs.

No one really should have to sacrifice their leisure, recreation or family time because of aggressive canines. They shouldn't but they do! In 2008, an estimated 4.7 million Americans were bitten by dogs. Kids are the main victims. The elderly and house service workers, including mail carriers and meter readers, are also high on the list. As many as 800,000 folks annually require medical treatment for dog bites!

So how can you handle an aggressive dog humanly so you'll be able to get back to enjoying the great outdoors? I recommend carrying and utilizing a dog pepper spray. Mace is a well identified and very respected firm who manufactures a canine defense spray or dog spray. It is EPA approved and confirmed extremely successful in stopping dog attacks.

Extensive testing has confirmed it to be the safest and most humane method to handle dog attacks. This is the perfect product for walkers, joggers, bikers or delivery drivers. How does it work? Just spray the animal within the facial location to obtain the desired effect. "Muzzle" is a pepper spray formulation created particularly for dogs. It causes the dogs' eyes to swell shut and induces temporary blindness. The respiratory tract is inflamed which makes breathing very challenging. Discharge, coughing and choking are all effects. A dog attack will probably be immediately stopped by spraying directly into the face of the animal. This can enable you and your household plenty of time to obtain to safety. No permanent damage is done to the animal as the effects wear off soon after about 20 minutes.

Some people would prefer not to need to aim and spray at a charging dog, even though with a little practice you could stop an attack ahead of the animal before it even gets close. Many people like to carry a stun baton for protection against dog attacks. A typical stun baton is 18 to 20 inches in length. The entire shaft of the stun baton is electrified so any portion apart from the handle carries a high voltage charge. In my expertise the majority of attacks could be stopped by merely firing the stun gun in front of the animal. The loud sound and electricity are usually enough to scare them off. If not, just touch the animal and pull the trigger. You'll likely hear a loud "yelp"; then see it tuck its tail and run.

In humans, a two second stun baton shock is most likely to trigger disorientation, loss of balance, confusion, and muscle spasms. In animals, this rarely occurs simply because you may only make get in touch with it for a split second and they're gone. I've had buyers who swear by the stun baton. Several tell me soon after the first run in, they're now able to walk right by the same dog with no further trouble. Once again, stun batons are non lethal, meaning they are not going to cause any permanent injuries.

So in case you are like millions of other people being harassed by the neighborhood dog, it's time to take your street back. It truly is time to start walking, jogging or biking once again. It is time to spend time with family and pals outdoors. Do so with the confidence and peace of mind you will have from either the dog spray or stun baton.

Stafford Conley is owner of SGC Tech (http://www.sgcsecuritysolutions.com/ and http://www.sgchiddencameras.com/), an internet sales company focusing on all the products you need for personal, home, and business safety. Some key products include Tasers, stun guns, pepper spray, surveillance cameras, hidden cameras, and diversion safes to name a few.

View the original article here

earning training 

Pet Transport in a Nutshell - What You Normally Ignore

There is great joy in owning a pet. But this joy comes with a great deal of responsibilities. You need to be in a position to address to all the needs of your pet such as grooming, feeding and even regular exercise. Most of the time we are unable to provide all these to our pets due to the hassles of everyday life keeping us away from our homes. Your job might require you to travel a lot or an emergency might suddenly pop up and separate you from your pet.

Does this mean that you must neglect your cat, dog or even canary? Do you leave them to starve and get infested with all the pest species known to man? The answer is no. You should make sure that when you are away there is someone who will take care of your pets for you. This is one of the loose ends that you must tie up before leaving for your destination. For a fee, you can hire an expert who will make sure that your pet is well taken care of. The person of interest should be able to offer pet transport services to ensure that all your needs and those of your pets are met.

What a Pet Transport Service Should Offer to You and Your Pet

The following checklist includes all the basic services that a pet transport firm should offer.

1. Offering transport solutions if you need to travel with your to a preferred destination. This means that the service you subscribe to should offer you a solution if you want to travel with your cat or dog to any destination. This includes offering travel crates, airport pick-ups and drops and even accommodating the pet if you want to meet up with them at a later date.

2. Taking your pet to the groomers for a thorough wash. The ideal transport service should have the required facility to move your pet to the groomers. Preferably, they should have a van that has been fitted with custom safety features to ensure that your pets are safe during transit. With such facilities you can rest easy knowing that your pet is safe and well taken care of.

3. Taking your pet to the veterinary for regular checkups or if the need arises. You should expect the pet transport service to be connected to a network of veterinary clinics. With such a network any sudden illnesses can be fully addressed without any undue delays.

Apart from the checklist above, you should also make sure that the pet transport service you enlist with is run by animal loving people. The people behind this service should know everything that pertains to animal care which is only possible if the people are interested in pets. There is an easy way through which you can find out if the people behind the pet transport service are sensitive to animal needs.

Read their website if they have one. On any decent pet website, you should find a wealth of information as well as articles that relate to the services they provide. The same thing applies for a pet transport website. When you visit the site you should be able to read the articles relating to the services they offer. The articles should be a good pointer of their knowledge in pet transport matters.

If you cannot locate a website, then ask around. There are other people who have used the service and they will offer the information gladly. From their experience you can tell a lot about the competence of the service you are planning to use.

Take a trip to their offices. This is the very best way to identify whether the firm is capable of delivering your pet safely. You will have a front row seat on the services being offered.

This should help you secure the very best service when it comes to pet care.

For more information visit Pet Taxi Hobart

Stephen Tracey is a freelance writer and IT consultant.
For more information visit Pet Taxi Hobart

View the original article here

earning training 

How to Thrill Your Baby With Safe Baby Pets

Previously, pets were only a reserve of grown children and grownups but these days babies are also getting pets with the help of their parents. The relationship between babies and their pets can be quite interesting and quite symbiotic. The symbiosis part of this relationship comes through the fact that both parties need play partners and companions as well. There are different kinds of safe baby pets and these could range from the conventional ones like cats and dogs to the unconventional ones like turtles and parrots. When deciding to bring home a baby pet there are a number of things to be considered and one of these is the size of the pet. Babies could do well with small sized pets so that they do not get scared whenever they get into contact with them. Additionally, small pets are not too difficult to take care of as compared to the big ones. Pets also require as much attention as the baby as therefore one should consider if they have much time on their hands to deal with both.

The size of the house matters as well when one is considering buying a pet for their child. The house or apartment should be large enough to facilitate playing between the baby and the pet as this is one of the activities that the two will really be involved in. When it comes to safe baby pets, it is important that the parents ensure that the pet has gone for all the needed shots and vaccinations. This will go a long way into ensuring that both the health of the pet and by extension the health of the baby is catered for. Well fed pets make for great playmates and the parents of the baby should take into consideration the dietary habits of the pets as well. The best information about the feeding habits of a particular pet can be obtained from pet stores, the internet and from the breeders of the pet. Apart from food, there should be constant water supply as well for the safe baby pets and changing of the water should be quite regular, once every day should be the minimum.

While many parents bring home safe baby pets after the child is born, others prefer to do it before the baby is born. Bringing home a baby to a pet can be quite tricky as the pet could be used to having all the attention from its owners. Here, the best thing to do is to reduce the amount of time and pampering given to the pet. This is because most pets are routine animals and with the reduced amount of time spent with them will go a long way into ensuring that hey do not miss anything when the baby arrives. When looking for the best places to get safe baby pets then the best should be pet stores, local breeders and the internet. Animal shelters can be great places to get the animals as well and if one must look in the shelters they should be careful to look only in those that take great care of their animals.

View the original article here

earning training 

Why Natural Pet Remedies?

With pharmaceutical medicines such as antibiotics being the primary treatment option for most veterinarians it comes as no surprise that a large number of pet owners would ask themselves why natural pet remedies anyway. Even as an avid believer in natural pet remedies I do understand this point of view. After all natural pet remedies do have their limitations and are associated by some as a treatment method that is behind the times.

Nevertheless, most of us who have had experience with natural pet remedies know that there is perhaps no better form of preventative medicine, and when you get right down to it most diseases and conditions can be prevented through a combination of lifestyle modification along with natural pet remedies.

Additionally, for cats and dogs struggling with an existing condition, a blend of lifestyle modification and natural remedies can make a big difference. One great example of this would be pets whose routine urinary tract infection has turned chronic.

The truth is our pets are gradually losing their ability to fight off disease as their immune defenses are constantly being bombarded by annual vaccinations, commercial pets foods, low activity levels, high anxiety levels, and the overuse of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical medications.

Despite the best efforts of skilled veterinary practitioners armed with the latest and greatest pharmaceutical medicines we are still seeing a steady rise in the number of chronic pet illnesses when common sense would seem to suggest that the number should be going in the opposite direction.

More about the advantages of natural pet remedies

Don't get me wrong there is a place for conventional medicine but as with most things there must be a balance between nature and conventional treatment methods to delivers the best chance for pet health and wellness.

As so well put by Clinical Psychologist Michele Carelse "While there will always be a place for conventional veterinary medicine, natural medicine can complement conventional veterinary care and in many cases cure your pets just as well - without the side effects and damage to health that can accompany synthetic drugs and antibiotics."

I recently read an article by Doctor of Chinese Medicine Glenn Ferguson where he stated that "When a veterinary surgeon practices the use of homeopathic medicine and is asked why he does so, he may give one of several answers. The simple answer would be that the results are good, an emphatic answer would be that homeopathic treatment has no unpleasant or dangerous side effects, while still achieving successful results."

In conclusion, natural pet remedies can be a useful resource worth considering especially in cases where conventional treatment methods have failed to deliver the intended result. There are any number of diseases and conditions where this could be the case with chronic infections of the urinary tract due to overuse of antibiotics, certain types of cancer, cancer treatments which have not only not been unsuccessful but seriously damaged a pets immune system, and Cushing's Disease where there simply aren't any good conventional answers at this time. Certainly natural pet remedies aren't right for every situation or even every pet but given the right set of circumstances they are definitely a side effect free option worth considering.

Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural pet health and wellness with over 10 years experience in the field. To discover more about natural pet health along with information about natural pet remedies Click Here.

View the original article here

earning training 

The Hidden Power of Pets - How They Touch People

Some people consider their pets as part of their family. Many provide them with anything that they need and much more. This can be because there are benefits that pets give to humans. Here is a brief rundown of what good things your pet can give you.

After a long, stressful day at work, it can be a blessing to be welcomed home by lovely pets on your feet. Researches are able to show that this is a gesture that happens to most pet owners who value their pets, see them as good parts of their lives and are thankful that they have such companions in their homes.

Just thinking about it, who wouldn't feel de-stressed when looking at two adorable eyes, touching soft fur, or when being playful with an energetic puppy?

Talking about your troubles to another person can help you relieve some of the burden that you are carrying. But, did you know that being with your pets can also effective help relieve you of the stress that you are carrying? You might not be able to meet a better listener than the pets that you have with you. You can look into them and feel that they understand you without feeling that you are being judged. So, airing out your problems to your pets can be a good thing, although of course, you know that they haven't really understood what you were talking about. But, surely they will be there for you.

Humans are looking for unconditional love. We can be selfish that way. And this might not be found on another person, but it can be found on the pets that we take care of. Their loyalty cannot be tainted and their love for you will be unquestionable as long as you treat them the right way.

Sometimes, a person's blood pressure can be affected positively. There are studies which indicate that there is a positive relationship between pet ownership and the positive development on a person's health condition, specifically the presence of hypertension. Arguably, your pets can even be more effective than medications against such conditions. But, do not give up your medications saying that you can just have your pets for curing your condition. These medications work with your physical body and it can be detrimental if you decide to stop using them.

Playful cats, dogs, or any other pet can require you to run around with them. This can be considered your exercise. Or, it can simply become a way for you to keep moving and live an active lifestyle. So instead of lounging on the couch all afternoon, you can take your dog out for a walk and play a little on the park. Doing this activity a few times in a week will not only be enjoyable for your pet, it will also be most beneficial to you.

On a lighter note, pets can become very good conversation starters. On one of your afternoon walks, pets can readily become what you and another stranger can start talking about. Your love for pets and how you take care of them will also help you meet other people who have the same interests as you do.

Jerri Torres enjoys writing for Petflow which sells solid gold cat food and Taste of the Wild dog food as well as a host of additional products.

View the original article here

earning training