Winter Dandruff Issues and Your Pet's Health

The winter months can bring many beautiful and great experiences, but one that is sure to put a damper on your dogs and cats this winter season is dandruff. This affliction can cause itching and infection, but I will help outline how to avoid this by using shampoos, conditioners and other techniques.

Dandruff or seborrhea sicca, as it is technically called, is defined as the excessive shedding of dead and dying skin cells. We all know what it looks like, flaky and white, and most noticeable on darker colors. But our pets can suffer greatly from dry skin and can become very itchy. This itching and scratching can lead to skin infections and other serious afflictions. When hey scratch the surface of their skin, your pet will be breaking down the natural protection that skin normally provides.

Your pets skin as approximately seven layers and scratching will break them. You will notice scratch marks, possibly bleeding, and redness. Once the skin is broken, any bacteria on the top of the skin can get underneath and may cause infection and more itching. If this is left untreated, your pets dry skin can lead to more dry skin and more itching and become a vicious cycle. In most circumstances, itching can be more uncomfortable than pain and it can keep your pet awake at all hours

A first step is to provide your pet with relief. Consider giving your pet a bath with medicated shampoos and conditioner that you have cleared is safe from your vet. Similar to your hands and legs, when they become dry and itchy, applying soothing lotion can provide immediate relief. A helpful tip is to choose a shampoo that contains aloe or oatmeal or a product that attacks dandruff specifically, can be a great help to your pet.

To aid in prevention of dandruff, you may try adding fatty acid supplements to the diet of your pet. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements can provide daily relief and can prevent dandruff. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish oil and will also help lubricate your pet's joints. Also consider adding a humidifier to your home, especially during winter months, to help your dog's skin and your own as well. Most home heating can produce very dry heat.

Another significant issue to address is your pet's hydration. Pets that fail to drink enough water can become dehydrated and it is very important that our pets drink plenty of water. Pets that are constantly dehydrated are prone to kidney disease and other serious ailments. If your pet doesn't drink enough water, try adding more water to their food.

Moving along, combing and brushing on a regular basis during the winter can help prevent skin ailments. But, also consider purchasing lubricating sprays that can be applied to the skin after you've finished your pet's grooming. Combing can be preferred over brushing though, so you can remove any dead hair. Combing can be preferred to help hair get to the skin and produce a healthier coat. A great tool to use is a flea comb, its teeth are close together and will ensure the removal of dead hair and it is normally advantageous to remove the dead hair before it comes out naturally around your home.

Isaac Macalister is a frequent contributor for Hartz and has written many articles pertaining to cat and dog needs. Including anything from dog training to summer fun with your dog including tips on Hartz UltraGuard Flea Control.

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What To Do If Your Dog Or Cat Has A Fever

If your dog or cat has a fever, you are probably very concerned, and have a number of questions. In this article I'll reveal to you the most common causes of fever in cats and dogs, plus the signs to be aware of. Then I'll go into the top 5 remedies that you can immediately use to help your pet's fever, and bring the temperature down fast.

Fever is defined as a higher than normal body temperature in your dog or cat; in veterinary terms this is called pyrexia. A normal dog's temperature is 101 F (38.0 C), a normal cat's temperature is 102 F (38.5 C). Taking your pet's temperature involves placing a thermometer in their rectum. If your pet has a temperature of 103.5 F (39.5 C) or more, they have a fever.

A fever is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Having a high temperature makes it more difficult for bugs to grow in the body. The problem with a fever in pets is that they will often stop drinking; dehydration then becomes the primary concern. Your pet usually will have a fever in response to something going on in their body. The most common cause, I find, is bite wounds. Search your dog or cat well for punctures.

Signs and symptoms of fever in dogs and cats include the primary one of having and above normal body temperature. Your pet may have a decreased appetite and lower energy. Your dog or cat's ears can be hot to the touch and they may pant excessively in the house. Some pets will shiver, others can have an elevated heart rate. All much the same signs that people have with a fever.

If you suspect that your dog or cat has a fever, what should you do? Firstly start with the obvious, and take their temperature, determining if it is elevated. If the temperature is 103.5 F (39.5 C) or more, then they have a fever. If a fever persists for more than 24 hours, and your pet is not drinking, then call your veterinarian. If they are still drinking, or in the interim before going to your veterinarian, here are some additional remedies and supportive care that you can consider.

Keep your dog and cat hydrated. Offer plenty of fresh water in different spots around the house. If your pet refuses to drink, use an eyedropper or turkey baster to squirt water into the side of its mouth. Minerals become depleted when your pet is dehydrated; for an added boost, add Pedialyte, an electrolyte solution available from the pharmacy. Some pets prefer chicken or beef broth, or tuna juice; give them whatever works.

A cool compress is a very safe, easy and inexpensive remedy to consider. f your pet will tolerate it, apply a cold cloth to her belly. The exposed skin will result in some fairly rapid cooling, making her feel a little better.

There is a conventional medication that you can use for your dogs. Aspirin can be safely used in dogs to bring down a fever; never use it in cats. The Aspirin dose is one 325 mg tablet per 40 lbs of body weight given every 12 hours.

Echinacea and Sage are effective antimicrobial herbs. You can give a combined herbal formula of 1 drop per pound twice daily of the tincture. Another option is to use commercially prepared products such as Echinamide. The Dose is 0.1 ml per 10 lbs every 8 hours.

There are a number of homeopathic remedies that you can consider for fever, the more common ones being Belladona 30C and Ferrum Phosphoricum 30C. These can be given every 1-2 hours with a typical dose being 1 capsule per 10-20lbs of body weight.

You should now be much more aware of the signs and symptoms of fever in dogs and cats; more importantly you should be comfortable taking your pet's temperature seeing if is elevated. Fever is a response to disease; common causes include bite wounds and abscess. If your pet is still drinking, then you can use some of the discussed home remedies, such as: cold compresses, the herb Echinacea, and the homeopathic Ferrum phosphoricum.

Dr Andrew Jones is the author of a Free Ebook, Dog and Cat Health Secrets, which gives you over 100 safe, natural and effective at home remedies to solve your pet's health problems quickly and easily at home. He reveals what Vaccines to AVOID and what to give, The BEST food to feed, plus HOW to save money on veterinary fees. Your FREE DOG AND CAT HEALTH SECRETS BOOK is at http://www.theinternetpetvet.com

What To Feed Your Pet Rabbit

Ever wonder what to feed your pet rabbit? New to rabbit ownership? Rabbits are vegetarians that require a diet of grass hays, fresh vegetables, twigs, high protein pellets and occasional fruit treats. Water should be readily available at all times from a heavy duty dish that cannot be easily overturned.

One of the most important elements in a rabbits diet is fiber. This helps to keep the digestive tract healthy and to prevent obesity. Protein is an essential as well, but should be limited to 14-18% of your rabbits diet. Certain long haired breeds of rabbits (Angora and Jersey Wooley) will require a higher amount of protein to help maintain their coats. Rabbits typically need only 1-2% of their daily calories to be from fat. Rabbits can become obese which could lead to serious health issues as they age.

Grass hays are an essential for your rabbits diet, as it is high in fiber. Grass hays are appropriate for rabbits of all ages. Alalfa hay is very high in protein, calories and calcium and is not recommended for rabbits over one year old. Grass should be stored in a dry cool place away from any rodents or animals. It should be green and sweet smelling. Any grass that shows black or yellow discoloration or has evidence of mold should be disposed of. Any plants mixed in the hay should be removed.

Fresh Vegetables provide the nutrients essential to your rabbits digestive health. Do not overfeed these to your rabbits as they can develop intestinal gas, leading to bloat, a serious condition. Always use fresh vegetables, never those about to spoil. These should be introduced slowly to rabbits over 3 months old. A list of vegetables that can be fed often are carrot tops, parsley, cilantro, endive, leaf and romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, flat pea pods, beet greens and swiss chard. Some vegetables should only be given rarely and in small doses. These are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, red clover, iceberg lettuce, turnips and rutabagos. Never feed your rabbit rhubarb leaves, raw beans, raw potatoes, onions or sweet corn.

Twigs allow rabbits to maintain teeth and the bark they chew to provide roughage to their diet.

Pellets should contain 14-18% crude protein, 20-255 crude fiber and about 2% fat. Introduce gradually to your pets diet, so as not to upset their digestive system. These pellets should be stored in a dry sealed container in a cool safe place. If pellets become contaminated in any way, they need to be thrown away as they can be deadly to your pet.

Rabbits love fruit and can be a good treat to enhance their mealtime. Fruit should only be given to rabbits over 6 months old. Safe fruits are apples, peaches, pears, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, bananas, papayas, mangos, grapes, raisins, kiwi and melons. These should be given in very small quantities because of the sugar content in fruit.

Feeding times should be split between the early morning and evening. Pellets and vegetables can be split between the two but grass hay should be available at all times.

Providing the correct mix of fresh vegetables, grass hay and pellets is the key to keeping your pet rabbit healthy. If allowed to, rabbits will overeat so pay attention to food intake. Also take note of any changes in eating habits as this can be an indication of illness. When in doubt, always consult with a veterinarian trained in rabbit care. Not all are experts and you want to make sure you have one identified before anything serious happens to your pet. Knowing what to feed your pet rabbit will help him to live a healthy, long and happy life.

Nancy Perla is the author of several pet related articles and can be found on http://www.ourlovablepets.com

Doomsday Preppers Often Forget This One Particular Family Member in Their Plans

You've implemented measures to prepare yourself and your family from a tragedy, however have you taken the imperative measures to look after your dog or cat while in a serious event? Many of the extremely heart breaking pictures shortly after a disaster are undoubtedly of the animals which happen to be forgotten or lost. Just by beginning some emergency prepping right away, you will be able to make certain your furry family member is just as safe as the rest of your family.

You can discover a handful of reasonable techniques that you can do to prepare for a disaster which includes building up an emergency pack and also making your individual emergency plan while taking into account your canine's needs. Although you may make your mind up to not retreat due to a disaster, you should prep upfront for the proper care and safety of your pets. Often the optimal choice for you will not invariably be the best solution for your cats and dogs.

For many people, the proposition of leaving their domestic animals is an impossible option, but unfortunately that is just what numerous citizens were pressed to do soon after a hurricane. It is in no way wise to leave one's animals provided that you must leave your home.

Cats and dogs are commonly disoriented soon after a catastrophe and might react unusually. They are more likely to become disoriented, stressed or agitated. This is why, an individual preferably should possess a portable transporter to move your cats and dogs. Always be careful to keep perhaps even the highest trained cats and dogs collared in the days immediately following a crisis.

A person's catastrophe blueprint should certainly include a neighbor or close relative which is able to take your cat or dog if it happens a catastrophe unexpectedly makes you unable to acquire your dogs and cats in a timely manner. One should certainly familiarize your assistant with your domestic animals at this time and teach them where exactly your animals' well liked hiding spots are located.

Decide to go another step farther along just by posting notices around your windows or front doors pinpointing the animals that live in your house just in case you have to make use of emergency workers to help save your animals. In the event that you reside in a condo, it's a good idea to make certain the maintenance office is familiar with your domestic animals.

Be sure to have your dogs and cats' emergency identification tags up-to-date and easily accessible along with their collars, leashes and carriers. What's more, its wise to post a note displayed in a pronounced spot which actually will inform any emergency personnel concerning the spot of your pet emergency situation kit.

This should certainly encourage you to think about the items that an individual might need in case that you and your pet are displaced in a crisis. By simply planning now while you're calm and not under pressure, you are likely to better guarantee the security and well-being of your cat or dog in an emergency situation.

Doomsday preppers must consider take into consideration the hundreds of factors into their disaster plans including their pets. The preppers who take small steps today like visiting The Smart Preppers will be much better prepared for when calamities strike.

Exercising Your Dog

Dogs are a lot like us when it comes to fitness. If dogs do not get enough exercise they will become unfit and gain weight. This is extremely unhealthy for the dog and cause problems like heart disease and many other problems. If your dog is fit and healthy they are likely to live longer which is obviously what everybody wants.

With dogs you cannot all of a sudden start taking them on a 5 mile run as this can cause just as many problems as not exercising at all. You should build up with the extent of which you exercise so you and your dog can build up your cardio-vascular systems and lead healthy lives. You should start with short walks that last for around 15 minutes and once you dog seems fine with these walks you should slowly increase the duration of the walks. At first you should be walking for your dog so you can build up to walks that last for around an hour.

Once you have built up to a walk that lasts for an hour you should decrease the length of the walk but increase the pace. Firstly go back to the 15 minutes walks but you should be jogging this distance as this is likely to challenge your dog. Then like the walks you can slowly increase the distance of this. On these walks you should keep your dog on lead so they do not run off at any point. You can either have an extending lead which gives your dog more freedom or you could have a restricted lead which stops them going somewhere they shouldn't.

You will need to be careful when taking your dog on a walk as you do not want your dog to become exhausted. You can watch this by looking at your dog throughout the walk. If your dog is breathing too heavily then slow it down and if your dog wants to stop then stop. It might be worth having a short break when going for a long walk as this can help your dog catch its breath. In addition to this if it is a hot summer's day then you will need to tone down the walk as the hot weather will make it even more challenging. It is important to have water ready at the end of the walk so your dog can stay hydrated because a lack of water can be really dangerous for your dog.

If you do not fancy going for a 5 mile run with your dog there are other things that you can do to keep your dog fit. Just take your dog for a short walk but play games with your dog along the way. You can do this by playing fetch. You can use a simple tennis ball on a big field and your dog will have hours of fun. You will need to teach your dog to bring the tennis ball back or the idea of fetch will be defeated. More accessories are available to help you have more fun. For example you can get a tennis ball which clips on an extended stick you can throw it further away and this will help your dog's fitness even more. If you are making your dog fetch a ball you need to make sure that your dog is trained so they will not run off or chase cats.

After you feel you can trust your dog then you can begin to exercise your dog. This will benefit the dog as well as having benefits on your fitness as well. In addition to this you will probably have fun with you dog along the way.

Astro Imports is a company that supply to retailers looking to buy wholesale goods. They have operated for many years and as a result are able to help writers like Harry Brant when they are writing articles.

How To Successfully Reduce The Effects Of Pet Allergies?

Allergies are usually caused when body's immune system becomes sensitized to foreign proteins and start attacking them. Apart from some common sources such as dust and pollen, there are many people, which are also allergic to pets. Pet allergies in humans are not only caused due to the proteins that are found in animal dander, but also in the urine and saliva of the pets. The result of such reactions is usually wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, hives and even itching. These allergies also tend to affect the eyes, which usually results in burning, itching, tearing and swelling of the eyes. As a matter of fact, you cannot distinguish any specific breed of dogs or cats that result in such reactions as almost all the breeds have allergen proteins in their saliva and urine. Additionally, not all people develop symptoms of pet allergies and since allergic reactions develop over specific time and exposure, it is recommended to take special care if you are already suffering from asthma.

Many times, reaction to pet allergies can be quite instantaneous and in certain situations it might even get delayed for hours after exposure to pet dander, urine or saliva. Therefore, if any of your family members is prone to pet allergies, it is recommended to stay off upholstered furniture, where dander gets collected that further aggravate allergies. It is also important to ensure that all the activities related to your pet should be conducted outdoors to make sure the house remains free from any sort of allergens creating an uncomfortable environment for the person suffering from pet allergy. Apart from using various preventive measures, it is also suggested to use air purifier in the house, which is large enough to cover those areas in your house where your pet is allowed to stay. Frequent use of vacuum cleaners can keep the carpets and rugs free from allergens.

Some simple measures that can help you in reducing the effects of pet allergies are:

• Since allergens are sticky, it is recommended to clean your home rigorously. Wash the upholstery and keep the surface uncultured and clean. Since carpets attract maximum allergens, therefore it is recommended to either remove the carpets or regularly use vacuum cleaners.

• Installing air purifiers can be of great help as they are capable in reducing the indoor allergy problems. The filtration system of these purifiers is designed that they can easily be fitted on the central heating units and air conditioning systems to remove the allergens from the air.

• It is also essential to clean your pets regularly by giving them a regular bath that will successfully reduce the allergen count in your house.

Nikki John is an eminent writer and good analyst.

Air Purifiers For Pets - 5 Features For Effectiveness

An effective air cleaner for pets needs to successfully handle all the issues that your pets can possibly have. That includes hair, dander, odors and other issues that can develop in a heartbeat. Here are 5 features to look for in an air purifier that can mean success for you and your pet.

Odorizing Filter---A carbon-based filter is best for odors. Having a purifier that contains a substantial amount of activated carbon will go a long way to absorbing the odors from the air.

Odors that can be eliminated range from the smell of the skin oil produced by the sebaceous glands, something your pet rolled in outside and brought in with it, or even cooking odors from dinner last night.

The bottom line is that for gaseous pollutants carbon is renowned for its cleaning capabilities; and any purifier you want to be effective should have one.

Ability to Remove Urine Smell---As a pet owner, you don't need anyone to tell you that accidents are going to happen. If you were afraid of that you probably wouldn't be flexible enough to open your home to a pet.

So it only makes sense to choose a cleaner that can step up and improve the air quality when this happens. As wonderful as carbon is at getting rid of odors, urine (particularly that of cats) is strong stuff.

Look for a cleaner that not only has carbon, but one that contains an additive that is specifically designed to eliminate urine. Should an accident happen when you're not around, you will have a cleaner that is already at work removing the smell.

Micron-Sized Filter---One of the most potent allergens known is pet dander. These micron-sized pieces of dead skin are being shed continually by your pet to make way for newer, healthier skin.

This is process is a normal and healthy part of their growth and development, and will continue for as long as you have your pet. A HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filter is what is needed to remove these invisible (to the unaided human eye) from the air.

Many times it is an allergy to the dander that causes owners to have to think about finding another home for their pet. Keeping the dander down will literally help everyone in the house breathe cleaner air.

Easy Maintenance Procedure---If you want to spend your leisure time the way you want to, checking on the required maintenance before you decide rather than afterwards is a good idea. Some cleaners require that you wash, spray, and/or charge the filter frequently.

A better choice is a filter that does not require you to do anything on the inside of the cleaner. Why? Because having to go inside the unit frequently means interrupting filtration. And when filtration stops, pollutants start to accumulate immediately. The whole purpose of filtration is to keep the air quality high all the time.

Vacuuming the outside of the cleaner whenever you vacuum your home is all the maintenance a unit should require. And a filter with a pro-rated warranty that can last for at least 5 years is an excellent indication that the filter will last.

Continuous Cleaning Capability---As wonderful as all of these features are, they don't mean much unless the unit can operate safely and effectively 24 hours a day.

To do this it needs to have a split capacitor motor that is designed for high revolutions per minute. Look in the owner's manual or at the technical specifications on line to make sure this type of motor is in any unit you consider.

Remove pet hair, dander, odor, and other more normal household pollutants with the Pet Machine Air Purifier from PurerAir.com starting today. See it now at http://purerair.com/austin_air_pet_machine.html