Dog Help and Cat Care Tips Dog and Cat Help Care.com

CFB 2010: Five Things FSU Seminoles Need To Reclaim the ACC Title
In offseason conditioning there is a distinct dead-period. In these doldrums, some teams find life while others find rebirth. A period where fans and faithful lament on the past, and look to the future with hope and excitement. That period is upon us. As Florida State nears its summer practices, both offensive and defensive players are beginning to find their way to Tallahassee. For the 2010 …

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Save The Pets Alliance and Harry Chapin need help
The Save the Pets Alliance was started to provide the food and supplies necessary to keep pets in their homes, rather than in shelters.

Read more on The News-Press

Puppies in need of a home
Several of the puppies rescued from the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) pound are finally well enough to be adopted.

Read more on The Star

There are some items which no cat owner should be without. Cats require relatively little maintenance but there are some things which are necessary to have if you want your pet to be happy, healthy, and safe, the first is food.

When your cat is still a kitten, it’s important that you feed it food specifically designed for kittens. Their digestive systems aren’t fully matured yet, so they can’t handle adult food. As it gets older, you can switch to adult formula food, and when your cat reaches its later years you should switch to foods made specifically for elderly felines. Avoid giving your cat milk on a regular basis. While it’s one of cats’ most favorite treats, milk can give them urinary problems. Also, don’t feed your cat exclusively with scraps and people food. Cat food is designed to provide complete nutrition, and giving your cat something else may deprive them of essential nutrients.

You’re going to need food and water dishes for you cat, of course. Almost any bowl or dish will work so long as you clean them regularly. You may want to invest in a mat to place underneath the bowls to help contain spills and messes.

The litter tray is an all-important cat accessory. You can train your cat to go to the bathroom outside, and even cats accustomed to litter boxes will do this on their own, but if your cat stays indoors then you need to invest in a litter tray. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some have hoods which give your cat some privacy and protect you from having to see them going about their business. Plus, these hoods help contain odors. There are even automated litter trays which scoop the litter for you.

Cat litter is another important and necessary product for cat owners. Cat litter has come a long way in recent years. Now the most popular brands are designed to clump to make removal easier and better contain annoying odors.

A scratching post is a very good idea if you don’t want your cat to tear up your davenport. Cats need to scratch in order to stretch out and keep their claws in top shape. Scratching posts are usually made from rope or carpeting. If you have a larger cat, you’ll want to make sure that the scratching post is big enough. There are also pads made from corrugated cardboard infused with cat litter which no normal cat can ignore. These kinds are replaced whenever the cat totally tears them apart, which they will! They’re cheap and available at pet stores and your local super center.

Toys are a good idea to keep you cat occupied. Favorite cats toys usually have catnip inside.

Flea control is important, especially if you have an outdoor cat. Collars are effective, but make sure you get one that’ll break away or stretch so your cat doesn’t get strangled. Sprays work, too, but these can freak out your cat. Medicines which require just a few applications to the back of the neck seem to work best. They subject your cat to very little stress and last a long time.

You’ll want to get a comb or brush for you cat. Make sure the teeth on it are rounded so you don’t irritate their skin. Grooming your cat will help reduce shedding and encourage a healthy coat.

Cats are a great pet and will provide years and years of happiness and joy for their owners. With just a few essential products for your cat, you’ll have a friend for life.

Life With Ferris: I Need Help With The “Scorpion Pose”
Every time I open a magazine, someone is touting the benefits of yoga. It’s been called Restorative. Calming. Energizing. Apparently, yoga has it all.

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What you need to know about changes at WMAs
Question: “I enjoy taking my dogs and family to the NiagaraWildlife Management Area for exercise as well as wildlife viewing.I was recently informed that changes for public use of WMAs nowprevents this. What’s up with that?”

Read more on The Times-News

Are you bringing a new cat into your home? You will need to make sure that you have the appropriate cat training supplies available at the outset so that your kitty gets started off on the right foot. Find out what cat training supplies you will need.

Litter Box
A litter box is highly important. Make sure to select one that your pet can easily maneuver in. Typically, cats favor large, open litter boxes even though owners may like the covered ones better for aesthetic reasons. Be sure that the box is reasonably deep so litter doesn’t fly out when the cat scratches. If you think that you may want an automatic litter box at some point, it would be best to introduce this type of box right away so that the cat can get used to it from the beginning.

Scratching Post
Since scratching is an instinctive cat behavior, you will need a scratching post unless the cat is declawed or wears nail caps. Many variants exist, so you might have to try out several types before finding one that your cat likes. The post will need to be sturdy because if the cat knocks it over, he may be too afraid to use it again. Make certain to place the post in an accessible spot so that it will be used.

Cat Bed
Unless you enjoy sleeping with felines or don’t mind them on your furniture, you will require a cat bed. Felines love warmth and softness, so find a bed that will be comfy for your pet. Remember that cats like to curl up when they sleep, and do not purchase a bed that is too large.

Cat Toys
Since felines love to play, you will need to provide some toys or household objects that are reserved especially for your cat. Yarn, balls, and spools are a few examples of items that you may already have around your home that can provide hours of kitty fun. Many commercial cat toys are available. Cats seem to especially appreciate feathers or other items that dangle from a stick and toys that can be chased..

Cat Deterrents
Since your kitty will in all probability go places that you do not want, consider a cat deterrent. This could be as simple as a sprayer full of water that you spray the animal with when you see it climbing your curtain or putting a piece of foil on the couch. Commercial deterrents use sound, odor or other methods to discourage the cat.

Enzyme Cleaner
In case kitty has an accident outside of the litter box, you will need to have enzyme cleaner available to clean up the mess as soon as it occurs. Otherwise, your pet will smell the urine odor and continue to urinate in the area. You definitely do not want this to become a habit.

Before you bring your new feline home, be sure that you have all of these cat training supplies. Then, you can begin teaching your kitty acceptable behavior right away.

Young travellers need health advice
A new study suggests most children and teens who travel overseas to visit friends and families risk getting deadly rabies and other preventable diseases because their parents don’t seek medical advice for them before packing the luggage.

Read more on CBC via Yahoo! Canada News

The history of the Beagle dog is a long and somewhat fuzzy one. No one seems to know for sure the exact origin of this breed, but information seems to lead to the fact that Beagles came from the Talbot Hound, a breed that is now extinct. By the early part of the second century, Beagles were brought from France to England, and the primary purpose of this dog was for hunting rabbits.

Beagles were bred with distinct instincts that allowed them to chase these critters across the countryside and coax them out of their hiding spots for the benefit of the hunters. Understanding these basic hunting instincts will help a Beagle owner to better comprehend some of the habits and tendencies of their Beagle dog. For example, Beagles required a high amount of energy to keep up with their hunts, and the dogs of this breed today will also need the opportunity to exercise regularly. Because these dogs were also bred in packs, your Beagle will need the socialization of his new pack, which will consist of you and the rest of your family members.

Beagles were originally bred in packs, so this dog is used to the noise and activity of others. He will love spending the majority of his time indoors with his new family, and will not particularly want to be left alone for long periods of time. This means that if you are going to leave your Beagle while at work during the day, it is best to keep him in a confined space, like a crate, indoors. This will help to prevent the destruction that a bored Beagle can cause, as well as the “complaining” that this dog might do through barking and howling.

When you are home, your dog will want to spend plenty of time playing with you, and will love all of the members of your family in the same affectionate manner. Keep your Beagle active by taking him out to a fenced yard for playtime or indulging him in a long walk – on his leash of course. Beagles are easily distracted by scents when they are outdoors, and will think nothing of taking off on an adventure of their own if they are not properly confined.

Beagles have become such a popular family pet because of their friendly, social nature. If you are considering one of these adorable Beagle dogs as a new addition to your family make sure that you take the time to educate yourself about the proper ways to care for and train these animals. Preparation and education will help to ensure that your relationship with your new family pet will be a positive one.

Beagles will make a great addition to many families because they get along well with adults, children and other pets alike. Just make sure that you socialize your new dog carefully to his surroundings and never leave your Beagle alone with other pets or small children. No matter how sweet-tempered a dog is accidents can still happen! However, if you proceed with care your Beagle puppy will be a fun and welcome addition to your family for many years to come.

To begin with we will give you some basic info on the breed and them move on to other areas of this excellent dog.

Breed group: Herding

Weight: 35-45 lbs

Height: male 18-20 inches; female 17-19 inches

Overview

The Australian Cattle dog is originally from Australia where they have been developed during the nineteenth century. These dogs have been bred to excel in stamina, herding abilities, and toughness. The Australian Cattle dog is also referred to as the Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, and Queensland Heeler. In Australia, these are one of the most popular dog breeds today.

Temperament

The Australian Cattle dog loves to work and be involved in herding activities. These dogs are not suited for a life alone in a fenced in area. Australian Cattle dogs are one of the most intelligent dog breeds there is, but they can become bored fairly easily. This in return can lead to severe learning difficulties. These dogs love to be a part of the action – they are very devoted, caring and vigilant dogs. The Australian Cattle dog also does very well as a guard dog, and they are very courageous and reliable dogs. They can be a bit wary of strangers and dogs that is unknown by them. Seeing that their dominance levels are high, they can at times be aggressive. Australian Cattle dogs will get along well with family members they have known since puppy hood, but not with children in general. These dogs might also try to bite at people’s heels in order to herd them. If you are considering an Australian Cattle dog, make sure you stay away from working breed as they may be too active for home life. The Australian Cattle dog is very obedient to its master, but also a bit of a one-person dog.

Care

This breed should be brushed no a weekly basis with a firm hair brush. During the shedding season, these dogs should be brushed more frequently. The Australian Cattle dog should only be bathed when really necessary, and then only with a mild shampoo to prevent dry skin.

Training

It is important that the Australian Cattle socialized and trained in obedience from an early age onwards. Australian Cattle dogs are very obedient. In training they will not respond well to cruel or heavy-handed methods. The training environment should also be one that is fair, firm and consistent. Australian Cattle dogs are very talented in areas such as herding, suppleness and guarding, retrieving and competitive obedience.

Health problems

Australian Cattle dogs are relatively healthy dogs, but they are prone to suffer from conditions such as hip dysplasia, PRA, and deafness.