The Publishers League

photo credit: tachyondecay

Just like you, your cat needs to eat good food in order to stay healthy. It is important to your pet because eating good pet food the only way that their bodies can get the nutrition that it needs. You may not know this but pet food is a big business and generates over $28 billion dollars per year, that is quite a bit of money.

Decades ago, it was common practice to feed cats a combination of raw meats and what ever it was leftover from dinner that night, in other words, the same foods you and I eat. Over time pet supply companies began promoting cat food as being, “healthier for your cat”. This is truly funny because nowadays, most pet food companies claim that their pet food is better because it is more like out foods.

So what should you be worried about? The first thing that you need to know is that the FDA monitors pet food suppliers much like they monitor human food and drug manufacturers. This means that there is a certain degree of security involved when it comes to cat food. Although, like human food there are healthy things that you can buy… and not so healthy things.

Many cat food companies use a great deal of fillers in order to lower manufacturing costs for their products. Lower quality manufacturers, such as, Special Kitty cat food have a much higher percentage of  these fillers in their products. Fillers may not be dangerous to your cat in the sense that they are poisonous but they provide not nutritional value what so ever. This is because you pet is filling up on garbage and is no longer hungry, even though they may not have gotten the right amount of vitamins and minerals.

So a word to the wise, make sure you read the label on your cat’s food, especially cheaper brands, to make sure that you know exactly what it is that you’re feeding your pet.

photo credit: psyberartist

Owning an animal can be a very rewarding experience because animals make great human companions. However, understanding animal safety is an important part of being a pet owner. All animals have specific needs, and those needs must be met. Caring for all animals in general is also important and part of showing respect for your own pet.

The most common household pets are dogs, cats, fish, and birds. Each must be fed a diet that meets their health needs, and there are certain things that should be avoided. For example, a dog cannot eat chocolate because the cocoa tree contains theobromine which is toxic to dogs. You should be sure to purchase only products which are proven to be safe for the animals and pets you have in your home. Pet owners are also encouraged to only purchase products that were not tested on animals in their production. Think cruelty free cosmetics, beauty products, skin care products, cleaning solutions and other common household items.

In addition to taking special care regarding the products your pet is exposed to, you also need to learn how to properly groom your pet. Grooming and care, however, can require additional special considerations. For instance, a de-clawed cat may be safe in the comfort of your home, but allowing it to roam about freely outdoors will pose a threat to it because without its claws it cannot defend itself.

Next, think about where to keep your pet in order for it’s health to be a priority. For example, birds need to be kept in cages that are big enough for them to move around comfortably, and to prevent diseases their droppings should be cleaned out on a regular basis.

Taking pets out for a ride in the car is safe only if they are secure; dogs have safety belts, and cats, rabbits, and other animals should always ride in an appropriate pet carrier. Never let any animal roam around in a moving vehicle it is dangerous, and no pet should be left alone in an automobile. The heat or cold can cause sickness, and death very quickly.

The best way to keep a pet safe is to fully understand their needs, and that includes any medical needs. There are vaccinations, and medication that can protect animals from deadly diseases like rabies and heatworms.

Keeping animal safety in mind comes natural when we bond with our non-human companions. Animals have rights too and as pet owners, we need to respect and care for our own pets as well as all animals in general.

If owning a dog kennel is new to you then you may want to shop around and become familiar with the many different styles available on the market. When you purchase one, you want to make sure there is enough room for your furry friend to be comfortable. Look for a well-constructed pen that is free of abrasive edges or other components that could cause harm or injury. Your pup should have easy access for entering and leaving. Quality, not price should be a motivating factor for your purchase. The choice of materials used to make the product (such as metal, plastic, or wood); will determine how well it will lasts for your particular situation.

Being a responsible pet owner does not end with a dish of food and water. Your pooch depends on you for just about everything; from food, to exercise, to medical care, and for safe housing. A structured place to stay outside should have features that include a fenced area that will safely keep your pup from running off or keep other animals from intruding their space. An outdoor dog kennel should have a roof to protect from the elements, a floor to keep your pup from lying on the cold ground and an enclosed area for bedding. Easy cleaning and sanitation should also be a feature for maintaining a healthy environment for your pet. Investing in a portable dog kennel that can be easily taken down and moved to other locations can save you money. There are enclosures for use inside the home that are much smaller and easily relocated. And of course, you need to make sure the size is proportionate to your pet.

The dog kennel is a suggested addition to an unfenced yard to keep your pet safe. Dogs need to be able to move freely and exercise. These areas provide them safety from running off or getting out in the streets. The enclosure can be used for training purposes or if you breed dogs they make quick holding areas for puppies. You will find many different types of dog kennels for sale in your local or online dog supplies stores that will provide a convenient way to contain your pet while away for a day or when company comes.

Ever wondered how many different types of dog collars there are on the market today? A random search showed adjustable, flashing, anti-bark and the choke chain variety, to name a few. Citronella dog collars keep the wasps at bay.

And who would ever have realised that it is possible to fit our four-legged friends with pheromone collars? Pheromone therapy is a new form of treatment to calm stressed and anxious dogs.

A new and synthetic version of this dog-appeasing pheromone can be used (under veterinary supervision) to help hounds who freak out at the sound of fireworks or thunder.

Its manufacturers claim that it can also stop nervous dogs being noisy, destructive and pooing on the carpet.

Neurotic dogs take note: they worth a try.

photo credit: tuchodi

Horses and hay go together like cars and gas. Many times barns store the hay above the horse stalls or in the loft of the barn. This is actually one of the worst places to store it. The extra dust and hay particles falling down onto the horses can increase the likely hood of allergies and heaves. “Heaves” for horses is similar to asthma in people. Shortness of breathe and coughing are both characteristic of heaves. For performance horses this can be a very detrimental condition.  A good solution is to add a shed row onto the side of the horse stable. One reason hay has traditionally been stored above the barn or above the stalls is so that ground moisture does not get to the hay. To remedy this in a shed row, a cement pad can be poured. Then a wooden platform constructed of 2×4′s and plywood and fastened to the cement pad. This construction is easy to sweep clean and also reduces the places for mice to travel under the hay. The clean up and the mice are two good reasons to not just stack the hay onto pallets. For a short term solution, hay can be stacked in a box stall but pallots should be used, or some other means to limit the hay’s exposure to the ground. Wood keeps any moisture from becoming trapped. It also allows more air flow that cement or dirt does. A horse stall should be reserved for the horses as much as possible and they hay stored somewhere else.