A Healthy Nutritious Cat Treat

We all know that cats are finicky eaters. I can't count how many times I have opened a can of cat food just to have Nemo sniff it and walk away. I have tried different brands and flavors to entice him to eat.

I was reading an article today about a healthy, nutritious snack that cats can't resist, even sick cats will eat it. In the article a woman had a cat going through chemo for cancer and she couldn't get it to eat anything until she found out about this treat.

The treat is called Bonito Flakes. It is a fish that swims in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is a schooling fish that is from the tuna family. Since it is a bony fish, it is rarely eaten for it's meat. Instead, the dark, oily fish is carefully dried and shaved into very thin, fine, and intensely flavored flakes. Some Asian countries use the flakes to make a savory broth, while cats love the flakes just right out of an airtight container.

Bonito Flakes are all natural, with no preservatives and no by products. The natural fish oil in the Bonito Flakes help promote good digestion and a healthy coat and is high in protein. They are large flakes and do not need refrigeration.

I am for sure going to order some for my cat, Nemo. Just check the web for Bonito flakes, if you are interested in purchasing for your cat. One company I found was Cat Man Doo, but there are many more places that sell it.

I hope this has been informative, if you have a finicky cat.

Dogs Sleeping Belly Up!

Why do some dogs sleep on their backs, with their bellies up? There are no solid stats to reflect why some dogs sleep in this position, but an informal survey of dog owners reveal something like 5 to 10 percent of dogs sleep this way.

These stats are for pets only. It is not common for a canid living in the wild. Their greater security concerns are likely the reason for their unwillingness to do so. Sleepy belly up for them, leaves them defenseless to predators.

This might explain why some pet dogs are more willing to sleep on their backs, with their bellies more
exposed than others. It seems like the more relaxed, easy- going dogs are more likely to sleep in this position.

Dogs who tend to engage in this behavior seem to be more secure, well socialized and enjoy a safe, comfortable surroundings.

Peeved Pets!

My blog is about my love of Golden's and other pets, but like humans, some dogs are just mean or protective of their surroundings.
They say a dog's bark is worse than his bite, but a government study tells a different story.
The number of Americans hospitalized for dog bites has soared. Common injuries include lacerations, skin infections, and even bone fractures. It is not clear what accounts for this trend.

I don't know about you, but I don't ever want to be bitten by a dog, so the American Humane Society offers these tips for avoiding bites. In my opinion, this is the best advise, never approach a strange dog that is unattended.(even if it is attended, be cautious. I have had people say to me, he don't bite as he is nippy at my feet. Ask the person to put the dog up , for a sure bet that you won't get bit. If meeting a friend's dog for the first time, hold out your fist and allow the dog to sniff before you pet it under the chin(not the head). If an aggressive dog approaches you, stand still, hold your hands at your sides, keep quiet, and look away. When the dog loses interest, retreat calmly and slowly without turning your back.
That sounds like good advise, but I work for a pharmacy and on occasion I have to deliver prescriptions, when our driver is not available. Most of the time I call ahead and ask the customer if they have a dog and I ask them to put it up to avoid any problems, or if I pull up in front of their house and a barking dog comes out, I toot my horn, so the owner puts the dog away.
 I guess that seems a little extreme to many people, but our delivery driver has been bitten by a dog, that the owner said"he don't bite". The dog had to be destroyed. Being an animal lover, I don't want to have to see that happen.  I would never say my Golden Retriever  don't bite, because he is very protective of his enviroment.

 I understand, sometimes it  unavoidable to come in contact with an aggressive dog, so when that occurs, take the advise of the American Humane Society.

Cat and Dog

Cat and Dog

Popular Dogs: Golden Retrievers

Popular Dogs: Golden Retrievers

Stress-Free Nail Trimming

Stress-Free Nail Trimming

Treatment I Use For Goldberg's Bad Hips.

I added a post for symptoms, treatment and prevention for hip dysplasia. My senior Golden Retriever, Goldberg has bad hips and this is the treatment I use for him.
I was giving him 3 Glucosamine tablets for dogs in the morning with his meal and he seemed to be doing ok with that, but then someone told me about a medication for humans called Meloxicam, so I checked with my Vet about it and he said that they have had very good results with it, so he wrote me a prescription . It was only $4.00 at the pharmacy. Since I was already giving him the Glucosamine, I asked if it would hurt to give him both. He assured me that is wouldn't. That was 3 days ago and you wouldn't believe the difference it has make in Goldberg. He acts like a pup again. I lowered the dosage of the Glucosamine to 2 tablets in his morning meal and just 1/2 of the Meloxicam, which is 7.5 mg per tablet.
If your dog has hip problems, check with your Vet about the Meloxicam. I know it has done wonders for Goldberg. I am not sure if it is necessary to give the Glucosamine, that is just what I do. Check with your Vet first, before you give any medication to any of your pets!
I hope this has been helpful!

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

The 5 Grossest Things You're Eating | Yahoo! Health

The 5 Grossest Things You're Eating Yahoo! Health

The 5 Grossest Things You're Eating | Yahoo! Health

The 5 Grossest Things You're Eating Yahoo! Health

Does your Dog Hate His Paws Touched?

Despite the fact that a dog's feet are pretty tough, they still sensitive about having them manhandled, especially if it involves trimming their toenails. Some are more sensitive than others.

Dogs who have ever had their nails trimmed too aggressively may react negatively when they spot the clippers in the future. This makes sense given that mammalian extremities- the feet, ears, and tail, for example- are packed with sensitive nerve endings.

But sometimes even a simple foot rub is off limits. This sensitivity to paw handling seems to be an innate canine trait. Some dogs are more sensitive than others.

My Golden Retriever, Adin is the worst I have ever seen. He does not like to be groomed in any way. Just to brush him I have to have help holding him down. Cleaning his ears is an absolute mess and to do his nails, I have to put a muzzle on him. I didn't know the dogs had sensitive nerve endings in their feet, ears and tail until I read this article on Vetstreet, and I have been raising Golden's for a long time.

By contrast, most cats tend to be amendable to simple stroking and even massaging of the feet, while dogs often read this a sign of affection as a personal assault, despite our best intentions.

Dogs Dream!

You've probably caught your dog whining, twitching and moving his legs as if he were running.
Don't poke him, he's dreaming. Dogs remember things, so it makes sense they have the ability to dream, as humans do. Dreaming is a normal part of organizing and recognizing memories.
Like humans dogs have 2 kinds of sleep. The deepest is characterized by rapid eye movements, known as, REM sleep. Humans dream during REM sleep. We also know whining, heavy breathing, twitching and leg movements occur in canine REM, so it is not too far fetched to believe that dogs are dreaming too!

I have already been suddenly woke up by my dog Adin whining, twitching and moving his legs, like he was running. I have to say it scared me at first. I thought he might be having a seizure, so I did poke him to see if he was OK. He jumped up as if he had been shot! I soon realized he was just dreaming. I guess he was chasing a rabbit or squirrel, because when he is awake, he sits in the chair by the front window and wishes he could get to them. I know now that when I hear him whining, not to bother him because he is just dreaming!

How to Pamper Your Pup on Valentine's Day!

Goldberg and Aiden want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!
Here are some tips on how you can pamper your pup.

First of all, I read an article on how to relax your dog is by turning on some classical music. It has been proven that certain classical music is soothing to a dog. I know this to be true, because when my beloved Alex had his brain tumor, I played some Bach and he seemed to rest easier.
You can also make a heart-shaped cake with canned dog food. I always do that for my dog's birthday or in one of my older post, I gave a recipe for homemade dog biscuits. You can use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make them heart cookies.
You can also spice up their food by adding a little something special in their dinner. This is something you can cook on a regular basis, because it is healthy for them.
Here is a recipe I use:

Chicken and Rice
Boil the chicken( I use the leg quarters)
After chicken has boiled, remove it from the broth.
Reserve enough of broth to cook the rice to (according to recipe on the box of rice)
Cut up the chicken( make sure you get all the bones out)
After rice has cooked, add the cut up chicken to the rice.
You can add this to the dry food of your choice or feed it alone..
Barley can substitute rice, if you prefer. They will love it!

Other ways to pamper them is to spend some quality time with them. I know most of us have to work and don't seem to have enough time to spend with our pets, but on this special day, take a few minutes to do the things they enjoy. Mine love to play ball. Maybe yours like to take walks, but whatever they enjoy, take the time to do it.

I know alot of people might think all this is a little foolish or going to extreme, but why not. If you love your dog, we consider them part of our family. They give us alot of love, so why not use this special day to return the favor.
This is not only for your dog, but for whatever pet you have.

Goldberg's Mysterious Lump Returned

This is an update on the mysteriuos lump on Goldberg's side I posted about awhile back. Well the lump has returned. He was licking at it, so I had to put the e-collar back on him or should I say, what is left of it! he has bumped into everything and it is a hot mess, but he still can't reach the lump to lick it. I can't understand what this could be. It is movable, about the size of a quarter and it still has a hole in the middle where the vet put a drain in it. I would have thought, by now that would have healed closed. Other than the lump, he seems to be fine, considering he is a senior citizen. Not sure exactly how old, since I rescued him about 9 years ago and I think he was about 5 then.
I guess Goldberg is off to the vet's again. Maybe she can solve the mystery. Looks like he will sport a new e-collar too!

Arthritis and Hip Dysplasia

Arthritis and Hip Dysplasia

Vets Best Level 3 Advanced Hip And Joint Tablets - Dog.com

Vets Best Level 3 Advanced Hip And Joint Tablets - Dog.com

FLEAS!

Summertime is when these disgusting things can create a real problem for your dogs, cats, and you, if prevention is not taken. If your animal becomes infested with fleas, it can cause them to be miserable and in severe cases can cause a dermatitis allergy and that can result in skin infections and hair loss. Some dogs and cats are even more allergic than others. Once your pets become infected, the fleas have invaded your home, and at that is when it becomes very hard to control them.
Fleas have been around since prehistoric times. They feed on the blood of their hosts. They prefer a moist, warm climate, but they can be found around the world. Fleas can jump up to about 150 times there size. Females can lay up to 40 or 50 eggs at a time and hatch from 2 days to 3 weeks, depending on the environment. The larvae then feed off the mother's digested blood. Disgusting isn't it?
The purpose for this post is to save you from going through this battle with fleas, before they have a chance to invade your pets and your home.
The first thing I suggest is to start treating your animal in the Spring. Don't buy an over the counter product.(some can be very toxic to the animal).Contact your vet and he can suggest the best method. He most likely will give you a topical product to treat your pet, on a monthly basis, to protect them against fleas and ticks. It is important to consult your vet for the best method.This is especially important with cats, as they can't use the same control method as a dog.
If you treat your animal, you won't have to deal with getting rid of them in your home.I have been in houses that were vacant and when you'd walk across the carpet they would jump right on your socks and bite. Once the host is gone, they still live in the carpet and attack whoever walks in. The only way you can rid your home of these blood suckers is to remove your animals from the house and bomb it. It may take a couple of times to get rid of them, if there is a severe infestation. That is why it is important to protect your pet first! Hope this has been helpul to you and your pet!

Shop dog products from dog beds to dog supplements - Dogchannel has hundreds of dog products for you.

Shop dog products from dog beds to dog supplements - Dogchannel has hundreds of dog products for you.

Controlling Fleas, Ticks, and Heartworm

Controlling Fleas, Ticks, and Heartworm

Adopting A Dog

Adopting A Dog

Puppies - Puppies for Sale - Puppy Care

Puppies - Puppies for Sale - Puppy Care