Saturday, March 29, 2014

Pet Storm Door

If you have a storm door, there is a pet storm door designed specifically for your needs. But before you purchase one there is something you must do - measure!

There has to be enough area between where the window sill of the storm door and the kick plate to allow for a pet door to be installed. Many storm doors have a removable kick plate, but you still need a little clearance to keep the structural integrity of the door. So, before you rush out to buy a pet storm door, measure carefully. In fact, the old carpenter adage of measure twice, cut once applies.
 

Dog Storm Door
Storm doors are insulated. So they are most likely around 5/8th to 1 3/4 inches thick.This is something to keep in mind when considering a storm pet door, because the best ones that are the most efficient in keeping the weather out are dual flapped. That means there is an outside flap that flushes close with the exterior of the storm door and one that does the same with the interior. A small air locked space in between keeps the cold from whistling in. Again - measure!

The pet storm door frame comes in aluminum or weatherproofed plastic, or a combination of both. A few models come with insulation as part of the kit. Even still, a good caulking around the exterior is not a bad idea.You definitely want to remove the storm door and lay it on a sturdy flat surface before cutting the hole for the storm pet door. If that portion of the job makes you uncomfortable, get help. Contact your local home improvement center or a professional handyman. Many pet stores have a list of people who will assist you in getting your pet storm door installed.

If you have an all glass storm door, it is most likely tempered. It is possible to find pet doors for French doors but it is wise to seek a professional glazier to make the cut or determine if it can even be done. The advantage to installing the pet door in a storm door is twofold. First of all, you do not have to cut a hole in your main exterior door. Many exterior doors are pricey. They may have beveled glass or ornate carving on them as well. Having a pet door in them would ruin the design. The second advantage is that when you do not want your pet to have access, you simply close the main door. Pretty simple solution.

Here are a few other things to consider when shopping for your storm pet door. Make sure to get one with a self framing kit. That way you can be sure the door is secure and sealed inside the storm door. Spend the extra money (it won't be that much more) on a high performance pet door that can withstand the weather extremes. Finally, consider the height of you pet. If you have a smaller pet, the storm doors kick plate may put the pet door too high for them to comfortably maneuver in order to get in and out. Most customers like the idea of having a storm pet door for the same reason they enjoy having the storm door itself. It keeps the weather out, but lets the view in.

Visit The Pet Door Site for more information on a pet storm door
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2268112

Friday, March 28, 2014

How to Choose the Perfect Dog Bed For Your Pet

We spend countless hours shopping for a bed for ourselves, not to mention thousands of dollars. This is because sleeping comfort is important. We want the place where we rest our head to be a sanctuary.

The same is true for your beloved dog. A good dog bed can last years, be the perfect resting place for your dog, and it can also help with training. (But a dog bed doesn't, it shouldn't, cost a fortune!)
 

Finding the right dog bed for your dog can solve a number of problems. It can help your dog feel secure and safe. It can give you a special location to send your dog when you need them to stay. For example, during mealtime, bedtime or when you have company you can send your dog to their bed and if you've chosen your dog's bed wisely, they'll happily go.

It makes sense then that not just any and all beds of dog will do. You need to choose it that's perfect for your dog and their unique needs and personality. There are many very important considerations to make. Let's take a look at them individually.

Size Matters

Sure, a Chihuahua would love to rest their little head in a giant bed because they tend to behave as if they're large dogs. However, a Great Dane isn't going to enjoy spending time in a bed built for a Chihuahua. Size is important. You want your dog to feel safe, secure, and comfortable in their dog bed. Find a bed that fits your dog and the space in your home comfortably.

Material Girl, or Guy

There are many different materials a bed can be made out of. And just as many that it can be filed with.

For example, a bed can be made of polyester and stuffed with fiberfill much like a pillow on your own bed. A bed can also be made from micro-suede or vinyl and filled with memory foam.

The material the bed is made from can be critically important. Dogs can have allergies or skin sensitivities to some materials and fillings. Additionally, the purpose for your dog's bed and their health need to be considered when choosing dog bed materials.

For example, if you're using the bed outdoors you'll want a waterproof dog bed. If you have a dog with bladder control issues then waterproof or washable materials are important too. And if you have a pet that is older or you just love to pamper them then the memory foam is great on their joints, tendons and muscles.

Health & Age

Your dog's health and age are also important considerations when choosing a bed.

For example, if you have an older dog, you want the bed to be easy for them to get into and out of. An elevated bed, like a pet couch, may be ideal for larger animals so they don't have to stoop down to get into their bed. Likewise a smaller bed with low sides would be ideal for an aging toy breed. This eliminates them having to step over any tall sides.

And as mentioned before if your pet has bladder control issues you will want to make sure the bed is easily washed to resume its form or that it's waterproof.

Location, Location, Location

Beds come in almost every shape, style and color. This is important because it means you can find the perfect bed for your home.

For example, what if you have an empty corner in your living room that's perfect for your dog's bed? Then why not get them a bed that's designed to fit into a corner?

And what about the dog bed that sits at the end of your bed? You can find great elevated dog beds or couches that perfectly match your needs. Circles, squares, rectangles, ovals, raised beds, couches, and the good old fashioned dog pillow are all options depending on where you're placing your dog's bed.

Purpose & Personality

Now you already know your dog has a unique personality and you can get a bed that matches their wonderful characteristics.

For example, what if your dog enjoys snuggling or burrowing or if you have a dog that is particularly shy? You can get a dog bed with a cover on it for them. And if your dog likes to feel like one of their humans then an elevated bed or dog couch might be perfect.

And what if you have a dog that loves playing and hanging out outside? You can get a bed for them that weathers well, is durable, and matches your dog's personality. Do you have a dog that you love to spoil? What about an extra cushy micro-suede couch?

And of course you can match your dog's bed to your own style and decorating personality too. From whimsical to contemporary and everything in between, there's a dog bed to match your purpose and personality.

Let's Not Forget Price

The first step to finding the perfect dog bed for your dog is to make a list of what your dog needs. Prioritize these needs with the most important need being first on your list. You can add a list of wants, like color and shape, under the list of needs so you can compare dog beds.
Once you have a list of the features and functions you'd like your dog bed to have, the final element to compare is price. Dog beds can cost a small fortune but they don't have to. Comparison shop online and look for the shipping costs too. A retailer may drastically cut the price of the dog bed and make up for it in what they charge for shipping.

A dog bed should be something that lasts a good long time. They should be easy to keep clean, comfortable for your dog and they should fit your dog's needs and personality. Create a list of what you and your dog want in a perfect dog bed and start comparing

For more information about dog beds and waterproof dog bed, visit our site at http://royaldogbeds.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4490062

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Arthritis Supplements For Dogs

There are many arthritis supplements for dogs on the market today. Many claim they can help and even cure arthritis in dogs. Supplements are a wonderful addition to helping a dog with arthritis, but they are not a cure all. The first step is to get your dog in to the best of health. Here are a few tips...
 

Before starting any supplements, make sure you have your dog on a good holistic food. Improper nutrition is one of the leading causes of many diseases in dogs including arthritis. Many dog foods on the market today are filled with inferior ingredients and by-products, such as... chicken feet, chicken heads, etc... things that you would not knowingly feed your dog. So if you see the word by-product, don't buy the food!

Look for a food with quality protein like chicken meal. Make sure you also stay away from any food that has corn, wheat, soy, wheat gluten or milk products in it. These ingredients have no nutritional value and are generally only used as a cheap filler. They can also contribute to allergies in dogs. So remember, don't underestimate the power of a good quality dog food! It can do miracles...

Besides good quality dog food, make sure they are getting plenty of exercise. Exercise is key in maintaining their health and helping with arthritis symptoms.

When a quality dog food has been started and you have your dog on a good exercise schedule, THEN add a high quality, natural supplement to their diet. When choosing a supplement make sure it is all natural and has glucosamine and MSM in it.

Research studies suggest that Glucosamine supports healthy joint flexibility, mobility and lubrication. MSM, which is short for Methylsulfonylmethane, is a natural source of organic sulfur, an element vital to the maintenance of healthy joints, bones, ligaments and tendons.

Also look for arthritis supplements that have high levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids derived from fish oil. Fish oil is known to help improve healthy joint function.

So remember... quality food, plenty of exercise and supplementation all work together to get your dog in the best of health. They'll love ya for it!

Looking for high quality, natural arthritis supplements for dogs? Visit us at http://AgilityForDogs.blogspot.com and get a free dog food sample!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1051852

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Healthy Dog Food Brands - Top 4 Hypoallergenic Dog Food Brands

What are the healthy dog food brands that you can trust when it comes to your dog's health. If you want your dog to live as long as possible and have a high quality of life then the top 4 dog hypoallergenic dog food brands listed in this article should help you to achieve that. Remember, you owe it to your best friend to feed him or her as best as you can because they don't have a choice in the matter and are 100% reliant on your for the best life that they can have.

Important Foreword

 

Healthy Dog Food
Before I give you my list you need to understand two important things.

First, the dog food market is dominated by big business and just a handful of companies have seized most of the market. Such commercial dog food is full of ingredients that can cause allergic reactions in many dogs. Some of it even contains dangerously high levels of substances such as fluoride and acrylamides. Remember, health regulations for dog foods are nowhere near as stringent as for human foods. In my opinion, you risk your dog getting cancers and a lifetime of allergic symptoms on such foods.

Second, my list below is my personal top 4. It is not ranked in any particular order because every dog is different. However, the foods below are among the most healthy brands because they are hypoallergenic dog food brands/formulas and so are formulated specifically to be as healthy as a commercial dog food can be. Most, if not all, do not contain grains and other common allergens. There are alternatives though and I mention this later.

The Top 5 List Of Hypoallergenic Dog Food Brands

Orijen - You can sense the quality of this top-tier dog food as soon as you open the bag and take a deep whiff. It smells so good that you'd be forgiven for wanting to eat it yourself! What is unique about Orijen is that it contains no grain at all (which many dogs are allergic to). The ingredients are also all locally sourced.

Avoderm - The unique selling point of this food is that it contains avocado which is rich in nutrients and especially good for the skin. However, this is a little controversial because some dog owners don't want to risk using this food because the skin and pit of avocados are toxic. These are of course removed as part of the food preparation process (only the flesh is used) and Avoderm swear by the safety of their food which you can read about here: http://www.avodermnatural.com/About/why_avocados.htm

Evanger's - This company is known for producing game and specialty-meat dog foods, both canned and dry. The canned foods are quite rich and can resemble a soup when opened. Some dogs will love this food but others may turn their nose up at it. If your dog has a meat allergy to one type of meat (or you are yet to discover which) then this food is great because you'll only find one type of meat in each can.

Life's Abundance - the entire range of this food all contain chicken protein and the virtues of chicken fat in particular are extolled. So long as your dog has no allergies to chicken, this makes for a better than average food for him or her. These products also contain grain which is no bad thing but if your dog has allergies to it then you should avoid this brand.

Downside To Hypoallergenic Dog Food Brands

These brands are way better than most commercial (cheaper) dog food out there and if you feed your dog on them then they will be healthier than 90% of all other dogs out there.

The major downside is the expense. Because most people do not feed their dogs high quality food then it means that you must pay a premium to do so for your own dog. However, there is one excellent alternative.

If you create your own homemade dog food then you can feed your dog food that is just as good or even better than all the hypoallergenic brands above. That's because you have full control over the ingredients, where they are sourced from and how they are prepared. What's more, not only does it work out to be much cheaper but most recipes are also very easy and quick to prepare so don't think that you are sacrificing convenience when going "homemade".

Help your dog live longer. Get free tips for a better and longer life for your dog and discover why 87% of dogs die early here: Help Your Dog Live Longer [http://www.helpyourdoglivelonger.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6218394

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Healthy Diet Dog Food: Tips on Ensuring Your Dog Eats Right

A healthy dog diet is an essential ingredient in the development and growth of a dog. Whatever the breed of a dog, without healthy diet, it will not live a healthy life. A healthy dog diet must therefore have in the right quantities all the food nutrients required by the pet for growth, development and consequently healthy living. This article is therefore written to enlighten dog owners on what to do concerning how they should feed their dogs to achieve a healthy dog breed.

 

 Diet Dog Food
Whether homemade or dry the diet must contain the right quantities of protein, fats and carbohydrate. All the food nutrients must also be in the right quantities. If not, the dog's development will be affected and the health jeopardized. To attain a healthy diet for your pet therefore, the under mentioned are what you must do.

1). Best ratio for your dog's diet: The best ratio for a dog's diet whether homemade or dry should be as stated below:
- 40% meat for protein
- 50% vegetables
- 10% grain or other carbohydrates

2). When buying a dog's food from the supermarket you should make sure that on the ingredient list on the label, the meat meal protein are high. You should make sure that at least 3 out of the 5 ingredients listed on the label are a form of protein. For example, lamb meal, chicken meal or venison meal.

3). When purchasing pet food from the supermarket, endeavor to choose premium dog food over economy brand if you do not want to jeopardize the health of your dog. Most of the economy brand dog foods are junks; therefore you should not because of money endanger the life of your dog.

4). Though dogs naturally are omnivores, a well planned vegetarian diet may do a lot of good for the life of your pet. You should therefore endeavor to mix your dog's diet - vegetable and meat meal.

5). When purchasing your pet's food, avoid the ones that use chemical preservatives like ethoxyquin as preservatives. Vitamins E and C are better preservatives for dog food.

6). Try going holistic. Holistic pet foods are 100% natural and 100% nutritious and contain human grade ingredients and not artificial.

If you follow these tips, there is no way your dog will not live healthy and develop better. A healthy dog diet is therefore the best for your dog's growth and development.

Did you enjoy reading this article? If you did, you can read tip no. 7 and get some other free stuffs by CLICKING HERE!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5304910

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Electric Dog Fence Reviews, A Few Tips

Electric dog fences are great new technologies that are perfect for anyone who is in the situation where they cannot put up a physically fence to use a boundary in an area, such as a holiday in a mobile home or an apartment area. The problem can be trying to decide which type and which brand of electric dog fence to choose and this is where you will start looking at electric dog fence reviews; by looking at these you will be able to see what users and professionals think about the fence before you invest your hard earned money into this solution.
 

Electric Dog Fence
Primarily you will need to look at the various types of electric fences that are available, you will see what are the most popular products available and you will also get an idea of how much you will be expected to spend. By typing "electric dog fence reviews" into any searching any should bring you plenty of product reviews on the best and most popular items available.

It is important to remember they come in different types with different benefits and that they can have positive or negative effects on your animal. One of the main types of electric dog fences required us to lie down wire on the ground to set the boundary for the dog (this can usually be buried below the ground so they can't see it), and then a special collar is put on the animal. As the animal approaches the wire gentle electric shocks are applied to the neck, if the dog chooses to ignore these and get closer to the boundary the shocks become stronger.

The main other style of electric dog fence includes a device that is placed in the center of a circular boundary. These are a lot easier to install as nothing has to placed down other that the central device, they work in a similar way to the wire electric dog fences as the dog is still required to where a collar and the electric shocks get stronger as it moves further away from the central point (the radius of the device can be set by the user dependent on how big the boundary is required to be).

Once you understand which type of device you are looking for and your price range it will make finding electric dog fence reviews a lot easier. Once you start searching through the review you will easily start to understand which products are currently sitting at the top of the market and what features make them so popular.

Amazon is another great place when you are looking to purchase an item if you require someone to have reviewed it first. After a user purchases an item they are given the chance to leave feedback and write a review, this feedback score is then shown on the item listing. If we search for electric dog fences we will find that some items have 3 stars, and some have 5... 5 being the better rated product.

Once you have found a few fences that you are interest in by reading electric fence reviews, you can then do your own price comparison to find the most effective solution for you and your dog. Once this is done all that really needs to be done is the buying and implementing.

For those of you that are looking for an interesting way to keep your pet safe and on your property, take a quick look at Electric Dog Fences.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6608125

Friday, March 7, 2014

Facts And Dog Tips About Any Breed

Dogs come in hundreds of different breeds and have been long domesticated from the wolf. In fact, some DNA indications show that they may have been domesticated as many as one hundred fifty thousand years ago. While some may still resemble their ancestors in appearance, many unique breeds have evolved with time and breeding. Some dog tips may be able to help the new pet owner with some unique canine behaviors and conditions prior to selection.
 

Pomeranian
The terriers were bred to control a variety of rodents, but they have become some of the most beloved family pets. They come in a variety of coats from smooth to rough and short to long and wiry. Some breeds are quite tiny like the Yorkshire that may weigh as little as three pounds and others like the Airedale can weigh up to seventy pounds.

These dogs are very spunky and often have ideas of their own in spite of what they have been trained. Let a rabbit cross their path (domesticated or not) and a runaway dog is almost guaranteed. An expert's dog tips tell you that it is always a good idea to keep on running shoes with these guys. While very excitable, they make very lovable and wonderful pets to cuddle with. They are extremely intelligent (almost too much so) and can be taught almost anything quickly.

Sporting dogs includes the pointers, setters and spaniels. These are the bird dogs so beloved by hunters. They are intelligent and also make great companions. All dogs are extremely loyal, but a favorite known as the Golden Retriever falls into this group. They have the ability to retrieve birds and other soft game without crushing it in their soft mouths. They make excellent play companions for children as well.

Perhaps they are nothing but hound dogs crying all the time, but everyone loves Snoopy. The beloved Beagle is in the hound group and most people are familiar with that bellowing bark that is unique to the breed. These dogs can be good pets if they have plenty of outdoor space, but are also very stubborn when it comes to training. It has nothing to do with their intelligence, as they are very smart, but some dog tips may help. If it is a loyal pet that the family is looking for, this is a winner.

The beautiful St. Bernard is just one of the dogs in the working dog group and it is not a decision to be made lightly when taking one into the home. The biggest of the dog tips is that they large and need space. They will never be a lap dog and they drool. If neat is something that is important in the household, then this is probably not the right dog. The fear with small children is the large size, but they can be socialized well if brought into the home early.

The Chihuahua is the smallest breed that there is. If you want tiny, then this is the right choice. They come with either long or short hair and can have a variety of colors. In order to confirm to the breed standard, they cannot weigh over six pounds. They do have several height variations. Most owners will remember the dog tips about how these little fellows will certainly make life interesting for anyone. They are full of energy and often act like children in the terrible two stage for most of their lives. It would seem that they coined the term spoiled. They need a great deal of attention and get chilled easily, so take these things into consideration. One of the dog tips to remember is to take their size into consideration when bringing them into a home with little children.

Whatever dog is brought into the home, a great deal of love, attention and patience will be required on the part of all family members. It is not necessary to only consider purchasing animals from breeders or pet stores. Many animals need good homes right now. Some of the best are those that are combined breeds. Good dog tips reveal that these pets actually have less health issues than full-blooded ones.


What is the best breed for you? Want to have a well behaved dog? Be sure to check out our other FREE dog training articles. Visit our website for more information about training dogs [http://www.germanshepherdsale.org/training-dogs/].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5177280

Thursday, March 6, 2014

8 Tips On How To Choose Healthy Dog Food That Works

1. You should understand that roughly, the best ratios for a healthy dog's diet are about 40 percent meat, 50 percent veggies, and only about 10 percent grain and other carbohydrate. Choose your pet's food close to this ingredient ratio. Read the guaranteed analysis to be certain.

2. Make sure that the first ingredient or two listed on the label of the dog food you are buying is a form of protein such as chicken, lamb, calf, (DO NOT use meat by-products for example - chicken beaks, feet, bones, etc.). Be sure to look for foods that exclude corn, cornmeal, and wheat. These are FILLERS and potential allergens. Corn is pretty much indigestible for your pet. Grains can be a long-term source of energy and energy storage for dogs, but they can also be used as a cheap filler in order to boost the food's protein percentage. Watch out! Any grain you feed your dog should be used in whole form so that it supplies more fiber, vitamins and minerals. The best grains for dogs (when used in the proper percentages) are rolled oats, barley, quinoa, millet, and brown rice.
 

3.One more important factor on how to choose dog food is that often, low quality dog foods will list a meat ingredient first, which will be followed by several by-products and fillers. In this case, although meat is listed first, there are actually MORE fillers, which changes the ratio noted above.

4. A well-planned vegetarian diet can work for dogs, although dogs are carnivores by nature. Dogs need PROTEIN, but not necessarily *animal* protein. Would a dog naturally be vegetarian? No. He also wouldn't naturally eat dog cookies or live in your home with you or do tricks either. However, most veterinarians and holistic practitioners agree that although a dog can survive on a vegetarian diet, they may not thrive on it.

5. Be aware that while preservatives may be necessary to keep the food edible, preservatives do not have to be artificial chemicals that might be cancer-causing agents. Avoid pet foods that use chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin. Vitamin E & vitamin C are great preservatives that are much better for your dog.

6. Choose Premium Brand dog foods instead of Economy Brand dog foods. The cheapest ingredients are rarely the healthiest ones.

7. Go holistic. Holistic foods are 100% natural and 100% nutritious. They contain human-grade ingredients. One holistic pet food manufacturer provides an free online video warning of the dangers in most commercial dog foods you can watch here.

8. Consider this rule of thumb: If you wouldn't eat it, your dog probably shouldn't eat it either. (Think animal fat and added salt or sugar.) But there are some things you would eat (such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, white flour and onions) that are NOT good for your dog. Don't make the mistake of thinking all human food is appropriate for your canine.

Does Your Pet's Health Concern You? Well, It Should Because Today More And More Deaths With Pets Are Caused By The Food You Are Feeding Your "Best Friend" - visit my web page - Here!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/797504