Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category

Toxic to Dogs

Monday, January 11, 2010
posted by Frank Stevens

Toxic in Food

It is important to know the items in your household that might be poisonous to your pets. While dogs have iron stomachs, there are some items that are toxic to them. By knowing what is poisonous for dogs and other pets to consume or be in contact with you will know how to better protect them from these things.

There are many plants that might be found in your home, garden or even the local park that could be bad for your dog. Knowing the symptoms, you can also help the vet decide what might be wrong with your dog if he/she eats something when you weren’t around.

Many fruit trees can make a dog very sick if he/she ingests the leaves or stems. Some of these are: apple, apricot, peach, cherry and balsam pear. Most of these can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. Vines such as Virginia creeper and English ivy are also dangerous to dogs. These can cause drunken type effects and upset stomach.

Some flowers can cause upset stomach or seizures. This is important to know in regards to flowers you might have delivered to your home, as well as flowers growing outside. Many types of lilies can cause problems with your pups such as calla lily and Easter lily. Some flower bulbs such as tulip can also be a problem if dug up and eaten. While the flower doesn’t have poisonous effects, the bulb can.

Houseplants are also something to watch because dogs could possibly have 24 hour access to these plants and can especially be a problem when you are not at home. These plants need to be put in places where dogs cannot get them or the dropping leaves. Asparagus fern can cause kidney failure. Caladium can cause seizures and death. Aloe Vera plants can cause diarrhea. There are many plants that can be potentially lethal. Make sure you research any plants you are bringing into the house.

Inside your kitchen there are many items that can cause your dog harm. The kitchen tends to be a playground for any dog with all the sights and smells and activity, but make sure you are aware of what is ok and what is not. Dog food can be prepared using human food, but the idea of feeding your dog table scraps is not encouraged. A dog owner must be aware of foods that could cause irreversible damage to their dog. Grapes, onions (including garlic and chives), chocolate, caffeine, macadamia nuts, xylitol (found in sugar free gum) and alcohol can all have serious effects on a dogs bowel, liver, kidney and central nervous systems that could result in death.

Other common household items that have also been known to cause sickness in dogs need to be put in places that dogs do not have access to. Please remember that dogs can get in the trash and in lower cabinets too. These items can include: acetaminophen (Tylenol), antifreeze, and many household cleaners that include bleach and/or pine.

If you think your dog has ingested something dangerous, call the Animal Poison Control Center at 1-900-680-0000.

Gifts for Pet Lovers

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
posted by Frank Stevens

Gifts for Pet Lovers

It may seem like some people are obsessed with their pets these days, but that is not necessarily a bad thing with the holidays approaching. If someone one your list is a die-hard pet enthusiast, why not take advantage of that and get them a pet themed holiday gift. Nothing will make a pet lover happier than a gift they can use for their favorite four-legged friend, and if you really want to leave a lasting impact, give a gift to their pet, too!

A great gift idea for the pet lover on your shopping list is a breed-specific gift. There are a plethora of breed specific gifts to choose from. Labrador Retriever calendars, coffee mugs with their favorite pooch on them, or a garden or house flag they can post with pride displaying their favorite breed of dog are all great ideas that are sure to please. You can also think about a t-shirt or a sticker that displays their personal favorite for all to see. An “I love my Pug” t-shirt or sticker for their car will please the dog-lover on your list. Most of these ideas are also available for cats and other kinds of pets as well.

If you would rather buy a more generic gift that is not breed specific, you can always go with some thing personalized for their pooch. A dog t-shirt that is embroidered with Fido’s name on it or perhaps a custom-made dog bowl would be a great gift with a personal touch. Some other great customizable gift ideas for pet people is a customized placemat to keep food dishes on, an embroidered dog bed, or even a scrapbook or photo album ready to be filled with (or even already full of) pictures of “Snowball” are sure to please.

If you would rather go straight to the source and purchase a gift for the pet directly, some great suggestions are a designer collar and matching leash, plush or squeaky toys (toys can be holiday themed or otherwise), or a new dog bed or blanket will surely make both the pet and their owner happy. Pet gifts that are themed to the owners favorite sports team are also great options that are sure to bring a smile to the faces of both the pet and their best friend.

If you know someone who has a new pet, a more practical gift might be in order. You would need to check with the owner first to make sure they need these, but some ideas are a new crate, which is really the new indoor doghouse in my opinion. A harness to help the pup learn to walk on their leash or a harness to keep the pet safe in the car is a great practical gift idea. If you know anyone who will be traveling with their furry companion, a travel crate or carrier would be a very useful item to receive.

Pet enthusiasts love their pets, and they will surely love to receive gifts that feature their favorite animal friend. Pets themselves are also very deserving of a nice gift this holiday season, so don’t leave them off your shopping list this year.

Ways to Make Your Pet Happy

Wednesday, August 19, 2009
posted by admin

Make Your Pet Happy

While having a healthy pet is one of the most important things on an animal lover’s mind, having a happy pet is just as important. Keeping your pet healthy is pretty straightforward and can be taken care of under the advice of your local veterinarian. A happy pet might be a little tougher to gauge. While most professional trainers and behaviorists agree that the key to a good pet relationship is that your pet needs to be happy and comfortable in their own environment, few people can actually tell you how to accomplish this task.

Most of the time the key to a happy pet is that they get regular attention, have some type of toys to mentally stimulate them and have a way to release excess energy. That can be easily accomplished by daily walks, challenging toys and just spending time with your pampered pet. While most pet owners spend every moment they can with their pet, making sure that they have the right toys and giving them a chance to expel excess energy is sometimes a bit of a challenge. It is also important that you pet is properly socialized to keep them happy.

There are a variety of toys available to challenge your pet, from simple balls and bones to the more elaborate stuffed toys. Each is designed to give your pet a challenge and sense of accomplishment once they have figured out the toy. It may be a good idea to purchase one or two large light toys for small dogs because when they figure out how to move it, they can triumphantly carry this large object around the house. A favorite toy can also be used as a training tool as a substitute for treats. Many professionals use a toy as a reward during training and this tends to speed up the process slightly.

When taking your pet for their daily walk, it is also important to have a proper leash and collar set or harness. This will give both you and your pet a more enjoyable experience and will allow your pet to be properly socialized with other animals and people. Harnesses and collar sets are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased anywhere. Online websites tend to have a larger and more unique selection. It is not clear which type of collar is best for every dog, a “necklace” collar or a harness, but it really depends on the size of your dog and their energy level. It is said that a pet on a harness is much easier to control without hurting the animal.

Having a happy and healthy pet is at the top of most pet owners’ minds and this can be easily accomplished by following a few simple guidelines. It is important that every animal get the proper nutrition they need to stay healthy and also have lots of attention showered on them as often as possible. When it comes to purchasing toys and other pet supplies for your pampered pet, there are many options to choose, from local retailers to online websites. Both of these types of venues have their own advantages and disadvantages; however, the online website usually has a better and more unique selection of pet supplies.

SwankPets
3525 Lebon Drive, Unit A.
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 272-9882