Pet Friendly Hotels

Pet Friendly Hotels
by S Wander

If your travel companion happens to have fur, or walk on four paws instead of feet, then you will probably need to locate a few pet friendly hotels for your travels. Most hotels will not allow you to bring your four legged friend in for a nights stay, so its important to call ahead to any hotel you plan on staying in to make sure that except pets as well as people.

You can find pet friendly hotels in almost any area, and at almost any price range. Pet friendly hotels are typically just like your normal hotels. You can visit a bed and breakfast, or a spa; all with your cat or dog right there beside you. Since pet friendly hotels are a rarity, the will often book up a little quicker than other similar hotels will. For that reason its important to call ahead and book your room early if you know you will be traveling with your pet, and be in need of accommodations. Particularly if you are traveling to a cat or dog show in a particular area, the rooms will book up exceptionally quickly in a pet friendly hotel, so you will want to be sure to secure yours before they are all gone.

In many pet friendly hotels the hotel will set aside certain rooms of the hotel specifically for use by pet owners. By setting aside a room specifically for pet owners, they allow other hotel guest to be able to spend their stay in the hotel in a room free from pet dander, as well as the hassle of running into, or hearing other peoples pets. For dogs, many pet friendly hotels will sometimes have a special place for you to take your dog outside to relieve him or herself, occasionally the better pet friendly hotels will have some sort of dog park or recreation area as well where you dog can have the opportunity to get some exercise and socialize with the other dogs who are also staying in the hotel.

Hotels that are not only pet friendly, but also those that have the pets in mind with things such as recreation areas and pet friendly dining are usually some of the best to take your pet to. In these situations you pet is often invited to do everything that you are in the hotel, and the hotel sometimes s will offer addition activities for the pets as well, such as a dog day camp that can allow you to go out on the town and have fun, while leaving your dog behind having fun as well.

In most cases be prepared to pay a little extra for your pet to stay in the hotel along with you. While pet friendly hotels do allow pets, most require some sort of supplement for the privilege of having your pet stay along with you in the same room. The supplement is usually not as expensive as having another person stay along with you, but it can get a little expensive depending on the hotel that you select.

Before traveling to any pet friendly hotel do your research. Talk to friends who also travel with their pets that have gone to the area and visit a hotel that they particularly enjoyed. Your friends are often your best resource in locating the very best places to visit. If you know you are traveling to a certain location and want to stay in a particular hotel then book your room as advance as you can. In most cases the earlier you book your room the less expensive it will be, and the better your chances of getting the room and location that you want. Booking your hotel room late or at the last minute could mean that all of the pet friendly hotels are booked up, and you will have to leave your pet at home.

Smooth Hound http://www.smoothhound.co.uk offers affordable hotel, guest house and bed & breakfast accommodation throughout the London and the rest of the world.

Cat Training for Your Intractable Cat

Cat Training for Your Intractable Cat
by Hector Milla

While this could be quite unfair to the cat, they are almost always compared to the loyalty and obedience of a dog, qualities which make them a popular pet all over the world.

That is why it is recommended to all cat owners or those who do plan to get a cat to train them immediately. This establishes the role of each person in the household. Cat training allows for the cat owner to train his or her cat and eventually leading up to a long lasting loving relationship between owner and pet.

Just like having a child, a pet cat that knows how to follow orders and is a source of pride and joy will be given great attention and love as well as more rewards.

But, before you start training your cat, you must know first its natural instincts and behaviours. As cat owners, we must respect what is but natural to every cat so we dont encroach into those natural instincts.

It is not uncommon for some cats to feel depression and stress, so do not mistake this for stubbornness or hard-headedness. This may cause a rift between you and your cat. The more you scream at it and the more you hurt it, the more the wedge and rift grows, making it harder to do cat training.

Have your cat checked out by a vet first before any cat training. There are many factors to consider first. If the vet gives the thumbs-up sign then your good to go. Cat training will provide for a happier and healthier cat-owner relationship.

Article written by Hector Milla, editor of http://cat-training.win-10.com/ , they have recently published a free online guide to :: Cat Training :: visit his weblog for daily news about cat health and training at http://cat-training.win-10.

Dog Training - Digging Behavior And Correction

Dog Training - Digging Behavior And Correction
By Phil Donahoe

When it comes to dog training there are two differing sides of opinion when it comes to dogs and their digging habits. Firstly, many dog trainers think that a dog is a dog, and we should permit him to express his true canine nature by allowing him free reign over the yard and flowerbeds. The other dog training experts feel that a flowerbed is a flowerbed, and no dog should even think about expression his dogginess if such an expression comes at the price of a ruined flowerbed.

Most leading training experts favor the middle ground. Although many dogs do love to dig, and it is healthy for them to be permitted to dig once in a while, there's a difference between allowing your dog to express their inner puppy, and allowing him to run rampant in the backyard. No dog training professional would agree that a dog should have to come at the price of a garden, and vice versa. When if comes to dog training, flowers and dogs can coexist peacefully if you train your dog correctly. If your dog's developed a taste for digging, it will just take a bit of time, and some ingenuity, on your part to resolve the dog training problem satisfactorily.

To start with, if you have yet to adopt a dog and your concern for the fate of your garden is purely hypothetical, consider the breed of dog that you would like. If you've got your eye on a specific mixed-breed dog, what aspect of his mixed dog heritage seems to be the most prominent?

Dog breed often plays a significant role in any given dog's personal opinion of digging as a rewarding and valuable dog pastime - many terriers and Nordic breeds in particular (Huskies, Malamutes, some members of the Spitz family for example) seem to particularly enjoy digging.

Every dog training expert will, of course, say that when you get right down to the sum and substance, every dog is first and foremost an individual, and there's no real way to predict whether or not your chosen four legged friend is going to be a burrower or not. However, if you're trying to reduce the likelihood of an involuntarily-landscaped garden as much as possible, It is suggested you stay away from all breeds of terrier (and for those that did not know, the name means 'go to earth', after all!) and the Nordic breeds.

Why do dogs dig?

Dog training professionals often agree on the following reasons, and they are in no particular order, as to why a dog will dig:

* General Lack of exercise. Digging is a good way for a hyped-up, under-exercised dog to burn off some of their nervous energy.

* Boredom. Bored dogs will find a 'job' to do, something rewarding and interesting, to help the time pass by.

* Digging is often the ideal solution for a bored dog: it gives him a sense of purpose, and distracts him from an otherwise-empty day.

* The need for broader horizons. Some dogs are just escape artists by nature - no matter how much exercise and attention they get, it's nearly impossible to confine them to an area. For a Doggy-Houdini, it's not the digging itself that is the reward, it is the wonderful unknown that exists beyond the boundaries they were confined to and dogs love to explore a world of unfamiliar scents.

* Separation anxiety. Often when a dog is seriously pining for your company, digging under those confining walls represents the most direct path to you. Separation anxiety is an unpleasant psychological issue relatively common among dogs - but because it's so complex, we won't be dealing with it in this article but keep an eye out because I will be writing about that in detail in another article.

Dog training experts agree that most of the reasons contributing to your dog's desire to dig suggest their own solutions. If your dog's not getting enough exercise (generally speaking, at least forty-five minutes worth of vigorous walking per day), take him for more walks it will help you and your dog stay fit and healthy. If your dog is bored, give him some interesting and durable toys and chews to play with during your absence, and wear him out before you leave so he spends most of the day napping. As for an escape-artist dog, they might need to be crated, or at least kept inside the house where he's less likely to be able to break out of his or her confines.

For those dogs who just like to dig as a pastime in itself, though, here are a few basic dog training tips for controlling inappropriate excavation as much as is reasonably possible:

* Restrict your dog's access to the area concerned. This is the most effective thing you can do: if he's never in the yard without active supervision, there's no opportunity for digging his own personal tunneling system.

* Use a natural deterrent. Almost all dogs will shy back, horrified, from the prospect of digging anywhere that there's dog poop. Even the ones who like to eat poop (a condition known as coprophagia) generally won't dig anywhere near it as it offends their basic natural, fastidious dislike of soiling their coat and paws.

* Use nature's own protection. If the continued digging is bothering you because it's upsetting the more delicate blooms in your garden, plant hardier blossoms: preferably, those with deep roots and thorny defenses. Roses are ideal and a natural deterrent.

* A more time-consuming, but super-effective way of dog training is to roll up the first inch or two of turf in your yard, and lay down chicken-wire underneath it. Your dog won't know it is there until he's had a few tries at digging, but once he's convinced himself that it's pointless (which won't take long), he'll never dig in that yard again. As we say, time consuming but very, very effective.

Accept your dog's need for an outlet, give him a place to dig

If your dog is set on tunneling your yard into a pot marked, grassless lunar landscape, but you're equally determined to prevent this from happening at all costs, take a moment to consider before embarking on a grueling and time-consuming preventative strategy.

Setting yourself the goal of eradicating all digging behavior, period, is pretty unrealistic. It is not fair on you (since, really, you're setting yourself up for failure), and it's not really fair on your poor dog either. If he's a natural-born digging machine, it's just part of his personality, and he needs at least some opportunity to express that in some form.

But a lawn and a dog don't have to be mutually exclusive. The most humane and understanding thing for you to do in this case is simply to redirect his digging energy where you can live with it and he can love you for it.

The simplest dog training solution in this case is allocating him an area where he's allowed to dig as much as he pleases. Once this zone's been established, you can make it understood that there is to be absolutely no digging in the rest of the garden, and you can enforce your rules with a clear conscience. As set these boundaries you know your dog now has his own little corner of the world to turn upside down and inside out as he chooses and all parties are happy.

But what if you don't have a "spare corner" of the backyard for your little digger to call his own? What if the whole thing, grass, flowerbeds, and gravel path, is just too dear to your heart? This is ok, there is a solution to this as well. You can invest in a sandbox, which you can place anywhere in the garden.

You can even make one yourself (the deeper, the better, obviously). Fill it with a mixture of sand and earth, and put some leaves or grass on top if you like for effect and get your dog interested in it by having a scratch around yourself, until he gets the idea.

Ensuring the boundaries are clear

One great dog training tip is to make it clear to him that the sandbox is OK but that everywhere else is a no-dig zone, spend a little time supervising him. When he starts to dig in the box (you can encourage this by shallowly burying a few choice marrowbones in there), praise him energetically - and if he starts digging anywhere else, correct him straight away with an extended finger or hand command and state a firm "No!" or "ahh-ah-ahhhh".

Then, redirect him immediately to the sandbox, and dole out vociferous praise when digging recommences.

To really clarify the lesson, give him a treat when digging gets underway in the sandbox - the close proximity between the correction (for digging out of the sandbox) and praise/reward (for digging in the sandbox) will ensure that your point strikes home and you will have dog training success.

If you like this article, you will find much more useful dog training information on our website Dog Training Success where you will find useful tips, tricks and an amazing guide that will help you train your four legged friend with immediate results. No matter what your dogs problem there is a solution and this fantastic training guide will show you how to handle each and every situation in detail. Can you afford not to find our more? Click Here Now Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Donahoe

Dog Training School

Dog Training School
By Eric Hartwell

Training dogs has become such a lucrative business in a number of countries. Most dog owners don’t have the time to train their dogs and so they actually send of their dogs to obedience school. While children and dogs are sent off to separate schools, the parent and/or the dog owner go off to work or to his/her daily tasks. In some cases, the dogs are actually more like children to these pet lovers!

Dog Training

If you are one of these pet lovers, who are willing to invest in training dogs then it will be easy for you to understand the increasing need for dog schools. Apart from dog schools, there are actually dog trainers that may be scheduled to go to your place to train your dog. Either way, you are still required to learn the actual commands that are being taught to your dog.

Of course, you won’t have to follow the command you just have to know what they are, what they’re for, and what to expect from your dog. It really is a two way training, and you can’t expect the dog to understand you if you don’t know the said commands taught to it in obedience school.

Your Own Dog School

Meanwhile, if it is you who are considering putting up your own training school for dogs, then understanding the need for one may actually be a good first step in establishing your business venture. Realizing the need for such a business, after all, is the main objective of offering such a service. It is important however, to actually have a concrete plan of putting up your own dog school if you actually intend to do so.

Being a dog-lover is a must

Being a dog lover will be most essential in this case. You will be spending so much time training dogs, and you have to love it if you are to do it on a regular basis. On the other hand, you don’t necessarily have to be the one to train the dogs. This doesn’t mean however that you can excuse yourself from knowing what the essentials of dog training. After all, if you are to be owner of the said dog training school, then you will definitely have to know how things are being done in your facility. This is the best way to market yourself and your business.

Observe Professionals

Lastly, starting out on your own may be tough especially if you are clueless with the task at hand. If so, it is advisable that you are able to watch the professionals do their dog training. You might as well enroll yourself in training sessions to equip yourself with the proper knowledge and skills needed to set up your dog school. Moreover, keeping contacts with dog training professionals may actually be your ticket to job referrals. In fact, you may actually strike a deal with them regarding job opportunities, like a certain percentage of the fee goes to them if you are referred, or vice versa. This way, you can effortlessly ease you way through putting up your own dog training school!

Do you want to know more about dog care or anything about the crazy world of dogs? Visit us or share your opinions at the worlds best homepage or free content resource

Pet Health Care

Pet Health Care
By Amit Salkar

Earlier, one went to the Pet Shop for Foods and Accessories and toys and to a Veterinary Clinic in search of solutions for Health Problems and vaccinations etc. Of late, Health Care Centers offer a complete package on taking care of your pet's cosmetic as well as medical needs and also offer counseling behavioral problems and socializing techniques for pets, thereby bridging the gap between the Shop and Veterinary Surgery.

Your pet is a living, breathing, playful bundle and enjoys a very special place in your life. The object of your affection needs all the care that he can get by way of Vaccination, Training, Nutrition, Dental Care, Flea and worm control. Regular Health Checks ensure that your pet's good health status is maintained and regular monitoring does not allow a medical condition to go undetected.

Grooming has always been an essential aspect of care as it helps the bonding process. When grooming and handling your pet, you are constantly underlining the master equation and getting him to obey commands. Grooming includes bathing, brushing, skin and coat care and clipping of nails. Grooming habits can be inculcated in the pet at an early age and this makes the socialization process much easier.

Pet Health care Centers also take care of Neutering and spaying of pets at the right time and help to prevent unwanted litter and also avoids painful post season medical conditions in bitches. Moreover, this also reduces the risk of disease, particularly of cancer of the testicles and prostrate gland in dogs, and breast, uterine and ovarian cancer in bitches.

Pet Health care centers share your concern and team up with you to provide nutrition, grooming, medicine and entertainment for your beloved pets.

TopHealthSpot.com is your pet health care resource offering information, advice & tips on pet care along with veterinary health products & supplements online.

How to choose the right pet health insurance

Pet health care insurance

How to choose the right pet health insurance
For owners, coverage can help manage risk of a costly illness

A cat named Beetle lets out a meow as he receives a vaccination. Routine procedures, and even alternative therapies like acupuncture, can be covered with pet health insurance.

By Gayle B. Ronan
Credit envy — or just the anxiety that comes from being at an emergency animal hospital — but when you overhear a fellow pet owner requesting a copy of a bill for insurance purposes, the merits of pet health coverage suddenly become clear.

“From 1994 to 2003, expenditures for veterinary services rose 76 percent,” says Carol McConnell, manager of veterinary education and services for Veterinary Pet Insurance, in Brea, Calif.

That rise may correlate with higher disposable incomes and the elevation of pets to "family member" status, along with longer animal life expectancies. But McConnell also notes that owners of ailing pets now have more options as veterinarians have added many diagnostic and treatment capabilities borrowed from human medicine. Taking advantage of those new options can quickly run vet bills up into the thousands of dollars, making insurance premiums of a few hundred dollars a year a good investment for some pet owners.

Pet insurance is not new. European pet owners have been buying it since the 1940s. According a 2005 report from Packaged Facts, a market research company, about 25 percent of British pet owners have the coverage. In Sweden, nearly 50 percent carry it. But in the United States, where it has only been available since the early 1980s, less than 3 percent of pet owners carry insurance. Many are unaware it even exists, says Molly Pavolino, a spokesperson for PetProtect, an insurer in Naples, Fla.

Pet health insurance is not only far cheaper than the human variety, it also lacks the administrative complexity. Instead, pet insurance functions on a reimbursement basis with policyholders choosing their own course of care and providers and then submitting claims after the fact.

Because pets are technically a form of property, the insurance is structured more like a homeowner’s or auto policy.

“With a car, you have a fender bender and look to insurance to cover the repairs after meeting the deductible. As crude as it sounds, this is how pet insurance works," said McConnell. "The point of treatment remains getting the pet ‘back on the road,’ so to speak.” The main purpose of pet insurance, like auto insurance, is to manage the risk of a potentially costly event.

Four major insurers
Evaluating carriers is relatively straightforward, as only four offer coverage throughout the United States. But the policies vary significantly in terms of coverage. Premiums range from about $10 to $71 a month per cat or dog, with discounts for multiple pets.

Veterinary Pet Insurance is the oldest and largest pet insurer with 70 percent of the market. In addition to cats and dogs, coverage for birds, fish, snakes, rabbits, guinea pigs and other exotics is also available. Policies include standard accident, illness and emergency coverage, with additional coverage available for routine and preventive care. Coverage also includes FDA-approved medicines along with increasingly popular alternative care therapies like acupuncture and massage therapy.

Pethealth is a Canadian company that offers dog and cat insurance in the U.S. under a variety of names, including PETCO, ShelterCare and UnionPlus. A policy for older dogs has no upper age limit.

Hartville Group, which underwrites PetsHealth Care Plan, also covers dogs and cats. Most of its policies include routine care coverage for annual vaccinations. But it excludes any alternative therapy coverage. It also boasts an annual deductible rather than a per incidence deductible that characterizes the other policies.

A variation in policy structure can be found with PetProtect, which, according to Pavolino, is structured more like a European policy. With only two policies to choose between, it limits coverage to accidents, illnesses and diseases. The higher-priced policy addresses the expense of finding a missing pet and recovery of the original purchase price of a lost pet. After a $40 deductible per incident, claims are covered 100 percent. Dollar limits per illness apply, which could be exhausted by a chronic condition.

An alternative for keeping costs in check, especially for routine services, may be found with discounters like Pet Assure or prepaid plan providers like Banfield, which provides care through PetSmart stores. But like HMOs, use is restricted to in-network clinics. Referrals to specialists or emergency care — exactly what insurance is bought to cover — could be costly.

Also touted as an alternative to paying a monthly premium is a dedicated savings account. It is an option Bonnie Beaver, former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association and a practicing veterinarian with Texas A&M, recommends for clients who do not want to buy insurance. It can work. But early-life accidents or illnesses could easily undermine the plan, as can a lack of discipline to save.

When evaluating pet insurers, consumers are advised to apply the same scrutiny they would to any other property and casualty insurance policy:

Look at the underwriter behind the policy and verify its "Best Rating," which reflects its financial health and ability to pay any future claims.
Compare coverage to actual and probable needs given the animal’s breed and its associated health risks.

Understand the costs. Each company has a slightly different cost structure in terms of co-payments, deductibles and lifetime caps. Verify whether or the premiums stay level throughout the life of the pet or escalate with age.

Know what the coverage limits and more importantly what it excludes.
Before buying, check with your company's human resources department. Many companies, including Home Depot, Procter & Gamble and numerous restaurant chains, offer pet insurance as an employee benefit.

Although new pet owners may swear they would euthanize their animal before ever spending $3,000 to reattach a knee ligament, once faced with the decision such hard lines can be difficult to hold.

“There is no discounting the human-animal bond,” says McConnell. “When your cat is the reason you get up in the morning, and you are in the vet’s office being told there is a procedure that will save its life, you are willing to find a way to pay.” Having pet insurance can make doing so that much easier.

credit : www.msnbc.msn.com

Pet Insurance Companies

Pet Insurance Companies

Which Are The Top Five Companies That Offer Pet Insurance In The US?
The pet insurance schemes are quiet small but various companies offer them. The number of such companies are comparatively small than those offering other branches of insurance like life insurance or medical insurance.Some leadingplayers in the insurance industry have market leaders have also set examples for many companies to follow their pets and thereby benefit from the immense opportunities. The times are getting tougher for the pet insurance companies in terms of the competition and for the consumers in terms of choosing Pet insurance policies.

Companies offer many schemes to pet owners like you. Those schemes cover almost all the principles of a general insurance taken for human beings. When you choose a particular policy for your pets you must analyze many factors like the areas covered, amount insured, potential illness of your pet. Above all you need to be aware of the financial implications.
The Top Pet Insurance Companies
There are some of the top pet insurance company that offers policies in the America as follows

1) shelter care
2) Pet care insurance
3) Pets health plan
4) Pet insurance

Shelter Care
This company offers unique and best pet insurance schemes on the basis of your nationality. You can choose the one meant for the pets in your country to avail the maximum benefits. Their insurance schemes are meant to cover the illness caused to cats and dogs. You can choose to insure your pets for regular checkups, chronic illness, or for some unexpected problems that may involve surgical and post operative treatment. Some of their policies cover all accidents and illness while some cover selected items. You need to understand that the coverage amount and areas vary from policy to policy.

Shelter care also helps people to adopt homeless pets by giving the relevant information through pet finder//home. The later is a highly rated website offering pet care services to people all over the world and especially in the United States with the help of its database. They have also entered into a partnership with Pet health Inc to provide best Pet insurance and related services to those of you who choose to adopt homeless pets.

Pet Care Insurance
Pet health Inc is a reputed pet insurance company offering services to residents in the United States of America and Canada. Their insurance programs also cover many injuries and illness that occur to dogs and cats. You need to read each policy in detail to know the accurate specifications and conditions laid in each policy before choosing the right one for your pet.

Pets Health Plan
This company is aimed at developing and providing Pet insurance services The objective of the company is to help you to meet the raising medical bills of your pets and Veterinarians charges with ease. More than 40 Pet owners tend to benefit from their services. It is also known that these pet owners own more than 50 cats and dogs and all of them have immensely benefited from the laudable contribution of the company.

The company had developed four different insurance plans to help pet owners like you. They are as follows:

* Basic Pet Insurance Plan
* Value Pet Insurance Plan
* Choice Pet insurance Plan
* Best Pet Insurance plan

The first plan provides relief for fundamental problems. The second plan provides coverage for the same but at a higher cost. The third plan also provides for most of the injuries covered in the first two plans. The added advantage is that it also covers the Chronic and long tem illness. The fourth plan covers almost all the items of the first three plans. The company will also reimburse the expenses incurred to rectify the problems caused to your pet in the previous term of the policy.

Continue to : Best Pet Insurance Companies in the US

Cooling Pet Beds

A cooling pet bed may be just what the vet ordered for your furry friend. It can be very helpful and bring much relief, especially if your cat or dog suffers from bad joints, hips or one of many skin conditions affecting pets from all walks of life. A cooling pet bed doesn't have to be expensive either, and can be used all year around, especially in those hot summer months. Your buddy will be extremely happy.

If you're shopping around for a cooling pet bed, or just considering making a purchase on one of many models available, you may want to check out the ever so popular Canine Cooler cooling dog bed, or pet cooling products by Kand H. There are many others, and if you have a cat, then this will also help you figure out what you need to know. They are very innovative and provide excellent therapeutic benefits.

We all know that our pets can experience some serious discomfort in the hot winter months. And some pets have thicker fur than others, which makes it hard to keep cool. Unfortunately this can be the cause of your pets lack of energy, skin irritations, breathing difficulties and a variety of other concerns. Why not give your pet the choice of cooling down when it's too warm, with a cooling pet bed? It can make the world of difference.

Dean Cecere is a regular contributor of resourceful articles dealing with a variety of issues.

If you need additional pet related ideas, please visit http://www.pet-supplies-guide.com

Flea Control Tips For Pet And Home Owners

Flea Control Tips For Pet And Home Owners
By Ras Reed

If you have read somewhere that getting rid of and keeping fleas at bay is easy, it is suggested that you treat it with levity. Contrarily, it is a task that calls for your utmost attention, especially if you love your pets dearly. It a task that require all arsenals to fight as it can cut short the lives of your lovely pet.

The source of flea's infestation include but not limited to climatic changes, surroundings and lots more. Where you live is very important. Fleas love and desire a dirty environment to thrive. But when you take time to get your environment clean - both outside and inside, fleas find it hard living in such an environment. This is because you have goner against their main goal which is to feed and breed on fresh blood.

There are so many flea control methods out there that you can make use of in order to get rid of and keep the fleas at bay from your home and animals. You can either go for the natural methods or the chemical methods. You should know that these methods have their weakness and strength. Hence, it is advisable for you to see your vet before making use of any of the methods. But if you don't want to spend more money with experts, you can try out any of the methods until you discover the best methods for you and your pets.

If your lovely pet has been infested with fleas, it is suggested that try out advantage flea control. Sure, a lot has been written on this method, but I need to say that many of the writers have not really tried it out. I have and it works. I want you too to try it out and you will be glad you did. It has the ability to kill fleas on adult and little pets. However, I will suggest that you read and understand the manufacturer's instruction before using it. This is highly necessary. Don't think you know how to go about using it. Read the instruction and it will save you a lot of headache in the process of eliminating the fleas.

Ras Reed is the owner of Fleas Control Guide where he shares useful tips on getting rid of fleas from your pets and home. Get more info from his Felas Control website.

Three Key Ingredients to Raising Healthy Cats and Dogs

Three Key Ingredients to Raising Healthy Cats and Dogs
By Melissa Gallagher

If you are reading this today, you are a proud mom or pop of a darling animal that loves you unconditionally, doesn't talk back, is there when you need them and brings joy into your every day life. I, myself, am the human of two sweet kitties: Wellington and Lacie. They are the one constant in my life when things get tough and have endured a move each year including two Atlantic Coast trips. I love my babies and as a natural health and wellness professional and advocate I extend my natural health knowledge to maintain and improve the health of my pets.

Diet, fish oil supplementation and other holistic and alternative therapies are essential to keeping your beloved pet healthy and happy.

When I began researching about the pet food I was feeding my cats, I was alarmed by the finding. This is a very unregulated industry and the bi-products and chemicals are frightening.

According to Dr. Richard Pitcairn in his book, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, there is no mandatory federal inspection of ingredients used in pet food manufacturing.In all but two or three states, the law allows pet food makers to use "4-D sources", that is tissues from animals that are dead, dying, disabled or diseased when they arrive at the slaughterhouse.Another shocking fact is that before meat even arrives at the rendering plant it has already been saturated with chemicals.

To comply with government regulations all meat rejected by slaughterhouses must be "denatured"; a procedure designed to make it unpalatable to humans, thus ensuring it cannot be resold as human grade meat.There are a variety of methods used.Dr. Wendell Belfied, DVM (former USDA vet) wrote in "Let's Live" magazine:"In my time as a veterinary meat inspector, we denatured with carbolic acid (phenol, a potentially corrosive disinfectant) and/or creosote (used to preserve wood, also a disinfectant)."

According to federal meat inspection regulations fuel oil, kerosene, carbolic acid and citronella are the approved denaturing materials used. Other foods rejected by the USDA that ends up in pet foods include moldy grains and rancid animal fats. According to an article in "Environmental News" (March '99) a large percentage of commercial pet food is made up of meat by-products: a toxic brew containing diseased and contaminated meat from slaughterhouses, animal heads, toenails, chicken feathers, feet and beaks.It also includes dead animals picked up from the nation's roads, rancid restaurant grease, and thousands of animals euthanized in animal hospitals and shelters (flea collars and all).Along with the meat come any drugs that have been introduced into the animals such as hormones, antibiotics and barbiturates used to put pets to sleep.Unsold supermarket meats arrive in their original Styrofoam and plastic packaging are tossed into the pot.

It would be wonderful if we could all feed our animals an all-natural raw food diet, but for some the following alternatives will be very helpful. After further research and discussion with natural and holistic vets the best organic and natural pet foods are listed below. The following is not a complete list of all that is available but will give you some respected names:

CANIDAE
CALIFORNIA NATURAL
PETGUARD LIFESPAN
SOLID GOLD
PRECISE
STEVES REAL FOOD
FLINT RIVER RANCH
INNOVA
WYSONG
WELLNESS
NATURAL BLEND
SOJOURNER FARMS

Fish oil or Pet Cod Liver Oil is essential for your dog and cat. It replenishes essential fatty acids- essential fatty acids - Fish Oil, Borage Oil and Natural Vitamin E - that are easily destroyed by the normal processing of commercial pet foods. Fatty acids are vital to the everyday health, skin and coat, heart and cardiovascular system, strong muscles and healthy stong joints.

When I started to give Lacie and Wellie Nordic Naturals Pet Cod Liver Oil, their energy levels spiked, they stopped shedding as much and their fur is softer and shinier.

A very close friend of mine is a holistic vet who conducts acupuncture on pets and mixes herbal remedies for sick animals speaks highly of massage treatment for your pet. Essential you can give your dog or kitty cat a highly effective massage that will help release toxins and ease muscle pain they may experience. Massage in general is great for moving and releasing the lymphatic system. You can massage your pet when watching tv or a movie or when grooming. They'll love the attention and it will also increase the bond between you and your pet.

Keeping our pets healthy and happy further helps our own health as they give us so much joy and love that, in my fair opinion, we are the lucky bunch that comes home to a loving animal.

Melissa Gallagher is the founder and president of Healthy Being, LLC. For more details about Healthy Being Products please contact Melissa at melissa@healthybeingproducts.com or visit our website at http://www.healthybeingproducts.com or purchase products online at: http://stores.ebay.com/healthybeingproducts

Pet Health Insurance Explained

Pet Health Insurance Explained
By Grant Copland

Pet health insurance is simple, affordable solution for those owners who love their pets but is concerned about the financial hardship of high-quality pet care. It brings peace of mind, protecting you and your beloved pet from the inevitable and the unexpected. It is still relatively new, and many pet owners are still unaware of their choices. By going though the components of a typical pet health insurance policy, you will know what to look for when selecting the right pet insurance policy for you.

The principal component and the number one reason for people insurance their pets, is to cover vet fees. The majority of pet insurance companies will quote the vet fees as an amount per incidents, illness or condition. The vet fees listing will be one for three types.

Type 1: Time & Fee Limit


This type of cover has a time limit over which the condition can be claimed (usually 12 months) and a maximum payout amount per condition. One the time limit or dollar amount has been reached the condition is no longer covered. This is commonly referred to as a "12 month policy".

Type 2: Fee Limit but No Time Limit


This type of cover has a maximum limit on the amount paid per condition but no time limit. Therefore, you can claim on this condition for as long as it takes to reach the conditions limit.

Type 3: Fee Limit per Year


This type of cover has a maximum limit on the amount paid per condition per year. The amount is reset each year when the policy is renewed. This is commonly referred to as "cover for life policy".

A pet health insurance policy can cover (sometimes as an option):

Treatment of your pet for illness, accidents or disease
Payment for accidental death
Payment for death by illness
Advertising and Reward if you pet gets lost or is stolen
Third-party liability cover (usually dogs only)
Pet boarding cost if you are in hospital for a length of time
Holiday cancellation cover if you pet is lost, injured or ill while you are away
Pet Travel cover
Alternative Treatments
Basic routine care
Dental
Telephone Helplines

A pet health insurance policy will not only vary in the level of cover offered but different companies have their own additions, conditions and exclusions. One needs to look at the pros and cons of a particular product offering carefully, and compare it with other pet health insurance products before deciding.

It is important when choosing pet health insurance to select a policy which matches your desired cover with your budget. The higher your level of cover, the more expensive the policy will become. The breed of your pet, the pet's age and your location will affect the cost of your pet health insurance policy. Generally, cats insurance is cheaper than dogs. Policies are contracted and quoted on a yearly basis as a one off annual charge or spread over twelve months.

All pet insurance policies will include an excess. An excess is an amount you pay before the insurance company starts paying. The excess is used to keep the policy cost down and to stop people making small claims that take up time and money to process. Companies will charge an excess per claim as either a fixed amount or a percentage amount. You may elect to pay a higher excess to help reduce the cost of pet insurance.

Although pet health insurance may appear expensive a first, consider the cost of veterinarian treatment if you pet has a serious accident or illness. If you are the type of owner who considers their pet an essential part of the family, pet health insurance makes financial sense.

Grant Copland is the owner of PetHealthCover.com

For more information, advice and help with choosing the correct Pet Insurance for your pet visit Pet Health Cover.

Choosing A Pet ID

Choosing A Pet ID
By Elyse Grau

Pet identification speaks for your pet when it cannot. Wearing an id tag will increase the chances of your dog or cat being returned to you.

The most typical form of pet id is the simple collar tag. This is usually metal, but increasingly can be made of plastic or even paper. Metal tags last the longest and resist scratching.

The id tag is attached to the collar, usually using a figure-eight type hook or a double circle. The figure -eight is usually a sturdier connection.

This type of pet identification tag needs to be engraved. You can choose to put whatever you want on the tag. At a minimum the tag should include the animal's name and your phone number. If space allows, it is a good idea to provide at least one additional phone number, such as a cell phone, a neighbor or your vet.

By providing your address as well, the pet can be returned to you by the person finding it. City and state are not necessary; usually the animal is lost close to home. A zip code or area code is useful in case the animal gets loose somewhere farther away.

Temporary ids are made from paper or cardboard, which are then laminated or inserted into a plastic holder. These types of id tags are great for when you are traveling with your pet. Attach them to the collar in addition to the regular id. The temporary id should have the phone number or numbers where you can be reached, perhaps with the dates that you will be at these numbers.

If you want to get really fancy, you can purchase an embroidered collar for your dog or cat in place of the tag. Also, you can order a flat id that is threaded onto the collar. The drawback to this kind of tag is that it is not easily seen, and unless the finder looks for it, he may think the animal does not have a tag. The benefit is that it is unlikely to fall off, unless of course the entire collar is lost.

An even more permanent type of identification is the microchip. This is a relatively new technique that is becoming more and more common. Most animal shelters now automatically chip the animals when they are adopted.

The information embedded in the microchip also resides on the providing company's database, and can be accessed from anywhere in the country. The chip can then be traced back to the purchaser of the chip, not necessarily directly to you.

Since the tag cannot be seen or felt, the animal can also wear a tag that tells people it has been chipped. In order to read the microchip, the dog or cat will need to be brought to a police station, vet's office or animal shelter. Not all chips are compatible with all scanners, although improvements have been made in this area.

The firms that provide the chip also provide a recovery service. This is separate from the chip registration. An annual fee is charged. You register your pet with your information. If the pet is found and taken to someone who can scan the chip, the animal can be returned to you within twenty-four hours. There are also independent companies that provide lost-pet services, using any microchip brand.

Elyse Grau founded The Original Dog Biscuit Company, a natural dog biscuit producer. She is a herbalist, preferring to treat her animals holistically. She has made it a point to learn as much about animal nutrition as possible. You can read more of her articles at: http://www.pethealthresource.com

Holiday Pet Safety

Holiday Pet Safety
By Jennifer Jordan

Just as for people, the holidays can also be stressful for animals. Not only are they wrought with the anticipation of what Santa is bringing them, but they are also stressed by the endless activity that's going on.

It might be easy to overlook your pets, as making sure your mother-in-law is happy is more important than your poodle's contentment, but pets still need to be kept safe. Keep the following tips in mind to make sure the holidays stay happy for those with two legs and those with four.

Keep bones away: Turkey, chicken, even ham can all have bones, bones your dog would love to get his paws on. Despite these desires, meat bones can be a choking hazard for animals, a hazard that can make them sick and, in some instances, be fatal. For this reason, it's important to keep bones away from your pets. If you feed them table scraps make sure they are boneless and keep the trash in a secure area, one that Fido can't sneak his way into.

Keep plants far from pets: Mistletoe, poinsettias, and Christmas trees all do their part to add a little essence to the holiday, but - when consumed by pets - they can add heartache as well. Certain plants, particularly poinsettias and mistletoe are poisonous to animals and should be kept as far away as possible. Eating out of a plant may lead your dog to think he's sampling the salad bar, but he's really eating something that is anything but nutritious.

Don't put things in the Christmas tree water that you don't want your pets consuming: Pets can't help it: they see water, they have to drink it. This includes the water underneath the Christmas tree. Some people may leave Christmas tree water alone, but others fill it with chemicals, chemicals that can sicken animals. If you have pets around the house, it's best to leave the Christmas tree water as pure as possible.

Don't leave pets outside for long periods: It might the easiest route: when company comes over, putting the pets outside is the best way to keep them from jumping up and getting their fur all over Aunt Shelly's leather jacket. While it's fine to keep pets outside in nice weather, for anyone who lives in cold weather, pets shouldn't be kept outside for long amounts of time. Placing them in a heated garage or in a basement are better options: these alternatives will help keep your pets warm and keep you from defrosting a dogsicle.

Don't keep candles lit in a house full of pets: The holidays are a time of the joy of lights, but when candles are involved, that joy can go up in flames. In a house full of pets, particularly cats that crawl and jump on furniture and windowsills, candles have no place. They might look nice, but they can easily be knocked over, falling to the ground and causing not only your chestnuts to be roasted on an open fire.

Jennifer Jordan is the senior editor for http://www.etodoors.com Someone who changes her mind every five minutes, her house is in a perpetual state of home improvement.