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Archive for December, 2007

Dec
31

Practical Hints On Electronic Flea Collars

Posted under Pets

Following the failure of many flea control measures in the past, the introduction of electronic flea collars was well greeted by enthusiastic consumers. Consumers, especially the dog owners who are always on the look out for what can be done to effectively get rid of fleas from their wonderful pets can t wait to see if the new measure will work. As a dog owner, it is very important for you to acquire basic information about electronic flea collar before ever going out there to buy it. This article will help you out with the basic information and you can then make up your mind whether to procure it or not.

It s been known that of all animals in existence, the dog is regarded as man s best friend. Dogs have served mankind for many years. However, fleas are a constant threat to the well being of dogs. This is a major concern of dog lovers. Before now, the measure that a dog owner like you can make use of in order to get rid of fleas is to regularly wash and comb him or her. You will agree with me that this is not an easy task. So, the introduction of pesticides like DDT was a welcome development for many dog owners grappling with fleas infestation. But it was soon discovered that these pesticides have side effects and some of them are not environmentally friendly coupled with the fact unfortunate fact that some of them can t effectively deal with fleas.

The aftermath of all this is the development of an electronic flea collar. However, I must advise that you consult with your veterinary doctor before getting one. Why? Many dog owners like you have fallen for the advertisement and are regretting it. Many of the advertised testimonials on the World Wide Web and mass media have been found to be untrue. Moreover, most of the manufacturers have not been able to scientifically prove that their product can effectively deal with flea infestation.

It is highly advisable for you to see your vet doctor before using any flea control products.

Spaying And Neutering Pets - Myths And Facts

Posted under Pets

With millions of unwanted animals losing their lives in shelters around the country each year, clearing up some common misconceptions about spaying and neutering that pet owners have is a very crucial part of humane education. Below are some of the common objections people raise when they are urged by animal rescue workers to alter their pets, and the facts provided to overcome these objections.

Myth: Spaying or neutering will make my pet fat and lazy. The truth is: Pets become overweight for the same reasons people do: overeating and not getting enough exercise. Don t overfeed your pet, and be sure that he/she gets plenty of play time and has lots of interesting toys to play with.

Myth: My cat/dog should have one litter first. The truth is: There is no medical evidence to support the theory that having a litter before spaying is good for a cat or dog. On the contrary, females spayed before their first heat cycle have a greatly reduced occurrence of breast cancer. If the reason you want your pet to have puppies or kittens is so that your children can witness “the miracle of birth” then contact your local no-kill rescue organization and foster a pregnant cat or dog. Many no-kill organizations take in pregnant animals, and are always desperately seeking foster homes for them. Usually the rescue organization will cover any veterinary expenses involved with the foster animal and her litter, and many will even provide food and litter for the animals in their foster system.

Myth: I can find good homes for the puppies and kittens. While you may believe that you will be able to get friends, relatives, and acquaintances to adopt the first litter, how many of the offspring will really have a good home for life? What about subsequent litters? Will the person taking the offspring take responsibility to get the animal vet care when needed, and alter the puppy or kitten…or will the animal produce litters of its own, thus adding to the growing tragedy of pet overpopulation? Kittens and puppies given away for free often end up in research labs or used in dog fighting rings as bait, so don t EVER advertise free puppies or kittens.

Myth: My pet is a purebred, so I don t want to alter him/her. The sad truth is, at least one fourth of the animals that enter our shelters each year are also purebred pets. They are often purchased from a puppy mill or high priced breeder and then become abandoned or given up when they become inconvenient. If you are looking for a purebred pet, most shelters actually have lists where potential owners can sign up and be notified when the breed they are looking for comes in. There are also many breed-specific rescue groups that exist to help unwanted purebreds. If you must have a purebred, save a life and adopt one from a shelter or breed-specific rescue organization.

Myth: I cannot afford to get my pet fixed. The truth is: How can you afford NOT to? Spaying or neutering is a one-time cost, which greatly benefits the animal, you, and your community. Many organizations offer low cost spay/neuter help. In fact, if you live in Florida you can visit http://www.spayneuterpets.com. This site is a directory of Florida low cost programs, organized by county. Even if you are not a Florida resident, there are national links provided on this site so that residents in other states can find assistance as well. Because your pet will be less likely to develop certain cancers later in life, and altered males are much less likely to fight (and become injured), in the long run you will most likely save on vet bills. Also, the financial costs incurred by county agencies to euthanize unwanted animals run high…and their expenses to euthanize these animals are passed on to us, the taxpayers.

Joanna Sunderman is the publisher of SpayNeuterPets.com

To learn more about the benefits of spaying and neutering pets, humane help for feral cats, and how to find low cost spay and neuter help in Florida as well as in other areas, please visit http://www.spayneuterpets.com.

Why It Is Important To Secure Dog Doors

Posted under Pets

Having a dog door for your house is one of the best ways to give your pet the free rein of the yard without all the trouble of opening and closing the door each time it wants to go out. Nonetheless, there are some drawbacks to having a dog door installed in your house too. Many cheaper models don t have any kind of security, which means insects, wild creatures, heat and cold all have free entry to your home, as well as your pet.

If you would like to enjoy the convenience of a dog door, without having to deal with the annoyances, getting one that can be locked is most likely the best idea. Unfortunately, if you have a model that was not designed with a security device, locking dog doors can be tough. It s hard to attach a locking device on a door that s simply constructed out of a plastic flap. Because of this, getting a dog door that comes with a lock is highly advisable.

There are many various types of dog doors on the market, including ones that are meant to be installed in walls, conventional ones that fit on a typical door, dog doors that install in your screen door and in your sliding door and even dog doors meant to be installed in patio doors. Each of these will have different security methods, because of the different locations and ways they have to be installed.

Those which are to be installed in walls and conventional doors will often come with a locking device. The more advanced security dog doors also offer security plates. Generally, a decent pet door will be designed so that it can t be unattached from the outside, reducing the probability of burglars to use your pet door to go into your home. If you have trouble with other people s pets, strays, or wild animals entering your dog door, consider getting one with a magnetic lock. These doors can only be opened by an animal carrying the correct digital key on its collar, making them safe against other creatures.

Shielding a patio or sliding door dog door is a lot harder than protecting a normal one. Generally, these doors must be removed when you are away from the house and replaced with an immovable panel that will prevent burglars from entering the house. However, one advantage of these doors is that they don t need to be permanently installed. You can take them with you when you move, eliminating the need to buy a new dog door for each house you live in.

Visit Natalie s site at PetDoors101.com for more free advice on getting a suitable pet door for you and your pet.

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Archive for December, 2007

Practical Hints On Electronic Flea Collars

Spaying And Neutering Pets - Myths And Facts

Why It Is Important To Secure Dog Doors

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