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There is nothing more painful to see than an animal when it is sick, particularly if it is your own pet. It is therefore generally a good idea to keep a small range of vet supplies for pet health in your house at all times, just as you would for your own family.

General pet products such as shampoos, lice and nit sprays as well as basic vitamin pills should help to keep your pet in tip top condition. Dogs and cats in particular, can be prone to tooth decay and so regular brushing, using a pet toothbrush and toothpaste, not only minimises this risk but also helps to dispel any odours from bad breath.

Apart from its normal six monthly or annual trip to the vet, there may well be occasions when your pet injures itself or suffers from an illness that requires a separate visit to the vet. This normally results in the vet prescribing specific medicine or treatments, which they may initially supply, but in order to maintain the treatment, you can purchase most vet supplies from your local pet products shop.

It may not always be convenient to make regular visits to the local pet shop and so there are now a number of websites where you can order vet supplies online and arrange for these to be delivered, normally overnight, to your home. Space is sometimes limited at a pet shop and therefore you are more likely to be able to choose from a larger range when you purchase vet supplies online, particularly when the product you need maybe often be hard to source.

If, like most families, your pet is treated as a member of your family, then a good source of vet supplies for pet health should have higher priority on your to-do list.

Dog training videos are created to assist owners and trainers to better train their dogs. With the help of visual aids and a step by step guide, training your dog should be easy. Training dogs in general requires a lot of time, effort and patience. Just like humans, some dogs learn faster than others. Make sure that your program is suitable for your dog. With the help of modern technology, dog training videos are also available through the internet. Some trainers or owners try to download these videos so that they can effectively train their dogs. Some dog training school offers a dog training video after the whole session so that the owner can do some follow up and recap with their dogs personally. Recap is important so that your dog will constantly remember the trainings.

There are so many kinds of dog training video and that is why it is important for you to determine as to what kind of training your dog needs. Some training might only cover the obedience training, tracking, agility and the likes. Some dog training videos even come with the basic background of dog’s behavior and makers of these kinds of videos believe that learning some basic background on dog’s behavior will help trainers understands the nature of dogs better. Make sure that your dog has fully mastered the old tricks or trainings before you continue teaching your dog some new tricks again. Dog training videos are only created to assist trainers in doing a step by step training. However, the hard work and determination will have to come from the trainer himself. Do not get swayed by the entire offer, stick to your desired programs for your dog. Remember one step at a time. You cannot bombard your dog with tons of lesson each session.

In order for you to properly select as to what dog training video suits your dog best is to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your dog first. This way you can start enhancing your dog’s strengths and follow through his weaknesses. If you happen to own a toy dog, do not expect the dog to be as agile and as aggressive as the guard dogs. Although all dogs may have some common traits, you still have to understand that each breed of dogs have their own uniqueness, strengths and weaknesses. Some dog training video also teaches the appropriate attitude to dog owners when it comes to teaching their dogs. Most of the dog training videos will advice all trainers and owners not to hit their dogs because this will not help at all. Rewards prove to be the most effective means or approach to training dogs. Dogs are like kids. They like being rewarded. Dogs are very sensitive and are keen to their owner’s feelings. If you are a good owner or trainer, the dog will forever stay loyal to you. Another dog training advice on how your dog can enjoy each training session is to include some play time.

No More Fat Cats, Please

Take a look at your cat. Be honest. Is she/he overweight? Maybe even slip the word obese into that thought?

We wouldn’t be surprised at all if you admitted that your cat looks a wee bit on the chunky side. According to reports, overweight and obese cats outnumber cats of normal weight. The extra fat can cause several health problems, including diabetes.

But what to do?

Keep this in mind: any mammal (that includes humans, cats, dogs, etc.) will gain weight if it eats more calories than it burns as fuel for energy.

Humans can control how much and what our pets eat. Yes-WE have control over this, but must be disciplined.

Any cat that is overweight should be seen by a vet and a weight loss plan discussed and put into place asap. It’s important that this process of losing weight is gradual for the cat, though. Do NOT give it a crash diet as it can be dangerous to the cat’s health.

FREE CHOICE FEEDING

This method of feeding your cat is likely the main cause of obesity. Too much food is set out for the day as people tend to dump a bunch into a bowl and walk away. Experiment with feeding the recommended amount listed on the food package (bag, can, whatever). You may need to adjust that amount, too – usually to LESS.

Next, feed your cat two meals a day, preferably morning and night. In other words, whatever the recommended amount is for one day, or what the veterinarian instructs, divide that into two separate meals instead of one feeding. Think of cat food in ounces, not cups.

Here are some thoughts to consider…

CARBOHYDRATES

Dry pet food is loaded with carbohydrates. A cat is a carnivore and doesn’t need all those carbs so in turn can more easily gain weight on dry food.

PROTEIN

Most dry cat foods are low in protein… especially if corn is one of the first major ingredients. Protein is THE key nutrient in a healthy weight carnivore diet.

>>Dry food is more convenient, too. No spoiling or drying up during the day like wet food will do. And when I say, “during the day”, I’m still referring to a specific measured amount of food that she will either gobble up in the morning or nibble on throughout the day.

CAT TREATS

Stop feeding treats to fat cats. If you do give your cat treats, keep it to 2 – 4 a day in between the other meals. That’s it!

EXERCISE

Increase kitty’s calorie burning activities. Add interactive toys to the cat’s environment. Get another cat so the two can play with each other. Buy a cat harness and leash to safely walk her. Spend 15 minutes zipping a feather toy through the air and have her chase it.

WHAT ABOUT DRY FOOD TO HELP CLEAN THE TEETH?

Do not worry about the teeth needing dry, crunchy food to help remove tartar. Cats fed soft, meat-based food have fewer teeth and gum problems than cats eating all dry diets! (according to studies) So if you want to feed only wet food (good quality), go for it!

THE WEIGHT LOSS PLAN

First, if this is truly a serious weight condition, take your cat to a veterinarian. The vet may do blood work (looking for health problems), an exam and record the weight.

If changing the actual food, then gradually over a period of three to four weeks add more of the new weight-loss food/diet with the old, decreasing amount of the old diet and adding more of the new one. Feed foods high in protein and fat and low in carbohydrates. Feed the proper portion size twice a day. Skip treats if possible during the weight loss program.

Don’t forget about increasing her activity level, as mentioned earlier, to burn more calories.

Weigh the cat at least once a month. Or every week if you can to track it. If your scale doesn’t register when you sit her on it, then weigh yourself – write it down. Grab your cat and step on the scale holding her and check the weight. Subtract one from the other and you have her weight. If her weight isn’t budging at all after a month, decrease the total amount you’re feeding her – by a tiny bit. You’d be shocked how a little makes a huge difference in affecting a cat’s weight.

If you do have a fat cat, it can take several MONTHS until she reaches an ideal weight. Once this happens, maintain it. That means if she hits the weight that is about perfect but keeps losing, then you need to increase the food amount just a smidgen.

With her weight loss, she should be more active and happy. Her appearance and fur will look healthier. Hopefully you’ve helped her avoid diabetes, arthritis and other health issues related to being overweight. You’ve likely added years to the length of her life, too! Isn’t that wonderful?

Dogs truly are ‘mans best friend’. They are always ecstatic to see you walk in the door (even if you just went to check the mail); they will go anywhere with you and any dog (including a Chihuahua) will lay down their life for you.

Dogs will listen patiently to all your troubles, and they will never tell on you. Petting a dog has shown to lower blood pressure in humans. If you’re angry, go pet your dog and tell him why you’re angry. You will feel much calmer afterwards.

Where I live we recently had a police dog killed in the line of duty. I can still remember the officer calling in, screaming and crying “CAESARS DOWN – CAESARS DOWN GET ME A BUS”. It was bone chilling. All humanly possible efforts were made to keep Caesar alive, but his wounds were mortal.

Caesar was on the front page of the newspaper the next day, and he was posthumously awarded the Service Medal of Honor, accepted by his master. We had a full-blown police funeral service for him with the color guard, bugle and shots fired. We were shocked at how many of the towns residents were in attendance. Caesars picture hangs in tribute in the lobby of the police station.

Caesars master, the officer is now back at work but without a dog. He had quite a rough time after he lost his dog.

The only difference between your loving dog and Caesar is the level of training. Be kind and loving to your dog, provide well for him.

Dog beds are a very good way to show your dog love. They obviously like the comfort of a soft bed, or they wouldn’t constantly be trying to get on the couch or in your bed. Dog beds provide them with the softness they crave and a ‘place of their own’ to relax in.

Remember, love your dog and treat him well; he loves you with all the fiber of his being.

Horseshoeing

Horseshoeing is one of the oldest trades in the world, and one of the ancient blacksmith’s primary jobs. The blacksmith used his anvil and forge to create many items made of steel. He heated the steel in the forge, primarily coal or organic fueled, then forged and shaped it on the anvil to create the sword, wagon wheel, or horseshoe. Today, the modern blacksmith performs primarily artistic pieces like gates, chandeliers, statues and the like. The Farrier now performs the trade of horseshoeing.

What is a farrier?

The farrier is a professional who makes a living putting horseshoes on horses. Today he is educated in a school that teaches him all of the anatomy surrounding the hoof, from horse conformation to subtle diseases affecting the hoof. In school and apprenticeship, he learns how to put horse shoes on, and how to treat most ailments of the horses hoof. Just a few decades ago, there were no horse shoeing schools, and the horse-shoer (farrier) came from a farm, or was an apprentice for a journeyman farrier so he could learn the trade. Many equine veterinarian firms have a practicing farrier on staff or referral because many farriers have a detailed knowledge of the horses hoof since that is their focus.

What are Farrier Supplies or Farrier Tools?

The tools of his trade: called farrier supplies, includes the following: an anvil, hammer, forge, tongs, hoof knife, rasp, hoof nippers and hoof stand, a nail clincher and clinch block, and a variety of other related farrier tools. The farrier uses his hoof stand to hold the horses leg and hoof upright, then he removes the old horseshoes, and using his hoof nipper and hoof knife he trims the hoof, then makes it smooth with his rasp. He then attaches the horse shoes to the hoof with special horseshoe nails. He must be careful when trimming the hoof, because it is similar to trimming your fingernails-there is a comfortable level of trimming, and then you can trim too deep and cause injury.

Professional farriers know how to correct the horses balance in walking with just the trimming of the hoof. Many times hoof coatings and hoof hardeners or other hoof care products are used to treat ailments of the frog, white line disease, quarter crack, or laminitis…all horse hoof ailments. To find out more visit the link in our resource area below.