http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss http://www.earthclinic.com/template_img/logo.jpg http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss Interesting tips to improve the quality of life in cats and dogs on Earth Clinic, Your Source for Natural Cures! Mon, 13 Feb 12 07:45:08 -0600 en-us http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=DECLAW_67826 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss1 Sun, 27 Nov 11 15:30:47 -0600 from writes: "We applaud West Hollywood (the first city) and then California (the first state) for banning the declawing of cats, both big and small. Read more about the amazing veterinarians who started this successful and inspiring movement at http://www.pawproject.com." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=CESARMILAN_67825 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss2 Sun, 27 Nov 11 15:28:39 -0600 from writes: "http://pets.yahoo.com/blog/cesarmillan/1185/4th-of-july-tips-for-keeping-hot-dogs-cool Posted Fri, Jun 29, 2007, 12:26 pm PDT Want your dog to enjoy the 4th of July festivities as much as you will? Here are some tips on keeping your dog safe in hot summer temperatures. 1. Keep him hydrated. Make sure your dog has access to water. If you're on the move, carry a portable bowl and bottle of water. 2. Different dogs have different needs. Darker coats absorb more heat than lighter coats, and overweight dogs dehydrate faster. Keep this in mind when taking your pack on a walk. 3. Never leave your dog in a parked car. A car retains heat, even in the shade. Add an overexcited dog to the equation, and dehydration can result. On long trips, keep the AC on or roll down the window, and make sure water is available. 4. Be innovative. A wet towel, a water spritzer, a kiddie pool, a fan in front of a pan of ice: these are all great ways to help keep your dog cool. 5. Dogs cool from the bottom up. Lay a wet towel under your dog instead of on top of her coat. Don't forget your dog's paws and stomach when spraying water. 6. Be vigilant! Watch for signs of dehydration. These include excessive drooling, lethargy, bloodshot eyes, and loss of skin elasticity. If you're concerned, get your dog into the shade or go inside, provide water, and contact your veterinarian. " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=HF_67824 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss3 Sun, 27 Nov 11 15:19:58 -0600 Earth Clinic from writes: "Hardwood floors can be very difficult for aging dogs due to their slippery surfaces. As your dog approaches the end of his/her life, the hardwood floor issue becomes especially pronounced. Some dogs may find it impossible to stand up on hardwood floors, especially large breeds. An easy fix is to simply cover the area where he or she walks with throw rugs and runners." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=ALR_65089 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss4 Thu, 13 Oct 11 09:48:57 -0500 [YEA] D.williams from Wilmington, Nc, Usa writes: "I am a life long lovers of cats and have found the most gentle and safe way to secure your kitty so that you can give them liquid meds is to take an old bath towel or small blanket and wrap them just like you would a human baby. This also works on small dogs and other small critters. Lay the towel over your cat's back from the neck down, you want the longer ends to it's sides, scoop them up in your lap and wrap the blanket securely around them tail end first then one side and the other. Make sure that their legs are tucked as if they were lieing on their belly with the tail tucked along their side or up along their stomach. Make sure it is tight but not strangling, especially around their neck, as they will squirm their way out if they can. Sit on the floor indian style with your kitty between your legs and gently but firmly hold their head with your thumb under their chin. I prefer a medicine syringe or eye dropper. Slide the tip of the syringe between their lips toward the back of the mouth and squeeze a little at a time into their mouth. They usually will open their mouth somewhat when the liquid enters and work their tongues to swallow, but don't stick it into their mouth any further than you have to or they will gag. Talking sweet to them and rubbing their head helps to calm them, especially if they start to freak out. This also works great for ear cleaning/meds. This way their claws are away from you and they can't run like hell when they see the medicine! Even the most honery and psycho of kitties can usually be dosed this way. After reading so many posts of people being bitten and scratched by their beloved furry friends I had to share this with all of you. I've got my fair share of scars trying help my furry babies so I totally understand how hard it is to get their meds in them. I hope this helps and bless all of you, two legged and four legged. Peace! " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=SUPPLEMENTS_62142 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss5 Sun, 28 Aug 11 11:26:31 -0500 Diane from Lakeland, Florida writes: "Came across this web site and felt it was necessary to pass this along. It lists all the vitamins and minerals that pets need. It explains the symptoms of deficiency and even dosage. It further explains how the supplement heals the body. A must read... and a must article to print and save. http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_vitamins.php " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=AL_61162 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss6 Sat, 13 Aug 11 11:08:09 -0500 Patricia from Atlanta, Ga writes: "Help! Any suggestions for my 4 year old dog fighting for his life? Originally went to local vet for lethargy, breathing issues and runny nose and notice of tinge of blood in discharge. Put on steroids and multiple antibiotics. Pigment color in one nostril turned pinkish white from black. They weren't sure but thought auto-immune. Couldn't do a biopsy b/c of infection so put on new antibiotic med. 1 1/2 months later, at ER vet b/c vomit was brown. They thought pneumonia, took him back for xray and 30 min later came rushing in w/blood splattered pants and told me he had been bleedidng profusely out of his nose, even throwing up clots. $$$$ spent on CT scan and rhinos copy. Diagnosis w/invasive aspergillosis - already ate away some bone and cartilage in his sinus cavity. Also diagnosed w/pneumonia. Placed on anti fungal med (itraconazole), pain pills, docycline for secondary infection and Chinese herbs to stop bleeding. Bleeding finally stopped for 2 weeks now but he stopped eating. Learned he had high fever and now he is only taken small dose of steroid to help make him want to eat plus antifungal Med. They had also put him on denamrin b/c his liver numbers are going io due to side effect of anti fungal med. Got him to eat raw food yesterday and actually take his pill but want him to get better! Think he is sick of all his meds! He previously was eating Now kibble and Taste of the Wild. Any suggestions? Tried hot dog (whole foods of course), rice and chicken, soup, steak, grilled chicken, canned dog foods (premium brands, all types), cheese, cream cheese, cottage cheese, ice cream. I've been told the anti fungal is his only fighting chance so the disease does not spread to his brain cavity. The med is a capsule 2xday and so far he will only take in cheese but I need a backup plan b/c finicky now. Also want him to get well and beat these to any holistic advice for what I can do is beyond helpful. I've spent a ton of money thus far and can only manage something at home now. " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=CHARCOAL_59759 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss7 Wed, 20 Jul 11 11:00:25 -0500 [YEA] Tina from Mabank, Tx writes: "My dog, lab mix, got bit by a spider. I was not sure what kind of spider but it swelled up within 6 hours. I would not have even seen the bite if it had not been for the bloodish/pus spot on his back. It had 2 distinct puncture wounds and there was a red ring, discolored skin where the punctures were, his hair fell out around the site and it was seeping a kind of pus/blood discharge. It was hot to the touch and ALL kinds of pus came out of it when I tried to apply a compress to it. Needless to say, I freaked out! Just so many things went through my head... Can't afford a vet, would my dog die?, how could I help him, how long ago did he get this bite? etc. , etc... First I tried to wash the wound out with peroxide and some antibiotic ointment. Probably NOT a good idea because I didn't want the bite to be sealed up and was not sure how the peoxide would affect the poison. Then I thought about what I had on hand here at the house. I mixed up a saltwater solution and washed the wound. I tried to get the saltwater in the puncture holes. Then I grabbed a box of baking soda and added a few drops of water to make it pasty. I applied this over the wound and covered the area around the wound. Next I got on the internet and scanned vet sites, spider sites, just ANYWHERE for a picture to help me identify WHAT had bit him. Next, I got on EC and started scanning everything I could find about spider bites. I found the charcoal post and thought it may be worth a try. I went to Walmart and in the pet section they have activated charcoal for your fish tank. Comes in a large plastic jar. (asked the pharmacist about charcoal but they only had some capsules. ) I took some charcoal, about a tsp. , crushed it and added a few drops of water, and applied it directly over the wound. It seemed to stay on pretty good. I thought it might fall off but it didn't. I left it on for a day and when I went to check it and change the charcoal I found the wound had formed some kind of scab with the charcoal. It seemed bonded with it and I didn't want to tear it off, so I left it on. This was 48 hours after the bite and I could see the red ring was gone, the swelling was gone, and the wound area seemed to be much smaller. The next day the scab seemed like it was hardened and smaller. By the evening it had fell off and there was no swelling, no redness, no discharge, in fact, there were NO HOLES either. It was almost like he had not been bit! Like it had totally healed up under the charcoal and was gone. Total time from finding bite to scab falling off was three 1/2 days. I am so glad that I found this site and so glad that my dog is okay! I still don't know what bit him, but it was just wonderful to have him healed up and alive. I hope this helps someone else. If I had to do it over, I would probably remove the scab and add fresh charcoal to the wound daily. As this was my first time dealing with spider bites, and as the charcoal was working so well, I was hesitant to mess with the process. I also live rurally and don't have access to a GNC or health food store, so Walmart pet section had to be the choice. Good luck to all.... " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=TREADMILL_59580 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss8 Sat, 16 Jul 11 12:11:57 -0500 Lynn from San Dimas, California, Us writes: "I need a treadmill for my herding mixed puppy- (she's #20 now). Can you name the best brand and if I use a smaller one (for example one made for #30 lb max and my dog grows beyond to #40)-will the treadmill still work? " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=INFORMATION_58021 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss9 Sat, 18 Jun 11 22:08:26 -0500 Diamond from Salisbury, Usa writes: "I hope people don't mind me sharing this information with every one? The person that wrote this about animals and experiments on them needlessly sounds like he may know what he is talking about. I give him thumbs up for his courage and integrity as well as knowledge. http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-ifyou.html " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=AVOCADO_49869 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss10 Sat, 18 Dec 10 11:08:41 -0600 [WARNING!] Marilyn from Portland, Ore writes: "Avocado is lethal for birds, so much so that my avian veterinarian has a sign about it in the entry of her offices. This is avocado in ANY form, dip, guacamole, or just a tasty (to us) ripe avocado. Many of us who read this site's helpful tips are caretakers of beloved companion parrots and cockatoos or smaller winged merry-chirps. Let's keep them all happy, healthy and singing." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=WV_42873 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss11 Fri, 04 Jun 10 12:04:38 -0500 [YEA] Tucson_arizona from Tucson, Arizona, U.s.a. writes: "White vinegar is excellent to clean our tile floors, we just got a puppy a few weeks ago, and with house training him he of course had accidents inside, we went to pet store to buy some stuff with enzymes to use on the urine spots, and the lady at the store said that vinegar is a great way to get rid of the scent and clean the floor. She said to avoid most all commercial cleaners, esp. anything with ammonia because a dog will be attracted to that and will be able to smell where it urinated before, and thinks it is ok to keep going there." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=LAWN_40753 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss12 Fri, 02 Apr 10 22:16:13 -0500 [QUESTION] Diane from Oliver, Pa writes: "Lawn Tip - Brown Spots? Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do concerning brown spots from pets' urine? I thought I read a while back that there is something I can add to the dog's food or water, but I just can't remember what it is. Any help would be appreciated! " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=FRONTYARD_36570 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss13 Fri, 25 Dec 09 21:13:07 -0600 [WARNING!] Deirdre from Atlanta, Ga writes: "This is a plea to all dog owners to please not leave your dog in your front yard, even if he/she has an electric collar/fence. I live in the Atlanta suburbs and another dog in our neighborhood, a beautiful white bulldog, was stolen last week out his front yard. I was out walking our dogs and encountered the family in their SUV, calling for their dog. They told me he had disappeared from their front yard, which he never left. The next day I saw that they had posted signs everywhere. I hope they find him. I am very saddened when I hear about people leaving dogs in their yards because I know for a fact that dogs get stolen from their yards quite often. I had a roommate years ago in Los Angeles whose beautiful siberian husky was stolen from the front yard of my roommate's rental house. There is a happy ending to this story. He recovered the dog a year later when his jeep was stopped at a light in downtown LA and heard a dog howling nearby. A friend in the car said, hey that sounds just like Pierman! So my roommate pulled over, jumped out of his jeep and ran around the corner to find his dog sitting with a homeless person. The dog apparently recognized the sound of his owner's car a block away and started howling. The poor dog was in very poor health after a year on the streets and had developed an eating disorder. But how amazing that he was reunited with his owner! So this is my plea to all pet owners to please be very careful when you leave your dog outside. Microchipping is a great idea in case the dog is stolen or runs away, but better to always supervise your beloved canine friends. Thanks for reading... " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=PR_32752 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss14 Sat, 26 Sep 09 15:54:28 -0500 Kelly from Cincy, Oh writes: "PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE when you share a remedy for pets INCLUDE MEASUREMENTS. It is vital as they cannot speak and rely on us not to unintentionally use incorrect doseages. even natural remedies can be harsh if not administered properly. THANKS." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=TEETH_31514 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss15 Sun, 30 Aug 09 01:42:51 -0500 Janielam from Blackfoot, Id, USA writes: "I used one of those battery operated toothbrushes to brush my dog's teeth. It worked amazingingly well! You can really get to those hard to reach back places in the dog's mouth." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=VASECTOMY_30124 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss16 Mon, 27 Jul 09 04:46:19 -0500 Mistie Harris from Augusta, GA writes: "vasectomy for male dogs!!! If your only goal is to prevent your male dog from fathering puppies, please consider this as an alternative to castration. Yes, castration reduces "issues" related to having testosterone (roaming, having a sex drive, possible prostate cancer, etc). But at least he would be intact and still able to have sex. Sex is very healthy (and enjoyable!!:-) )for humans - so why not for dogs? Shop around for vets who are willing to do it. I'm not sure if I can put this website address - but for more info go to http://www.dolittler.com/2008/2/25/pet.vet.dog.cat.neuter.castration.vasectomy.veterinary.html The vet from this website states: "Sure, neutering will typically rid you of the roaming, the pee-peeing over any available surface, freaky behavior around bitches in heat, and the triple terror of testicular tumors, perineal hernias and prostatic enlargement. Yet sometimes owners want just the reproductive issue addressed, thank you very much. But the jury has spoken-for now, anyway. The veterinary establishment is loath to relinquish its recommendation that full castration (neutering) is the end all and be all when it comes to canine sterilization. Indeed, vasectomies are so rare that I recall being laughed at by my professor in my Principles of Surgery lecture when I asked whether anyone was performing this technique in lieu of castration. That was fourteen years ago when I was still stupid enough to slink back into my seat and make myself invisible after such an oratory "fiasco." Now that I've wisely shed such inhibitions, I can proudly proclaim: Vasectomies are surgical procedures, too! They have a place in vet medicine along with the unrecommended (but still sometimes necessary) anal gland-ectomy and feline thyroidectomy. Yes, sometimes they are indicated. Given the new wave of discussions on the potentially dubious medical benefits of castration, it seems reasonable to look to vasectomies as a sound solution for those in doubt as to whether a normal neuter is best for their dog. Today's patient was a perfect example: A young, fit Frisbee dog, this Border mix was all muscle. His owner wanted to ensure his "safety" around her friends' breeding bitches for a couple more years of competition on full testosterone overdrive. She'd read about vasectomies online and immediately knew "Rolf" needed one. It just made sense. "No problem-I'll do it." (Though I've never had cause to do one before.)Afterwards, I had to wonder: Why haven't I ever been asked about this before now? Though it's an easy surgery (far less painful than a routine castration, with fewer complications, to boot), it's clear that we vets have serious power over what procedures become accepted as the norm. Yet as science advances, as it inexorably does, what was laughed at by a gray-haired professor over a decade ago may just be the most responsible thing I might advocate ten years from now. " Think about it.....would you want your man castrated just so that he would not roam??? Not me. " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=ALR_29789 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss17 Sun, 19 Jul 09 10:12:38 -0500 [YEA] Tickertin from Richmond, VA writes: "How to Easily Dose your Cat: I tried the ACV and read with smiles the struggles to get the cats to drink. I have had cats for over thirty years and here is an easy method. I THOROUGHLY washed a small clear tube in which water soluable hair product had come in. (you can use conditioner or shampoo, clear is best and nothing oily to be SURE you can clean it out). Mine is a small one ounce squeeze tube that a sample of hair gel came in. Squeeze the sides in and draw into the tube the dose of ACV (mine was 1/2 tsp. fill rest with water. Lay cat on back in your lap and place tube to side and back of mouth and squeeze gently. They swallow by reflex if you don't put too much it all goes down. Squeeze too hard and they can cough it back out (but some still goes in). Clear tube is important so you can measure how much you are giving them so as not to over/under dose. My vet told me this years ago, cats have to swallow when you hold them this way and put the liquid in this way, and I have done it for years." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=PO_29130 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss18 Thu, 02 Jul 09 10:12:02 -0500 [QUESTION] Christa from Ft. Campbell, Ky writes: "does anybody know of a natural remedy to get rid of odor in carpet? I have cleaned and cleaned the carpet where my Lab urinated, but the smell remains....uhg." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=PILLTIPS_29013 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss19 Mon, 29 Jun 09 09:09:25 -0500 [YEA] Sue from Marion, IL writes: "A friend of mine told me of an easy method to get my dog to swallow pills and capsules. Her method is to wrap the pill or capsule in cream cheese. I tried this by first giving my pets a small wad of cream cheese with no pill inside it. They loved it and stood there waiting for more. When I wrapped a pill inside, they took it the same way - EVERY TIME!!! And it never gets stuck in their mouth like the peanut butter. I have three dogs - a tiny toy poodle, a pug/chihuahua mix, and a border collie/lab mix - and it works for all three of them." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=4TH_25206 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss20 Mon, 13 Apr 09 00:00:00 -0500 [WARNING!] Karen from Minneapolis, Minnesota writes: "Please Please spread the word : Dogs and Fireworks. Please don't bring your dogs around fireworks, dogs love to retrieve. A Friend of mine lost his dog this way, he will never forgive himself. Leave pets home and safe. Tell your friends please. Karen" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=VET_23795 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss21 Tue, 10 Mar 09 00:00:00 -0500 Carla from Belmont, NC writes: "I took my dog to the vet and they ended up keeping him overnight so they could keep an eye on him well the vet bill was $500.00 dollars so when I picked him up I asked them does somebody stay here all night long at the vets office they told me NO, not knowing why I was asking they said "why do you ask' so I told them "I don't understand WHY you would keep him overnight and charge me an enormously amount of hard earned money when I know he would of been more comfortable in his own environment.AND it would NOT of cost me ANYTHING." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=SHEDDINGDOGS_23675 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss22 Sat, 07 Mar 09 00:00:00 -0600 [QUESTION] Will from Albany, NY writes: "Long Hair Shedding dogs that knows no boundary: Thanks for your time I am eager for your response! I have two labs retrievers which never fail to share their shedding hair leaving gobs of deposits all over the house. I learned to brush them and manage their shedding hair several times a week but was never able to manage my anxiety of shedding hair on the carpet. I have one rug in the house that they insist on using at will, after always leaving a healthy deposit of hair behind them. So i bought them their own rugs in addition to their own beds to no avail. Is there a harmless substance or remedy that I can apply to my carpet that will discourage them from using it. Thanks again! W-" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=LAWN_22726 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss23 Mon, 16 Feb 09 00:00:00 -0600 Linda from St. Paul, MN writes: "Fix for lawn spots from dog urine: We were going to be hosting an event at our home in about a month and wanted the yard to look good. Since we adopted a female Boxer (we had a male already) I noticed many yellow patches in the lawn. My ex-husband told me that he gave his dogs one hotdog (the cheap kind) each day and had no problems with his yard. I am an organic, natural foods type person, so I dismissed this. However, I was getting desperate because no matter how fast I patched the lawn, new spots would appear. I bought the cheapest hotdogs at the store and the dogs loved them! After one week, there were no more spots!! I kept it up until the event was over and then quit giving them hotdogs. The dogs were disappointed, but I don't think hotdogs are good for them (I would never eat them). But it did work! " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=PRODUCTS_21193 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss24 Sun, 11 Jan 09 00:00:00 -0600 [WARNING!] Katie Aymin from San Diego, USA writes: "When you ever go to the pet store to get shampoo or something else for your pet, make sure it does not have any chemicals. If you do not know what things are bad that are on the ingredient list most of them are hard to pronounce so if you see something be sure to look in up on the internet or in some books. These chemicals usually do not work or work for only a short time or increase the discomfort of your pet. Also to new pet owners, before you use a remedy always make sure your pet is not allergic to any of the ingredients." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/Pets/tips_for_pet_owners.html&name=VACUUM_18590 /Pets/tips_for_pet_owners2.rss25 Fri, 07 Nov 08 00:00:00 -0600 [YEA] Bee from Va Beach, VA writes: "We have 2 dogs who shed a lot all throughout the year. Anyone who has dogs that shed know how smelly the vacuum cleaner can get from their fur! Well I finally figured out the perfect remedy. Before I start to vacuum I suck about a few cloves into the vacuum cleaner after crushing them into pieces with my shoe. The air smells like cloves, not smelly dog, for hours afterwards! You don't have add new cloves every time you vacuum, just after you clean out the bag/filter. I can't believe I didn't think of this before. Sigh. "