Four Ways to Pamper Your Pooch

May 15, 2012

Dogs are more than pets — they’re big business. From gourmet food to diamond collars, the products you can purchase to pamper Fido are endless. Here are some of our top picks of products and services to help you pamper your furry family.

Clothing and Accessories

Any dog can wear a bandana, but is yours up to some very expensive designer clothing? Coutoure designer Roberto Cavalli has created a line of dog clothing that isn’t like anything you’ve ever seen at your local pet store. If you’re looking for that something special, Cavalli has everything for your dog from a satin-trimmed bathrobe to a leopard-print, spandex running suit. If Fido’s closet is full, you can go for Cavalli’s patent leather doggie passport wallet, collars or leashes, or one of his special edition bowls, beds and assorted jewels. Prices range from $110 to $1,200.

 

Cavalli Coutoure

Dog Bed

That $14.99 polyester-filled bundle of junk from WalMart isn’t going to cut it for a pampered pooch. If your dog likes to lounge in style, you’re going to have to find something better. Fortunately, there’s plenty to choose from. If your puppy is into bling, she might prefer a $31,000 crystal-studded Hello Kitty dog house. Sophisticated dogs will enjoy the $700 fur-lined dog pod from Canada’s Vurv Design Studio. If you can think of it, there’s a designer to make it for you. The only limitation is your creativity and your wallet.

Food

Alpo be damned. If you’re not feeding Fido better than that, you just might be a slacker. There are plenty of high-end dog foods out there, such as Blue Buffalo and Solid Gold, but even those won’t do for the truly pampered pet. If you want to give your dog the best, hire a personal doggie chef. There are individuals and small businesses all over the country who are waiting to cook your pooch his favorite meals every night, such as The Dog Chef in Washington DC and ZenChien in Brooklyn, New York.

Nanny

No self-respecting dog owner would leave her canine buddy alone all day or board him while she traveled. Hire yourself a personal dog walker or nanny to take care of your pet while you’re at work to truly pamper your pet. There are companies all over the country waiting to place a highly trained nanny with your dog, such as The Pet Nannies in Los Angeles and The Dog Nanny in Massachusetts. If you only need someone to stay with your pooch every now and then, look to companies such as SitterCity for your pet care needs. Scroll to the bottom of the home page at SitterCity.com and click on Pet Care. Enter in your zip code and you’ll soon be in contact with many qualified dog walkers and pet sitters in your area.

 

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Options for Transporting Pet Supplies

March 4, 2012

Having bought pet supplies, the next challenge that pet owners typically have to deal with is that of transporting such supplies from the stores where they buy them to their homes. The size of the challenge here depends on the nature and quantity of pet supplies we are looking at. Where we are looking at small amounts of pet drugs or supplements, transportation is not likely to be a real challenge. But where we are looking at huge amounts of bulky pet supplies (for instance, sacks of dog feed), transportation can be a real challenge.

It emerges that, in some cases, the pet supplies vendors offer to transport the supplies to the homes of the people who buy them, provided that the customers in question buy them in huge enough quantities.  Many of the pet supplies vendors maintain fleets for this purpose alone.

There are cases where the pet owners have to hire vehicles for the transportation of the pet supplies. This is where a person who buys, say, 10 sacks of pet food can opt to hire a truck to transport that sack of food to his or her residence.

Then we have cases where the pet owners opt to transport the pet supplies in their personal vehicles. A pet owner with, say, a 7 passenger SUV that has an overhead carriage is likely to find, in that carriage, enough space to transport several sacks of pet food. Pet owners with regular 7 passenger cars that come with ‘boots’ can also carry several sacks of pet food there. Then we have others with the 4-passenger, 5-passenger or 7 passenger vehicles which are designed in such a way that some seats can be removed to create cargo space whenever that becomes necessary. Those with such vehicles can always remove the seats, creating cargo for transportation of the pet supplies as need arises.

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Never Lose Fido Again

March 1, 2012

 When I first moved to the big city with my family, my biggest fear was having one of my family members get lost. I, like most pet owners consider my pets to be members of the family. In our country home, having Jack escape for a few hours just meant some birds or rabbits might be in for a big scare but having  a lost dog chicago is a whole different story.

I have seen the tracking chips advertised at my Veterinarian, it seemed like overkill and even a little bit spooky when I first considered. In the country, it really was not all that necessary and Im just not comfortable with putting my dog under a knife and inserted with electronic devices.

But, once we were actually in Chicago, I really started to consider it as a possible requirement to my families safety and well being. Losing one of our pets would make an already stressful move disastrous.

Based on our new Vets recommendation, we looked into a program called PetAmberAlert, and decided to try it. We have not had a reason to use the program, thank god! But, I am much more comfortable in my new city, knowing that I would have a massive and smoothly orchestrated system of help in place should I ever need it.

How PetAmberAlert works:

When you first sign up for the program you create a profile for your pet. It includes a picture and descriptions of your pet.

Should you report your Pet missing the Amberalert program goes into effect, there are three levels, each increasingly more impressive, but all far less than the chip implant that my initial vet suggested.

The profile information (if necessary) is used to create posters and other alert materials that are automatically distributed to local shelters, veterinarians, pet hospitals and your entire neighborhood.

At the higher levels of service, you are actually given a pet detective to personally manage your case and contact neighbors and appropriate organizations. All in all it’s an impressive system, one well worth considering if you’re looking for a solution that allows you to protect your pet – and give you peace of mind!

 

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Essential Dog Supplies for the New Pet Owner

February 13, 2012

Many of us grew up with animals as a constant part of our lives so a lot of this article will seem obvious. But if you are considering getting a new puppy and have never owned one you may find this very helpful. These are the most basic items that will make your life a lot easier. From leashes to dog beds, you may be a little surprised how much there is to consider.

We all know that we need food and water dishes but you may want to consider getting a self-feeding water bowl. You should keep a close eye on the kind of eater that your new puppy is to gauge whether or not they are a self-regulating eater but they should always have fresh water.

The leash is another very obvious item that you are going to need but you should put a little extra thought. Get a collar that is properly sized to your dog’s neck so they aren’t being strangled and one that can handle the amount of stress your dog is going to put on it. You probably don’t need a double layered and reinforced leather collar with heavy gauge steel D rings for that Chihuahua.

Dog beds are something that a lot of people forget about, but if you want to keep your pets off the furniture and out of your own bed then you need to get them some kind of bedding that is just for them. If you are going to have an entirely outdoor animal during the winter then you will likely want to look into heated dog beds. You can buy a separate heating pad that will fit under or inside the bedding. You don’t want your poor puppy freezing out there. I really only suggest having dogs outside in the winter if you have a hearty and snow friendly breed like a husky.

 Luxury Dog Bed

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Give Your Pet Running Water

January 7, 2012

Have you ever turned on a faucet for your dog or cat to drink from?  If you have, chances are you’ve seen your pet lap up the running water lovingly.  It’s no secret that most dogs and cats love to drink from a running water source, but as a pet owner, there hasn’t been much you could do about this except for turning on a faucet for them every once and awhile.

Within the past few years, however, a company by the name of Drinkwell introduced a pet water bowl that uses an electric motor to produce a running water stream for your pet to drink from throughout the day.  Currently, there are four different models from Drinkwell to choose from and each fountain supplies a little something different for your pet.

The Original fountain is the cheapest of the options, but it doesn’t hold much water (only 50 ounces), which means you’ll have to fill it back up quite often.  If you have a single small cat, this fountain may be able to fulfill your needs, but for all other pet owners, you’re better off passing on this model. 

The Platinum Drinkwell fountain is much like the Original, but it was designed to hold a lot more water.  When full, it holds 168 ounces and can be a good fit for both cat and small to medium sized dog owners.  It will cost you about ten to fifteen dollars more though.

Another option you have is the Drinkwell 360 model, which holds 128 ounces of water.  Unlike the company’s other models, the 360 is designed in a way that allows more than one pet to drink from the fountain at the same time.  If you have multiple small pets, this is a nice advantage over the other models.  Because it doesn’t hold a lot of water, however, you shouldn’t purchase this one if you have medium sized or larger dogs.

Finally, there is the Drinkwell Big Dog fountain, which was made specifically for large dogs.  It holds 288 ounces of water when full, which means you won’t have to refill it on a daily basis.  Though it is about ten dollars more than any other model, it’s really the only good option for bigger dogs.  The other fountain models just don’t work very well for big dogs.

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Is Your Dog Sick? Find Help With 1800Petmeds

December 13, 2011

As a pet enthusiast you are sure to take care of your dog as you would for a family member. I’ve seen many families who consider their pets as a part of their own. There also have been stories of lone individuals who have left their possessions by the name of their pets. Well, loving a pet is an individual emotion and as a pet owner myself, I can truly understand this fact. I have grown up with dogs ever since I was a kid.

As with any animal, your dog is also prone to several illnesses and diseases. There are some warning signs you can watch out for to better car for your dog. If your pet stops his usual activities, does not respond as he/she normally would, spends most of its time sleeping or has a high fever it is best to have it checked by your local vet. The other day I found my dog unusually quiet and lethargic. She had stopped eating, and I found that she had a fever. That is when the vet let me know that she had pneumonia.

Your pet needs special care and lots of attention when it is ill. On time medications, diet restrictions and following your vet’s advice can help your pet regain its health. If your job or your tight schedule does not allow you enough mobility, you can choose to purchase your pet’s medications online. Many people vouch for 1800petmeds and their pet medicines at discounted rates. Buying medications online can save you the hassle of running all the way to your local store and looking for medicines, which may not be available without a Vet’s prescription. Worst still, if a certain store does not have that particular medicine in stock, you have to keep looking elsewhere until you find it.

Shopping online for your pet’s medicines has its own advantages. If your particular medication is out of stock, you are instantly notified on the website. Moreover, discount coupons such as a 1800petmeds coupon code can help you save a lot of money on your purchases. 1800petmeds is America’s largest Pet Pharmacy with over six million satisfied customers. Pets can be similar to a child when it comes to taking a pill or liquid that doesn’t taste great. There may be times when they will reject the medicine. In such cases 1800petmeds will easily help you get a refund or give you tips on how to get your pet to take the medication such as, hiding the pill in its food.

Not only, medications, but your pet also needs nutrition to help its growth. You may sometimes find that your puppy is not active and shows little interest in playing around. Your vet may tell you that your puppy is malnourished. In such cases, you may discuss with your vet regarding the amount of nutrition to be given to your pet.  1800petmeds coupons can help you find the healthiest supplements, foods, & products. Products at 1800petmeds are tested and made from the healthiest ingredients to ensure that your pet gets the best medicines and nutritional products.

Caring for your pet is your responsibility. As a pet owner, it is for you to decide if your pet gets the best when it comes to medications.

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Arthritis And Your Dog

November 15, 2011

Although most people associate arthritis with the aging process, it can occur in younger people and even in pets. Worse, many people whose beloved pets are suffering from this painful illness are not even aware of the problem. There are, however, a variety of specific symptoms of dog arthritis which can be identified by watchful pet owners.

The most common sign of arthritis in dogs is limping. You can observe this especially when your dog gets up, as you can notice it taking some time for your dog’s joints to get “warmed up.” You may also notice that you dog becomes hesitant to move from its resting position. This is because of the difficulty and pain that accompanies ordinary movement when uncontrolled arthritis is present. You will therefore notice that your pet loses interest in common activities such as playing, running, or jumping. You may also notice that you dog seems to sleep excessively.

As the arthritis advances, arthritic joints can become visibly swollen, and will be painful to the dog when touched. The earlier the condition is recognized by a veterinarian, the better chance there is that appropriate treatment can help to minimize the advancement of this painful condition.

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Home Based Business with Dog Toys

November 13, 2011

Are you a dog lover? Do you like spending time searching for different products to keep your dogs happy? Are you a great trainer of dogs? If so, you can probably figure out a way to make money with your knowledge. There are tons of home based business ideas that can make you some extra income and one of them is to create a site selling products such as dog toys. Here are the basics of what you will need.

1. A Website

With a website, you can direct customers there and have them buy products from you. Setting one up is quite simple. All you need is a domain name and a hosting account.

2. Products

It’s not likely that you will want to make your own products so the next best thing to do is to find companies that make and ship dog toys and other related products and become a partner with them. You basically bring them customers and they do the rest from shipping the products to handling customer service.

3. Driving Traffic

It will be tough to make any money from your dog website if no one knows about it. Work on getting exposure from social sites as well as from search engines. The more traffic you get, the more money you will make.

 

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Homemade Dog Treats Are Healthy And Inexpensive

November 9, 2011

Dog owners love their pets and want to make them happy and reward them when they obey commands and behave well. There is great satisfaction in giving a dog a treat and seeing how the tail wags and how much they enjoy it. Dog treats are rather expensive, however, especially when using a lot of them to teach new tricks and remind them of what they are supposed to do. One way to overcome the expense is to use homemade dog treat recipes, which are actually a healthier choice for the pet and far less expensive than commercial treats.

A Variety of Recipes

Many recipes are available for making homemade dog treats, and a brief Internet search will produce several options and choices that might be a good fit, according to the flavors the pet enjoys. Even though dogs are not usually picky eaters, some have certain tastes that they like more than others. The main thing is to use wholesome ingredients that will be good for the pet, and as they are relatively inexpensive, it will not cost an entire paycheck to buy them. It will end up being an enjoyable option to make the treats at home and know exactly what the dog is eating. It is easier and cheaper to make them from scratch than to have to go out and shop and spend a lot of money on the kind in the stores. Believe it or not, the dog will actually realize you have made the treats yourself, because they notice far more than they are often given credit for. They usually end up watching everything an owner does.

Peanut Butter Flavor

Many dogs love the taste of peanut butter, and it is an inexpensive ingredient to add in making homemade dog treats. Making treats is not the only thing that can be done with peanut butter to give the pet a treat. Empty bones can be filled with peanut butter and the dog will be entertained for several hours trying to get all the peanut butter out of the bone. There are commercial toys that are in the shape of hollow bones that can be filled with peanut butter also, or it can be used as an ingredient in cookies that you bake for the pet. However it is used, the dog will be very satisfied and happy with the simple snacks that are made at home inexpensively. When you make treats at home you know they do not have unneeded fillers in them that only add calories and are not always healthy for the dog.

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Why Owners Use Capstar

November 7, 2011

Of all the many different pet meds there are to stop fleas on our pets there is no doubt that for speed of dealing with the problem it is cheap Capstar that is by far the best option for a lot of people.

It simply works so quickly at dealing with fleas that nothing else can really compare. We are going to find that this is about the best there is for effectiveness and for returning our pets to a happy state. This is a short term solution only though, it only stays working for 24 hours. But if fleas are not normally a problem but your pet has been infested for some reason then this is about as good as it gets.

We give our pets a pill and then in just a few hours they are safe and secure. If you want month long protection then you will need to use something like Frontline but for a short term and very quick solution then this is about the best that there is.

We are going to find that this is also an amazingly cheap product to buy as well, it is one of the cheapest meds for dealing with fleas that is on the market and buying online makes it even cheaper.

 

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