Cats Versus Dogs

Cats and dogs are believed to be the world's most popular pets, followed by fish and birds.  Rats, hamsters, gerbils and snakes don't figure nearly so high on the popularity charts and poor little stick insects are left way behind.

The popularity of cats and dogs can be attributed to the fact that they are companion animals, often very cuddly and huggable. They can adapt themselves to family life without any major difficulties.

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Currently, there are believed to be 400 million dogs worldwide and 600 million cats.

Expensive for rescue centres

Writing in the Los Angeles Times (Sep. 3, 2009) Lindsay Barnett reports that a single day's statistics for one shelter were illuminating. On the day of her visit, the shelter placed nine dogs and two cats into permanent homes.  But they accepted 32 dogs and five cats for possible re-homing. It doesn't take a mathematician to work out the deficit.

The shelter is typical of many worldwide, where far more animals are being handed in, or dumped on the doorstep, than are eventually available for adoption. This can prove very expensive for the rescue centres, most of which are charitable organisations, with no national funding. The advice those who run such shelters give to anyone thinking of bringing a new pet into the family is to adopt an animal that is needy and make sure any existing pets approve of the newcomer.

Donations always welcome

Most rescue centres have their new arrivals spayed or neutered. If this has not been done by the time the animal is adopted, it is vitally important to have the matter attended to without delay to avoid bringing more unwanted animals into the world. At the Los Angeles centre (as at most centres worldwide), donations are always welcome... beds, blankets, collars, leads, litter boxes, toys, balls and so on.

All shapes and sizes

Currently, there are believed to be 140 dog breeds worldwide, 36 cat breeds as well as many mixes and crossbreeds.  Dogs come in all shapes and sizes from the tiniest little pooch, small enough to sit in a teacup, to the huge donkey-sized hound that will eat you out of house and home.  Feeding, accommodating and possibly insuring a large dog can be very expensive... and that is without even considering vet's bills for vaccinations and ongoing welfare.

Cats don't have the same extremes in terms of their size and structure, but their upkeep still needs to be taken into account in terms of the family income and expenditure. 

In both cats and dogs, crossbreeds are often healthier and live longer than pedigrees. They can be just as beautiful, affectionate and intelligent as their more classy counterparts.

A lifetime commitment

Families or individuals considering adopting an animal should ensure that the chosen pet suits their lifestyle.  A family dog or cat must be friendly towards children and not be worried by the noise or chaos children can cause.  Small children must be taught to respect the new arrival. Some rescue centres will not allow their animals to go to homes containing pre-school children.  Others will not allow them to go where people are out working all day.

They cannot stress too strongly that taking on a pet is a lifetime commitment.

Cats Versus Dogs

Jeff Canaan is a freelance writer and blogger who writes extensively about pets, cats versus dogs and other cat and dog related topics.

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What to Do About Your Dog's Weak Bladder Problems

When a perfectly housetrained dog begins to show clear signs of incontinence and lack of bladder control, it can be cause for worry for a pet owner. Dog's weak bladder problems can arise from a number of problems related to the bladder and urinary tract. A dog with weak bladder might just be showing natural signs of aging or suffering from urinary tract infections, they could also be suffering from some other disorder like diabetes or loss of sphincter muscle control.

The likelihood of the occurrence of dog's weak bladder control issues is usually slightly higher in female dogs than in male ones, and unless handled at an early stage, such problems need veterinary intervention. As a supplement to drugs, or as an alternative course of treatment, natural treatment options might be sought. However, if the problem is acute, it is best to visit a vet, and sometimes surgical intervention might be called for as well.

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Even if the dog with weak bladder is an outdoor dog, and messy indoors are not a problem as a result, it is still essential to notice and treat these dog weak bladder issues. In the long run, if untreated, this condition can lead to a number of complications like long term damage to the bladder or an inflammation of the kidneys.

As a general rule, dog's weak bladder problems are more common in females, especially spayed females, than in males. The condition usually begins within a year from spaying, when the dog loses control of the muscles surrounding the urethra and is unable to cut off the flow of urine. Statistically, older dogs are more likely than younger ones to develop this condition and medium to large breeds are more at risk than smaller ones.

The symptoms associated with dog's weak bladder problems can include accidental urination indoors, dribbling, or urination at night. When the symptoms set in, the dog should be taken to see the vet as soon as possible. Remember that the loss of control over bladder function might be the tip of the iceberg, an indication of other serious health problems such as diabetes or kidney failure.

Veterinary treatment of dog's weak bladder problems includes a number of medications, such as estrogen for female dogs and testosterone for males, along with agonists like sympathicomimetics or estriol. However, the medications would have to be administered often for the entire life of the dog. One of the other options is to consider a natural or homeopathic remedy. These remedies are formulated not just to provide temporary pain relief to your pet, but also to support more conventional treatments, and strengthen your pet.

What to Do About Your Dog's Weak Bladder Problems

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How to Train a Dog to Come - Getting Your Dog to Obey the Come Command and Things to Avoid

There are lots of things you can teach a dog to do. You can teach him to stay, sit, fetch, rollover, bark, the list is endless; however arguably the most important thing you need to do is learn how to train a dog to come.

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The reason this is so crucial and that it is important to teach them as early in their life as possible is because there will probably be a point in your dogs life when he will be in danger. However, he might not know he is in danger, but because you realize it you need to call him and for his own safety you need him to obey.

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You need to have your dog so well trained that no matter what else is going on that he will listen to and obey the "come" command, every time without hesitation.

So, do you want to know exactly how to train a dog to come?

Make coming to you a happy occasion, in the beginning this might be by offering the dog treats and praise for obeying and as things progress you might reduce the treats and just praise the dog for his actions. Find ways to incorporate this command positively into yours and your dogs daily life and activities. So whenever it is dinner time or whenever you want to show your dog some extra affection use this command. Puppies love to follow you so the next time he wants to come to you say the "come" command and give him praise or a treat so that he associates good things with the word.

Things to avoid when training your dog to come:

Never, for any reason punish your dog when he comes to you. This is because he may begin to associate punishment or something unpleasant with coming back to you. If he is off the lead and he does not come, do not go running after him, wait for him a while, After a while, if it is safe to do so, you might even want to try walking in the opposite direction because your dog will normally follow you. However, do not scold your dog for not coming to you; instead, just go over the training again, perhaps this time with a leash. Eventually this will click and your dog will obey. Never call your dog when he is doing something or in a situation where you know he will not come to you. It is important that your dog does think this command is optional.

You should never let your dog off the leash in public until he is trained to understand and obey the "come" command this can be both dangerous for your dog and hazardous for others.

How to Train a Dog to Come - Getting Your Dog to Obey the Come Command and Things to Avoid

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Cooking Dog Food Recipes - Is It Right For You?

If you are a caring and concerned dog parent, then you probably have been doing your share of research on cooking your own dog food, and dog food recipes.

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The ingredients in commercial dog foods are disturbing. By-products, everyone seems to be talking about them. Does anyone really know what they are? They are parts of the animal that are not fit for human consumption, such as bones, organs, blood, fatty tissue and intestines.

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Oh that sounds so good! Yuck!

Now I'm sure everyone has seen meat by-products labeled on the dog food bags. This means any type of meat, including zoo animals, road kill, and even dead, diseased and dying animals.

The only good thing about it (if you feel that way) is they do not include hair, horns, teeth and hoofs. Well that is a load off my conscience! NOT!

So again, if you are a caring and concerned dog parent, that is why you are reading this. Why would you want to feed your dog these ingredients? And please don't say, "they have been eating this so far, and no problems, why switch now?" or "It's the cheapest".

These commercial dog foods that you find on your local grocery store shelves are slowly killing your dog and you haven't even realized it. The wise choice would be to find good dog food recipes that are healthy and beneficial to your dog. You want to prolong your dogs life, not shorten it!

We can also tell you what the 9 healthiest commercial dog foods are. I'm sure you are curious after reading all of this! A lot of people just don't have the time to cook dog food recipes every day, so they supplement with one of these dog foods. I know how busy families get, with the after school baseball practice, the dance lessons, and your social commitments, not to mention work!

Cooking Dog Food Recipes - Is It Right For You?

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Preventing Dog Bites and Aggressive Behavior

Dogs can make a wonderful addition to any family. They provide continuous love, companionship, and even protection. However, it is important to always remember that while we may think our pets are perfect creatures incapable of inflicting harm, they are still animals that have natural instincts that can manifest in aggressive behavior towards strangers, other dogs, or even their owners.

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An estimated 800,000 Americans seek medical attention each year for injuries connected with dog bites. In light of this statistic, it is important to not only be aware of how to avoid dog bite injuries, but what to do if you or someone you know is bitten by a dog.

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Before You Get Your Dog

If you are considering bringing a dog into your family, there are some safety facts to consider before making this important decision:

· What type of breed will fit your family best? You should speak to a professional about different types of dog breeds. Some breeds are genetically more aggressive than others, and some breeds are known to not respond well to children. You will want to consider all of these factors when choosing a dog.

· If you have children, are they old enough to have a dog? You will want to make sure your children are not likely to harass or harm your dog, as this may provoke aggressive behavior in the dog that will be directed at your children.

Once You Have Chosen a Dog

After finding the perfect fit for your family, there are a number of things you can do to curb aggressive behavior in your dog and reduce the likelihood of biting.

· Have your dog spayed or neutered as soon as they are old enough. This will curb some aggressive behavior at a young age.

· Make sure your dog knows that you are the dominant figure in the household. They may want to become territorial, and you need to reinforce that you are in control.

· Do not play aggressive games with your dog. Excessive running inside or wrestling will only encourage aggressive behavior.

· Enroll your dog in obedience training.

Dog Bite Prevention

By following the above steps, you will hopefully curb aggressive behavior in your dog before problems occur. To further prevent injuries, here are some final things you can do to avoid dog bites:

· Do not run away from a dog or make sudden movements

· Be careful around unfamiliar dogs, and do not approach one

· Do not make eye contact with a dog

· If a dog is eating, sleeping or taking care of puppies, do not disturb them.

If you would like more information on dog bite safety or dog bit injuries, contact the Minneapolis dog bite lawyers of Terry & Slane, P.L.L.C. today.

Preventing Dog Bites and Aggressive Behavior

Joseph Devine

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Labrador Pups Are Eager to Learn

Perhaps you've watched The Dog Whisperer and thought I'll never have those kinds of problems with my Labrador puppy! Unless you are very familiar with Labrador puppy care, you could easily become Cesar Millan's next client. Labradors are high-energy dogs when they are young. With their intelligence and energy combine, you have a recipe for general canine mayhem. Keep an eye on their diet so they don't get hyperactive.

Labrador puppies are discovering the world for the very first time. Get down on your hands and knees to get a puppy's eye view of your home. Puppies explore the world with their mouths. They will give in to temptation. Remove anything you don't want the puppy to destroy. Leave things that are okay to chew, like toys or Nylabones, for the inquisitive mouth. And be patient and persistent. Dogs aren't dumb, but they need to learn in their own time. Repetition over time is a great puppy teacher.

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It's never too early to begin training. Keep training sessions short (only a few minutes long), do several every day and end a session with a lot of praise. Keep your Lab pup's attention on you by randomly treating or praising whenever the puppy looks at your face. Never hit your puppy (and you will be tempted). Growling or speaking harshly makes the puppy know he or she has made you upset. By observing your Labrador puppy closely, you will begin to know when they are thinking of doing something you don't want to do.

Burn up some of your puppy's energy with daily walks and play sessions. Neutering or spaying will also keep your Labrador well behaved and looking to you for all good things. Labrador puppy care includes regular check ups with your vet. You don't want to over work your puppy (say, going for ten mile jogs a day) when the bones are still growing. Your vet can help you work out a proper exercise regime and diet.

Raising a Labrador pup is hard work - almost as hard as raising a kid. But the more you put into your puppy's training and care, the more you will get in return. Raising a puppy will then not become a chore, as it will become fun and automatic. It is exciting to help raise a loving, intelligent animal and being able to communicate with him or her. You are also legally responsible for your Lab's behavior.

You can never learn too much Labrador puppy care. Never be afraid to ask questions from your Lab's breeder, from any other dog owners, professional dog trainers or your vet. You can also get very useful information from most all-breed dog training books, which are often geared for Labrador personalities. You need to remember that dogs only vaguely understand people. They try - but can get signals crossed. Take a deep breath and try to remember all the good times with your pup.

Labrador Pups Are Eager to Learn

Brooke Sunderland loves everything having to do with dogs, especially Labrador pups. Everyone should have to pass an IQ test before being allowed to bring Labrador puppies home. Labrador puppy care requires a little research and consultation with a qualified vet.

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3 Benefits of Buying a Raised Dog Bed For Your Dog

You can understand this if you have been a pet owner for a while. A raised dog bed has many benefits that would make anyone want to buy one for their dog. It is very important to protect your dog, so it makes sense that there would be plenty of reasons why you should try everything to follow through with that. Some of the different benefits that are included in the raised dog bed are:

dog harness

1. Comfort for your dog - Giving comfort to your dog pays off if you give the right comfort. With a raised dog bed, your dog will feel the comfort from not having to rest on the cold ground in the winter months and hot ground in the summer. This alone is your duty to your dog to give him the comfort he deserves.

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2. Protection from elements - There is plenty of debris that can get under a dog that makes it uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Getting the raised dog bed will help your dog to be protected from the different elements. This is the best you can do to give the protection needed when you have a dog. Your dog will show his gratitude by being more active and energetic.

3. Relaxing - You don't want to limit the happiness of your dog. His relaxing time should be a time where there are no problems of different elements that could be avoided with a raised dog bed. That is why it is important to protect your dog from these things and give them a chance to relax.

It is important to have a healthy dog. Your dog will not want to ever sleep or relax on a place that is too hot or too cold. That is why getting a raised dog bed will give you the chance to protect that beloved animal and treat that dog as you would want to be treated. With several benefits of a raised dog bed helping you out, it makes sense that you would want them to be happy. You need to always want to help your dog. A dog serves, to many, as a companion for the family. Protect your dog and be a lot happier.

3 Benefits of Buying a Raised Dog Bed For Your Dog

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