Car Safety For Dogs

Car rides for a lot of dogs are an enjoyable experience. Lots of dogs get extremely excited when they realize they are going for a ride. Perhaps your dog is like this; and perhaps you enjoy taking your dog with you on errands, or just out for a breath of fresh air. Dog owners take their dogs to the park, on vacation, and even tagging along to appointments. Vets tell us, however, that there are some safety precautions that dog owners should take when traveling with dogs to ensure everyone's safety.

According to vets, it is a good idea to restrain your dog while riding in the car. If you have any type of car with a trunk open to the inside of the car or with some other vehicles, you can have your dog ride in the back separated from you by a gate or a net. If you have a regular car, there are special dog seat-belts and other types of restraints available. This will insure that your dog will not fly forward into the windshield if you stop suddenly and short. Lots of dogs try to climb into the front seat--this can be distracting to the dog owner, who should be concentrating on driving the car. This can be dangerous and may cause accidents. It is always a good idea to restrain your pet while driving so that you can concentrate on the road.

Dog owners who drive a pickup truck should not let dogs ride free in the pickup bed. This can create a dangerous situation for the dog and other drivers if your dog falls out or decides to jump out. Some dog owners believe that their dog would never jump out of the truck! Vets tell us that dogs are creatures of instinct, and may not be able to contain their excitement if they see a rabbit, squirrel, or another dog, etc., on the side of the road. Dogs that ride without restraints in the pickup bed may also go flying if you stop short and suddenly. Tying the dog in the bed is not a good idea either as the dog may still jump or fall out and wind up being choked or dragged along the road! The best and safest solution is to have your dog ride in the cab of the truck with you.

Most dogs that enjoy riding in cars also enjoy sticking their heads out the window to feel the breeze rush past their faces. This may be a fun activity but it can also be dangerous. The driver of your vehicle may side-swipe another car or object on the side of the road, or the dog may get dirt, gravel, etc. in his eyes. To eliminate some of these hazards, just open the window a little bit so your dog can still feel the breeze flowing past his head; he should not be able to stick his head all the way out of the window.

Vet professionals tell dog owners to never leave dogs in the car with windows completely rolled up as this can be a very serious mistake. Even if you leave the car for a few minutes, this can cause harm or even death to a dog. In the summer the interior of cars can reach almost 150°F within a short amount of time. Some dog owners think that nothing can happen to their pets with the windows cracked; however, car temperatures can sometimes be very high in a parked car. If you have to leave your dog in the car, open several windows and try to park in a shady area to keep you pet safe for overexposure to hot car temperatures. For further safety recommendations for dog owners who have dogs that love to ride in cars, consult with your personal vet.

How To Choose A Dog For An Elderly Person

Dogs have been making great companions for centuries now. They are loved by all ages. Everyone has their own preference as to what dog best suits their lifestyle. When choosing a dog, this is an important aspect to consider, especially for the elderly. Having a four legged friend can be comforting and can bring much joy to an elderly person. Studies have proven that having a dog around, improves the overall wellbeing of seniors. They can have someone to share their love with. Even nursing homes have grabbed onto the idea of having animals visiting or even living in the same venue.

What are the best picks for the elderly though? The two most important areas to consider are the size and temperament of the canine. Smaller dogs tend to be less maintenance and easier to handle than larger ones. Smaller dogs are also beneficial for the elderly because they make great lap dogs. Below are some top choices of breeds for seniors.

Schnauzer - These dogs enjoy being around people. They crave the companionship given by humans. There are two sizes: the miniature and standard size. Either one will do. Schnauzers can be protective of its family and they have a desire to please. Maintenance of the dog consists of exercising daily. A brief walk would be sufficient. Also consistent grooming is required.

Pug - These dogs are good picks because of their size. They are small dogs, and yet they have big hearts. They are generally very playful dogs. Outgoing by nature, they thrive off of attention and affection from its owners. Even though they crave a lot of attention, they do not just take; they give a lot out too. These dogs are best fitted for someone who has plenty of time on their hands. They are not always high energized. They do have down time in which they like to snuggle up on a warm lap.

Cocker Spaniel - The cocker is a rather popular pick among dog lovers. They are not high strung or outgoing by nature. Because of their patience and docile personality, they make great picks for seniors. They do not need a lot of exercise either. Just a brief walk will do. They are loyal to their owners. Because of their curly hair, regular grooming is a good idea.

Chihuahua - These dogs may be tiny, but they have a loud bark. They tend to take to one owner rather than several family members. For seniors living alone, they are great for warning of people approaching. Despite their size, they are very protective of their owners. They generally weigh less than 5 lbs. and are 6-9 inches in height.

Shih tzu - These dogs live for human companionship. They are friendly and gentle dogs. This breed is very alert to what is going on around him.

Yorkshire Terrier - This dog makes another great lap dog. He enjoys quietness by lounging around. Do not be fooled by his lounging, he does have quite a bit of vigor.

Scottish Terrier - By the name, it is obvious that Scotties derived from Scotland. They are loyal to their family. They are a working dog that weighs between 15-20 lbs. Their stature reflects their intelligence. They can be protective as well.

Toy Poodle - This dog loves to be doted over and enjoys the company of people over other dogs. Poodles love attention and do not mind being treated like a king. If a senior is looking for a companion to dot over, this is the pick for them.

Pomeranian - This dog originated in Pomerania, Germany. It has been compared to a little fuzzy bear. Pomeranians tend to be perky and can bring a smile to any face. They make great companions.

Boston Terrier - Boston Terriers are considered to be American breed dogs. They are small in size and because of their protective nature, seniors will feel secure having one of these around. Despite their protective instinct, they are also friendly and mellow.

These are just a few breeds that an elderly person might want hanging around. Smaller dogs with mild temperaments toward their owners tend to be preferred picks. Keep in mind, there is always an exception to any breed. It is best to talk to others who are familiar with a particular breed. It is also best to know the restrictions of the senior before choosing the right dog.

The Secret Of Clumping Cat Litter

Before the latter half of the 1900's, cat litter boxes are filled with sand, soil, and plant shavings. But the obvious tiresome task of cleaning litter boxes using these materials had resulted into much disgust, if not abhorrence, from cat owners. So someone came out with using a type of litter box filling made up clay minerals that absorb water; thereby isolating cat wastes. But still, this clay material did not satisfy cat owners for long as it collects urine and fecal moisture at the bottom of the litter box, becoming a cesspool of bacteria that produce foul-smelling ammonia.

A few years before the turn of the century, scientists were able to come up with a new formulation of clay that clumps up when moisture or water is introduced to it. Called bentonite, this material allows wastes to be segregated and swept away. What's more, bentonite has some built-in odor neutralizing characteristics. With bentonite, urine and fecal moisture is absorbed by the clay and slowly allowed to evaporate into the air.

Today, a significant percentage of all cat litter boxes are filled with this highly absorptive litter that clumps cat's wastes. And clumping cat litter has become the trend for many cat owners. Clumping cat litters was an instant hit because it offers convenience and money savings. Cat owners do not have to deal with the foul smell of feline wastes and they are spared from constantly changing litter like in the old days of sand, soil, and plant shavings.

Instantly cleaned with zero effort and sweat, plus added with pleasing scents and deodorizers that give off a sense of a well-sanitized environment, super absorptive clumping cat litter became an overnight success story in the history of animal waste management. But all the sensation about clumping cat litter is now cast in doubt as more and more people have blamed it to have caused diseases and death to many cats.

As it turned out, bentonite has been discovered to function like cement or plumbing sealing material. And with water, it can even expand to almost twenty times its original size. As its size increases, bentonite can block not only cat's digestive system but also that of humans. It can even clog your sewage system.

Unsurprisingly, cat owners have observed a sharp increase in the number of cats suffering from immune system deficiency, respiratory ailments, and digestive problems in the past two decades since clumping cat litter has hit the mainstream market. Several owners have found out that cats that have ingested clumping cat litter have discharged stuff which when combined with water, turns into a gel.

Now picture yourself having a gel-like mass somewhere in your digestive tract. This substance will certainly cripple your digestive functions much less than your pet cat who visits the litter box everyday. Research show that clumping cat litter can build up on the walls of the cat's digestive organs; and when this happens, food can not be properly absorbed into the cat's system and elimination can not be properly done.

This results further into bacteria and other toxic matters accumulating inside your cat's body leading to other diseases like respiratory ailments and immune deficiency. Your pet will eventually have weaker disease-fighting mechanism which could ultimately lead to death.

So what do you do when your cat is suffering from an ailment that you suspect to be related to clumping cat litter? There are two things to remember when your cat becomes sick after you have just used clumping cat litter. First, simply take away the litter from the box. Second, plan a cleansing and home therapy regiment for your pet, like using curative herbs. It is best to consult a veterinarian to help your cat to recovery.

Clumping cat litter is sure to give you a convenient way of managing your cat's wastes, but are you willing to risk your pet's life for your comfort? Manufacturers of clumping cat litter have repeatedly denied the connection between their product and feline casualties, but are you willing to leave your pet's life up to chance? Indeed the only way to prevent your cat from becoming one of the statistics is to go back to the old ways of cat waste disposal. Sand, soil, and plant shavings used as litter may entail tedious cleaning routines; but at the very least, they are healthy for your cat.