Why help out at an animal shelter

If you have the time and the heart to help out animals that are suffering and were rescued, spend some time helping out at the local animal shelter. Most towns and cities have animal shelters that help heal and take care of animals that were abandoned, hurt or abused by owners. Some animals in the local shelter are actually wild animals that got lost in human habitat and got hurt or in trouble.

If you’re still having second thoughts of helping at the animal shelter, maybe because you’re scared or you don’t like seeing animals that are hurt and suffering, here are a few benefits of lending a helping hand there.

It minimizes stress

It’s a proven fact that animals can help minimize stress, especially if you’re dealing with ones that are helpless and happily greet you. Spending a few minutes to an hour with animals that you can play with can keep your blood pressure down and take out tensions that you could have gotten from work or family. It’s also a great way to keep yourself happy and less aggressive, studies have shown that people with pets or that spend time taking care of animals are less prone to suicide or violent behavior.
    
You might find your future pet

A lot of shelter volunteers usually end up adopting one of the animals, especially dogs with degenerative myelopathy, as their own pets. They become emotionally attached to these animals and official adopt them. adopting a pet form the local shelter not only lets you get a pet that you can trust, since you have spent a lot of time with them already, it’s also a big help to the community. It helps minimizes the number for stay animals and you’re assured that they already have their rabies shots.

Most animal shelters need as much help as they can

Almost all animal shelters all over the country are being managed and run by volunteers, so they are always welcoming new hands to help. Many of the volunteers help by feeding, cleaning and caring for the animals while others donate money for food. Vets also spend a big chunk of their pro bono services to these shelters to cure animals with illnesses like degenerative myelopathy, cancer, and physical trauma like broken bones, cuts and bruises. Animal shelters have always been community projects, so doing your share to keep your neighborhood and animals around you safe and help out.

Raw vs. Cooked – Benefits and Downsides of Raw and Pre-made Dog Food

Dog owners usually ask themselves if they made the right choice when it comes to feeding their pet dog. A dog’s diet can make or break their heath. Giving the type of food can help avoid illnesses, even genetic ones like DM in dogs as they get older.

When it comes to feeding your dog, there are basically two choices, raw food and pre-made dog food. Both have their pros and cons, and both offer different effects as a diet. Here is a short rundown on both diets and their effects.

Raw

Your dog’s ancestors fed mainly on raw meat, even wild dogs still run in packs and hunt down animals for their meals. Thankfully, domesticated dogs are not as wild or aggressive as their ancestors, but they still do love to eat raw meat. Feeding your dog raw meat helps them develop string muscles and bones. Since dogs aren’t picky when it comes to meat parts, you can just give them the most affordable cuts and they’ll eat it, saving you a lot of money. With raw meat, your dog’s protein requirement is basically covered and most dogs that have all meat diets tend to be bigger and stronger. However, too much raw meat and protein can cause health issues like cardiovascular illnesses and sudden growth spurts for puppies. There’s also the fear of food poisoning especially if the meat isn’t fresh anymore.

Pre-made

In the recent years, pre-made dog food mixes have become more balanced and go through strict quality standards. Most pre-made dog food mixes already contain all the important nutrients that your dog needs to develop and avoid illnesses like DM in dogs. You can even choose from different flavored mixes from lamb to turkey and they’re available at any grocery store or pet shop. The downside of these ready-made mixes is that they can get pretty expensive, especially the branded ones. Your dog also becomes picky if they’re used to a specific brand and might even go through digestive problems if you switch. You also have to be careful about the flavors and ingredients since some of these can cause your dog to have allergies.

Whatever you choose, make sure you talk to your vet before starting or switching your dog’s diet. Give them plenty of water and exercise to help them make the most of their diet.

Summer Items for Dogs

It’s a bit too early for summer, but for most of us who live in tropical areas, the days can get a little bit too hot for us and our beloved pets. Hitting the water is always the best thing to do, but how can we be sure that our pet is comfortable and safe? Here are a few items to help you when you’re out under the sun with your dog.

Kool Collars

When you’re outside playing with your dog, you’ll notice that they also feel the heat. Kool Collars are great since they can help your pet cool down by slowly dripping water down their chest. This acts like sweat and helps the natural evaporation to cool the dog down. You’ll need to use ice cubes with the Kool Collars. These are placed inside a small secret compartment where the water is stored and drips out.

Cooling bandanna

Like the Kool Collars, this is placed around your dog’s neck and helps relief them the heat. The difference between this and the Kool Collar is that this doesn’t drip down water. The bandanna is submerged in water and absorbs it. It can retain its cooling effect for hours, which is great for dogs with degenerative myelopathy. The Cooling Bandanna can be used over and over again and is easy to wash.

Doggy Beach Cabana

You might have a hard time looking for a shady area at the beach, and if your dog wants to rest, this is going to be a big problem. The Doggy Beach Cabana is a portable, lightweight “tent” that’s big enough to fit a large sized dog. This provides shade and a resting place for your dog, and is a big help for dogs with degenerative myelopathy. The test is also very simple to set up and store away.

Cooling Vest for Dogs

If you really want your dog to stay cool all over and not just on their necks then get them this cooling vest. The vest is soaked in water like the cooling bandanna and keeps your dog’s whole body cool. The vest fits with any dog size and you can adjust it with the straps. It’s handy if you want to take your dog out for long walks, camping or hiking.

Pet Saver Lifejackets

Taking your dog to the beach or anywhere out for a swim is dangerous. You might think that they know how to paddle their paws and swim by instinct, but some dog breeds actual have a hard time doing this and don’t know how to swim.

Cut Cost on Pet Food

Having a pet dog can actually cost you a lot of money, especially on dog food and vitamins to avoid illness like DM in dogs. If you still pay too much for your dog’s meals, then here are some simple and easy tips to help you save on dog food each time you need to restock.

Go online

You can save money buying pet food online or you can get online coupons. Many dog food brands offer free printable coupons that you can get by subscribing to their newsletter or even just by downloading it. You can save hundreds of dollars on printable coupons alone. Some brands also offer freebees like samples if you visit their site so try your luck and see that you can find online.

Check out rebates

There are always new and exciting pet food products and brands that come out, and they usually come with a “try me for free” promo. Dogs that aren’t that picky or sensitive when it comes to food with love this. You can test a number for pet food products for your dogs and they come in for free or for less.

Join a reward club

Big pet food companies try to keep their customers loyal by giving them loyalty points or reward points. If you only purchase one brand to avoid any digestive problems with your dog, then join the brand’s reward club and get the freebees. Some companies would even give a whole sack as a year ending or Christmas gift.

Home made

Making your own pet food has its perks and down sides. You can definitely save money if you make your dog’s meals, but it’s time consuming and tiring. Homemade food is healthier and can minimize the changes of them getting DM in dogs.Some dogs are so picky that they don’t eat homemade dog food, so start in small batches and check how they react to it.

Talk to the vet

Believe it or not, your vet can help you save money on dog food by offering you a certain brand that they endorse. Some vets have thousands of discounts and even free coupons for anything your dog might need. Try to ask during your next visit to check on what brands they recommend.

As much as you love your dog, you still would want to save on their daily expenses. But just because they’re discounted or you want to save money, doesn’t mean that you should get the low grade dog food.

Dogs and Stress – Helping Your Dog Cope

Like humans, dogs can also feel stress. Stress in dogs can come from different sources andknowing these stressors can help dog owners to minimize the amount of stress in their dog’s life and keep them happier and healthier.

Most dog owners have a hard time understanding their dogs and can’t really look at life through their dog’s eyes. Imagine having to be locked up inside or in the kennel when no one is at home, your food’s just stays there in the bowl and you can’t play with it, and when it’s time to go out, a short walk around the block and a few minutes of playtime with a stick is all you get. This gets you stressed and the worst part of it is that you and your owner can’t communicate, so you can’t really tell them what’s wrong.

As a responsible dog owner, you have to find ways to make sure your dog isn’t stressed out. Below are some of the most common stressors that could affect your dog and how you can stop or minimize them.

Cause of stress

According to theAmerican Veterinary Medical Association, confinement, noise, physical restraint, separation, unwanted interactions,trauma and boredom are the top stressors most dogs face in a daily basis. These stressors are definitely things that dog owners can minimize so always keep them in mind. Dogs who suffer from a lot of stress are prone to illnesses, even triggering genetic diseases like degenerative myelopathy.

Signs of stress

Since dogs can’t really tell you if they’re stressed or not, the best thing to do is just to check for the symptoms. Dogs who are under stressed usually whine and yawn a lot, drool too much, hides from the stressors (such as noise or strangers), shows repetitive behaviors, becomes aggressive and might bite, snarl or growl, loose their appetite and even lose weight.

Although stress is a definitely a normal part of life, being under too much of it can cause physical and even psychological problems. Most dog owners really don’t mind or take their dog’s stress level for granted, but if it’s not taken care of, the dog could suffer from serious illnesses such as degenerative myelopathy. Make it a point to talk to your vet about your dog’s stress level as well. They can give you tips on how you can help your dog cope with stressors, especially if you can’t control them.

Tips on identifying where your dog is injured

Dogs are naturally curious creatures that have a tendency to get in trouble because of their misadventures. Thousands of dogs get hurt because they get into accidents or because of illnesses like degenerative myelopathy, and their owners would have a difficult time figuring out where they got hurt.

In case you can’t rush your dog to the vet or animal hospital, you can do a simple check up on your dog to find the source of pain. Below are some helpful tips.

Start with the head

You want to start from top to bottom. This way, you don’t miss a body part. Start with their head then move on to their neck, torso, legs and paws. Don’t miss out the areas between their legs and torso, paws and other crevices.

Look for physical injury

This is simple, yet can easily be missed out. Look for moisture. It could be a sign that the dog has a cut and it’s bleeding. Some dogs can’t control their bladder if they’re hurt or under pain so double check if its blood or urine. If the dog can stand, check if it can still walk on all fours without imping or shaking. If your dog has degenerative myelopathy prior to the accident, support it while it walks and listen for any yelps or wails.

Internal injuries

Internal injuries are more difficult to spot. What you can do is to lay the dog down and try to apply a small amount of pressure on their neck, torso, and leg areas. Observe if your dog reacts to a specific area when you apply pressure to it. It could have a sprained muscle or a bruise somewhere you can’t see.

Check their throat

Your dog could have swallowed something that got stuck in their throat. Try to check by slowly opening their mouth and shine a light down the cavity. If you notice cuts and bleeding, the object could have already gone down to their digestive track. Another way to observe is to listen to them. If they seem to have a hard time barking, then it could be because of a throat injury.

Take them to the vet

Once you have the time, take them to the animal hospital or the vet. They can run a more specific test on your pet and properly diagnose them.  You should also try to learn how to do first aid on your pet, just in case it takes you a longer time to go to the vet.

Dogs vs. Cats – The Same Thing

The classic story between dogs vs. cats has been around since people started domesticating them. We all have our ideas of the stereotypical dog and cat owner, but their pets are not so different after all. Below are some of the reasons why dogs and cats as pets offer more or less the same benefits.

They help you become more responsible

If you’re aiming to get a pet cat or dog to teach your kids responsibility, then they’ll be doing pretty much the same thing whether you get a cat or a dog. You’ll be feeding them, giving them attention, take them to the vet and enjoy their company. The main difference would probably be the fact that you can’t take your cat out for a long walk or give it a bath.

They have the same illnesses

Of course, there are some illnesses that are only excusive to cats or dogs, such as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases amongst cats and degenerative myelopathy with dogs, both animals share the same common illnesses like colds, flues, and parasites like ticks and fleas. In fact, most of their illnesses are treated with the same type of medication.

Same cost

Keeping a dog or a cat more or less has the same cost. Cat food is definitely not more expensive then dog food, and both creatures can live with homemade meals. Although cat owners say that cats can be picky with what you serve them, do don’t really have to bother with some kind of special diet. The same rules apply to what you give them as they age, kittens and puppies need a starter kit to help them get used to solid food, adult dogs and cats can be served with any generic dog or cat food, while older dogs and cats might need something that’s less hard and easy to digest.  Giving them the right food for their age helps minims the chances of them developing genetic illnesses like degenerative myelopathy.

Same happy feeling

Although dogs are a bit warming and jump right at you when you come home, seeing your cat walk up to you and start purring still gives you that same, warm feeling inside. When choosing a dog or a cat as a pet. It would really depend on what type of person you are. Cats are more relaxed, less emotional and calm compared to dogs. But if you want a pet that’s full of energy, runs around and loves going out, then get a dog.

Affordable Dog Toy Alternatives

Playing with you dog is a great bonding activity for you, your pet and even your family. Dropping by the pet shop and checking out some toys for your dog is a great idea, but these toys usually add up and can cost a lot.

You really don’t have to buy your pet the most expensive rubber bone in the shop. It’s not going to appreciate the price and would most likely just chew the toy to bits. If you want your dog to have fun with toys, here are some cheap and even free alternatives.

Old socks

If you still have the old sock that doesn’t even have a pair anymore, then give it to spot. Your dog is going to have a lot of fun with that piece of cloth, tossing, pulling and throwing it all over the place. If you have a bunch of socks, you can turn it into a soft cotton ball by stuffing all the socks into the biggest one and tying the end to close it. This toy is soft enough that even dogs that have degenerative myelopathy can play with it.

Bones

Go to the butcher and ask for one of those knee or shank bones, these usually don’t cost more than a few dollars. Sometimes you can even get them for free if your friends with the butcher. your dog will not only spend hours and hours biting the bone, it’s also going to help keep its teeth and mouth clean and avoid bad breath. Make sure you get those big, hard bones since the little ones could pose a choking hazard. It has to be big enough that they can only chew on it and not fit down their throat. Dogs with degenerative myelopathy can even enjoy these bones while they lay on their mats.

Rope

Have a game of tug of war with your dog by giving it a piece of rope. Puppies also love these since they can bite on one end and you can pull them up and suspend them in the air. You can train them basic commands like pull and bite.

Old rubber toys

Recycle your kid’s old toys and give them to the dog. Rubber balls, toy duckies, anything that they can bite and carry around or you can throw can get them excited. If your kids have those toys that make a squeaking sound when you squeeze it, you might want to take that small whistle out to make playtime a bit quieter. If the rubber toy is safe for your kids, then it’s safe for your dog.

6 Benefits of Getting a Dog

If you’re still having second thoughts about getting a dog, here are a few benefits that might just help you make a decision.

Dogs help boost your mood

Coming home to a wagging tail and a wet nose definitely will lighten up your mood. Studies have shown that spending a bit of time, about 15 to 30 minutes, playing with your pet dog can help boost up your mood and make you feel better. Playing with your pet also raises the serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain, which are the neurotransmitters associated with tranquility and pleasure.

They keep you healthy

Aside from giving you exercise when you walk and play with them, researches have shown that dog owners are healthier compared to non-dog owners. Low cholesterol, less chance of a heart attack and high blood pressure was seen amongst people who had dogs. even if you’re just staying at home and taking care of a dog that has degenerative myelopathy, studies show that your health can still benefit by just having them around.

Dogs help with your social life

Having a dog might just help you get a friend or even a lifelong partner. They can help to make you more sociable, less shy and approachable. Going out with your dog on those short trips is a fun way to get to know other dog lovers.

You become more responsible

Aside from having to take care of them, you will end up treating your pet dog like your own child. Getting a pet dog also helps your kids become responsible. Assign them a simple task like giving the dog a bath, feeding them or walking them. Taking care of an ill dog, like the ones that have degenerative myelopathy, will definitely test how capable you are when it comes to caring for them, so take your time and learn more about their illness.

Natural stress relievers

Just by looking at your dog, your stress levels can go down.SUNY Buffalo conducted a study in 2006 on married couples who were given stressful tasks. One partner was allowed to spend time with their dog after the task and they reported to have lower levels of stress compared to their partner.

ADHD companion

Kids that have ADHD can benefit with having a pet dog. They release energy by playing with their pet and it also helps them concentrate on a single task, like walking their dog or giving it a bath. Parents also feel more secure knowing that their dog can help watch over their child.

5 Tips to Save on Dog Food

Most dog owners don’t even realize that they’re paying a little too much for dog food. Sure, we want to keep our pets well fed and healthy, but spending hundreds and even thousands of dollars on dog food can be impractical. Here are a few tips to save on your pet’s dog food.

Go online

You can ether, purchase your dog food online or go to sites that offer coupons for grocery and home items. Some shops online offer prices that are lower since they get their stocks directly from the manufacturer, plus, you can find some times that are not available or are hard to find in stores. Coupons are also a good money saving tool. Some dog food manufacturing companies would even offer discount codes and coupons on their site. Mix online coupons with the ones you get on the Sunday paper and you can definitely save a lot of money.

Check for new brands and products

Some pet food producers introduce new items in the market for a special price. If your dog isn’t picky when it comes to food and will eat almost anything, then try these products out. However, if your dog needs a specific diet, such as the ones with degenerative myelopathy, then ask the vet before switching products.

Join reward clubs

If you get your pet food at the same shop again and again, you could just avail for some kind of reward of loyalty card. Some brands even offer these to pet owners who only buy their brand.

Home cooked pet food

Most people agree that you can definitely save a lot of money if you just make your own dog food. The down side of this is that you have to spend some time chopping, preparing and cooking up a meal for your dog and you’re not really sure if it contains the right nutrients and vitamins that they need. Keep in mind that you have to make sure they are getting the sufficient nutrients to avoid any health problems like diabetes and degenerative myelopathy.

Buy in bulk

Checking out a whole pushcart of dog food might look strange but you end up paying less if you buy more. Instead of that small sack, try to get the bigger one. This way, you save, and you don’t have to keep going back to the store if you run out of dog food.