Consequences of a Bored Dog

When you get busy during the holiday season, it may be more important than ever to make sure that your dog stays busy so he or she doesn't miss you when you're visiting your family and friends and bring your dog along isn't a possibility.

Did you know that your dog could actually become depressed if he or she is bored a good portion of the time? Depression is a very real problem that can actually affect our pets just as easily as it can affect people. Including lethargy and the opposite end of the spectrum, destructive behaviors. However, you can easily keep your dog from becoming bored as long as you provide them with enough items to stimulate them and give your dog all the attention you can during the busy holiday season.

What dog doesn't love to play fetch? Well, if so then you really cannot have enough items around the house that you can throw for them. You may just find that the Kong Dog Tennis Balls are just the right thing to keep your dog running around like crazy. This is not only a great way to keep your dog healthy by giving them exercise, but it is also a way to keep them occupied. These tennis balls are extremely durable and there is even a squeaker inside to give your pooch a little bit of extra excitement. When you're not there, your dog can play with the toy and toss it and chase it to not only keep himself occupied but also get some good exercise in.

Another fun toy set for your dog is a fuzzy purse and shoes that he can enjoy chasing and bringing to you or just tossing and chewing when you can't be there. Your dog gets to play with two forbidden items (the enticing purse and shoes) with none of the consequences of chewing up the real things. With great items and spending all the time you can with your pooch this holiday season, you will never have to worry about your dog being bored or depressed.
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Hypothermia and Frostbite Prevention

If you live in a colder part of the country, you are well acquainted with the ways for keeping frostbite and hypothermia away from yourself and your family. What many people don't realize is that pets can suffer from hypothermia too, especially dogs that are left outside in bitterly cold weather or cold weather combined with rain.

Hypothermia is simply the prolonged exposure to cold temperatures that results in a drop in the body temperature. Toy breeds of dogs and dogs with extremely short haired dogs such as boxers can be affected by lengthy exposure to cold and wet conditions. The early signs of impending hypothermia are violent shivering by the dog then listlessness and lack of motivation to move. The temperature may be below 97 degrees and will be followed by collapse, coma and eventual death if quick steps are not taken to warm the dog.

First of all, wrap the dog in a blanket or coat and bring it into the house. If the dog is wet from falling into a freezing body of water, put him into a warm bath and dry him with warmed towels. If the dog is past the shivering stage and is lying on his side, you can help raise his body temperature by putting warm packs under his arm pits. You can also warm your dog with a hair dryer, be aware as sensation returns to the dog's limbs, he can experience great pain and may start to bite at the air, his own skin, or even at you.

Rub his legs and back and it will help with the pain. You can offer water or a glucose mixture which is four tablespoons sugar in a pint of water, to your dog at this time. Areas of skin that are white need to be watched as they may be frostbitten. If they turn dark, get him medical attention immediately as infection can set in and it can be life threatening.

Prevention is the number one way to avoid either hypothermia or frostbite in dogs. Don't leave your dog out in wet and cold conditions and when you take your dog out for walks, make sure he is adequately warm by using dog sweaters or parkas to help him retain his body warmth.
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Keep Your Cat Healthy Through Play

It may actually seem to you like your cat does nothing but sleep and eat all day long and then they sleep some more. Well, even though cats really do catch a lot of sleep throughout the day, they also run around and get plenty of exercise as long as they have the right toys to plays around with. You may be amazed at just how much exercise your cat does get when you are sleeping or even when you are not around. This is a good thing because it is well known that cats that are healthy usually run around and play fairly hard to amuse themselves.

To help your healthy kitty get the proper exercise, you can get him or her the Flower Power Cat Scratching Post and Toy. This is a completely amazing and fun kitty toy that is just right to help your cat let loose and really enjoy themselves. Your cat can spend hours climbing, clinging to the sides of the scratching post as well as chasing the dangling flower toy. And once your feline has a chance to terrorize this post for a while, you may even find that they have less time to bother you by knocking down your things at night.

Watch your cat fly around while they chase after the dangling flower toy. Be sure that you have your camera handy as well so that you can capture all of the memories from this ultra-fun center of activity for your cat. This post and toy will become a valuable energy outlet for your cat and if your cat has been exhibiting destructive habits due to boredom such as scratching your drapes or knocking items she knows she shouldn't play with off the shelves, this type of toy will usually put a stop to those negative behaviors.
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Bonding Through Bathing

If your dog hides the minute he sees you're running the bathwater for him or he fights you every step of the way on getting into the bath. Try these simple tips and see if it doesn't make bathing your pooch a lot easier.

First of all, have the bath water ready when you bring him in. The sound of running water spooks many dogs. If bathing stresses your dog out, don't make it worse by upsetting him with the sound of running water. You can let the water fill up the basin you're going to bathe him in while you brush out his fur.

Use a good shampoo made for dogs on your canine. "People" shampoos are too harsh for most dog's skin and don't use dishwashing soap. It can leave a nasty rash on your pooch. Two good choices in dog shampoo are Comfy Dog Oatmeal Conditioning Shampoo and Brighten and Shine Conditioning Dog Shampoo.

To bathe your dog, wet him thoroughly from the neck to the tail. You'll be doing his head last. Shampoo starting at his rear haunches and move forward. After you shampoo his body, rinse him well and run your hands over his body until you don't feel any shampoo. Then carefully wash his face, neck and ears. Use a washcloth and you can get him clean without the shampoo running in his eyes and ears. Talk to him soothingly and tell him what a good dog he is for standing there. Dogs love praise and when he realizes he is pleasing you immensely by putting up with a bath, it will become less of a power struggle.

Rinse his facial area well and make sure his tummy isn't covered in suds. Leaving shampoo on your dog can cause itching, flaking and other skin irritations. When you're done, wrap your dog in an absorbent towel and dry him off. Some owners give their dogs a treat for being good during a bath. Instinct will tell him to shake off the water, be prepared to get wet yourself! If your dog isn't frightened by the hairdryer, you can use the to blow-dry his fur and get him dried off a lot quicker so he isn't chilled.

Giving a bath doesn't have to be a stressful situation for you or your dog. Use these steps to make bathing your dog a delight.
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After the Bath - Conditioning for Your Dog's Skin and Fur

After you shampoo your hair, you need a good conditioner to keep your hair maintained, soft and manageable. Your dog's fur can benefit greatly from the same conditioning. Many dogs dread the after the bath brushing because their fur is tangled and coarse or worse the shampoo has made their skin dry and itchy. Both scenarios can lead to patchy fur loss and extreme discomfort for your canine companion.

A great product for getting your dog's fur conditioned and in tip-top shape is Fur Butter. Fur Butter is a deep penetrating, ultra-conditioning thick butter that you spread on your dog's fur and massage in after your bathe your dog and shampoo his fur.

The Fur Butter is based on a natural Shea Butter recipe and just as Shea Butter will heal, soothe and protect your skin, it will work wonders on your dog's skin. Many dogs get dry, itchy skin after a bath and Fur Butter will relieve that condition. Along with Shea Butter, Fur Butter has colloidal oatmeal, aloe, herbs such as rosemary, calendula, comfrey, chamomile, burdock, boswellia serrata, and vitamins such as the skin essential E.

Additionally, if you favorite pooch suffers from a dry or damaged coat, he will benefit greatly from the use of Fur Butter prior to grooming. Much like you might need a de-tangler for your children's hair, Fur Butter will make your dog's brush out process after a bath much easier.

If you would like to give your pooch the gift of velvety, soft fur and moisturized skin, use Fur Butter after each bath and keep your dog's fur and skin in fantastic shape.
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