The Humane Society of America recommends dogs live indoors but sometimes it just isn’t possible. Maybe you own a large dog and just don’t have enough space in your home for the newest, furriest member. In this case, a dog house is a must. Here are a few tips on finding a dog house to suit your pet.

The most obvious factor – geographic location

If you live in an area with freezing cold winters and plenty of rain you should consider a heated dog house or at least one that is well insulated and waterproof. If it’s really cold you can add in a heated bed or pad. Make sure you use a heated pad that’s designed for animals and not humans, as the latter can get too hot for a dog. Heated pet beds operate safely at a lower voltage and are usually built to be chew proof. Look for cedar chip stuffing, too, as it repels the fleas. If you are concerned that other dogs or critters from the neighborhood will take advantage of this cozy, warm haven, choose a dog house with a magnetic door that allows only your dog to enter.

In order to have a comfortable and enjoyable time when traveling with your dog, you need to prepare certain things ahead of time. You need to be ready in case of an emergency or any unpredictable situation that may occur. So keep in mind the following 13 items and make sure that you have them ready and available before you go on that road trip with your dog.

1. A dog crate or den with a small blanket inside for your dog’s safety and comfort, or a seatbelt harness if you prefer to have him stay on the seat.

2. An adequate supply of dog food to last for the entire trip. Make sure to bring enough extra food, especially if your dog is a fussy eater.

3. At least three gallons of extra water for your dog. If you are going to a different country, keep in mind that the water there may be different from the water you have at home. Since your dog may be sensitive to the differences in the water which could make him sick, be sure that you carry enough water to last for the entire trip.

I am hoping to get a pet rat, but I was wondering if it is possible to travel around with me simply holding it. Or maybe it could be in my shirt pocket with the head sticking out. Or maybe.. maybe standing on my shoulder like a parrot… . I was hoping to travel mostly in inside places like around houses, and other indoor places like maybe stores. Is it even possible to do this without my rat running/wandering off? Or is this just silly dreaming T_T ?

Remember: In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less
2. Don’t ask for money all the time
3 Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don’t hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don’t smoke or drink
8. Don’t have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don’t want to wear your clothes
10. Don’t need a “gazillion” dollars for college.

And finally,

11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Originally posted 2006-12-20 13:00:16.

Giving your dog a bath is important, but not as critical as most people seem to believe. If your dog is healthy, he really doesn’t need to be bathed more that once every few months, but most of us put them in the tub or under the hose more often to get rid of that doggie smell and look shinier. Although most dogs do not enjoy getting a bath, it is a good bonding experience. They will appreciate the contact and attention they get from their owner.

This is also an excellent time to do some other required “maintenance” tasks that we often forget about, such as ear cleaning, brushing their teeth, and checking for fleas and ticks. It is much easier to do all these things at once since most dogs don’t enjoy sitting through these activities for very long.

Let’s go into further detail about these maintenance tasks to make sure your dog stays healthy and happy for a long time.

The condition of the skin and coat is an indicator of the general health of your pet. Other than specific skin conditions like cat dandruff and feline acne or serious immune mediated cat and dog skin problems, internal health issues also reflect on the skin and coat of your pet.

Most of these health conditions lead to canine and feline hair loss. The situation is more challenging if you have a canine pet since most reeds shed hair naturally to a large extent during certain times of the year. Natural hair loss combined with hair loss due to ailments can pose a major problem for pet owners. Cleaning floors, carpets and furniture can become a more arduous task than it already is. Vacuum cleaners are the obvious choice for house cleaning but many times it has been noticed that the cat and dog hair do not get completely sucked up by the machine. Some useful tips for removing pet hair can save you time and money.

With a vacuum cleaner.

NEW YORK (AP) — SuNae Martz is a 10-year-old jetsetter who’s crisscrossed the globe more than once. The catch: SuNae is a dog — a fluffy white coton de tulear, to be exact.

Her owner, Gayle Martz, takes her everywhere she flies, from Paris to New York to Los Angeles. But SuNae doesn’t fly in the belly of the plane like common cargo. She’s first class, in the cabin under Martz’s seat.

“I don’t check my jewelry, and SuNae is my most precious jewel,” said Martz, a former flight attendant-turned entrepreneur who created and sells a soft-sided pet carrier, the Sherpa Bag.

SuNae is one of a half-million pets that fly each year, according to statistics complied by the U.S. Department of Transportation. But not all airlines permit pets to fly in the cabin, and other policies vary too.

Some airlines charge to bring pets in the cabin; some don’t. Some airlines restrict the travel of short-nosed animals, like Persian cats and pugs, which have shorter nasal passages that make breathing difficult at higher altitudes. Most also don’t allow pets to travel as cargo in temperatures below 20 degrees and above 85 degrees.

What are anal glands?

Anal glands, or anal sacs, are two small glands present in both dogs and cats situated just below and either side of the anal opening. These glands produce a substance that is secreted through ducts just inside the rectum when pressure is put on the glands- most commonly by the passing of feces. This substance has a strong odor which is very unpleasant to humans but was probably useful to animals, especially in times gone by, for marking their territory.

What can go wrong with anal glands?

In modern-day domestic pets, anal glands can often cause health problems. Sometimes the anal gland secretions are not released naturally and build up – leading to thickening of the secretion, clogging of the duct and sometimes even infection and abscesses. You may have seen your pet with his tail up, dragging his behind across the floor. This is an attempt to relieve the pressure and discomfort of impacted anal glands and is called scooting. Scooting can cause damage to the anus and indicates that your pet is having trouble with his anal glands and needs some type of intervention.

To ensure fun, stress-free travel with your canine pal, follow these 5 simple tips:

1. With experience, most dogs get over the tendency to become sick when riding in a moving vehicle. However, some will almost always get queasy. In such cases, you should ask your veterinarian to prescribe a motion sickness pill or a sedative.

2. Do not try to sneak your dog into a motel or hotel. If you are caught doing this, you will just make it very hard for people with dogs who come along after you. There are many great places that accommodate well-behaved dogs. An extensive directory of motels and hotels that accommodates pets can be obtained online or from your preferred travel agency.

3. When aboard trains, dogs are usually permitted in private room spaces, sleepers, or parlor cars so long as they are kept either in a carrier or leashed up (muzzled in some cases). Otherwise, on most trains, dogs have to ride in the baggage car, where owners are permitted to look after them.

There are a lot of great gifts that you can give to cat lovers, although photo frames are among the most popular. Photo frames are very affordable, and make a great gift for anyone who owns a cat or other pet. Those who own more than one cat will truly appreciate photo frames – as it gives them a chance to show off their pet. Cat lovers can also frame pictures of their pet for memories as well – and keep them forever and ever.

Before you give a cat lover a gift, you should take into consideration what type of cat the person owns. There are several breeds out there, including tabby, pure breeds, calico, Persian, and of course the infamous Siamese breeds. Someone may own several cats as well, which is why you should know a little bit about the breed or breeds someone owns before you get them a gift.

You should take into consideration whether or not the cat lover has an outdoor or indoor cat. Cats, unlike dogs, are more than happy to spend all of their time outdoors. Outdoor cats can be a lot of fun, especially if the owner spends a lot of time outdoors. Cats have a natural urge to go outside, even if the owner has an indoor cat.