How Our Pets Fit Into Our Lives

By Catherine V. Testaratti

Getting a dog or cat can be a big decision for you. For people without children it could be life changing. I do know many people without children who treat their pets as their children.

I have known many people over the years that have had pets prior to kids as a trial run before children. When you think about it, pets can require a much longer commitment just because they don't grow up and move out. This sheds a whole new light on getting a pet right?

I don't think people think about how long of a commitment it is to raise a cat or dog. Some can live 20+ years. That's sometimes longer than our children stay with us and you are feeding your pet, taking them to the doctor and boarding them when you take a vacation.

At least with children, there comes a time when they can stay on their own. Then they move away and go to college, eventually marrying and finally starting their own life with someone else. Well, I know that children do come and go and are always going to need us to some extent, but cat's and dog's can't survive without us.

Loving your pets is what we do unconditionally. But had we realized that we were actually taking on a longer commitment then our children per say, this might have made us rethink that decision. Our pet can bring us great joy and companionship, but they are always there.

I have grown to love our cats and they are a great comfort to me in this quiet house. Little did I know when my daughter begged and pleaded for a pet that she would not take them when she moved out. She has gone on to college, loves her carefree life, and I am hiring someone to watch them so I can take a vacation.

Before long, your house is quiet and your children are gone. Looking back you can see the separation happening and you don't realize it. Now, my daughter is off starting her new life, and here I am, glad to have the cats to keep me company.

Loving our pets like we loved our children, feeding them, caring for them and just being happy to see them is all they desire. Cats are extremely independent like those fifteen year olds we had running in and out of the house at one time. Take time to enjoy your pets like you did your kids and they will return the gift for years after those kiddos have flown the coop.

Now, back to the original question, are you ready for a pet? Remember that your children will eventually leave, and their pets are there to stay. Pets can enrich our lives long after the children are gone, and that's something to think about as well. - 31851

About the Author:

Have an Animal that you Love? Visit Catherine's favorite Pet Supplies for Dogs online store that uses nature's best ingredients. They have the most amazing Natural Organic Dog Shampoos on the market.

Uncontrollable Urinating And Your Dog

By Catherine V. Testaratti

Is your new puppy or adult adopted dog having a problem with uncontrollable peeing during play, while excited or when it's scared? Well, this is not uncommon in puppies or adult dogs that have been abused. Submissive or excited peeing is easy to cure but you have to be consistent.

We always suggest first make a trip to the vet to make sure that there are not any medical issues the dog is suffering from. Once you determine it's nothing medical, then these lets try a few things to help your dog stop this embarrassing reaction. After all, when guests arrive you don't want to be running around cleaning up the remnants from your dog's excitement.

If you dog does not pee when you are in the dominant position like looking in its eyes or greeting it face to face, then it's probably an excitement issue. However if your dog pee's when it's in trouble or when you are bending down to greet him in a dominant position, then of course it is submissive. Luckily, we can fix both of these problems.

Praise is the most important way to train these dogs to stop submissive peeing. Teaching them to sit, stay, and roll over then rewarding them when they complete this request will start to build your dog's confidence. Approach your submissive dog by getting level with them, never pat on top of the head, always under the chin and of course never yell at the dog.

If there are accidents with the peeing, don't respond, just clean it up. But remember to praise the dog when they pee in their appropriate spot. Rewards and positive affirmation are always the best medicine.

For excitement peeing, this typically happens with puppies that are less than a year old. With older dogs as well, peeing can occur when friends come to visit or when you arrive home from work. As with the submissive, do not react, just clean it up and praise positively when the dog or puppy pee's in the right place.

While playing with your puppy, he can get excited and pee so make sure you do all the playing out in the yard or in a protected area. As we mentioned before, if there are accidents, do not react and eventually you will see this problem subside. We can't use the word praise enough so remember to make sure you acknowledge the good deed.

When you arrive home, we recommend that you keep your greeting to a minimum. High pitched voices and rowdy behavior can trigger peeing so keep it to a minimum. We do suggest no immediate greeting when you get home as to not encourage the high energy behavior

Don't feel you are mistreating the dog, remember they are not humans. This can work to cure the excited peeing dog. Calm hello greetings when the dog is not excited, affirms the calm behavior, whereas the greeting when the dog is excited encourages the excited behavior, which makes perfect sense. - 31851

About the Author:

Have a Pet that you Love? Visit Catherine's recommended Pet Supplies for Dogs website that uses nature's highest quality ingredients. They have the most amazing Natural Organic Dog Shampoos on the market.

Money Saving Pet Food Tips

By Skotten Edelstein

The world is currently feeling the pinch of an economic crisis. Everyone is tightening their proverbial belts in order to save money and cut costs considerably. Sadly, no one knows for how long this dreadful scenario will stop hovering over the country's financial status. This is why it is essential to be very conscious of one's spending habits in order to maximize your purchasing power.

It doesn't help that there is still the ongoing threat of big multinational firms filing for bankruptcy and monetary bailout packages. If it would come into reality, this would result to mass layoffs and lower, or even negative, economic growth. This grim scenario looms over the stock market and keeps the entire nation on its toes.

Even pet owners are not spared from this predicament. It is obvious that expenses for pets are not as steep as those for human being. However, that is still not a reason to be unworried and shell out tons of dollars like there is no tomorrow. Nowadays, it is vital to be more conscious of your spending habits so that you can still maintain ample savings in your bank account. Always be on the lookout on ways to set aside some precious bucks. Here is a comprehensive list of ways to save money on pet food. Hopefully, they will be a welcome solution to your pet-related food woes.

Primarily, you can slash your expenses by purchasing pet food in bulk. You may be curious as to how this is possible. Well, if you were to buy a huge sack weighing seven kilos instead of seven small ones, then it means that less money was spent manufacturing the package. The pet food firm has saved quite an amount, if this is the case. Therefore, the savings they have made will then be passed on to the unwavering consumers.

Another way to save is to buy pet food online. It is common knowledge that the online marketplace is just as good, if not better, than the real world. In the internet, you have a variety of choices that will fit your discriminating needs. Most sites offer a wide array of pet food products, from the cheapest to the most expensive, depending on the quality. Here, you can easily compare a lot of factors. After you have made a decision, you can easily purchase a product and pay for it using your credit card or PayPal account. In a matter of days, your order will be delivered right at your doorstep.

Ask your veterinarian. More often than not, he can give you a big discount if you are always buying pet food from him. You may also check out for promotional packages that would include buy one take one options or free perks.

Scan the newspapers and magazines for food coupons. Advertisers usually use it as bait for potential consumers so they place it in this medium. Others prefer handing out the coupons in malls, streets or bazaars wherein a lot of people converge for a quick orientation.

Lastly, you can minimize if not avoid, treats. They can be quite draining to the pocket if done in a regular manner. If you must give a nice reward, make sure that your pet has done something special or extraordinary to deserve it. This way, he will learn how to behave better. - 31851

About the Author:

This Expert is valued for his quality tips for pet owners looking for affordable health pet insurance for their pets. You might also get value out of reading his latest famous written piece called Pet Health Protection 101.

Doesn't Your Buddy Deserve a Designer Dog Bed?

By John Gaddy

Diamond accessories. Fine lamb's wool sweaters. Gucci pet carriers. In recent years many luxury products have hit the pet supplies market, and designer dog beds are just one of the latest accouterments available to stylish dog owners, and their dogs. Designer dog beds are not only fashionable for your home, they are highly comfortable for your dog.

Many designer dog beds are quite simple, made in the same basic styles as most dog beds, but constructed from higher quality materials on the outside (micro fiber fabric, fleece lining, etc), and padding such as feather down, or orthopedic gel-foam and memory foam for the ultimate comfort of your dog.

The next level of designer pet beds are made to resemble human versions. Mini couches and recliners can be special ordered to match your home's existing decor. These couches are so close to the "real" thing that even dogs that only sit on your couch will use his or her own couch instead. An added feature to these dog couches is that they are lower to the ground, making it much easier for older pets to get on and off, while preventing smaller pets from orthopedic injuries due to jumping up and down from heights.

Other styles of designer pet beds include options made from wrought-iron frames, complete with matching miniature mattresses and colors to suit any color scheme. Along with their classy styles, these beds usually are off the ground which is great for keeping pets off the cold floor, and away from drafts. Custom wraps are also available to help provide extra comfort.

Designer dog beds are now being built in just about every style you could think of, from a hand-made, classic style to a super posh miniature replicas. There's no limit when it comes to designer dog beds. - 31851

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If you're looking for the best selection of designer dog beds check out Dog-Beds.com. We also carry other varieties such as orthopedic dog beds.

Some Tips for Successful Cat Leash Training

By Jason Greening

Whether your cat likes to spend its times indoors or outdoors, there might come a time when you need to take your cat outdoors and this is where you need to train your cat to walk on a leash. You might have seen dogs taken out on a leash, you even might have seen ponies on leash, but have you ever seen a cat on a leash? Probably not, but that doesn't mean it's not possible. Here are some practical tips for leash training your cat.

The main purpose of a leash is to control the erratic behavior of your pet while outdoors. Cats are taken on leashes so that they don't run away from you and cause public nuisance. Once a cat escapes it's very difficult to catch him, because they are very agile and able to get through small spaces easily, not to mention their jumping abilities. In some areas, it's illegal for a cat to run free. It's also potentially dangerous, despite your cat's fine instincts. There are cars, large dogs and rabid squirrels to contend with that your cat might not be able to escape.

Just as with any type of training, cat leash training will take a considerable amount of time. Do you remember the first time you tried to put a collar on your cat? The cat might have resisted putting it on and after you managed to put it on somehow, the cat would have been busy for hours trying to remove it. You will have a similar experience with the leash, but if your cat is already accustomed to a collar, half of the battle for leash training is won.

Start training your cat for a leash by attaching a leash to your cat's collar. Do not tighten the leash and keep it slackened, so that the cat gets used to it. Also, do not walk or drag the cat the first time you put the leash on your cat. Let her get used to it. This is the secret of successful cat leash training. Try this method for a few minutes on the first day.

If the cat shows a little bit of uneasiness, distract him by offering his favorite toy or food. Repeat this for several days till the cat gets accustomed to the leash. Once it is comfortable, just keep the leash on for few minutes everyday.

Next, try to walk your cat around the house. Once she gets accustomed to walking with the leash on, try to take her outdoors. Put the leash on for longer times now and walk with it even while it is walking casually. If the cat at this moment is comfortable, then consider your cat trained to walk on a leash. Next time you are going outside, just leash your cat and take it outside with you.

Cats are very independent animals and like to stay that way. It is often said that humans do not make cats their pets; it is the other way round. Cats use humans so that they can get food and shelter. For this they have adapted themselves in such a way that we feel affectionate towards them and take them as pets. You need to use these attributes in order to coax your cat to walk on a leash. - 31851

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Leash training is just one unusual form of cat training. Visit Cat Toilet Training to find out why and how you can easily teach your cat to give up its litter box and use the toilet instead!

A Cat Scratching Post is the Answer When Your Cat Has Gone Rogue!

By Carol Navagato

Every cat owner knows that their kitty might terrorize a piece of furniture. It might be to chew it, to scratch it, or even to spray it. Your kitty hasn't really just "gone rogue"! These are all ways the a cat can claim an area as their own. She is also meeting a definite physiological need when kitty is digging her claws into your favorite piece of furniture.

A cat's claws grow continuously. They are designed to be used in hunting their prey. If the cat's claws are not being worn down in this way, the old sheath will become a problem. Kitty will try to meet this BASIC NEED by clawing your furniture, or even trying to bite the sheath off herself! Scratching is good for cats for another reason too. Just as they scratch to sharpen their claws, they also need to scratch to keep their back muscles stretched. out.

So what is the answer when kitty is taking care of HER needs by terrorizing YOUR furniture? When you substitute a sturdy piece of cat furniture, such as a cat scratching post, a cat tree, or kitty condo, you cat can fulfill her need for scratching, as well as having a place to stretch, play, and nap. Choosing the right piece of cat furniture is the key.

You will want to choose a cat scratching post or cat tree that has a rough surface, such as sisal or rope to help your cat keep his nails smooth. The perfect piece of cat furniture would be at least 4 feet tall so your cat can really stretch out his back muscles. There are some tricks to get your cat to claim the cat scratching furniture as his own. You should place his cat post in a place where he can be part of the action in the house, and also, you can sprinkle some cat nip over your kitty's new furniture.

Cat scratching furniture comes in many styles, from a simple sisal scratching post to elaborate cat towers with climbing, scratching, and napping areas. Let your imagination go and find the just right piece of cat scratching furniture for your home and your cat! - 31851

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Learn more about cat scratching furniture. Stop by Carol Navagato's site where you can find out all about cat scratching post and what it can do for you.

Stop Cats Scratching Doors and Sofas

By Kitty Matthews

Many people have got indoor cats. If you do, then you realize it is a agony to exist with cat dander. Allergies will make this virtually impossible. Also, you have to survive with cleaning up the litter pan daily, as that's not fun. And, the one matter that bothers nearly all is that all cats scratch on items some people are capable to get near to. The couch has been through a million covers, the pillows on the couch have been shredded to small pieces, furthermore my table appears to be like like it's been attacked by a two year old using a knife.

Fortunately, a new product called Kitty Scratcher by Emery cat aims to solve this problem. The kitty scratcher is a playing surface for the cat which also grooms cat nails so that their nails become ineffective for scratching your furniture. It includes catnip, which causes the cat to be drawn to it similar to a moth to a flame! The cat needs to get onto the working surface, and pull out their claws to scratch the surface within. What takes place is the cat wants the catnip, the board that's curved makes them want to stretch, and the kitty gets a nail trim when playing around.

The kitty scratcher tv advert was one which attracted my interest right away. It tells people that we don't require all those unattractive products in your property to save your kitty from scratching, and it is going to save you a lot of time in the long run. You can tuck this product into any corner of your room, therefore it will not stick out like a sore thumb, plus you do not have to clarify to everyone what it is, or why you have it. It saves your furnishings and your cat will enjoy playing with it.

Some folks have said that there have been a bit of issues with customer service, and they are told they need to purchase the two for 1 discount. If you purchase yours, all you will need to do is choose to just buy one instead of two on the order form. It costs $19.95 for one, nevertheless please remember to add in $7.95 for the shipping expenses. If you do decide you need two of these, all you've got to do is give some additional shipping!

My aunt has purchased 3, for the reason that she has several cats and she saw the ones I have at my apartment! She adored the thought of them, and had to buy some for her cats! They do work, and the advert is correct. My furniture has been saved! - 31851

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Like this kitty scratcher review? Find out more and discover where to purchase the emery cat kitty scratcher on the internet.