Dog Fences: Types and Benefits

There are various reasons why you should put up a dog fence. Besides the flair it can add to your yard, a pet fence, be it in the form of wood, vinyl, chain or metal, is beneficial for safety and security purposes. But whichever fencing system you choose, there are certain types that will best harmonize with your garden or landscape. By installing the right dog-proof fence, you will be assured that your k9 stays safe all the time even if you're not around to monitor him.

Below are a few common types of dog fences and their benefits:

Wood Dog Fence
This kind of fencing system is traditionally used as a decorative fence to provide privacy and set boundaries for your dogs. You can paint it in whatever colors you desire.

Chain Link Fence
This is one of the cheapest types of dog enclosure. You can buy long rolls of chain link fences at a very low price these days.

Vinyl Dog Fence
Vinyl dog fence is a new and maintenance-free type of fencing. It can usually be bought in forms similar to both wood and rail fencing. Vinyl fences will not fade even during the harshest weather condition.

Electronic Dog Fence
This is a good choice who wants a pet containment without any visible sign of a fence. An electronic dog fence comes with a boundary wire, a transmitter and a dog collar. You can form the fence into shapes you want. As compared to wood fences, an underground fence is less expensive and easier to install!

Dog Pens Benefits

Dog training is an essential part of making your k9 stay fit and healthy. If you're a dog owner, you may find it difficult sometimes to control your dog to stay within a specific boundary when you're training him or playing with him in the park or the backyard.

A dog pen, often called as an exercise pen, is a great solution to contain your dog while allowing him to roam around and exercise. It is a type of dog containment system which consists of fences usually made of gauge wire forming a safe space for your dog both in indoor and outdoor environment.

Here are some of the benefits of dog pens:

1. Your dog will feel secured in a territory which he can call his own while giving him as much freedom as possible.

2. For both beginners and experienced dog trainers, the use of dog pens is a very cost-effective way to provide your dog with a safe and spacious enclosure where he can exercise regularly.

3. These pet containment systems are so portable and easy to set-up. You can move a dog pen from one place to another with ease.

4. Studies show that dog pens provide good effects to the psychological disposition of your dog. When he is a around a dogpen, he will not feel isolated. As a result, his behavioral problems such as nuisance barking will eventually be minimized if not totally solved.

5. Another benefit of dog exercise pens is that they can create an environment conducive to transforming an aggressive dog into your most behaved best friend. With the use of dog pens, you can make a familiar space for your k9 when you are too busy or not around to monitor him.

6. Dog pens are versatile and can be used for other purposes. Some dog owners utilize dog exercise pens along with a dog crate. A dog pen is not only for dog, it can also be used to contain rabbits and other small animals.

Patio Pet Door Buying Guide

Are you planning to buy a new pet door for your beloved canine but on a tight budget? This patio pet door buying guide will help you get the best deals in a dog door:

1. Assess your budget. Shop around before buying anything. You can surely find pet doors at affordable prices in the internet. Do comparison shopping!

2. You need to determine the height of the patio door track. Before purchasing a pet door, measure the track from top to bottom with the use of a measuring tape. Take note of the adjustments that may be needed and compare it to the actual height of desired pet door.

3. Check the color of the framing. As much as possible, select the colors that will match the interior of your house.

4. Consider the climate in your area. If you live in a location where climate is tough, choose the toughest patio pet door. Make sure that it is made from sturdy materials that can withstand even the toughest weather conditions.

5. Choose a patio pet door that is applicable to the size of your k9. The ratio of your dog to the door must be proportioned.

6. Also check if the materials used on your walls will match the components used for the dog door you want to buy. A pet door can either be made of wood or plastic materials. If you think installing it will not work with your patio, look for other patio pet door products that will be applicable to your preference.

7. The product you are purchasing must include a limited lifetime warranty and installation manual which will guide you in properly installing the patio dog doors onto your wall or patio.

Dog Prostatitis Treatment & Symptoms

Dog prostatitis is a disease common in male dogs characterized by the inflammation of a gland near the urinary bladder or prostate gland. It may develop by hematogenous spread of bacteria or by extension from the urinary tract and may either be acute or chronic.

There are various dog prostatitis treatment methods that veterinarians recommend to solve this problem. Since this canine disease is caused by bacterial infection, it is usually controlled by medications and antibiotics. Vets often choose an antibiotic based on the likelihood it will work for prostate infection. Antibiotics are typically given for a minimum 4 weeks. If the antibiotic drug seems futile, insisting on a culture is another recommended dog prostatitis treatment. In the case of acute prostatitis, intravenous fluids may be required. Neutering will probably not help much but it may be helpful if chronic dog prostatitis is present.

Prostatitis in male dogs can also be treated or prevented if you neutere your dog while he’s still young. If dog prostatitis symptoms are determined, diagnostic testing needs to be done to establish a dog prostatitis treatment course that is most appropriate. Remember, prostatic infection is very fatal and can lead to death so it must be dealt with immediately.

So how will you determine if you dog is suffering from dog prostatitis? Below are are some of dog prostatitis symptoms. You will know if your canine friend has prostatitis and needs to be checked by the vet if you see any of these signs:

1. Fever
2. Arched back due to pain
3. Dripping pus or blood from the penis or urine
4. Pollakiuria related to urinary tract infection (UTI)
5. Stiff back legs
6. Short intermittent spurt
7. Lack of appetite

Cat Door Installation Tips

Looking for ways to allow your cat to go in and out of your house safely? Tired of going back to your main door always to close it as your stubborn kitten keeps on opening it? The installation of cat doors is a good solution for you! A cat door is easy to install and the process of building one can be accomplished in less than a hour. All you need to have is a lot of patience. Read the cat door installation tips below.

Here is the step-by-step installation procedures of properly installing a cat door:

1. First, remove the door from hinges using a hammer and screwdriver.

2. Measure the belly height of your feline friend, then layout the measurement on the outside of your door.

3. Cut the desired cat door opening. You can draw a square or rectangle. The opening should be atleast 2-3 inches above the bottom of the door, and it needs to be about 2 inches larger than your largest cat.

4. Proceed to making a cat door frame. Measure the inside part of the opening. Construct an "L" shaped frame to fit the inside dimensions.

5. Use fasteners to secure frames to the cat door.

6. For an added flair to the cat door, put some colorful paint or finish to it.

7. The cat door installation end with putting a simple mini-curtain as cat barrier. You can use any fabrics for that, even old towels and curtains. Make sure that that the mini-curtain is 2 inches bigger than the opening of he cat door.

Where's The Beef? B.A.R.F. Feeding For Dogs

Dogs are prey animals that existed in the wild as carnivores eating primarily raw meat and bones. Wild dogs rarely ate grain and that helped them to stay lean and mean. Dogs today are our beloved pets but they are still carnivores and many people believe that they should be fed the same diet that wild dogs once ate. Unfortunately, most commercial pet food is filled with grains and chemicals that experts say may account for the rising rate of skin allergies, gastrointestinal problems and cancer.

An alternative to chemical laden commercial foods that poisoned pets in 2007 is the B.A.R.F. (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) Diet. The B.A.R.F. diet is controversial yet millions of people have switched to this way of feeding their dogs. Read on to discover some of the facts and controversies surrounding this popular method of feeding dogs.

What Is The B.A.R.F. Diet?

A Veterinary Surgeon in Australia, Dr Ian Billinghurst, created the B.A.R.F. diet and recommends that owners feed their dogs bones, fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs and dairy. His theory is that it is better to feed a dog completely raw food, imitating the types of food eaten by their wild ancestors.

What Food Can I Feed My Dog On The B.A.R.F. Diet?

There is much controversy in the B.A.R.F. community about what is included in the diet. Dr. Billinghurst states that vegetables and fruit are appropriate food to feed but others disagree. Most would agree that raw, meaty bones meat are a staple of the diet and that includes beef, chicken, deer, duck, game birds, goat, pork, lamb, fish, rabbit and veal. Some of the more controversial foods include eggs, vegetables, fruit, dairy, cooked cereals and supplements.

What About Handling Raw Food?

You should wash your hands before and after handling raw meat just (or wear disposable gloves) as you would while preparing food for humans. Be sure to disinfect cutting boards and countertops where meat is prepared. Many people believe that the dog digestive system is not as susceptible to salmonella, e-coli and parasites as humans. Many vets disagree.

How Much Food Is Fed Each Day?

On the B.A.R.F. diet dogs are fed according to their energy level. If your dog is very active it should be fed 2 to 3 % of their weight every day. A less active and more sedentary dog would get fed approximately 1% of their weight every day. This is not a precise measurement so it should be adjusted as your dog adapts to eating raw food. You should plan on feeding three or four times a day and preparing meals in advance.

What Are The Benefits Of Feeding Raw?
There is no scientific evidence that supports added benefits from feeding your dog raw food, but there have been many studies showing that commercial food is poisonous to our pets. People who are feeding their dogs raw food report that they save money and their dogs have less body odor, less bowel movements, cleaner teeth and reduced illnesses and medical costs.

Can Every Dog Eat Raw?

The simple answer is no. Most healthy dogs can adapt to raw food but dogs that are very old or that have chronic and serious illnesses may not be appropriate candidates for this type of diet. Some dogs will simply refuse to eat raw food. You should talk to your vet before the switch but be prepared for the doctor to discourage you from making this decision. Some veterinarians are heavily influenced by commercial pet food companies because they make a great deal of money selling the product. Ask your vet if any patients feed their dogs raw food and ask if they experienced problems adjusting to the change in diet.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Again, this is anecdotal information but many people report a detox stage in feeding raw food. This means the dog is adjusting to the diet and getting rid of toxins in their body. Symptoms your pet may display include vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath and itchy skin. Supplementing your pet with Vitamins C and E may help. If your dog has these symptoms for more than three days after switching diets, take them to your local vet. Ask your vet about the best method for changing your dog's diet.

Raw feeding is not for every dog nor will it work for every owner. Be careful whenever you change the diet of your pets. Some proponents of raw food insist that a "cold turkey" switch is better but most vets will disagree and say changes should be made gradually. Educate yourself by doing research and reading some of the great books available on raw feeding before making the switch.

© 2008, Davis Virtual Assistance. All rights reserved. Reprints welcomed so long as the article and byline are not changed and all links are made live.

Bonnie Jo Davis is an animal lover who is active in animal rescue. She is the author of "50 Fantastic Recipes For Dogs" and "50 Fantastic Recipes For Cats" and created these downloadable cookbooks for those people who want to feed a more natural diet but do not want to handle raw meat. More information is available at http://www.dog-and-cat-food.com and other recommended pet e-books are available at http://www.dog-and-cat-food.com/petebooks.htm

Preventing Pet Arthritis

Pet arthritis is very much possible to occur. Animals also suffer this kind of illness and it is very common specifically among cats and dogs. These two household pets are exposed to some high endurance activities like running, jumping, and playing which can lead to the wearing and tearing of their cartilages. When this happens, arthritis comes in. Come to think of it, humans are not the only ones straining their joints everyday. Also, when you pet cat or dog is already old, expect it to be prone to arthritis. So, does exposing your pet on an active lifestyle help in preventing this illness?

Actually, pets become more up close to the illness if they take the lead in an active lifestyle. Possible signs that your pet may start to have arthritis is when it is lively before and now, it becomes lazy and doesn’t even want to move a paw. Your will also notice that your cat or dog agility skills are lowered as compared before. Change of mood is another a sign.

Here are three easy ways to prevent pet arthritis:

1. Visit the veterinarian
The signs of pet arthritis mentioned above are just a few signs that can contribute to distinguishing whether your pet is suffering from the illness. However, there are times too that it does not lead to arthritis.

2. Treat the arthritis
The illness itself can be treated without surgery. There are prescribed drugs that can be taken in by pets as advised by veterinarians.

3. Change your pet’s living environment
Having a pet is just like having a child run around your home. To somehow help prevent you pet from suffering from arthritis; make your household a safe place to stay in. Accident prone areas like slippery floors contribute to a much better lifestyle of your pet.

Traveling With Pet Strollers

There are many good reasons why a dog stroller is an important piece of equipment. One of them is for travel purposes.

Traveling with your puppy or dog will be a lot easier when you use dog strollers. You can transport your dog from one place to another without worrying that he might get lost or run away from you. Besides being carriers, pet strollers are also ideal crates where your pet can rest or get nap when he gets tired from walking.

A stroller can be very beneficial for dogs with disabilities or those who are just recuperating from an injury or surgery. This equipment will let you carry your canine easily and comfortably anywhere you wish to go. An old dog who gets tired from walking can still roam around if you put him inside a stroller, while also creating a confined space away from possible dangers and accidents in the street like fast raging cars and road hazards.

It is also practical to use a dog stroller when you are transporting a litter of dogs and puppies. You can put them all inside a single stroller, preventing them from escaping inside the mall or at the yard. Pet strollers can really give you quality time with your dogs allowing you to travel with them in various places, more than what dog leashes or other kinds of pet carriers allow.

You can show the beauty of the outside world if you take your dog around town inside a stroller. More than being fashionable, pet strollers offer undeniable comfort for your dogs or puppies without any worries on your end.

Dog Constipation Treatment

It's easy to determine if your beloved dog is suffering from constipation. If you observe that your k9 is having a hard time and looks in pain when trying to pass feces, he might be suffering from this illness. The presence of hard and dry stools is a also sign of dog constipation. Just like in humans, constipation in dogs is commonly due to dietary issues. The lack of fibers in the diet is among them. Ingested solid objects such as bones can also disrupt your k9's digestive system, resulting to constipation.

Having said that, the best dog constipation treatment is to change your dog's diet. Feed him with nutritious foods that are natural and high in fiber. Increase your dog's fiber consumption can help in fighting constipation. Try adding some oat bran on top of his dog food. Anywhere from half a teaspoon to 2 tablespoons is good enough depending on the size and weight of your dog.

You can also give him two teaspoons of canned pumpkin every day or a tablespoon of mineral oil to help make his bowel movements more regular. A fresh supply of water can also solve dog constipation.

Another dog constipation treatment which can help soften his dog poop is by adding psyllium to the dog's diet. Half a teaspoon of this medicine 2x day, plus plenty of water, will be very helpful. You can also buy some herbal supplements that are invented to cure dog constipation. Among the components found in these herbal medicines include aloe ferox, psyllium husk, and natrium mariaticum.

Besides making some changes in your dog's diet, you must also increase the amount of exercise your dog gets. Regular dog exercise helps a lot in keeping the bowels more regular. Dogs need to be walked twice a day while maintaining a well-balance, high-fiber diet.