Dog Seat Belt Review- Solvit Canine Safety Harness

Imagine this scenario- you let your dog get into the front seat of your car unrestrained, and head on out. On your way to your destination, you get into an accident. This is where things start to get tricky- depending on the severity of your accident, any number of things could happen. In the best case scenario, nothing happens, and you and your pet are totally fine. Worst case scenario, your pet could become loose on a major highway, become severely injured, or worse be killed. When driving your dog anywhere, you need to be prepared for any scenario as you never know what could happen, and having an unrestrained dog is not safe for you and your pet. First and foremost, your pet should always be in the back seat. Just like with small children, the front seat is the most dangerous place for your dog to be. There...
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Starting Off On The Right Paw

I wanted to share an article by one of our readers Matthew. A great companion and friend, a dog can be these things and more in your life. Think of yourself as a new parent. There are numerous things you will need to learn, organize and buy. A dog is much more than just a thing like a new bike or television set. He/she is a living, breathing creature that you will have as a life companion and friend for as many as 7 to 18 years depending on the breed you have chosen. Let’s start at the beginning: when choosing a dog I strongly recommend doing a little research first. This can be as easy as doing a Google search. Do you want a big or small dog? Things to remember, how big is your home or apartment? If you rent, does the landlord allow dogs? Does your backyard...
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Can Dogs Catch a Cold or The Flu

Although you can catch a cold or the flu at any time of the year, we see it so much more during the cold winter months. This is because while it is cold outside, we like to keep ourselves nice and warm inside. But being inside so much means we are breathing the same air constantly, and are not able to get away from the germs that are going to make us sick. While you expect that members of your human family would get sick, did you know that it could also be your dog that comes down with either of these illnesses? The short answer is yes- your dog can catch a cold or the flu (also known as canine influenza virus, or CIV). Although some viruses, parasites, and bacteria can cross from one species to the next, when it comes to cold and flu viruses you do not...
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Review on the ThunderShirt

As dog owners, it saddens, frustrates, and upsets us to see our dogs filled with anxiety. We want to help, soothe, and comfort them, and show them that there really is nothing to be afraid of. But sometimes no matter what you do, you cannot calm them down. Most dog owners turn to medications for severe anxiety, however if you want to avoid medicating your dog, you should try the ThunderShirt first. The ThunderShirt is an anti- anxiety vest (also known as a pressure wrap) and it was created for dogs who are petrified of thunderstorms. The company started out with just the ThunderShirt, and over the years has evolved into an entire company on anxiety relieving products for both dogs and cats, and now goes by the name ThunderWorks. The ThunderShirt is of course still their best selling product. The best way to describe how a ThunderShirt works is...
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Halti Headcollar Review by a User

The Halti Headcollar is a great tool for enjoying long walks with your dog. Unfortunately, many dogs are not properly taught how to walk on a leash when they are young. This can result in unwanted pulling on your shoulders and wrists, and can lead to joint strains and even dangerous falls. Product Description Dr. Roger Mugford, a pioneer in the field of veterinary behavioral therapy, invented the Halti Headcollar more than 20 years ago. It is guaranteed to stop your dog’s pulling! It is made of soft, padded nylon. It is available in 4 colors, and is has recently become available in leather. There is a version with a Velcro closure available for those with reduced dexterity. The Halti Headcollar comes in 6 sizes, so a proper fit is more likely to be attained. The breed breakdown for each size is as follows: • 0: yorkie, papillon, miniature dachshund,...
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Review: Does the FURminator Really Work?

Everyone loves their dogs like family, but not necessarily the fur that comes with owning a dog. Many dog owners feel that they are constantly brushing their dogs, vacuuming and sweeping their homes, and still this is not enough to combat the massive amounts of hair throughout their home. Some opt for so called hypoallergenic breeds such as Poodles or the Bichon Frise which do not shed nearly as much as most dogs, however these particular breeds are not for everyone. If this sounds familiar, than you might want to invest in a FURminator DeShedding Tool. The FURminator is a grooming tool that was created by Angie Porter, a professional pet groomer, whose quest to find a quality, invaluable tool to deal with dog shedding ended with her creating one of the most coveted brush on the market. They have now expanded to also include a large variety of grooming...
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What Can I Catch from My Dog? Zoonotic Disease!

Dogs can carry all kinds of bugs that are potentially contagious to people, often without obvious symptoms. Believe it or not, your cute, furry friend could be harboring thousands of disgusting parasites right now! Thankfully, the risk of your family contracting a zoonotic disease from your dog is low, as long as certain precautions are taken. You are much more likely to catch disease from other humans than you are from your dog, but it is always good to be aware of potential health risks for your family. What is a zoonotic disease? A zoonosis is a disease that is transmissible between animals and humans. Certain people are at much higher risk for contracting zoonotic diseases from dogs. This includes the very young, the very old, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, such as those infected with HIV or being treated for cancer. How are zoonotic diseases transmitted? Zoonotic diseases are...
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Are Your Dog’s Allergies Real?

The sad, hard truth is that veterinarian’s are not qualified nutritionists. They are, however, doctors for our pets to help them, and us out when something goes wrong. When your dog begins scratching, chewing and licking his skin due to irritation, it’s not hard for your chosen vet to assume allergies are the culprit. You may get sent home with a very expensive prescription diet or medications to help with the symptoms. Meanwhile, the underlying problem still is not being addressed to make these symptoms go away completely. You Are What Your Dog Eats Your vet is doing his job when he prescribes these quick fixes for your dog’s allergy problems. However, it takes more than just a vet to bring relief to your pet. You need to take a moment and look at what is causing the histamines in his body to flare up and make him so uncomfortable...
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Your Dog & The Dog Park; Are They a Good Match?

Everyone loves to see their dog run and play freely without the restrictions of a leash or small yard. It’s even more fun when our own canine companions can romp and rough house with other dogs of all ages and sizes. This is why dog parks were created, remember, a tired dog is a happy dog. They give our pets the ability to play, exercise and socialized among their own kind. However, if you have ever been to a dog park you have probably also seen the one or two dogs and their owners who just did not belong there. How do you know if your own furry best friend is a good fit for the publicly open dog park in your area? Know Your Dog First Your dog’s temperament and health will play a major role in whether or not your experiences at the local dog park will be...
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Can Dogs Drink Milk? The Answer May Surprise You!

We’ve heard it from our veterinarians, family members, friends and neighbors. Milk is harmful to dogs, right? The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no, and the choice to give your dog milk should be an educated decision that we make for our pets. Balance the pros and cons carefully before letting your dog have his own bowl of dairy. SO lets find out together the answer to “can dogs drink milk”. My Dog Drank Milk, This Is Dangerous, Right? Not necessarily. Giving your dog cow’s milk does carry it’s own risks of causing tummy upset due to the lactose. In cow milk, fat is actually a large globule that causes bloat, cramping and discomfort even in humans when we drink it. These large globules of fat is what makes cow’s milk so hard to digest, taking up to 24 hours to get through the human’s system!...
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