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Product Review: Shark Cordless Pet Perfect II 18-Volt Handheld Vacuum

A daily battle in most pet friendly households is dog hair.  For us, we seem to find dog hair in the most unlikely places:  in our microwave, in the refrigerator, on the toilet seat, and on our ceiling fans.  Over the past year it has become increasingly clear that my Daredevil handheld vacuum cleaner was no longer able to keep up with the amount of fur my two dogs were shedding.  After a quick online search, I came across the Shark Cordless Pet Perfect II 18-Volt Handheld Vacuum and immediately purchased it after reading the raving reviews.  Below is my opinion of this life-changing product.  Shark Vacuums Prior to my desperate internet search, I had never heard of the Shark brand.  I was immediately impressed by the number of positive online reviews.  I specifically wanted a handheld vacuum cleaner that was designed to pick up pet hair.  The fact that...
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Should You Hire a Dog Walker?

All dogs require exercise, with certain breeds requiring a larger time commitment than others.  However, not all dog owners are able to commit to giving their dogs two 15 – 30+ minute walks per day.  Lack of adequate exercise results in boredom, anxiety, and bad behavior.  Obesity and related diseases can also occur when a dog is improperly exercised.  For these reasons, many dog owners hire dog walkers.  Is a dog walker right for you?  Here, the pros and cons of hiring a dog walker will be discussed.  Benefits of Hiring a Dog Walker Saves Time Ultimately, hiring a dog walker saves time for pet owners.  Most dog walkers commit to exercising their canine clients for 30 – 60 minutes per day.  In addition, they typically provide extra services at no charge, such as refilling food and water bowls, bringing in mail, and giving treats.   Fewer Accidents Even adult...
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When Does a Dog Become Sexually Active?

Do you think raising a puppy is hard?  Try raising a puppy that is pregnant with a litter of puppies herself!  What most pet owners are surprised to learn is that dogs can become sexually active and mature early in their lives.  Listed here is everything you wanted to know (or not) about your dog’s sexual health but were afraid to ask.  When Does a Dog Become Sexually Active? Dogs can become sexually active at a surprisingly young age, which is dependent upon their gender. Female Dogs Female dogs experience their first estrus at 4 – 6 months of age.  In general, small breed dogs reach puberty earlier, while larger dogs may not “come into season” until 2 years of age.  As dogs grow older their heat cycles may become irregular, but they will never stop ovulating entirely.  If heat cycles disappear, an underlying health issue is likely to blame. ...
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Is an English Bulldog Right for You?

The quest to find the perfect dog breed for your family can be difficult.  Pet owners should match activity level, space requirements, and trainability with their individual needs.  Listed here are considerations pet owners should make before purchasing or adopting a Bulldog.  Cost English bulldogs are among the most expensive of breeds because of the cost that goes into their health and care.  A well-bred Bulldog will cost $1,500 – $4,000.  Potential Bulldog owners should ask themselves whether they are willing to pay this price, as a poorly-bred Bulldog may be prone to a myriad of serious (and expensive) health problems.  Why is the cost so high?  Part of the reason is that English Bulldogs have a difficult time reproducing.  This breed is known for having an exceptionally wide head and body.  Adult Bulldogs are unable to reproduce naturally, and therefore must be artificially inseminated.  Additionally, it is rare for...
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Up Pup 4-Step Dog Stairs Review

There are many reasons to discourage your dog from jumping onto furniture, including injury prevention and pain management.  Instead, pet steps can be utilized to encourage your dog to climb onto furniture in a safer way.  Numerous sizes, styles, and heights of pet steps are available.  Here, the Up Pup 4-Step Dog Stairs will be reviewed. About Up Pup 4-Step Dog Stairs The Up Pup 4-Step Dog Stairs are extremely lightweight, carpeted pet steps.  These steps stand 28’’ tall and weigh 2 lbs.  They are also available in other heights.  The steps are two-tone in color, with cream colored carpeting covering the face of the steps and dark brown fabric covering the rest of the structure.  This covering can be removed and washed in a washing machine.  According to the manufacturer, the Up Pup 4-Step Dog Stairs can support up to 200 lbs.  Why We Purchased Up Pup 4-Step Dog...
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Is Your Dog Hydrated: What Dog Owners Need to Know about Hydration

This is not enough water for your dog Water is essential for good health, yet many dogs are chronically dehydrated.  Here, everything a dog owner needs to know about dehydration and dogs will be discussed.  Why is Hydration for Dogs Important? Adequate hydration is necessary for all mammals because it aids in nutrient transport and absorption, proper digestion and metabolism, and body temperature regulation.  Dogs that are dehydrated can suffer serious health problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, heat stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, seizures, and death.  How do Dogs Become Dehydrated? Unlike humans, dogs are unable to carry a water bottle with them for easy hydration throughout the day.  Instead, they must wait for times when cool, clean water is available (Amazon carries some nice dog water bottles that can be found here).  Additional factors that affect hydration include climate, body size and shape, coat condition, age, pre-existing health conditions,...
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Product Review: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Treat Jumpin’ Stix Venison & Sweet Potato

Treats are an integral part of daily life for most dogs and their owners.  Regardless of whether you are teaching your dog an important skill, encouraging good behavior, or simply showing your pet some love, treats are useful.  For dog owners with pets who have food allergies or sensitivities, finding the right foods can be difficult.  Here, a limited ingredient treat manufactured by Natural Balance will be reviewed. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Treat Jumpin’ Stix – Venison and Sweet Potato Natural Balance Jumpin’ Stix are manufactured by the Natural Balance company, which specializes in limited ingredient dog food.  The Natural Balance company formulates their food and treats from wholesome, high quality ingredients that are easy to digest and are safe for pets. Natural Balance Jumpin’ Stix are formulated for dogs who require a grain free, limited ingredient diet and who also have joint mobility concerns.  These treats are free from...
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Caring for a Dog Post-Surgery

After a dog has surgery – whether for a routine procedure or an emergency – there is a level of care that must be taken to ensure your dog does not have complications.  Here, everything a pet owner should know about caring for a dog after surgery will be discussed. Types of Surgery Dogs require surgery for a variety of reasons.  Surgeries range from minimally to highly invasive.  Types of surgery include: Spay / Neuter Orthopedic Cardiovascular Tumor Removal Gastric Wound Repair The more invasive the surgery, the greater the risk of infection.  For instance, a neuter has fewer complications than a spay.  Additionally, a dog bite carries the greatest risk of infection because of bacteria introduced from the other animal’s mouth. Wound-Closing Methods There are many different types of wound-closing methods, each of which has advantages, disadvantages, and care requirements.  The most common wound-closing methods are: Absorbable Stitches Absorbable...
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Yard Mushrooms and your Dog – Know What to Look For

Throughout the spring, summer, and fall there are many types of mushrooms that naturally grow in backyards.  Although many mushrooms are harmless, there are certain varieties that can poison your pet.  Here, mushrooms that are dangerous to your dog will be discussed as well as what to do if your dog ingests a poisonous mushroom. Dangerous Yard Mushrooms There are four types of dangerous mushrooms.  Category A mushrooms are most toxic and destroy kidney and liver cells.  Category B and C mushrooms affect the nervous system and can cause symptoms such as hallucinations.  Category D mushrooms cause gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and diarrhea.  Regardless of the type of mushroom your dog consumes, the most likely symptoms include: Vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal pain Disorientation Lethargy Weakness Jaundice Lack of coordination Excessive drooling Seizures Coma Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria) The Fly Agaric is common in wooded areas throughout North America.  This mushroom...
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8 Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool this Summer

Although winter seems to have only ended a few short weeks ago, the dog-days of summer are already here.  As the weather warms up, it is imperative to keep your dog’s core body temperature cool.  Every year, thousands of dogs are hospitalized due to complications from heat stroke, which occurs at alarming rates in canines due to their inability to cool themselves.  Listed here are ways to keep your dog cool this summer. Kiddie/Dog Pool One of the cheapest and easiest ways to keep your dog cool in the summer is to invest in an inexpensive kiddie or dog pool to keep in your backyard.  By filling the kiddie pool with cool water and placing it in the shade, your dog will always have a cool spot to retreat if overheating.  While it is never recommended to leave your dog in your yard unattended, this method is especially useful for...
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