Winter Pet Safety

The cold winter months are soon to be here and depending on where you live, may already be present. To protect your pet during the cold winter months: Keep an eye on the temperature. When it falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it's best to keep your pet indoors. Short-haired dogs, cats and puppies should be kept indoors when the temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your pet's coat well groomed. Matted fur won't properly protect your pet from the cold. Check your garage and driveway for antifreeze. Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets, but is poisonous if consumed. Years ago, all antifreeze was deadly to animals, however, some antifreeze labels claims safe for the environment in respect to animals, but we suggest treating any antifreeze as you would for human consumption “Don’t allow your pet to drink it either. Should your pet ingest any amount of antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately. Regularly check your pet's water to make sure it's not frozen. When your pet is outside, make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water available. Animals can't burn calories without a fresh supply of water, and if they can't burn calories, they'll get cold. Also, use a tip-resistant, ceramic or hard plastic water bowl rather than a metal one, as your pet's tongue can stick and freeze to a cold metal. Use a damp towel to wipe your pet's feet and underside. Ice-melting chemicals can irritate and burn the pads of your pet's feet and can cause serious injury if ingested. Another way to protect your dog's feet is to spray the pads of their feet with cooking spray or you can purchase boots for your pet. Provide a dry, draft-free doghouse if you must keep your dog outside for any period of time. It should be large enough to allow your dog to sit and lay down comfortably but small enough to hold in its body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The doghouse should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic. Slap the hood of your vehicle before starting it. In their search to keep warm outdoors, cats often take refuge next to a warm car engine or tire. Keep snow from piling high next to your fence. A packed snowdrift will provide a boost for your dog to jump over the fence and escape the safe confines of your yard. Indoors, make sure your pet sleeps away from drafts. Areas near windows or doors that lead outdoors may allow cold air to seep in and keep your pet from staying adequately warm. Consider the amount of exercise your dog receives during colder weather. If your dog stays indoors more, it's probably getting less exercise and may need less food; however, if your pet is outside often it may need more food to burn the calories necessary to produce more body heat. Beyond The Crate has warm cozy dog beds, blankets and pet accessories for winter.

John
www.beyondthecrate.com

Is My Pit Bull an Albino?

The term "Pit Bull" isn't a breed of dog. It's a term used to group three breeds of dogs - American Pit Bull Terriers (APBT), American Staffordshire Terriers (AmStaff) and Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffie). It is not unusual to see someone casually walking their cute little Pit Bull in the community. At first glance, one wonders, is that dog white or is it an Albino? It doesn’t do any harm to label the furry little friend one way or the other. You might find out that the owners aren’t really sure themselves and you may just get confusing answers to this question depending on who you ask. Many Pit Bulls have white or very light hair with a small spot or spots that are brindle, these are “White” not “Albino”. Remember, Albino dogs will not have pigmentation.

Features that will establish that a Pit Bull is an Albino:
1. The eyes can be either pinkish red or a pale blue, depending on how the light reflects on the Iris portion of the eye (The eyes are not colored, it’s the blood vessels that appear to give color)
2. White or very pale hair
3. A pink nose
4. White eyelashes
6. Skin will be pink
7. The nails will be light in color, usually white or pink
8. The pads will also be a pale pink

I simply have to be heard on this matter due to the "unwarranted negative stigma. Pit Bulls can be very loveable and good natured dogs. How you treat your dog has the most to do with how aggressive they become and how socially acceptable they are in the community. Just as how children and adults treat other people or dogs.

NOTE: This next text clip of information was taken from “The American Pit Bull Registry” - The odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in 600,000 in the USA. Comparatively speaking you are 6 times more likely to be struck by lightning than you are to be killed by a dog of any breed. When you further break down the odds of being attacked and killed by a Pit Bull the odds are in your favor -approximately 1 in 145,000,000. That’s million folks. In contrast, you are 4 times more likely to be killed by a cow in the USA than any breed of dog, much less a Pit Bull.

As always, take care of your furry little friends!

John
www.beyondthecrate.com

How To Measure For A Dog Collar

All dogs are different and vary in their size, just as people vary in size and shape. Here is a general guideline to fit your dog appropriately for a dog collar. For a proper fit, measure your dog's neck with a cloth seamstress's tape measure.

1. Take a measurement a few inches down from his head and then add an inch for very small dogs or two inches for medium and large dogs.

2. Pull the tape snug but not tight. (If you do not have a tape measure, you can use a piece of string and then measure the string with a rigid ruler.)

3. Allow sufficient room to slip two fingers between the collar and the dog's neck. Or you can measure his neck and add two inches.

4. When the collar is on his neck it should allow you to slide two fingers under a properly fitting collar and your dog's neck. If there's extra room, you need a smaller size. If both fingers don't fit, the collar is too small.

A collar shouldn't be tight around your dog's neck and therefore it will not be the exact measurement of your dog's neck. For safety reasons - so it doesn't snag on something, it shouldn't be too loose either. A snug fit is what you are aiming for. Not a tight one or one that chokes. Always monitor your furry little friend while he or she is on their leash with a collar, so they don't get caught on a fence or other environmental object that would cause furry friend choking.

Dog Recipe Of The Week

Bacon Bit Bites

Ingredients:
-3 cups whole wheat or white flour
-1/2 cup milk
-1 egg
-1/4 cup bacon fat with drippings
-½ - 1 tsp. garlic powder
-3 - 5 slices bacon, crumbled up
-1/2 cup cold water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Roll out on a floured surface to ¼” – ½” thickness and cut in to shapes, or use cookie cutters. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool and store in refrigerator.

Finally-Don't forget to serve your furry little friend in our furry little friend hand painted dog bowls.

From the doghouse ~ ~Nuni11~ ~

Furry Friend Recipe Of The Week

Beefy Cheesy Doggie Treats

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp.garlic powder
1/2 c. vegetable oil
4 - 5 Tbsp. water
2 tsp. Beef Bouillon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine all ingredients except water. Mix in food processor until the consistency of cornmeal. Add water until mixture forms a ball. Roll it into 1/2" thickness and cut into shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets about 10 min., depending on size of treats. Cool and store in refrigerator.

Kim

Owner and Furry Friend Compatability

Compatability is not a simple thing to arrive at, however, this list should help. For the owner; make a list of your characteristics and lifestyle preferences. For those that like to travel ALL OF THE TIME and wish to leave their pet at home or in a Kennel, this is an easy one-DO NOT GET A PET, you are too important and have too many places and people to see. Kennels are occassionally needed but they are not meant to be homes for a liftetime.

There is not a right or wrong way to apporach this, just give it some thought. Example, if you have a low tolerance for shedding, don't get a dog that sheds massive amounts of dog hair. All dogs shed for the most part, some more so than others. If you don't like getting outside and exercizing, then pick a breed that doesn't require alot of excercise and is a lower energy level pet. Now, providing that you have not been offended, here is Nuni11's list.

-Breed:
-Group (Herding toy etc etc…)
-Size:
-Energy level:
-Need for outdoor exercise:
-Training potential:
-Protectiveness/guarding behavior:
-Friendliness:
-Vocalization:
-Show quality:
-Coat length:
-Coat color:
-Shedding:
-Need for grooming:
-Good with children:
-Good with cats:
-Good with other dogs:
-Age:
-Other:

Hope this helps everyone who will be adding a new furry friend to the family. To get all of these things you want to have for your dog please take this up to the pet store manager,breeder,vet or professional pet trainer and ask them what dog best fits your profile list. In addition, here are a few things you will need for your new dog; three toys for him/her, a bag of dog food depending on age, puppy, pup, adult etc... a food bowl and a water bowl. (If you have a puppy, mix three teaspoons of water in with the dry food it makes it easier for him/her to digest, don't soak it and make it gummy, just soften it a bit) If you have new carpet or hard wood floors, make sure to place food and water on a carpeted surface or on a feeding and watering mat, you will slip and fall if the wood floor is wet with your dog’s water mouth drainage. A metal crate for him/her if you are going to initially crate train your pet (Make sure you read and research "how to crate train" before attempting this task blindly). Crate training is not meant for obedience, it's a safe quite place for your pet to sleep or stay if you are away from the home for a few hours. Most of us have to work. We will discuss more on crate training at a later time. But Crate training can serve many purposes. Pets like to "den" especially dogs. It's also a safe place to go in the event of a broken glass on the floor and during clean-up. Many pets like to have a blanket draped over their crate for privacy to snuggle. Hope this was helpful! From The Doghouse - Nuni11

Furry Little Friend Vet Check List

-My checklist for my trip to the vet.
-My "Furry Friend"
-A leash
-A collar
-A calm emotion (this would mean you the owner)
-A Ziploc© plastic container for water purposes
-A Ziploc© baggie of dog treats (careful not to over treat-your furry friend gets nervous and might get sick)
-A Ziploc© baggie of dog food (careful not to over feed-you don't want furry friend sickness)
-A toy
-A small bag for (if he does his business on the vet's lawn)
-If you have anything else you want to take for your little furry friend write it down.
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From the doghouse of ~~Nuni11~~