Pet Gift Blog

Canine Cake Creations

2006-12-19T06:42:00.000-08:00

If you happen to be a dog owner, you have probably heard of quite a few other proud owners throwing fun parties for their dog for such occasions as birthdays, completion of dog obedience school and so on. Well, when you are gearing up to throw one of these special parties for the pooch in your life, you are going to want to do a little bit of shopping around. After all, finding all of the best treats and decorations will surely make your party a festive and memorable one for everyone in attendance, whether they have two or four legs!

Certainly, when you begin to plan the food for the party, you will be coming up with all kinds of delicious snacks that your human guests can munch on while they are mingling with the crowd. However, you are going to want to make sure that there is a decent amount of snackage available for all of the canines in attendance as well. This could mean placing a couple of food and water bowls out along with treat bags filled with dog toys and snacks. Well, when it comes to the main event, there is nothing like having a wonderful canine cake baked up for all of the dogs in attendance filled with ingredients that not only taste great, but are healthy for them as well.

The perfect way to achieve a great cake is the carob canine cake mix made by Brutie's Barkery. This is an amazing cake mix that is filled with all kinds of wonderful ingredients including wheat flour, rolled oats, flax seeds, cinnamon, carob powder and more. You are sure to see that your doggie event will be a hit with all of your guests, especially those with tails.

Keeping Your Kitty Busy

2006-12-19T06:41:00.000-08:00

No matter what kind of a cat you have, there are more than likely times when you feel like roughing them up because of all of the stuff that they get into around your house. If your cat seems to be more mischevious than normal, it might just be that they are having difficulties finding things around your living space to play with and keep them occupied. Instead of wringing your cat's neck, the remedy might be as simple as the purchase of a handful of amazing cat toys to keep them interested throughout the day.

Yes, it is true, felines can be just like children sometimes. Basically, the more that you happen to have around your home to keep your kitty happy and interested, they will have less time on their hands to climb your drapes or knock your pens and pencils on the floor to kick them around. Once you make the choice to add some new toys to your cat's daily schedule, you should see that they will be much happier and quite a bit more playful!

Now, even though you might want to spend tons of money on your pampered feline, it is not always necessary to do so. Many of the toys that are available happen to be very affordable, while still being able to provide quality playtime and exercise for your pet. A perfect example is the Leopard's Den Kitty Teaser. This crazy toy will have your cat working on it all day long so that they can try to get the balls out of the holes! As they place their paws in each hole, they might even get a good whiff of the terrific catnip scent that this toy is treated with, making them even happier!

Protect Those Paws!

2006-12-15T11:07:00.000-08:00

If you happen to live in an area that gets really cold and adverse weather during the winter months, you really need to find the best possible ways to keep your dog safe and comfortable. As you go for walks in the sleet, snow or ice, you might find that your dog's poor little paws will end up with a terrible amount of build-up. This can be dangerous and rather painful for your dog if left unattended, especially when there is road salt and sand added to the mix. If your dog is definitely not the kind of canine that will wear doggie boots outdoors for walks, then you might want to think of a safe alternative to help them out.

To keep your dog's feet safe from winter damage during adverse weather, you need to look no further than the PawPro De-Icing Spray for doggie paws. This is a wonderfully all natural spray that you can use on your pooch's feet to help protect their paws from ice and salt. In addition to using it on their feet on and around their pads, you can even use this terrific de-icing spray around their legs and also on the underside of their belly area. This is a really nice and natural way to protect your dog from collecting little frozen ice balls in their fur.

If you have friends who have dogs, you might also want to think of either getting them their own bottle of this natural spray or at least telling them all about it. To make this stuff even better, it washes off easily with soap and water or it is even safe if your dog begins to lick it off!

Warm and Fuzzy Doggie Gifts!

2006-12-14T05:51:00.000-08:00

Most dogs love the holiday season as much as humans do, whether they tend to show it or not. Just think about it. When the holiday season rolls around, dogs have a chance to see other people who show up for your dinners and gatherings. Many times, they receive gifts from the people who show up for a visit and they can sometimes even grab a snack or two if it happens to fall off of the table during dinner! If you are looking to get your pet a really cool gift for the holidays, you might want to think of grabbing something cute yet functional.

In the case of a search for something cute and functional, you will find it with the wonderful holiday hooded fleece dog jacket! This item is a great way to show your family's holiday spirit while also giving your pet a terrific way to stay warm. There is a convenient leash hole in the back of this jacket so you can easily take your pooch out for walks while he or she is wearing it. Once your walk is over with, you can surprise your dog by taking out the soft candy cane toy that is locating within the stocking shaped pocket on the back!

You have your choice of several different sizes so you can make absolutely certain that you get the right one for your pup. The size choices include extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large. To make this great gift even better, it is even machine washable!

Terrific Dog Toys

2006-12-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

Most dogs usually go crazy even with the mere thought of a new dog toy coming into their possession. You might have a dog at home that likes to just annihilate every chew toy that they come across or even a pooch who likes to treat their toy like it is their baby. No matter how your dog likes to play, a new toy once in a while is a fabulous idea to keep him or her stimulated and interested in play.

When the weather is cold and you are in search of a new toy that is just perfect for your beloved dog, you really need to look no further than the holiday bungee snowman dog toy. These fun toys come in three really cool designs that your dog is just going to love to chew on, play catch with and much more. Each one of these toys have really fun and cute floppy legs that are made from bungee cord. You are guaranteed to have a fantastic time playing tug of war with your dog with any of these three designs. You have your choice of a Santa Claus, a cute snowman or even a festive reindeer!

These bungee toys are made from plush, yet durable material, making them just right for optimal chewing. There is even a squeaker located on the inside, which is known to drive just about any pooch crazy! Whether it is the holiday season and you are looking for something to put under the tree or you are just wanting to get your pup a gift, these bungee cords are a great option!

An Ideal Crate For Your Dog

2006-12-12T12:03:00.000-08:00

When you are a pet owner who has to travel quite often, you might be on the lookout for the best possible way to have your pet travel along with you. As you look for something to help you out with transport, you might find that a crate or carrier will end up being the best option for you and your dog. However, some of the more traditional crate and carriers are actually much too bulky to bring along with you some of the time in your vehicle if you have other items packed such as luggage and so on. This is when you will end up wishing that you could find a crate or carrier that can collapse for easy storage if need be.

Well, you are sure to be thrilled because you do not have to wish for such an invention any longer. The lightweight and soft sided collapsible crate is a wonderful thing to have around, especially if you are a pet owner who happens to do a whole lot of traveling. These crates are easy to take down and put up and they are also water resistant and very durable so that you will know that your pet is safe inside at all times.

Some of the nice features of the collapsible crates include mesh windows for easy ventilation, openings on the front and the top so that you can get to your dog with the simple opening of a zipper and a steel frame. This is one collapsible dog crate that will have your dog feeling royalty when you have to travel.

Give Your Felines A Place To Frolic

2006-12-11T13:12:00.000-08:00

You love your cats, and you want to make sure that they have plenty of places to play and get lots of exercise within your home or apartment. Because your pets are so special to you, the chances are pretty good that you do not even need a particular occasion to spoil them with gifts and treats. Well, the next time that you feel like getting your cats a terrific gift, you might want to think about the smart purchase of a cool cat tower that they can play on.

The Meow Town Leopard's Den cat tower is a purr-fect cat toy that will end up giving you and your cats hours upon hours of enjoyment! You can sit back and have a marvelous time watching all of your felines frolicking and playing on the different levels of the tower. The cool thing about a nice cat tower is that your pets will be able to get a decent amount of exercise while they are having fun at the same time. Besides, you get the added bonus of them having a place to pillage besides all of your precious furniture within your home or apartment!

With the Leopard's Den, your crazy kitties can terrorize five stories of fun caves, toys, scratching posts and more. There is no such thing as a cat that doesn't like to get loopy once in a while and this cat tower is a great way for them to get out all of their crazy antics!

Treats For The Holidays

2006-12-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

Anytime the holidays roll around, you are guaranteed to be snacking on all sorts of delicious treats. The chances are that you may have quite a holiday spread for family gatherings, including such items as sandwiches, meats, side dishes, salads, desserts, delicious chocolates and more. However, when you have dogs living in your home, you are going to want to make sure that they do not get the chance to sink their teeth into any of your treats, especially the chocolate, which can have serious effects on their health.

It is true that there are certain ingredients found in chocolate that can be very harmful to your dog. Although dogs need to eat a considerable amount of chocolate to be fatal, it is a perfect idea to have some special treats set aside just for them during your holiday celebrations. This way, you will have yummy bites that your pooch can enjoy along with everyone else, therefore lowering the risks of them munching on foods that are bad for them.

Some of the best things that you can get for your beloved dog to enjoy throughout the holidays would definitely have to be Fancy Bones! These are some of the tastiest dog cookies that your pooch could ever ask for. Made from only the finest ingredients, these cookies are dipped in yogurt and carob, two very popular flavors that dogs just love. In each box there are half a dozen delicious dog cookies, just enough to give your pup a snack while everyone is enjoying their holiday meal.

Stuff Those Pet Stockings!

2006-12-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

If you are a pet owner who truly enjoys everything that your dog or cat brings to your life, then you simply cannot forget about them during the holiday season. Just think about how much joy your four legged friend brings to you all year long. When you take all of their special traits into account, you should find that it will be very easy to want to purchase all sorts of fun toys and treats for them!

Although it might not fit in all pet stockings, the 16 inch musical violin dog toy is an amazing item that you will be more than happy to get for your pup this holiday season. You can watch your dog bring this soft toy all over the house while the wonderful music is playing! Do not worry about this toy fizzling out just minutes after you give it to your dog, because this item is made from a super durable plush fabric. As a matter of fact, this great musical violin dog toy is so wonderfully soft that you might even find that your pet will want to use it to snuggle up with in the corner so that they can lay their head on it!

Do not worry if you happen to have some friends to buy for who happen to have dogs, as this item also makes a terrific gift for their pet! Go ahead and celebrate all that pets can bring to the lives of humans and give a deserving dog this fun and interesting treat as a gift for the season.

Pet Strollers Are Perfect For Gatherings

2006-12-06T11:33:00.000-08:00

If you have been invited to one or more gatherings this holiday season, you might be wondering if you will be able to bring your cat or dog along. Although this may seem strange to some folks, if you are a devoted pet lover, you might be the kind who loves to take their pet with them just about every place that you go. Go ahead and ask the host or hostess if you can bring your pet with you, while telling them that you can guarantee that he or she will not have to roam all over their house.

Yes, bringing your pet along with you and being able to keep them contained is actually very possible. All that you need is a pet that travels and visits people very well and the help of a terrific pet stroller. Perhaps you have a dinner party that you have to visit on one evening, and then maybe even afternoon tea and gifts with friends on another day. If you have a cat or a small dog who likes to travel with you, it can be possible to take them along with the help of the 5th Avenue pet stroller.

These incredible strollers come in two different sizes so that you can easily get one to suit the size of your pet. You might have two small dogs who like to make trips with you. In their case, you can look into the terrific SUV size pet stroller, which can hold up to approximately fifty pounds. With these strollers, you can wheel your pets right into the room and let them hang out with everyone, all while never getting onto the furniture or getting too close to the other guests.

Dress Up Your Pooch For Holiday Parties

2006-12-05T09:24:00.000-08:00

Of course, any pet is completely wonderful and as cute as can be without having to dress up for the holiday season. However, when you would like to add a bit more of a festive touch to any of your holiday parties, you may want to think about how much fun it could be to dress your pet in a cool costume! Yes, there are holiday costumes that you can slip onto your pet to bring a whole new level of fun to any of your scheduled holiday festivities.

Perhaps you have a dog that always likes to act as though they are in charge of your household. If you do, then you may want to think of getting him or her a Santa costume so they can dress just like the big man himself! In addition to that, if you happen to have a couple of other happy dogs living with you at home, you can always have them dress up as reindeer to go along with the fun Santa suit. Just imagine the looks on all of the faces of your guests once they arrive and see just how adorable your dogs are!

When thinking of ordering either of these costumes, you should know that they come in three different sizes, either small, medium or large. With such a range in sizes, you can fit a dog all the way up to approximately seventy pounds! You might enjoy seeing your dog in one of these costumes so much that you will even want to put it on them early when you head out for walks so the neighbors can see.

Greetings For The Dog Lover

2006-12-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

When the holiday season begins to roll around, you might find that you will end up receiving quite a few cards to wish you well during the season and the upcoming new year. In turn, you are going to have to make sure that you reciprocate by sending out cards to everyone on your list. If you end up finding that you have a couple of dog owners on your card list, then you could think about sending them an extra special holiday card just for their pet!

Yes, you can actually think about sending a separate card to the beloved pet who lives with friends or family. The Christmas Crunch Card is actually a great edible greeting card that is made out of rawhide, which happens to be something that dogs just love to chew and munch on. As a matter of fact, you can even go ahead and get such a card for your own dog and stick it on the tree for them to chew on while everyone opens presents.

You do not have to worry about anything toxic with the card as the design on it is made from completely safe, water based inks. The designs of these cards are always fun and festive, just right for sharing your thoughts of love and joy during the season. If you are thinking of sending a couple out to friends for their pets, they come with convenient mailing envelopes. Any dog who is lucky enough to receive such a cool Crunch Card is going to have a tasty treat for the holidays.

Easy Clean Up

2006-12-01T11:49:00.000-08:00

There is very little more rewarding than having a pet in your life. They are wonderful companions and great friends. However, unlike your human friends, your pet relies on you for everything - from his medical care to proper nutrition. And of course - cleaning up after him.

That's the only downside many owners agree. Cleaning up after a pet is indeed a chore but it doesn't have to be a terrible task. Cleaning up after your pet is a responsibility and it will need to be done a few times a day in some cases and at least once a day to keep your living area hygienic. Fortunately, there are a few items that can make this job a little easier.

First of all, if you have a cat you know they are pretty reliable about relieving themselves in one spot and you can use the same line of thinking with your dog. If you train your dog to "go" in one spot in the backyard - you'll lessen the likelihood of "oops -stepped in it" accidents happening. It's easy to do, simply limit where you take your dog and when he does his business in the spot you've chosen, reward him. Never scold him for not relieving himself in the chosen spot - it will confuse him and put back your training on the issue quite a bit. Positive reinforcement and frequent training sessions will soon have him catching on.

Once you have that matter handled, when it's time top pick up the poopie, you're going to need some place to put it. Scoopies Biodegradable Pooch Pickup Mitt Bags make cleaning up after your pooch and Scoopies are environmentally friendly as the bags totally and harmlessly degrade into H20 and C02 within 18 months or less depending on the climate. Scoopies are even easy to take along for walks in the park or on vacation as they fit easily into a purse or pocket. Scoopies can also be looped easily onto looped onto your dog's leash or collar.

Clean up time is part of the responsibility of owning a pet but it doesn't have to be a chore you dread. A little training and a helper product you can feel good about using will make cleaning up after your pet a breeze.

Purrrfectly Great Gifts

2006-11-30T08:19:00.000-08:00

Do you know someone who is a real pet lover? A person who'd rather spend a quiet evening at home snuggling with Fido and Fluffy in front of the tube? A pet lover who considers their animal their fur-covered kid? Then shopping for your pet loving friend this holiday season will be a breeze.

Check out Dog-opoly, the canine version of Monopoly that will surely delight any pet lover you know. In this version, your pet lover will compete to buy property and build dog houses. Big Bones take the place of hotels. Chance and Community Chest are replaced by Good Dog and Bad Dog cards. But the tokens in this pet lover's version are the best part. Your pet lover can choose to be the mailman, a fire hydrant, a flea, a cat, a dog bowl or a steak! There's also a version for your cat loving friends, called what else? Cat-opoly!

Other fun gifts for a pet lover that will ring in the holiday spirit are the Orbee-Tuff Bulb with Treat. Each holiday bulb is 6-inches long and has a special treat spot that will make your dog crazy with delight at trying to get at the treats hidden inside. Dogs learn quickly there is one way to bite on this toy that releases a treat and they have a blast playing with these toys while they learn a puzzle solving skill. The bulbs are made of a durable plastic and easily rinse clean. They are non-toxic, recyclable and FDA approved.

And those are just two of your fun choices for the pet loving friend on your holiday list. Another fun way to celebrate the holiday is to get them a photo frame in the shape of their pet's breed or as close as you can get and even include a photo your friend with their pet as a special gift. Treats made just for their pet is another fun way to celebrate the holidays. Pet lovers sometimes feel slighted when their furry family member is forgotten by others on the holidays, show your friend that all members of their family are important, especially the furry ones!

Pet Sweaters and Ponchos - Warm and Toasty!

2006-11-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

Winter will soon be upon us in full blowing force and if you enjoy taking your pet out for wintery walks, a pet sweater to keep him toasty warm will make a great gift.

For something fun and full of holiday spirit, dress your dog in a holiday sweater. The Twinkling Holiday Dog Sweaters will make your dog into a holiday greeting on four legs. The sweater is made of ultra-soft acrylic and each turtleneck sweater is red and features a Christmas tree applique that has real blinking lights along with sequins, bones and a star on top. The star activates easily with a twist and can be turned off. The ribbed neck and cuffs provide a comfortable fit and the rear leg loops keep sweater in place. This sweater will fit most dogs, clear up to 24".

If you'd like something a little less "holiday-ish" and geared more towards simply keeping your canine companion warm and comfortable. Consider something a little off the beaten path in a poncho for your pooch. The dog poncho rides the fashion wave of the poncho that is being seen everywhere. You're fashionable, your dog should be too! This dog poncho is warm and cozy and looks great too. It's easy to put on and take off and comes in sizes from XS/S to M/L.

Your favorite furry friend should be warm and comfortable during the winter months and there's no reason he can't be darned cute while he does it too. Invest in a dog sweater or poncho and let your dog be warm, in style and protected from the harsh cold of winter.

Let Your Furry Friends Travel In Style

2006-11-28T14:27:00.000-08:00

It's fashionable to take your pet with you everywhere. Just look at Paris Hilton, Pink and Brittany Spears. Their pampered pooches hit all the hot spots right along with them. Your pet can travel in style too with a fun carrier.

You want to make sure your pet is safe and comfortable when you take him out with you. The holiday season is a great opportunity to show off your favorite furry friend and if he travels well and doesn't mind running around with you, by all means take him along.

As dogs are social creatures, most will love being out and about with you, especially during the holiday season and experiencing all the new sights and sounds will most definitely keep your dog from becoming a bored couch potato.

A very fashionable carrier is the Ultra suede pet carrier. This classy carrier features faux shearling lining for cozy comfort, with an open top, custom gold hardware and washable cushion. It also has front and back pockets to carry those little things your dog needs such as treats and toys and there is also an interior safety hook for pet's harness. Many carriers don't have interior clips to hold your pet in place and they just aren't safe. Even those most socialized dog can get spooked by a loud noise and leap out of a carrier. If you're in traffic or other place that could pose a danger to your pet, the results could be tragic. Make sure your pet is safe and always use a carrier with an interior clipping device. His safety is worth is.

This carrier is for pets up to 15 lbs and the dimensions are 16"L x 8"w x 11"H. Pet carriers offer a terrific to let your pet travel along with you in style. Don't use a cheap looking, bulky plastic pet carrier when you can have a pet carrier that looks like it came out of a fashion designer's show room. You and your pet both deserve the very best!

A New Bed for Your Pet

2006-11-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

Is your pet's bed lumpy, hard to clean or otherwise dismal looking? It is high time to replace his bed with a new one. Pet beds can cause discomfort to your pet just as a lumpy mattress can cause you to not have a good night's sleep. Additionally, if you've recently had a flea infestation, ditch the bed as you aren't likely to get all the flea eggs out of your pet's bed and when conditions are right, the eggs can hatch. And unfortunately, flea eggs can remain dormant for up to two years waiting for just those right conditions.

When choosing a bed for your pet, take his approximate size into mind. Don't buy your pet a bed that is too small or he won't be any more comfortable than he is now. Some pets that suffer from arthritis enjoy stretching out a bit so a larger bed may even be in order.

If your dog or cat isn't the type to enjoy curling up in a bed but would rather sit on the sofa and snooze beside you, you can get even get them a bed that looks like a little miniature sofa.

Other options for your pet's bed are warmers that require no heating source and reflect back your pet's body heat. Those are great for ill or convalescing pets.

It may take up to two weeks for your pet to fully accept a new bed and others may dig in the very first night. It depends on how accepting to change your pet is. A bed that is cozy and inviting will get a lot more use from your pet. If he has a favorite toy - put it on his bed or play with him a little when your first introduce it. It will help the bed to smell more familiar and he will be more accepting of sleeping on a new bed.

No Bored Dogs Over the Howl-idays

2006-11-27T09:36:00.000-08:00

The holiday season can be a lonely one for your dog. He will see you rushing off to work as usual, then rushing home to change and leaving again and the next time he sees you, it's late and you're going straight to bed so you won't be late for work the next day.

Multiply this occurrence by many times over the holiday season and you'll soon have a lonely and bored pooch that may start being destructive in order to pass the time. If taking your dog with you isn't an option, you can do the next best thing and get him a fun toy to play with when you're not there.

Balls that roll will keep your dog occupied for a little while but he'll soon want someone to throw it and then he'll only miss you more when he realizes you aren't there to do the throwing. Instead get him a perplexing puzzle toy that will keep him playing for hours and he'll learn and become even smarter while doing it.

There are many toys designed to use your dog's problem solving skills to keep him thinking of ways to get the inserts out. Put the toys inside the gingerbread house and let him go to work. You can also put a special treat inside for you dog as an added bonus for doing a good job and figuring out how to get those toys out!

You can't be with your dog all the time, even though you'd love to have him with you every minute of the day. Make sure that your time apart isn't lonely for him, give him a fun toy to pass the time until you two get to play together again!

Pamper Your Furry Princess

2006-11-27T09:25:00.000-08:00

If you feel like you haven't had time to spend with your furry princess lately, spend an afternoon pampering her and making it up to her.

Give her a bath. The majority of dogs find a bath relaxing. It's the running water and not the bath itself that upsets many dogs so have the water already in the tub and make sure it's just luke warm. You don't want to give a dog a cold bath nor one that is too hot.

Then gently shampoo her and start from her tail and work upwards, that way you only have to rinse her head once. Use a skin soothing shampoo such as one made with oatmeal. After her bath, condition her fur with Fur Butter. It will penetrate her skin and leave her fur soft without any hint of greasiness. If she's prone to dry skin, this will almost eliminate the problem entirely with regular use as it also has aloe and oatmeal and healing herbs as part of its formula.

Then dry her fur using a hair dryer on low (the higher settings on hair dryers make many dogs upset) and you can brush her hair at this time. The fur butter will have made it easy to get a comb through even fur that tends to tangle. When she's dry, wrap her in her very own pink satin robe with a furry collar and cuffs for that total princess look.

Now that she's relaxed, pop in a movie, make some popcorn for yourself and get out some healthy dog treats for her and spend and evening on the sofa with your favorite furry princess who is feeling just about as loved as loved can be now.

Dog House Training Made Easy!

2006-11-22T09:29:00.000-08:00

In order to have a healthy relationship with your dog, it is essential he be taught basic manners and what is expected of him. One of the biggest hurdles many dog owners face is house training. Breaking your dog from relieving himself in the house is often the only strife in an human companion/dog relationship. No matter if you have an older dog that wasn't trained or a puppy in need of training, it's easy to do if you're patient and persistent.

First of all, give your dog many opportunities to do his necessary business outside of the home. This will mean taking your dog outside several times a day. A good beginning schedule is to take your dog out early in the morning then roughly every hour thereafter. In short order, your dog will realize that you're asking him to take care of relieving himself outside. If you find your dog's urine is creating "burn spots" on the grass, there are treats you can give him that will neutralize the PH of his urine.

As you take your dog outside, pick a one word command such as "outside" or "yard" and use that word every single time you take your dog outside. He will soon associate that word with going outside. Your dog won't understand all the words you use, but your tone of voice will speak volumes to him. Use your training word in a praising tone when your dog house training is successful and in a scolding tone if your pet has had a dog house training accident indoors.

Never spank your pet or rub his nose in an accident. Spanking will teach your dog that you can't be fully trusted not to hurt him and rubbing his nose in it will lead some dogs to learn to hide their accidents through eating it. Using positive training techniques for house breaking your dog are essential. Scolding tones of voice, praise and treats will go a long way to helping your dog become housebroken a lot faster.

Dog Bone Muffins Anyone?

2006-11-21T09:27:00.000-08:00

Dog clothing, dog treats, dog gifts are one of the hottest growing retail markets there are. If you are a dog lover you have seen the explosion in dog related merchandise over the past five years.

One of the fastest growing markets is the dog treat business. With both human and dog obesity at records levels, more and more pet owners are not only getting their own diets under control but the diets of their pets. Fat-laden, empty calorie dog treats are simply not good for dogs. However, a new line of treats are entering the marketplace - healthy dog treats.

Paw Shop now carries a 6-Bone Shaped Muffin Pan and it is the only non-stick metal bone shaped bake wear sold on the market. This 9x13 pan will bake up to six bone shaped muffins and you can either use the Paw Shop's own Canine Mix or you can be experimental and come up with your own recipe and perhaps even market it. If you are considering having your own line of baked dog goodies, Paw Shop sells these well made and durable baking pans by the case.

For the person that just wants to make their dog yummy treats, you're not alone. More and more people are opting to make their pet treats at home, especially since the news of genetically modified foods are in nearly all commercial wheat, soy and corn products sold for both humans and people. No one wants to knowingly eat products genetically altered by using insect DNA or the genes of fish and other creatures to enhance the plants. That's why so many people are going organic and it is spilling over into pet food and even dog treats.

If you're interesting in giving your dog healthy treats or even designing a line of your own. Paw Shop can get you off to a great start with their exclusively designed bone shaped muffin pans

Dealing With Aggressive Dog Behavior

2006-11-20T12:59:00.000-08:00

It isn't easy dealing with an aggressive dog, but there are a number of things you can do that will lessen the incidence of displays of aggressiveness and eventually eliminating it. First, understand the reason for the dog's aggressive behavior and then first attempt to eliminate whatever is causing it; in many cases this will stop the displays all together.

Fear is a large reason many dogs display aggressive behavior. If the dog hasn't been socialized properly, he might dislike being petted or approached by people and other animals he isn't familiar with . Storms can cause some dogs to display aggressive behavior. The shows of aggression in these types of situations are so your dog can protect himself. To address his behavior, try to remove him from situations that cause him to act out. Your first response to aggressive behavior should be to try to take the dog out of the immediate fearful situation that is causing him to act out. Distractions such a television or radio, darkening a room and speaking to him calmly may be enough to reassure him that he is in no danger and calms down. When he calms on command, give him a treat.

As you know, dogs are also territorial. They assume it's their job to protect the boundaries of their domain and everything within it. Dogs look at themselves as rulers of their domain and don't like any kind of challenges from other dogs and even some people will be considered threats. If your dog gets pushy with you, give him a firm ,"No" command and remind him who top dog is with your tone of voice. Your dog will back down when he realizes you're still in charge. Pet him and praise him for obeying. Above all a dog wants to please.

Aggressive dog behavior can be dangerous. Do not attempt to pet your dog if he's displaying aggressive behavior until you are sure that you have his attention and he won't snap or bite you out of fear or panic. A good way to eliminate aggressive displays in your dog is to address what is causing the problem and train him through praise and rewards to handle his fear in other ways.

Consequences of a Bored Dog

2006-11-17T06:16:00.000-08:00

When you get busy during the holiday season, it may be more important than ever to make sure that your dog stays busy so he or she doesn't miss you when you're visiting your family and friends and bring your dog along isn't a possibility.

Did you know that your dog could actually become depressed if he or she is bored a good portion of the time? Depression is a very real problem that can actually affect our pets just as easily as it can affect people. Including lethargy and the opposite end of the spectrum, destructive behaviors. However, you can easily keep your dog from becoming bored as long as you provide them with enough items to stimulate them and give your dog all the attention you can during the busy holiday season.

What dog doesn't love to play fetch? Well, if so then you really cannot have enough items around the house that you can throw for them. You may just find that the Kong Dog Tennis Balls are just the right thing to keep your dog running around like crazy. This is not only a great way to keep your dog healthy by giving them exercise, but it is also a way to keep them occupied. These tennis balls are extremely durable and there is even a squeaker inside to give your pooch a little bit of extra excitement. When you're not there, your dog can play with the toy and toss it and chase it to not only keep himself occupied but also get some good exercise in.

Another fun toy set for your dog is a fuzzy purse and shoes that he can enjoy chasing and bringing to you or just tossing and chewing when you can't be there. Your dog gets to play with two forbidden items (the enticing purse and shoes) with none of the consequences of chewing up the real things. With great items and spending all the time you can with your pooch this holiday season, you will never have to worry about your dog being bored or depressed.

Hypothermia and Frostbite Prevention

2006-11-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

If you live in a colder part of the country, you are well acquainted with the ways for keeping frostbite and hypothermia away from yourself and your family. What many people don't realize is that pets can suffer from hypothermia too, especially dogs that are left outside in bitterly cold weather or cold weather combined with rain.

Hypothermia is simply the prolonged exposure to cold temperatures that results in a drop in the body temperature. Toy breeds of dogs and dogs with extremely short haired dogs such as boxers can be affected by lengthy exposure to cold and wet conditions. The early signs of impending hypothermia are violent shivering by the dog then listlessness and lack of motivation to move. The temperature may be below 97 degrees and will be followed by collapse, coma and eventual death if quick steps are not taken to warm the dog.

First of all, wrap the dog in a blanket or coat and bring it into the house. If the dog is wet from falling into a freezing body of water, put him into a warm bath and dry him with warmed towels. If the dog is past the shivering stage and is lying on his side, you can help raise his body temperature by putting warm packs under his arm pits. You can also warm your dog with a hair dryer, be aware as sensation returns to the dog's limbs, he can experience great pain and may start to bite at the air, his own skin, or even at you.

Rub his legs and back and it will help with the pain. You can offer water or a glucose mixture which is four tablespoons sugar in a pint of water, to your dog at this time. Areas of skin that are white need to be watched as they may be frostbitten. If they turn dark, get him medical attention immediately as infection can set in and it can be life threatening.

Prevention is the number one way to avoid either hypothermia or frostbite in dogs. Don't leave your dog out in wet and cold conditions and when you take your dog out for walks, make sure he is adequately warm by using dog sweaters or parkas to help him retain his body warmth.

Keep Your Cat Healthy Through Play

2006-11-15T13:00:00.000-08:00

It may actually seem to you like your cat does nothing but sleep and eat all day long and then they sleep some more. Well, even though cats really do catch a lot of sleep throughout the day, they also run around and get plenty of exercise as long as they have the right toys to plays around with. You may be amazed at just how much exercise your cat does get when you are sleeping or even when you are not around. This is a good thing because it is well known that cats that are healthy usually run around and play fairly hard to amuse themselves.

To help your healthy kitty get the proper exercise, you can get him or her the Flower Power Cat Scratching Post and Toy. This is a completely amazing and fun kitty toy that is just right to help your cat let loose and really enjoy themselves. Your cat can spend hours climbing, clinging to the sides of the scratching post as well as chasing the dangling flower toy. And once your feline has a chance to terrorize this post for a while, you may even find that they have less time to bother you by knocking down your things at night.

Watch your cat fly around while they chase after the dangling flower toy. Be sure that you have your camera handy as well so that you can capture all of the memories from this ultra-fun center of activity for your cat. This post and toy will become a valuable energy outlet for your cat and if your cat has been exhibiting destructive habits due to boredom such as scratching your drapes or knocking items she knows she shouldn't play with off the shelves, this type of toy will usually put a stop to those negative behaviors.