Have fun with your pal with these five summer activities.

Ultimate Frisbee
Make your dog an ultimate champion this summer! Playing Frisbee is an inexpensive and fun way to keep your dog active in the summer. No matter where you are  the beach, the park, even in your own backyard teach your pal to leap through the air to make a perfect catch. You’ll build his confidence and stamina while helping him get fit. Plus, it will do wonders for your arms! If your dog is already a champion or you want to challenge him a bit more, find a Disc Dog Club in your area.
Swimming
This summer let your dog enjoy his day poolside. If he loves swimming let him lounge in style in a dog pool float. If your dog can’t swim or you prefer to keep him in shallow water, set up a kiddy pool or even clean out an old plastic or stainless steel tub and fill it up with nice, cold water. Your dog will love splashing around and keeping cool in his own special doggie pool!

Camping 
If you have an active, energetic dog he’ll love the great outdoors. Once you’ve proven he is travel ready, pack up the whole family and head to your favorite place to camp out. Be sure to research the campgrounds and make sure there are no harmful plants or insects that will make him sick in the camping area. Take your pal on hikes and explore new areas. Plus, if you are camping in an RV and own a PetSafe Wireless Fence you can contain your pal on your trip! Simply bring your Transmitter, Receiver and Boundary Flags with you to make sure he doesn’t run away.
Treats on a dog day afternoon
On those hot, sticky days of summer it’s hard to even fathom going outside. It’s even harder to make yourself workout in that heat. Instead of sweating the day away playing Frisbee or mastering a ring jump, go on a picnic! Treat yourself to a nice cool bowl of frozen yogurt and grab your pal one as well. Many pet-friendly fro-yo and Italian ice shops, like select Rita’s Water Ice stores, offer a special doggie bowls to keep your pal cool. Then head to his favorite park to enjoy your treats and play in the sun!
Summer School
The thought of summer school may make you groan, but summer is a great time to send your pal back to school. Summer is a great time to teach your dog his boundaries in your yard. Do you have a garden he isn’t allowed to play in? A plant he isn’t allowed to eat? Do you live near a busy road? Plus, you can freshen up his understanding of basic commands and so much more.
Keep in mind that your pet may not be able to handle diary foods. Also, be sure to ask about sugar content in the frozen treat before giving it to your pal. “Sugar-free” options can be extremely harmful to your dog. Most sugar-free items use artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, which are extremely dangerous for your pal to consume.
Article source : http://www.petsafe.net/Education/5-ways-to-have-fun-in-the-sun-with-your-dog

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Why You Should have Get A Pet

The first reason is that they bring a lot of joy to a person's life. No matter what kind of day you have had (good, bad, depressing, etc.), spending five seconds with them will always make it better. It has also been proven that people with animals tend to be happier and live longer lives because of the joy their pets bring them.

The second reason I think everyone should own an animal is because they love you unconditionally. No matter what you have done (past or present, good or bad), they do not care. As long as you are nice to them and take care of them, you can do no wrong.

The third reason an animal is beneficial is they are helpful, both mentally and/or physically, for the elderly. For those that are able to care for a pet, they provide exercise and companionship. For those that are not able, like Alzheimer patients, pets have been found helpful in reducing the number of anxious outbursts a patient may have.

The fourth reason every family should have a pet is that they can improve family relations. Pets help to keep arguments, calmly talking, from turning into fights, loudly screaming, because they are great stress relievers that help to break tension.

The final top reason everyone should have a pet is because they benefit your health. It has been proven that people with animals are less likely to suffer from allergies and asthma. Studies have also been done that shows people with pets are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, stress, high blood pressure, and many others. Also, studies have shown that kids that have pets in their homes are more likely to have higher self-confidence than children without pets.

So when you are making a decision on whether or not you should get a pet, remember that you will not only be helping them by giving them a loving home, but they will also be helping you mentally and physically.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brianna_L_Wiggins

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Suggestions To Reduce The Smell Of Pets

Dogs:

The first product I would recommend to help reduce the smell of your dog is the Perfect Coat Shampoos for dogs and puppies. They have many different kinds of shampoos that cater to your specific needs, but all of them leave your dog with a soft, healthy, shiny, and pretty smelling coat. I would recommend Tushee Wipes by QuickBath. These are biodegradable bath wipes that helps to remove dirt and debris in between baths. This keeps your dog from getting too dirty and smelly. It is made with Aloe Vera and Vitamins A & E helping to soothe your pet's skin. They will also not harm your pet if ingested. There are two types of brushes I would recommend using if your dog sheds a lot. The first type of brush is made of wired pins and helps to remove tangles and debris from their coats. The second type of brush I would recommend is the stainless steel pin combs. This comb helps to remove extra hair and debris that is embedded further in their coat that the brushes usually miss.

Cats:

The first product is a cat litter called Mimi Litter and it is available at Walmart. It is made up of Porous Silica Sand and it looks like crystals. We use to use clay litter at our house until we rescued Isis. It was then that a friend of ours recommended Mimi Litter to us because we were having a problem with the clay litter covering up the smell of her poops. There are other cat litter brands that make similar products; this is just the cheapest one we have found that works. The next product I would recommend, also available at Walmart, is PRO PET Between Bath Wipes, fresh scent. As it says in the name, these are wipes that help remove dirt, debris, and pet odors in between baths. Since our cats are only indoor cats, we only use these every other week. They have Aloe Vera and Lanolin that help to promote a healthy, shiny coat. These wipes also do not seem to bother our cat Pouncer, who has sensitive skin.

I would also recommend brushing your cats daily with a brush that has wire pins and combing them with a comb that has stainless steel teeth. Brushing and combing your cat helps keep the skin clean, helps to prevent your cat's hair from matting, and also helps to reduce the cat hair in your home. I have found that these types of brushes and combs work best to get through all of the hair with the least amount of effort and help to remove the most amount of hair to reduce shedding.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6386719

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Yo-yo ducklings

I love the duck.

But the technique of the yoyo is great, too.

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Suggestions To Promote Healthy Pets

The dog foods made by Fromm : This brand is not available in grocery stores or large outlet centers and can only be found at pet specialty stores. This is a holistic brand of dog food that promotes healthy digestion and if you choose the hard food, it helps keep their teeth strong. When choosing the flavor, switch up the protein selection (duck, chicken, salmon, etc.) so that your puppy or dog is getting a variety of proteins. I would also recommend Healthy Edibles chews, dog treats, and dog bones by Nylabone. These are all natural dog products that help satisfy your dogs chewing needs, come in a variety of flavors, and are inexpensive. I would also recommend The Blue Buffalo Co. treats from training and rewards. This is the same brand as the cat food one I had mentioned earlier and offers the same benefits to dogs. Brushing your dog's teeth is also very important and should be done everyday to help reduce the chances of different mouth diseases and bad breath. I would recommend brushing their teeth at least twice a week using a toothbrush and doggie toothpaste. The healthy bones and different chew toys also help promote good dental hygiene. The last item I would recommend is a deer antler (no specific brand). These last a very long time, are more durable than bones, are very unlikely to splinter or chip, they have beneficial nutrients, and are odor and stain free.

  

 The cat foods made by The Blue Buffalo Co: This is a holistic brand of cat food that does not have any chicken or poultry by-product meals, no artificial preservatives, no artificial flavors, and it does not have any corn, wheat, or soy. I would also recommend Greenies dental cat treats. Dental health is very important in cats and it can be very painful and difficult for your pet if they develop gingivitis. On top of the dental treats, you want to try to brush your cat's teeth everyday with a small toothbrush and kitty toothpaste; all of which can be found at Petsmart or other pet stores for relatively low costs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6386719

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When moving abroad with pets you should find a new veterinarian

When moving abroad with pets, one of the most important things you should do is find a new veterinarian. A good first step is to ask local people you already know, or your new neighbors, for a recommendation .

One of the first things to check out is if a clinic has any special certifications, proving that they adhere to certain standards. Also, be sure that they offer the services you need, be it boarding, grooming or surgical services. Another important issue is location, as you should ideally choose a clinic close to your house, in case help is needed on short notice. In addition, a good idea is to check whether your vet provides emergency services.

Once you choose a clinic, and before visiting, you may want to make a phone call, to make further enquiries. Here are several useful questions that you can ask:

1. What types of animals do you treat?

2.    How many vets do you have on staff?

3.    Do you provide emergency services?

4.    How many technicians do you have on staff and how long have they worked there?

5.    How much do your services cost?

6.    How long have you been in practice?

7.    How long have the vets been practicing?

8.    Do you have specialists on staff? If not, do you work with other practices?

9.    What services do you offer?

10. What are your working hours? Do you work on weekends?

11. Will you provide a tour of your facilities?

Once you decide to visit the clinic, pay attention to the atmosphere. The reception itself should reflect professionalism and good organization. A good sign is if the clinic is very busy and if staff is attentive to its clients. Look around for any thank you cards, brochures, information bulletins or newspaper clippings. Also, if there are any clients waiting, talk to them and check if they were satisfied with the service.

Consider these points whilst looking around:

- Is the place hectic?
- How does the staff seem to treat the clients and their pets?
- How do you react to this place?

- Is the place clean?
- How would your pet react to this place?
- Are people friendly and knowledgeable?

It may take visits to a number of vets before you find one you are comfortable with, but do take the time - you want to know your pet will have the best care possible.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Agi_Vass

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Natural treatments for fleas and ticks

If  you'd prefer a much safer, natural way to protect our pets and our families from fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies and other pests, here are six secret natural weapons in the war against these pests.

1 - Garlic. In addition to its many other valuable health benefits as an anti-fungal and antibiotic, garlic makes your pet's blood completely unattractive to pests like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes that would otherwise make a meal of your pet's blood. Easy-to-give garlic supplements are available and with a pet's advice you can also give your pet raw garlic. (Don't try raw garlic without instructions from your veterinarian.)

2 - Neem Spray. Neem spray is made of natural neem and citronella. It can be sprayed directly on your pet (follow instructions) to repel and kill fleas, ticks and larvae.

3 - Herbal sprays. Certain compounds such as cedar oil, geranium oil, rosemary and clove oils repel fleas, ticks and flies. Natural, herbal sprays contain these helpful ingredients and smell great to humans but repel fleas, ticks and flies. They can be sprayed directly on pet (watch out for eyes) and on their bedding.

4 - Neem Shampoo. Again, made of valuable Neem from the near east, this shampoo works synergistically with Neem spray to kill and repel fleas and ticks effectively and naturally without side effects.

5 - Homeopathic remedies. Homeopathic remedies treat many conditions ranging from pet anxiety to skin problems. Specific remedies can help protect pets from fleas and ticks and their affects on skin, without side effects or chemicals. Just squirt in your pet's mouth as directed.

6 - Diatomaceous Earth. A powerful secret weapon in your fight against fleas, ticks, bed bugs and other insects, diatomaceous earth, which is a white powder made of fossils, cuts into insects and kills them. Around people and pets, be sure you only use food grade diatomaceous earth which does not contain more than 1% crystalline silica and can be used as directed on pets skin and coat, bedding, rugs and other places where fleas and ticks can come into contact with it and die.

More information on these treatments is available at http://www.allnaturalpethealth.com/flea_and_tick_control_no_chemicals.html. http://www.AllNaturalPetHealth.com is a boutique-style provider of natural pet foods, treats and health supplements for pets, including food grade diatomaceous earth and other safe and all-natural treatments to protect pets from fleas and ticks naturally without chemicals or side effects.

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Beginning to groom a pet early in life is ideal

Selecting a good trimmer is easier than ever if you know what to look for. Select one that fits your pet. Some models come with multiple attachments. You have the option of selecting a battery operated model if you do not have access to an outlet where you trim your pet. With the convenience of cordless operation you are not limited to where you do the trimming. Choose a slim, lightweight model to keep you from getting tired on larger animals.

If you need to trim delicate areas, such as around the eyes or ears, choose a trimmer that is small, compact and made for trimming that area.

A professional trimmer gives you options. Select one that is maintenance free where it will not need oiling or greasing of internal parts. These clippers are quiet to help ease your pet's anxieties. Features can include detachable blades for easy changing and cleaning, cool running motors, break-resistant housing, contoured to fit your hand and reduce fatigue, multiple blade attachments and multiple speeds.

Trimmers are now available with a duel LED light positioned to cast ultra bright white light that allows expert grooming, even in dark, shadowed areas.

Don't forget their nails! All pets get jagged nails from time to time. Keep them well manicured and avoid scratches on floors and furniture. Your pet will look great too! You can choose from a two-speed nail grinder to the more traditional nail clippers.

Stiff, nylon bristles smooth coat for shiny appearance and helps distribute healthy coat oils. A flea comb removes fleas/eggs and grooms around face and eyes.

When purchasing a shampoo for your pet, consider if your pet has any skin problems. Shampooing your pet regularly promotes a healthy and shiny coat.

Keeping your pets teeth clean has never been easier! Your pet can now have his/her own toothbrush! They are also available in a mini finger toothbrush where you can slide the tip onto your finger and gently brush your pets teeth.

Having a healthy pet is what everyone wants. Give your pet the best care you can and the rewards you receive will be worth it.

Please remember to spay or neuter your pets. Consider adoption from your local shelter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vickie_Lawrence

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