I lost at the smiling fox!
Wordless Wednesday: Literal Cat Tree
Cold Weather Care
The winter months can be brutal- particularly on animals- and even more so on outdoor animals. Before I go further, I need to say this: if you have outdoor animals, PLEASE bring them in if the weather is below freezing. Fur can only do so much. Set up a warm space for them in your garage, or other area where they will be out of the way but safe. For tips on how to keep your dogs warm and healthy in the cold, read this post by Jason Carr at the Pet Health Network:
-Talk to your vet about cold weather protection against certain health conditions
-Know your dog’s cold tolerance- certain dog breeds are better equipped to deal with the cold. Huskies are going to flourish much better in the cold than a tiny chihuahua.
-Take shorter walks, always check the bottoms of paws for cracks.
-Beware of poison- antifreeze is absolutely deadly- keep it out of your dog’s reach! Beware of road salt and rat poison as well.
Friday Fun Video: Curious Baby Otters Eating Scrambled Eggs
I have never seen a baby otter before I watched this video, and now my life has been enriched.
Putting Together A First Aid Kit For Pets
Being prepared in case of emergency can mean the difference between life and death. This also goes for pets- especially if you live in a rural area or town with no emergency vet care. I think it’s useful to learn a few pet first aid techniques, and to have a pet first aid kit put together. For how to assemble a first aid kit for pets, check out this post by Bella Pomeranian at the PetMeds blog:
-Kaopectate or Mylanta – anti-diarrheal and safe for dogs
-Pediatric Electrolyte or Pedialyte- for rehydrating
-3% Hydrogen Peroxide: 1 Tbs per 15lbs of body weight administered orally by syringe (in kit) to induce vomiting when the dog has eaten something it should not have.
-Antibiotic cream
-Antacids
-Antihistamines for allergic reactions
Friday Fun Video: Sweaters For Penguins
I have no words for how adorable and heartwarming this is.
Stop Annoying Barking
I love dogs. They’re adorable, loyal, and great protectors. I live in the middle of the country, so I have two dogs that act as security alarms. They do their jobs well, and only bark if they see something (usually a skunk or rabbit) in the yard. They also bark if anyone comes to the door, or if the motion-sensing security light is triggered (also, usually by a skunk or rabbit). However, other people that live in my neighborhood have dogs that bark at EVERYTHING. You know the type- dogs that constantly yap and yap. Then, you yell at them to shut up, and make the yapping even louder. It just doesn’t work. If you have an annoying, yappy dog, read this post by Dog-Training-Excellence.com and learn how to teach them the “Quiet” command:
-When the dog is barking, wait until he quiets down on his own. Then, say “Quiet…..good boy!” and give him a treat.
-The dog will associate being quiet with getting treats.
-Repeat over a period of a few days.
-Then test it. When they are barking, say “Quiet!” and see if they stop. If they do, give him a treat. If not, repeat the other steps until they respond to “Quiet”.
Friday Fun Video: The Chillest Cat In The World
PS- LOOK at those puppies! Have you ever seen anything cuter?!
Handsome Hybrid Hounds
I love mutts, hybrids, and all mixes of animals. My oldest dog, Libby, is some kind of Spaniel mix, and my younger one, Cocoa, is a PomChi (Pomeranian + Chihuahua). She has the cute little Pomeranian face, but the not-fluffy body and hair of a chihuahua. She’s still pretty cute though, haha- she just kind of looks like a bat. It’s amazing the combinations that you can get when mixing dog breeds. I love seeing what kinds of pets are out there! That’s why I love this post by Hedvika Hessova at Cool Pets Info! It has several kinds of gorgeous hybrid dogs:
-Pomsky- Pomeranian + Husky (pictured)
-German Shepard + Siberian Husky
-Dalmatian + English Bulldog
-Chusky- Husky + Chow Chow (It looks like a giant fluff monster! Oh my goodness).
You simply have to click through to see all of them! They’re so cute.
Okay, I can’t help it. I have to post a picture of a chusky too!
Friday Fun Video: Puppy + Tiger Cub = Adorable Best Friends
And my 50 pound dog is scared of my skinny little 8 pound cat…