The Issue Of Homeless Pets

The number of pets that are homeless have been consistently growing in number over the years and finally reached an all time high. Pounds and shelters are full and overcrowded, turning away and killing pets weekly because there are few alternatives. Still more suffer abandoned, unwanted, and unfed. The problem of homeless pets is one that must be addressed.

Millions of dollars are being poured into the care of homeless pets each year. It is sad and disgusting that such money must be used to care for an issue that could be resolved if the majority of the people would resolve to do their part in controlling it. What is your part? Read on to discover.

If you have a pet of you own, care for it properly. Make sure it has tags and could be easily identified and returned to you in the unfortunate event that it did become lost. Spay or neuter it to help control the issue of overpopulating. Also, take care to train your animal properly, as best as you can.
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If you do not have a pet, or if you are capable of caring for more than one, adopt it instead of purchasing it from a breeder or pet shop. If everyone would adopt one pet, we would not be dealing with the current problems we have today

Encourage your friends and family to do the same are you are doing. Talk to them about the importance of caring for animals properly and share your pleasurable experience with an adopted pet. The further the message is spread, the more it will be taken seriously and acted upon by others.

If it is within your means, donate to the pet shelters. They are all highly under funded and struggling to support the few animals they have. The more people take this to heart, the easier it will be for pets to be brought off the streets and put into caring loving environments.

When you are looking for a new pet, please always make your first stop your local pet shelter. There are millions of great dogs looking for a home. If you need assistance in finding a great shelter near you go to our Links Page and you will find Links to many pet shelters and directories. When you find that special new pet, come on back to Busters Canine Supply Outlet for quality products and helpful info.

Aggressive Dogs

I know many people have aggression problems of some kind with their pets. It is a serious problem and many people faced with this condition are not knowledgeable enough to deal with it. I have found a great squidoo lens that I believe you will find very helpful. It has really good information on the subject and will help you learn how to correct the situation that you and your pet are in. Most (not all) aggression in pets is caused by improper treatment of the animal. I am not just talking about physical abuse, but a lack of understanding of canine behavior. Sometimes we think we are just loving our pets and spoiling them. However this is not how the dog is interpreting the situation. Dogs do not process things the way humans do, so it is very important to understand dog behavior to make sure you ultimately do the right thing for your pet. This is a must read for any dog owner with an Aggression Problem. Just click on the title, and it will direct you to the information that will help you turn your pet's aggression into a thing of the past.

If you are looking for more Dog Related Information Busters Canine Supply Outlet Links Page is
loaded with other helpful websites.

This Article has very important information for all dog owners. Please take a moment to read it. It could save your pets life.


Foods Poisonous To Our Pets
by Megan Zehnder


We all know that pets aren’t supposed to have people food. But let’s face it, sometimes, it happens…something falls on the floor when you’re cooking dinner, and Buddy is quickly there, vacuuming up the crumbs, or Felix steels something off the plate when you aren’t looking…

There are some healthy “people foods” for pets (only small amounts– not replacements for pet food). But there are also many foods that can be dangerous to our feline friends and canine companions.

Here is a handy list of the top common foods that are toxic to your pet along with tips on what to do if your pet happens to get a hold of any of these substances.


Avocado

Avocado
While many pet owners say they feed their pets avocados with no problems, studies have shown that their leaves, fruit, seeds and bark can contain a toxin called Persin. According to the ASPCA, the Guatemalan variety, which is commonly found in stores, contains the most toxicity.

Onions, onion powder, chives and garlic

These all can lead to gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage. All forms of onion can cause problems including dehydrated onions, raw and cooked onions. Cats are more susceptible than dogs, but it can be toxic to both.

Grapes
Grapes and raisins
These can be toxic to dogs and cause kidney failure. Researchers say there are still many unknowns about the toxicity of grapes and raisins, including whether only certain types of dogs are affected, but it is advised not to feed grapes or raisins to dogs in any amount.

Yeast dough

Dough that is not cooked and contains yeast can rise in your pet’s stomach, causing pain, and can potentially cause the intestines to rupture. This risk diminishes once the dough is cooked.

Bones

Left-over bones
Left-over bones pose a choking hazard to pets, and they can also splinter and puncture your pet’s gut or intestine. Additionally, do not feed your pet undercooked meat or eggs, as they can contain harmful bacteria.

Foods with a high salt or fat content

Excessive fats can cause upset stomach and potentially inflame the pancreas causing pancreatitis. Salty foods can pose a risk for the development of sodium ion toxicosis, according to the ASPCA. Be aware that if your pet gets into food with a high fat or salt content, she could experience stomach problems including diarrhea and vomiting.


Chocolate
Chocolate, coffee, alcohol
According to the ASPCA, the substances in chocolate, coffee, and caffeine, methlxanthines, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and potentially death in pets. The higher the cocoa percentage, the more dangerous the chocolate is, making dark chocolate more toxic than milk or white chocolate. All these products can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even death.

Sugarless candies (products sweetened with xylitol)

This compound can cause liver damage and even death in some more vulnerable dogs. Xylitol is in many products including gum, candy, sugar-free cookies and toothpaste.

Macadamia nuts

These nuts can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Symptoms generally last up to two days, and usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion.

What do you do if your pet ate something poisonous?

If your animal is having seizures or losing consciousness, bring him or her to your veterinarian or emergency vet center. If your pet is not showing symptoms, but ingested something potentially toxic, call the ASPCA hotline at (888) 426-4435. Have the following information available: the species, breed, age, sex, weight, and information about the product exposure. It is best to have the package of the product available for reference.

Megan Zehnder, an animal lover and committed vegetarian, is an editor and producer for Care2's Healthy and Green Living.

Important Pet Supplies For Your New Dog

Getting a new dog is an exciting time for everyone in a household, however it is important to be properly supplied before your new canine family member settles in. You must invest is several items which are important for a dog’s life including pet safe cleaning supplies, a dog bed, a dog crate, food and a pet door.

For a dog bed, there are different options which can be used to secure your new dog’s comfort. Dog beds come in all sizes, comforts and colors depending on size of your new pet; they can range from $10 - $70. If your new dog is older, you may need a orthopedic dog bed which provides comfort to orthopedic pet problems. Orthopedic dog beds have memory foam technology which allows for a softer pet bed, better for orthopedic pet problems and is higher off the ground for comfort. These average around $99 in store on online retail.



The next essential is a Midwest Dog Crate, which serves as your new pet’s sleeping den. These dog crates also come in a variety of sizes as well as the crate beds (or orthopedic pet bed) to be placed inside. This way, the dog can understand that this is his “safe place” or his “den”, where he will spend his sleeping time. Crate-training is an essential element to house training, and can be referenced online in several guides.



If you live in a home with a yard, a dog door is something you may wish to consider. A dog door allows your dog or cat to enter and exit the house at their leisure. This way, the dog door can serve as a solution to pet bathroom problems and give you more freedom. A Petsafe Dog Door is essential as it is made for pets and will not harm your dog; the average cost for such dog doors is $59-103.





Pet safe cleaning supplies will always come in handy if your new canine friends needs a bath or has had an accident on the carpet. Invest in pet safe cleaning supplies such as carpet cleaner or pet shampoo.

Last but not least, Pet food is an essential item for your new dog. Sometimes, new dogs have been raised on one type of food and may not want to eat another. It is very important to find out what food the dog has been fed prior to you adopting him/her. You should continue to feed your new pet the same food. Switching a dogs food can cause digestive problems, so if you must do it gradually.

Remember, pet safe supplies such as a dog bed, dog crate, food, cleaning supplies and pet safe dog door are just the most important new tools you will need. For these quality products and information to assist you with your new pet, visit Busters Canine Supply Outlet.