It is very important to vaccinate your dog and it is also a very important part of a total dog health care program. However knowing what to vaccinate for and how often to give your dog vaccines are two very important questions. Regular vaccinations can prevent your dog from contracting many diseases. Overall, the two most important viruses to vaccinate for are canine parvovirus and canine distemper.

Most vets agree that it is vital to vaccinate puppies at 6 weeks of age and again at 8, 12, and 16 weeks for Distemper, Canine Infectious Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Coronavirus (DHLPPC). It is also suggested that puppies are vaccinated for rabies at six months of age and then to repeat it annually.

Although your new puppy may squirm or even cry when getting his vaccinations, it is just as important for your dog as it is for your children to receive these “annual shots”. In fact, by keeping up to date on your dog’s vaccinations, you could be saving his life. Basically, dog vaccinations are injections of a small dose of a specific disease, which should prevent your puppy from developing that very disease later in life by creating the necessary antibodies to fight it off.

Some dog owners have concerns whether the repeated dog vaccinations are really necessary and whether they are doing more harm than good. Vaccinations work by stimulating the dog’s immune system. It encourages it to produce antibodies to fight against many different types of bacterias and viruses.

Stimulating the dogs immune system this way does come at a price when the vaccine in the dog’s system leads to illness. Once vaccinations are given, your dog’s immune system will recognize the presence of a disease and will then create antibodies to fight it off. These antibodies only last from six months to a year, which makes regular vaccinations extremely important for your puppy or dog.

The question on the minds of many pet owners is usually – “is it dangerous to repeatedly vaccinate my dog each year”? Fortunately the experts do agree that the answer to this question is a resounding “no.”

While there are rare cases of dogs that have become very ill or even died as a result of receiving a vaccination, there is no evidence to suggest that this practice poses any real danger generally speaking. Oftentimes, the dogs that are adversely affected to vaccines may have already been sick or have some form of allergy to a specific part of the vaccine.

When using a vaccine that must be mixed first, there are four simple steps to follow. First: mix the vaccine by withdrawing all of the liquid from the one vial and then injecting it iback into the vial containing the dried portion of the vaccine. Remove the syringe from the vial, shake the vial to mix up the vaccine, re-insert the needle into the vial and then withdraw the entire 1 ml contents of the mixed vaccination.

Two different types of vaccinations exist which are a Killed Vaccine and a Modified Live Vaccine. A Modified Live Vaccine is the live disease being injected, while having been altered by the drug company to be unable to cause the disease it is protecting against. A Killed Vaccine is when the virus itself has been killed before any injection occurs.

Most vaccinations are administered subcutaneously (by injecting the vaccine just under the skin). One of the best areas is located in the shoulder or neck area. Simply lift a tent of skin into a triangle with one hand, and inject the vaccine with the other hand. Note: always use a separate sterile needle and syringe for each dog and also for each injection, and then dispose of all used needles and syringes in a safe location.

I feel that the best advice I can offer is that dog owners continue vaccinating their dogs according to local laws and the recommendations of their veterinarians. Since the annual vaccines are not harming dogs in any evident way, there is no cause for alarm and no harm in continuing the same routine until the veterinary community makes up its collective mind that a change is in order with regard to dog vaccinations. In the mean time, a little prevention can go a long way to keep your dog healthy.

Debbie Ray, owner of http://www.total-german-shepherd.com , http://www.pedigreedpups.com , http://www.pedigreeddogs.com and http://www.the-website-doctor.com is a lifelong animal lover and owns several internet businesses. Want to learn how to build a website? Thinking about getting a purebred dog? The German Shepherd? Promote your dog related website? Check my sites out for to learn more.

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It is of vital importance that your pet be groomed on a regular basis. Dirt and grime can get caught in the dog hair and may cause matting and tangles, which can be difficult to get out. Most cases if bad enough they will have to be cut out. Fleas and ticks attach themselves to your dogs skin. Without proper groomer the parasites may go undetected for sometime.

It is best to train your dog at a young age. An untrained dog can be trained to get groomed, it takes more time, patience and consistancy. Start by brushing him all over this way he get used to you or a professional groomer handeling him. If you choose to use a professional groomer be sure to select one that will handle your dog gently. You don’t want him to be afraid. Brushing doesn’t only remove mats, it also takes away dead hair. By reducing dead hair it also reduces doggie odor.

While grooming your dog look for bumps, inflammation, hot spots, irritation, fleas and ticks. To get rid of ticks use a tweezer to pull them off. It is important to get the whole tick out. You don’t want to leave any part of the tick on your dogs skin. Fleas can easily be removed by using a fine-tooth comb. If you suspect your dog has fleas wash him with flea and tick shampoo and then apply with a nice conditioner. Ears should be kept clean and checked for ear mites. If you have a long eared dog they are more susceptible to ear mites. Examin your dogs paws for dirt or pebbles, their paws can become infected if anything is caught in them.

Nails should be trimmed monthly. If you have a difficult time, you can take him to a professional groomer or even your veterinarian. It is recommended to call around and look for the lowest price. To remove mucus from your dogs eyes a damp cloth may be used. Dental hygiene is of vital importance. Again, at a young age start brushing his teeth. Do not use human toothpaste it is not made to be swallowed. They sell dog toothbrushes and toothpaste. To get your dog used to the toothbrush, have him chew on one that was dipped in warm water and garlic salt. They love the taste.

Every dog owner should have their own grooming kit. A good kit includes a grooming brush, combs, dog shampoo, coat conditioner and toenail clippers for dogs.

Remember a good dog is a happy and healthy dog.

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Found this userful tips at wikipedia.org, Here’s grooming tips for your pom, A daily or twice weekly brushing is essential to keep the thick, plush coat, which sheds seasonally, free of mats. A Pomeranian’s coat need very little trimming only every now and then. Combing is seldom necessary and sometimes totally unnecessary. Regular ear and nail care is recommended, along with peak seasonal bathing. However, it is unadvisable to bathe Pomeranians too frequently as excessive bathing can damage their skin and coat by removing essential oils. Pomeranians are also prone to teeth problems, and it is recommended that their teeth be brushed at least once a week. Ideally, their teeth should be brushed daily

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You know the best way to keep your dog happy, healthy, and safe is to have them well groomed and trained. You can take your pet to a professional or do it yourself with the proper equipment and training.

You will be pleased to find out that qualified, experienced groomers often offer pet grooming seminars for advice and trimming demonstrations for your pet. Of course, there is the old “trial and error” method, but this can be frustrating. Better to do some online research, buy a book on grooming, take a class or get some form of professional training first.

Effective Grooming

Certain pets must be groomed from the skin outward to truly be effective in taking care of their coat of hair and keeping it healthy. Comb through the coat starting at the legs of the animal and then work your way to the body; this will allow you to get rid of all the shedding fur.

You must groom your pet on a regular basis if your pet goes outside frequently or is one of those hard to manage type of animals. Also, some animals require grooming all at once, while other animals have so much hair that it is easier to do a little at a time each day. If you need to groom kittens you should do them all at the same time, because the fleas readily travel among the kittens throughout the day.

Buying Pet Grooming Supplies

Buying equipment for pet grooming can be tricky if you do not know exactly what you need. Here again you should consult a professional before purchasing pet grooming supplies. This will save you time and money. Also, it is important to note that the more expensive equipment will perform better, last longer and help you prevent repetitive strain injuries.

Professional Pet Grooming

A professional groomer will be sensitive to you and your pets needs. After all, they are interested in gaining you and your pets trust. Large and small pet stores generally offer pet grooming services, but you may also find competent groomers working out of their home.

A professional pet groomer will have to go through intensive hands on grooming training before they are able to receive their pet grooming licenses. A grooming business does not just wash your pet. Groomers will also provide services such as, trimming the pet’s nails, cleaning their teeth, and shaving their coat. A professional pet groomer will know exactly what your over excited pet needs to stay calm and relaxed during their pet grooming session so they come out looking fantastic.

Brien Berdon is an author, researcher with many family pets. Keep you pet looking sharp with more tips at Pet Grooming Supplies

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My dog Tyke is a Border Collie. Border Collies have a “double coat” consisting of an outer or “guard” coat and an undercoat. Although they should only be given a bath when needed, it’s necessary to have them groomed regularly to keep their coat shiny, smooth and healthy, especially during their winter and summer shedding periods. And yes, as Tyke has two coats, I need two different rakes to groom him!

I like grooming Tyke, not only because spending that extra quality time together strengthens my bond with him, but also because I may discover developing health problems like a tumor sooner rather than later.

Regular grooming is alas often overlooked as an important and necessary aspect of pet ownership that should not be ignored.

You may decide that it’s better to take your pet to a professional who is sure to do it right. A professional groomer will be sensitive to you and your pet’s needs; they are interested in gaining you and your pet’s trust. But because pet grooming is so important, it’s vital that you teach your dog to tolerate it as soon as you take her home so the experience can remain safe and stress free for her.

On the other hand, you may want to start a grooming business yourself. Pet grooming is an alternative pet business opportunity that is widely popular today, as more and more pet owners spend a lot of money to pamper their pets. Dog grooming experience can be gained through apprenticeship, therefore it is wise to spend at least one year gaining experience from a well respected groomer. Anyone interested in becoming a pet groomer should do online research to find out the right steps to take.

Apparently, a new trend that is highly likely to make you successful is opting for door-to-door, mobile pet grooming. Mobile grooming will succeed anywhere pet grooming is needed: you can install all the equipment that you need inside a van, and you simply drive to people’s homes. They don’t need to spend the time or do the effort to drive back and forth, and you don’t need to pay the rent for an office. A perfect win-win situation.

Rewarding though it is, catering to personable, caring people who desire this service, keep in mind that pet grooming is very physical work and requires patience and a strong desire to learn.

Always remember though, running a pet grooming business successfully is about building trust between you and the pet as well as its owner: that can only happen if you care about pets as much as you care about people.

by Myriam De Clercq

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Peekapoos are fairly low maintnence. There are few health problems associated with Peekapoos. One health problem, however is breathing. It is not uncommon for a peekapoo to experience a spell of breathing difficulty every now and then. As long as their gums and tongue are not a blue shade, then there is no need to take the dog to the veternarian, unless this is a chronic problem. The other problem associated with a peekapoo is tearing of the eyes. Though tear stains seem inevitable, it can become a serious problem if the eyes become swollen or the tear stains are too dark of a color. Light, peach colored tear stains are nothing to worry about unless they become a dark purple/ red color. If this problem occurs, you can simply get eyedrops for your dog

A peekapoo’s fur should be kept short, as their fur becomes matted in a dreadlock very easily. In addition, this prevents tear stains from becoming a problem. Long hair should not be a problem, however, as long as the dog’s fur is brushed once or twice daily. Short or long, though, the fur should be brushed at least once every two days.

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Cats are highly physical creatures that need plenty of healthy physical outlets. Often, cats are adopted with the new owners not fully appreciating the real needs of our feline friends. It is natural for cats to climb, stretch, scratch and pounce. Any owner not understanding this sets up their household for real potential problems.

The happiest cat owners are those that work in concert with their pet’s genetic predispositions. Bringing a new kitten home and expecting it to restrain its natural, God-given urges is a recipe for frustration for both pet and owner alike.

Cat Trees are often made of wood and range in size from 2 to 8 eight feet. The ‘tree limbs’ are typically covered with bark, sisal or carpet. Although they come in many designs from Rustic to Modern, from single piece to modular, they all have the goal of providing ‘Fluffy’ a safe place to romp and play. There is typically a scratch post or posts built in. Some have tunnels which allow the cat to hide. Most have perches so that a cat can watch and observe from on-high. Some of the large units have cat beds for sleeping.

Many owners, frustrated with the expensive cost of their cat clawing the furniture often purchase expensive Cat Tree apparatuses out of desperation. However, they many times find that their cat does not like the Cat Tree, at least not at first (at least not for scratching). Cats that are used to clawing the furniture often resist changing their old habits. There is an element of transition that needs to be planned for to assist ‘Fluffy’ in making the change.

How do you wean a kitty from scratching your furniture to using the cat tree? One suggestion is to do something to start the scratching instinct – pay close attention to their scratching habits during the first few days. Attract your cat’s attention to the cat tree by running a string with a small toy on it up and down the lower part of the cat tree – enough to get their attention. Praise your cat lavishly if he catches on quickly and grabs for the toy, then starts to scratch. Another option is scratch with your own fingernails thereby demonstrating the desired action. Most important, be patient – you cat will get the hang of it.

In summary, Cat Trees are a great tool and if used correctly, will help to bring peace and harmony to your home for you and your kitty. It is my advice to shop around and try to buy an apparatus that will fit in your home and also provide enough variety for your furry pet.

You can get more quality information is this 5-part mini-course called Kitty Health Secrets Mini-Course – http://kittychef.com/kittyhealth

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