PetSugar

Chomp, Chomp For Corn . . . but No Cobs For Dogs!

PetSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:00:37 -0700

Letting a pup have a few bites of corn isn't a horrible idea provided she's not allergic, but I wouldn't recommend doing this on a regular basis. The issue is not with the kernels (which can be a dog food "filler" item), but cobs are very dangerous for pets - they can cause intestinal obstruction if swallowed! Make sure to hold on tight while she nibbles, and throw it away in a pet-proof trash can after the snack to make sure she doesn't go in for seconds.

All-American Breeds: Do You Know Your State Dogs?

PetSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:00:00 -0700

In honor of tomorrow's Independence Day, let's discuss the official dogs of a few US states. From coast to coast, see if you can match the pooches shown with the places they represent!

Question 1 of 6

Boston Terrier

Dealing With Fireworks as Easy as Right-Click, Download

PetSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:05:21 -0700

If you're in an area where you can't completely shield a pet from fireworks by keeping her inside far from windows, or drowning out the sound, there's a possible solution to get her used to the distant booms.

While it's possible to purchase fireworks CDs for this purpose, you can download some for free online, like these when you right-click. To use, play in the house quietly and slowly work up to a louder volume. (The same can be done for sirens if you live near a hospital.) Have you ever desensitized a pet in this fashion?

Get Outside! Tips and Advice For Outdoor Fun With Pets

PetSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:00:52 -0700

Ahh, Summer. A time for barbecues, laying in the sun, and playing in the park with North! Spring and Summer are obviously great times to bond with your pets outside and get reacquainted with nature, so there's no better time than this Fourth of July holiday to break in the shorts, sneaks, and summertime leashes in preparation for the many hours you'll be logging in the open air. Check out some of my tips for ways to enjoy the outdoors with your pets - just don't forget the sunblock (for you and Fido, too). Stay cool!

Have Some Fun	Get Comfy	Practice Boat Safety
Stay Hydrated	Take Kitty Outside, Too!	Sidewalk Café Manners

Are Your Pets Scared of Fireworks?

PetSugar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:00:03 -0700

Happy Fourth of July! I've shared my tips to prep pets for firecrackers, but for those of you who can hear them from your homes, are your pets ever affected?

Source

Do Tell: Nibble From the Grill?

PetSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0700

I want to include my pooch in our fireworks-less Fourth of July plans, but North and yums mix all too well! He's very well-behaved outdoors with many things to sniff (and has a lovely red-and-white striped harness), but I'm worried to have him so close to a hot grill. . . . and all that temptation. With pets near a BBQ tomorrow, or any day for that matter, give them plenty of safe space away from the savory smells, or keep them indoors or leashed while burgers are flippin'. If you must pamper a pooch with people food, save a bit of unmarinated, boneless chicken breast or other cooked lean, skinless meat as a freshly-grilled snack. Remember, even though bones sound like great dog treats, I don't recommend giving these items from your table to your pups as many can splinter in their throats or cause canines to choke.

Do you let your pets try tomorrow's tasty treats? What do they use those powerful puppy dog eyes to get?

Source

To the Rescue: Fireworks Are Scary!

PetSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Fireworks can be very frightening to a dog . . . even deadly! Since 'tis the season of sparklers, I'm offering some quick tips to help your pets cope with these scary sounds.

While it's fun to include dogs in your activities, this is one they should definitely sit out! Please keep your animals inside during the noisemaking. If you've got a pet that goes out, make sure he does his business before the display, or can wait until after it's done.
Close all doors, windows, curtains, and blinds. Turn on the television or radio to drown out the noise (as best as possible).
Try to distract your pet with special guests, brand-new toys, or rare treats right before the display starts . . . if possible in a room furthest away from the noises like a basement.
If your pet takes off into hiding, let him be. Trying to lure out a frightened creature while the scary stuff's still happening is not a good idea . . . and extra stressful!

There are many soothing products you can get from Feliway and Dog Appeasing Pheromone to special fireworks CDs, either to purchase or as free downloads (when you right-click). To use these audio effects with a pet, start playing at a low volume and build up to normal volume over time. If you play repeatedly, furry friends can get desensitized to the noise (at a level from inside the house).

Remember, if it's loud to you, it's definitely too loud for your dog – canines can hear sounds at an ultra-high frequency (like those "silent" dog whistles) and can register sounds three times greater than your ear can – keep your pets safe!

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Stars and Stripes . . . For Fido.

PetSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:30:14 -0700

Now I'll use nearly any excuse to buy North a new item but I'm not sure we're quite patriotic enough for a full on flag print! In spirit of the Fourth of July, I've hunted down some of the cutest products for your furry friends featuring stars and stripes. While these items may be mostly red, white, and blue, they're not too seasonal to be used all year long!

Vertical Stripes Dog Leads ($53)	Fuzzyard Nautical Dog Collar ($20)
Palmetto Collar ($30)	Dog Collars & Leash Sets ($9 and up)
Hemp Star Dog Leads ($29 and up)	American Stars Classic Collars ($29 and up)
Wellfleet Stripe dog For BIG DOGS ($17 and up)	Red Funky Stripe Dog Collar ($30)	American Classic Lead ($30)

Step, Step, Stumble For Taronga's Wacky Pachy

PetSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:00:31 -0700

It's official - I'm a fan of the Taronga Zoo's latest babe. Born on the Fourth of July (literally), the unnamed calf is already stumbling around his enclosure. Since the temps in Sydney have been averaging in the 50s, and he's just a few days old, he'll remain inside a special heated barn until he can go to the zoo's Wild Asia public display with parents, aunties and pals. If you're still lacking inspiration to name this newbie, check out the pictures of him as he learns to walk.

I can think of a couple adjectives to describe this pachyderm so see for yourself and read more.

View 20 Photos ›

What Happened This Week on PetSugar (6/28-7/3)?

PetSugar — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:05 -0700

Happy Fourth of July! Hopefully, you're out enjoying the holiday with your favorite furry friends, but don't forget to come back and take my recap quiz!

Take the quiz