TheFinestWriter.com Pet Blog

The domestic cat is still a natural born hunter. How many times have you chanced upon a dead rat, raccoon or other small animals lying at your doorstep, or worse your rugs? Most cat owners cage their cats and do not allow them to go outdoors, while some put on cat bells on their feline friends.

A bell on a cat’s collar can effectively warn off potential prey of your in-house predator.

Some studies have shown that cat bells reduced the delivery of dead preys by as much as 50%. One particular study had a number of cats who wore bells one week and the no bells on the next, alternately for a month. They found that during the period when the cats had a bell on, they took home 118 little animals. On the other hand, during the period where they had no bells on, they took home 226 dead little animals! The same study also reported that 18 out of 21 owners reported fewer cat kills when their pets wore the bell.

However, getting fewer cat kills is not the only reason why you should get cat bells. For one, cats have this very bad habit of sneaking up on you. Cats are known for their stealth and sooner or later, their owners will inadvertently step on them or accidentally kick them away. A cat bell will warn people that their cats are around.

Over the recent years, cat bells have become more and more fashionable. If you are feeling creative, you can buy your cat a bell that has Swarovski crystals on it.

You can also use cat bells to make a cat proof toy for your pet. To make an inexpensive cat toy, you will need about eight cat belles and wool. Cut off about 20 centimeters of wool and put around 4 bells before tying it into a knot. Now get another 20 centimeters of wool and thread this to the four bells already on your first knot. Leave the second thread of wool untied and put more bells on the hanging thread. Your cat will love the sound it makes while it is pulling on the thread!

There are other things you can do with cat bells. So you see, cat bells are not just useful in letting you know where your cat is, or scare off potential preys. Make it into a cat toy that is good for hours and hours of pure bonding. Or better yet, make it into a fashion statement, both for you and your beloved cat!

Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23241007@N00/262640586/sizes/m/in/photostream

How do you protect your family and your pets from infection?

Pets carry germs, bacteria, parasites, virii, and fungi that may be transmitted to humans and make them sick. These are usually transferred when they have been bitten, or they come in contact with your pet’s saliva, waste or dander.

There are things you should do to still keep your furry friends and protect your kids at the same time. For one, before buying a pet, make sure that you are buying it from a reputable breeder, and that they have all of their animals vaccinated. When you have chosen and bought your pet, you should bring it to your trusted veterinarian and have them vaccinated as well. The vaccination will ensure that your pets are kept healthy and will not pass any sickness to your kids.

A healthy and nutritious diet will be a good way to keep your pets healthy, for this, I recommend Whole Life’s line of pet foods. They offer delicious, safe and nutritious meals for their pets. Never give raw meat to your pets. This may be a source of infection. In addition, be sure to provide fresh and clean water for your pets.

You can also boost your pets’ immune system by giving them Transfer Factor. Transfer Factor is an immune system boosting supplement that is safe for dogs, cats, and even humans! Now here’s the thing, I have asked my vet about Transfer Factor and he told me that it actually teaches your immune system to find out which agents are infectious or not. It then fights those that it finds infectious. Transfer Factor is safe because aside from being approved for human use, it is also made of all natural substances, including colostrum, mushroom and noni. There are no unidentifiable chemicals that could harm your furry friends!

Not only is Transfer Factor a great way to boost your pets’ immune system, but it also helps your pets fight cancer, and gives relief from upper respiratory tract infection, colds, and injuries.

If you are one of those people who think that your dogs are better off naked, think again. Over the years, dog coats have become more and more popular among pet owners and the dogs alike. Here are the reasons why:

The Paris-Hilton-and-Tinkerbell Reason– Glamour and style seem to be what of the “in” thing nowadays. If you are one of those people who spend thousands of dollars for clothing annually, you probably know the value of looking good: confidence, being more presentable and being fashionable. The same reason could apply to your dogs.

A dog coat could add a touch of elegance to your furry friends, especially if you buy them quality dog coats that are made of durable, washable and really cool materials.

Protecting your dog from insect bites — If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, playing with other dogs, or accompanying you on a hiking trail, a dog coat would protect them from insect bites. For some, insect bites and bee stings can cause allergies. A dog coat would be able to minimize the chances of avoiding these.

Dogs like it dry — Most dogs do not like the feeling of being wet, so after you give them a bath, or if they have been caught in the rain, dog coats can help them keep dry. There are dog coats or robes available that are very absorbent, but there are dog bath robes specifically made for drying the dog you just bathed!

What’s more, drying your dogs with a dog robe can prevent too much shedding. If you use a hair dryer on your dog’s fur, the heat can cause its skin to dry out and increase hair loss.

Treating infections and wounds — Dog robes also help you ensure that ointments, salves and other treatments you put on your dog’s infections and wounds stay there. This will prevent soiling your furniture, floor, carpet, or you yourself. Dog robes act as gauze that keeps the ointments in.

Chlamydia is a sexually-transmitted disease that humans may contract but it affects cats as well. How?

The bacteria that cause chlamydia, chlamydis, is a common and well-known cause of respiratory tract infections that causes your cat to have nasal congestion, runny nose and runny eyes. The infection affects the lungs and subsequently causes pneumonia.

If your cat has chlamydia, you are one of the many pet owners who wrestle with the problem since it is very common. Symptoms mimic those of the flu: sneezing, clear discharge from the nose and runny eyes. It is also a common cause of pneumonia among kittens, causing them to stop feeding and die in short order.

Veterinarians used to prescribe Vibravet to treat cats’ Chlamydia, but Vibravet takes four weeks to cure it and for many pet owners, that is already too long.. The good news is:there is Azithromax Antibiotic, also known as Z Pak.

Azithromax Antibiotic or Z Pak is a new antibiotic that works faster than Vibravet; some cats get well with only one dose. What is more is that Azithromax Antibiotic also works effectively against chronic rhinitis and sinusitis in cats.

Azithromax Antibiotic may be very expensive, but it works really well with very little dosage. You only need 20 mg of Azithromax Antibiotic for every kilogram of your cat’s body weight. Often times, it works after one or two dosages.

A note of warning though: there are cats that receive the treatment and seem to get better after only one dose but may recur after a few weeks time. Keep the Azithromax Antibiotic handy because you may need it soon. Also, you may want to consult your veterinarian before starting your cat on a drug treatment, just to be sure that you get the proper dosage and be informed of any contraindications it may have.

Try to find out also if there are other cats or humans infected with chlamydia. Chlamydia may exist dormant in cats, so even if one of your other cats do not exhibit the symptoms, it may still have the disease and may be a cause for recurrence for the cat you treated in the first place. Human infections can also go undetected for some time, but be sure to consult your doctor first before treating human chlamydia.

Lastly, there are online pharmacies that sell Azithromax Antibiotic. They are largely less expensive, but take note that there are some online outlets that sell fake drugs. Some import the drug and do not carry stocks in their inventory, which means you would have to wait for a long time before it could get to your house.

If you are having a rough time deciding on a specific collar available for sale or you have a specific design in mind, you can opt to have your dog collars custom made. You can have the best of both worlds by choosing Swarovski crystals along with metal studs, or using a leather collar with whatever comes to mind. This makes your dog’s collar unique.

Custom made collars are the rage right now, and we offer you some simple designs for your dog collars:

Collars that exude simple elegance. Simplicity is beauty. That is true even with dog collars but that does not mean that your dog would have to do away with bling. Dog owners now have the option to have their pets’ collars studded with rhinestones, pearls and even Swarovski crystals. A lot of owners opt for Swarovski crystals because these are shiny, simple and elegant. What’s more, you can mix and match different colors of crystals to come up with your own design!

Collars that offer protection. As most dog owners know, collars also offer protection. One popular kind is the flea-and-tick collar. These types of collars reduce the amount of bites on pets significantly, and saving the animal from infestation. Right now, even flea-and-tick collars are made attractive. Also, more and more flea-and-tick collars now come with a hypoallergenic agent to reduce the incidents of dermatitis or allergies.

There are even some collars that offer more forms of protection for your dogs. Some collars come with designs of your favorite saint’s pictures, or inlaid with lodestones. Usually, however, these are separated from the collar itself and are placed on amulets or the dog’s ID tag.

Designer collars. Aside from crystals and semi-precious stones, you can use the Louis Vuitton or Ralph Lauren logos to up your dog’s fashionista quotient. There are manufacturers that have custom leather bearing these designs.

Materials matter. Choosing the materials that you use for your collar is a good place to start when customizing dog collars. Make sure to go for durable materials that your dog is not allergic to. Also, some dogs love to chew on leather!

Every year, thousands of pets are killed or fall sick because of poisoning. The thing is most of these cases involve everyday household items. It is common sense that a lot of the things we leave lying around the house may be very dangerous and highly toxic to our pets.

Every year, various animal poison control centers in the country field thousands of calls involving pets being exposed to:

1. Human Prescription Medications – painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and even dietary supplements. Pets usually get these from counters, nightstands, and those unwittingly dropped on the floor.
   
2. There are also times when pet drugs are also the cause of pet poisoning, specifically if they have been improperly given to pets. 
3. Pesticides and Insecticides – Bug repellants should be kept hidden. However, one would be surprised to learn that the chemicals that we use for our pets are the ones that are usually harmful. Some flea and tick shampoos have pesticides in them that our pets could ingest. We might also be using the wrong topical cream. Make sure to ask your veterinarian which is right for your pet. For bug repellents, use an all natural insect repellant like Buh-Bye Bugs.
   
4. Some other chemicals like antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners, and evening cleaning products are also poisonous to pets. They can cause gastrointestinal upset, respiratory difficulties, depression, and chemical burns.
   
5. Fertilizers are also a common culprit for pet poisoning. If you let your dogs and cats roam in your garden or any places outdoors, make sure that they are not able to reach your fertilizers.

6. Human Food – Certain foods like grapes, avocado, citrus fruits, and chocolates could poison your pets. These foods can cause diarrhea, vomiting, panting, over urination, excessive thirst, hyperactivity, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, and tremors. 

7. Plants – Believe it or not, common houseplants also causes poisonings. If you have azalea, sago palm, lilies, and schefflera, consider getting rid of them. Lilies (I have found out first-hand) are really toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure.
   
8. Heavy Metals – Lead, zinc, mercury, and other heavy metals can also poison your pets.

What to do when you suspect your pet has ingested a poisonous substance? Contact your vet immediately! Try to identify which poison your pet has ingested, and if you can bring some samples to your vet, do so. This will make sure that your vet will know the antidote and the procedures that need to be done. If you have baking soda and vodka, try it as a first aid. Using a syringe, drip the vodka down to your pet’s throat and then give the baking soda to reduce the acidity of the poison.

If you are far away from your vet, call the Animal Poison Center at (888) 426-4435. Be advised that there is $60 fee for the service. They will have information ready for you on what to do when your pet needs a poison first aid.

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Pet owners love to show their pets around. And in this age where you could set up a blog in a matter of seconds, many pet lovers have taken to the Internet to show their beloved pets’ photos.

Photographs of your pet not only shows how much you love them, but also preserve their moments for a long time. What is more, if you have a friend who is a pet lover, then you can take pictures of his or her pets, frame it and then give it as a gift.

However, not everyone will get to appreciate a bad and candid shot of your dog. Here are some ways to make your pet photos stand out.

1. Look at what others have done.
Take time to browse other people’s blogs and view photos on sites like Flickr. This will give you an idea on what makes a good photograph, or where the best location should be, or what is cute and beautiful. Try to replicate the best shots you see.
 
2. Consider your pet’s personality.
If you have a lazy dog who always sleeps, then it would probably make more sense to set up your camera near or around its bed. If it loves food, then consider taking a snap shot of it while it is feeding. If you have an active and sporty cat, then maybe it is best to take it outside and capture some moments of it chasing a squirrel or undoing a ball of yarn.

 
3. Remember comfortable locations, plain backgrounds and high contrasts work best.
If you have a cat with white fur, then perhaps you could use a red background so that your pet will not blend in. If you have a special place, like the sofa where you and your pet spend a lot of time together, then use it as your location. This will give you the chance to get photos that you can look back on in the future, while also giving your pet a comfortable location to be photographed in. The result? A more natural setting for your photographs.

 
4. Close ups.
When framing your shot, remember that pets are smaller than humans, and being around humans, they tend to be lost in the frame. So you should always get in closer. This also means that you should also get on the floor, so that you could shoot them at eye level. This way, you shoot pictures from your pet’s perspective not yours.

5. Dress them up!
If you have a great dog jacket, then by all means, have your dog wear it. Nothing is cuter than a cat with great baby tees and elegant cat bells posing for a photograph!

There you go. As with anything, do not be discouraged when your pets’ photos do not come out the way you wanted it. Practice makes perfect and with today’s digital cameras it is not only easy to practice, but shooting can be economical as well. Take lots and lots of photos and choose the best ones to share on Flickr or perhaps to print out and frame.