Pet insurance is a win-win proposition for both owner and pet. Our pets can be assured the best medical treatments while owners can be assured of not going broke. Pet insurance is still a relatively new concept to pet owners. According to statistics released by Veterinary Pet Insurance of Anaheim, CA and Petshealth Insurance only 1% or less of pets in the United States are covered by insurance compared to 22% in England, 45% in Sweden, and 20% in Canada.

Industry experts recommend investing in insurance while your pet is still young because, just as our health insurance plans do, most pet insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions. The good news is that today there are several pet insurance plans to choose from. Companies like Veterinary Pet Insurance, the pioneer of pet insurance in the U.S., Pet Assure, and Embrace Pet Insurance are some of the better known in the industry.

Of course rates and plans vary from carrier to carrier. Similar to our insurance system some plans limit your choice of veterinarian to those participating in the network, while others allow you a choice (albeit for a higher price) of veterinarian. You can expect to pay anywhere from $60-$300 a year depending on your dog’s age and health. But hey – isn’t your pet’s health worth it?

RESCUE REMEDY
 
Rescue Remedy is totally natural + contains five of the 38 Bach ® Flower Essences:  Rock Rose for terror + panic, Impatiens for irritation +  impatience, Clematis for inattentiveness, Star of Bethlehem for shock + Cherry Plum for irrational thoughts.

DOGSWELL MELLOW MUT 
 
Dogswell Mellow Mut dog treats are made from all natural, cage-free chicken breast jerky treats with chamomile, lavender + antioxidants support feelings of contentment and are great for stressed out and anxious dogs.  Low in fat + rich in protein. 
Ingredients - Chicken Breast, Vitamin E Supplement, Chamomile, Clover, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Linden Flower, Oyster Shell Flour.

The Martingale dog collar is the most effective, safe, and humane collar we’ve found that gives you added control over your dog. Safer to use than a choke chain, the dog collar tightens only up to a certain point to get the dog’s attention and then stops—never choking. Choose from red, blue, blaze orange, green, black. Unlike other dog collars, the measurement taken for the Martingale dog collar is at the top of the neck, directly behind the ears, to correspond with the size of the collar in the closed position.  Check it out:

Personalized Dog Collar

Find more personalized dog collars:

Top Paw? Personalized Adjustable Nylon Dog Collars 

Finding the right dog groomer for your dog is not always easy. So when looking for a new salon for you precious pooch, it pays to take the time to check them out in person first. And here’s why.

I traveled a lot while writing my book and visited many grooming salons. I was shocked when I toured a popular facility. As soon as I entered the place I smelled dog, then as I was brought past the dog grooming room I was surprised to see a layer of hair clippings on the floor that were at least an inch thick. It was obvious that the room had not been swept all day. It would probably be a safe guess that if they couldn’t even take a few minutes to sweep the floor, they probably weren’t giving the doggie clients the attention they deserve.

Here are some tips that should help you with finding the right dog groomer for your four-legged friend.

• Cleanliness. Does the facility smell clean? Are there dog hair trimmings all over the floor?
• Cages. Are the cages large enough for your dog? Cages should also be made from a material such as stainless steel that can be cleaned with bleach. Are there enough cages for all dogs, or must dogs share with others?
• Are the dog groomers formally trained?
• Length of time for grooming. According to most groomers “Four hours is the standard.” And most add, “Be suspect of one-hour in and out service. Your dog is not being handled the way you want.”
• Does the dog groomer use good/high quality product? If you bring them a specific product will they use it? Don’t be afraid to check up on them.
• Does your dog groomer allow you to stay and watch? This policy varies with dog groomers. If your dog groomer does not allow visitors, ask why. Some have very good reasons, others don’t.

Recommended Grooming Products:

Furminator De-shedding Tool For Dogs

Earthbath Shampoo For Dogs

There’s nothing worse than watching your beloved dog scratch endlessly because of these creatures - except maybe the horrible feeling of guilt you get when you decide to place harsh chemicals on your pet to get rid of these bloodsuckers. Luckily I have discovered a few natural home remedies for fleas:

Top Home Remedies for preventing fleas:

Garlic - You like garlic on your food don’t you? Well so might your pet. Minced raw or lightly fried garlic added to your dog or cat’s food not only enhaces the flavor, the garlic will also stave off fleas once it’s in your pet’s system.

Cedar Chips - Cedar chips added to your pet’s sleeping area not only keeps odors away, it also keeps fleas at bay!

Yeast - Do you or any of your friends brew beer at home? If so you might have some brewer’s yeast around. Sprinkle a bit on your dog’s food. It’s healthy and also wards off those dreaded parasites.

Citronella and Eucalyptus oils used around the house can provide a pleasant smell that fleas hate too!

Shampoo your dogs with natural and safe products and brush them regularly. Remove any fleas on site. Regular canine hygiene along with the home remedy for fleas above will help reduce the need to resort to harsh chemicals sprays, flea collars and toxic shampoos.

Save on your pet’s medications at 1-800-PetMeds.  We guarantee the lowest prices on Frontline, Heartgard, Advantage, and all your pet’s health care needs. Get volume discounts and free shipping on orders over $39.

Disclaimer: Of course, please check with your veterinarian - before starting any course of home remedy. The remedies presented here have been collected from many people and places and are for information purposes only.

(c) All About Dog Care

K9 Advantix 12 Pk Blue Dog Over 55 Lbs

Everyone is well aware of the irritation that fleas can cause our dogs, as well as pesky mosquitoes spreading heartworm disease. But another problem parasite that can cause lots of problems for your dog is the tick.

In the United States, there are less than a dozen species of ticks to deal with, but all of these ticks can harbor a variety of serious diseases, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
Adult ticks will climb to the top of a blade of grass or the edge of a leaf lying on the ground and wait for their potential host. When they sense movement, ticks can climb on to your dog.

Once on your dog, the tick will begin feeding. The tick’s mouthparts are designed to make removal difficult. Ticks can feed on 200 to 600 times their body weight in blood and may take several days to finish eating. It is during this blood meal that ticks can spread a number of diseases to their host.

The best way to prevent fleas and ticks from bugging you dog is to start a flea and tick control regimen early (year-round in the south).  Fleas and ticks are much easier to prevent than to get rid of once they’ve gotten on your dog.

Here are some of the Best Selling Flea & Tick Products from 1-800-PetMeds

Jumping up on the bed or getting into the car can be nearly impossible for small, older, or injured dogs. And while it is easy to lift a small dog up on the bed or into the car, trying to hoist a large dog into the back of a SUV or van can darn near impossible.

If your dog:

• pitifully places her two fron paws on the tailgate looking for a boost
• just stands there looking longingly at the car 
• or nearly kills herself trying to jump in

Your dog needs a dog ramp.

Did you know that jumping in and out of a SUV or van can cause more pain for dogs suffering from arthritis or hip dysplasia? Yet most dogs would rather suffer than be left behind.  A dog ramp reduces the trauma on the joints caused by jumping in and out of the car.

And here’s a great bonus — helping your dog helps you — a dog ramp eliminates the sore backs that you might get from lifting your beloved dog into the car.

Related Links:

Dog Auto Travel from PetSmart.com

Super Lightweight Dog Ramp

I found the ultimate couch cover. It has an extended back panel and arm guards which is great because if your dog is like my Koda, your sleeping dog likes to rest her head on the arm rest. Its made from microsuede blend fabric which I know from experience with my other shepherds is ultra durable and machine washable (an absolute must), it also protects your sofa from dog hair, doggie odor, and moisture. And very cool it has a built-in bolster that makes a super comfortable pillow.

Deluxe Couch Guardian

Organic Dog Toys

The FURminator’s claim to fame is that it reduces shedding up to 90% and does not damage the top coat like traditional shedding blades can.  It works awesome and really does remove a ton of hair, but you do have to be careful not to brush too hard so you don’t damage your dog’s skin.  Awesome product!

Check it out for yourself:

 The FURminator deShedding Tool at Orvis

FURminator deShedding Tool

Also be sure to smell your dog’s ears. A foul or sour odor indicates a problem like an ear infection, ear mites, or even fleas or ticks.  If you think your dog might have an ear infection, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.  Letting your dog’s ear infection go can result in a severe infection or even deafness.

When you are cleaning your dog’s ears only use a gentle solution.  Never use soap and water or alcohol.  Never use Q-tips, or any other cotton tipped swab as these can push dirt further into your dog’s ears creating a bigger problem.  You can also hurt your dog’s ear canal.

Dogs with floppy ears are very prone to ear infections, as there is hardly any  air circulation around the ear so it is even more important to check your dog’s ears weekly. 

Here are some symptoms of a possible ear infection:

• Your dog shakes his head
• Your dog paws or scratches his ear a lot
• You notice your dog tilts his head to the side
• Your dog’s ear smells bad (can indicate a dog ear yeast infection)
• You notice a heavy wax buildup when cleaning your dog’s ears
• You see fleas or ticks in the ear
• You notice your dog’s ear is red and immflamed
• Your dog’s ears are moist

If you notice any of these problems it’s best to get your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you can to avoid a worse problem.

Here is one of my favorite cleansers that I use for Koda’s ears:

Ark Natuals Ears All Right

More Great Ear Care Products

So I’ve learned one thing about Koda pretty quickly - she’s definitely a chewer.  Sadly it didn’t take her long to shred Wanda’s dog beds.  So I went on the hunt for a chew proof dog bed that would stand up to the Koda test. 

As you probably know I’m really like Orvis dog products so here’s what I found there:

The ToughChew Bolster Bed which is supposed to be great for the dogs that love to chew. This bolster bed offers comfort with two layers of 1,000-denier nylon for the ultimate in chew resistance. The soft, wraparound bolster provides a sense of safety and security; high-lofting virgin polyester stuffing stays odor-free and comfortable for years. And the most important factor of all:  the cover is washable.  A washable cover is an absolute must in a dog bed to control odors, dander, and pests.  Check them out below:

ToughChew Bolster Bed

They also have other styles in addition to the bolster style dog bed:

 ToughChew Dog’s Nest

or try the

Dog Bed Selector

5 Reasons To Get Your Dog a Nice, Comfy Bed

1. Your dog may not be human, but he is still your best friend and deserves to be treated that way. Would you want to live without a bed?

2. Dogs come to know what is theirs. Giving your dog his own bed provides your faithful friend with a place to feel safe and secure.

3. Beds provide support and comfort for your canine’s bones and joints. This is particularly important for our older furry companions.

4. Additionally a dog bed insulates your dog from cold floors in the winter and warm floors in summer.

5. Since most dogs really do prefer their own bed to yours, it keeps them off your bed - saving a bunch of money on sheets and comforters.

3 Things To Look For In A Dog Bed

There are hundreds of dog beds you can buy. Some are great and some aren’t so great.
We have tried hundreds through the years: There was the one Berry tore up in an hour, the one that Robin felt was a toilet, those that lost their cushioning after a few uses, and those that looked horrible after a measly week.

If you want your dog to be totally comfortable and you want to save time and money in the long run — Don’t buy any dog bed unless it has the following three features:

Removable cover - one that is machine washable or drycleanable (for luxury dog beds). This is a MUST unless you call stinky dog smell aromatherapy.  Plus if you or someone in your home is allergic to dogs, frequent washing of dog beds can help tons.

A “high-memory” poly-fill. Have you ever had a nice fluffy pillow turn into a pancake overnight? The same thing can happen to your canine friend’s bed.

Hate to say it, but you’re going to have to spend a few bucks.
Have you ever found yourself trying to save money trying to save money on something only to find that you have to replace it a month later? A dog bed is one of those things that is better to spend the money on up front to save money down the road. But even more importantly, you’re dog will be more comfortable, your room will look and smell better, and you will save time and money in the long run.
What Size Dog Bed?

Typically the best way to find the right size bed is to measure your dog while he/she is lying down.

Measure from nose to rear end and add 10-12 inches or if your canine likes to curl up measure the longest distance across.

If you are unsure pick the larger size - better your dog have a little extra room than try to squeeze into a tiny spot or not use the bed at all.

Our Favorite Dog Beds:

Bagel Dog Bed From Orvis

or try the Dog Bed Selector

Dog Beds from PetSmart.com