Humans and animals are very different creatures.  Anatomically and physiologically dogs and cats differ significantly from humans.  Because pets and people are far from interchangeable from  a pharmacological perspective it  is very understandable why certain drugs are developed for animals only. When your veterinarian is deciding on the right medication for your pet, he is forced to consider a number of factors before writing out the prescription. l.  Does a veterinary product exist to treat the condition.  If a pet-specific product is on the market it will be the standard of care. 2.  If both a veterinary and human product exists, the veterinarian will choose the veterinary product for two reasons. a.  The veterinary-exclusive drugs have the advantage of being made in pet-specific strengths. b.  The veterinary will choose the veterinary product specific for pets as he knows how it will be tolerated by pets. Pet prescriptions can be very confusing, so be sure to discuss with your vet the factors motivating your veterinarian’s choice of medication.  Together, you can be sure your pet is receiving the proper medication.   You can find various petscriptions available for all of Fido needs.

Dogs are known to be man’s best companion.  Traveling with your dog in the car is not a problem as car seats for dogs are available and very popular.  Pet car seats for dogs are suitable for short drives as well as being convenient for long drives or road trips.

Pet Car seats are designed for the safety and security of your dog while traveling.  Most car seats for dogs include a safety belt that is secured in the car and an integral strap for securing the dog.  Look for the car seats that have additional safety straps  that will allow your dog to look out the window while driving.

Select a car seat that is the proper size for your doggy.  Consider the material of the car seat, whether it is machine washable, the color of the seat.  If you live where it is cold you may want to select a car seat for dogs that is made of wool.  The ideal choice of fabric is nylon or cotton material.  The foam used in pet car seats makes your dog feel cozy and comfortable.  A wide variety of car seats have a large seat, non skid rubber, zippered bottoms, removable interior and exterior covers.  You should be able to find just the right pet car seat so your best companion can go with you whether for a short or long drive or even a possible road trip.

Many of the same high quality materials , like memory foam, orthopedic foam and heating elements found in human equivalents now can be found in orthopedic pet beds.

There are many choices in orthopedic dog beds making it very difficult for you to know which one is the correct choice for your dog.  Consider these tips when making your choice.

l.  Be sure to purchase the correct size of bed for your dog.  These beds come in various sizes and it is better to have a bigger bed than a smaller one.  Your dog should be able to fully stretch out while sleeping on the bed without the fear of him falling off.

2.  Do you want your orthopedic dog bed to be heated?    Many of the orthopedic dog beds come with the heated option.   If you have an older dog with arthritis a heated bed can give him much comfort.  The heat will provide him relief from his painful and stiff joints.  If you have a new litter of puppies a heated bed can provide them with warmth and a sense of security especially while mom is away for awhile.

3.  Consider the size and shape you want for your dog bed.  Consider where you are going to put your dog bed and which shape and size can be a space saver for you.

4.  Make sure you purchase a orthopedic dog bed that has a removable and washable cover.  This allows you to keep your dog’s bed fresh smelling and clean from built up dog hair.  This will help keep your dog healthy and happy.

5.  Price is a major consideration.  Some of the higher end orthopedic dog beds can cost several hundred dollars, but remember you get what you pay for.  If these are too expensive you can find some great dog beds for under fifty dollars.  Remember cheaper dog bed may end up costing you more in the long run because they will have to be replaced more often.  A high quality orthopedic dog bed should last for years if you properly take care of them and clean the cover as recommended.  There are replacement covers available for those beds that have removable covers.

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As a pet owner you need to realize that a water bowl plays a big role in the health and well being of your dog.

There are several options to consider when choosing a water bowl.

- Non-skid dog water bowls. It is a good idea to consider a non-skid bowl so it stays in place for your dog when his is drinking.  This will avoid water being spilled all over the floor.

- Fountain Feature bowls boasts a filtration system that could assure that your dog would drink clean water only.  It sets out dirt and other residues and contains a reservoir so you don’t have to fill as often.  This system may promote your dog to drinking more water which in turn means better health.

-Double-diner feature allows food and water to be served at the same time.  This saves space and becomes convenient for your dog.

-Stainless Steel Bowls- If you are looking for durability for your dog’s water bowl a practical option would be stainless steel.  Stainless steel is proven to last longer than plastic and is a very economical choice.

- Elevated Water Bowls – The elevated water bowls are for pet owners who want a water bowl that can be adjusted according to the height of their dog.  This might be a practical choice if you start out with a puppy and then you can adjust the water bowl as your puppy grow into a full size dog.

There are many other dog bowls with distinct features available.  When choosing a water bowl for your dog make functionality a number one consideration.  Remember, dog water bowls are not just a mere container for your dog’s water, but part of his everyday life, so choose one that will work well for him.

Holiday Season is coming and Fido deserves a toy under the tree too.  There are a number of different dog toys available.

-Plush Dog Toys -  come in different sizes and shapes.  From sporting themes to toys that look like hot dogs or donuts, to cars and trains.  Various animal figures such as a cow, horse, sheep or a bird are available in plush dog toys.

- For puppies who are teething and like to chew pick a dog chew toy.  Save your furniture and your house slippers by treating your puppy with a chew dog toy for the holidays.

- The Dog Kong toys are a jawrobics  workout for your dog.  It’s healthy, stimulating nose-t0-tail workout for reflex and every muscle.  A dog treat can be placed inside the Kong Toy which satisfies your dog’s natural need to chew and this helps condition his gums and clean his teeth.

- There are Rubber Chew toys that come in various shapes and can be chilled in a deep freeze and used over again.  These will also comfort your puppy as they are teething.  These rubber toys are non-splintering, non-toxic, non abrasive and does not get sharp when chewed.

When choosing a dog toy it is a must to know what type and size of dog toy is best for your dog.  Choose a toy according to the size of your dog.  Make sure the toy you are considering does not have any small pieces that can fall off from the toy and possibly choke your dog.  Make sure there aren’t any strings that can come unraveled and wrap around his neck.

Brushing and grooming is not a simple task.  Each grooming tool on the market has a specific purpose.  You should become familiar with each application in order to make grooming easier for you and more enjoyable for your dog.

There are various kinds of dog brushes used for grooming and brushing.

- Undercoat rakes – are useful for dogs that shed.  The brush has one row of metal prongs which removes the dead hair from the dog’s undercoat.

- Wire- Pin brushes are excellent for general grooming of small to large dog breeds.  The loose hair in your dog’s coat is lifted out smoothly by the brush and removing any debris from the fur.  A wire – pin brush may also be used to fluff your dog’s coat by brushing against the direction of his hair growth.

- Slicker brushes – are used to remove mats and tangles from your dog’s coat.  This also helps remove the dead hairs from his coat.   Slicker brushes gently stimulates your dog’s skin as the layers of dead skin are taken out leaving the blood to circulate evenly.

Brushing your dog daily or every other day is recommended to remove dead hair form your dog’s coat and clean the surface free of parasites.  Brushing helps keep fleas away.  This slowly builds a bond between you and your dog and brushing will become a desired highlight in your dog’s life.

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A dog collar has several purposes. Identification tags and medical information are often placed on a collar. Dog collars are often used to control a dog manually. Collars are often used in conjunction with a leash for controlling your dog when you go for your walks.

There are basic collar that are usually made of nylon webbing or leather with a buckle or a quick release buckle which fits loosely around the dog’s neck. These basic collars allow identification tags to be attached and also comes with a loop to accommodate a leash.

There are several different collars used for the purpose of training your dog. Each training has its own advantages and disadvantages which you should consider before selection one.
- Flat collars- some dogs can be trained on a leash using a buckle or quick-release collar.
- Slip collars- are a length of chain with rings at either end so the collar can be formed into a loop around the dog’s neck. A leash can be connected to the ring which goes over the back of the dog’s neck. A quick jerk with an immediate release is used to correct the dog.
- The prong collars- are a series of chin links with blunted open ends turned towards the dog’s neck so when the collar is tightened it pinches and the dog naturally restrains from pulling to prevent pain or discomfort.
- The martingale collar- is a no-slip feature collar. It has two loops, the smaller loop is the “control loop” that tightens the larger loop when pulled to prevent dogs from slipping our of the collar.
-shock collars- are electronic training aids developed to deliver an electrical signal, a vibration or a tone through contact points attached to a dog collar.

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There are many various styles and materials used in wood dog houses.

You can find barn style, standard A-frame, or one with flatter roof in case your dog likes to lay on top of his house.  Single slant roof, Duplexes.  Some come with a hinged roof for easy cleaning.

A raised floor is available which would be warmer in the winter and cooler for the summer.  There are optional porches available, some open and some covered so your dog can lounge outside his door.

If you have more than one dog you might like to consider a duplex dog house where the inner panel is optional, allowing you to separate the dogs or let them bunk together.

Cedar is the most popular material for wood dog houses.  You will find some are constructed of fir also.  Wood dog houses are finished to withstand the weather,  of course cedar dog houses would weather nicely.  There are many finishes available if you choose another material.  Some people like their dog houses to match their house and that is also an option if you build a wood dog house yourself.

Pet Carriers on Wheels has a handle that makes it easy to pull.  Some of these will convert to backpacks, car seats and beds.  If you are looking for a multitasking wheeled dog carrier be particular that it has soft sides,  is ergonomically contoured with padded shoulder straps and a safety strap that attaches to your dog’s collar.

More importantly make sure you purchase a wheeled pet carrier that is the proper size for your dog.  Small pet carriers are usually ideal for dogs up to 8 pounds.  Medium carriers are good for dogs up to 15 pounds.  Large carriers holds dogs up to 30 pounds.

The most important question you need to ask yourself when choosing a pet carrier on wheels is whether or not your dog will be comfortable in the carrier.

Don’t leave Fido home when you go on your vacation.  You can travel with Fido comfortably and with peace of mind.

Buy your airline pet carrier a few weeks before you are going to be leaving on your trip.  This will give Fido a chance to check it out and get used to it before using it and this eliminates  stress and fear.

Not every dog carrier is airline approved.  Not every airline dog carrier will be approved on every airline.  Make sure you check on the regulations and requirements of the airline you are flying.

Every airline is different.  Check with your airline for different regulations regarding animals in the cabin and what the extra fee associated with it is.

Do your research before leaving.  Some airlines require a special form to be filled out by your veterinarian before the dog can fly with you.

Give yourself extra time to get through security.  It may take longer with your dog flying with you.

Follow these tips and you should be able to have a great vacation and take Fido with you to make it special for both of you.