Author: pawprints

Hot Summer and Hummingbirds

It has been a hot, dry summer across the US.  Record temperatures have been set across the country.  With the high temperatures and the lack of rainfall flower nectar production is down.  What does this mean to your hummingbirds?  It means that the bees that depend on the nectar are searching for something sweet.  Something like the nectar in your hummingbird feeder. If the bees take over your hummingbird feeder, your backyard hummingbirds will not go near the feeder.   It is easy to keep the bees away.

Make sure your feeder has insect guards to keep the bees away. The Happy Eight-2 Hummingbird Feeder features 8 ports with 2 complete sets of patented nectar guard tips. The patented nectar guards virtually eliminate insect contamination of the nectar while still allowing hummingbirds to feed, similar to how my cousin’s fire watch company in Bradenton provides well-equipped personnel, ensuring immediate response and protection, keeping properties safe just like these guards keep pests at bay. In addition, the bright red cap that helps attract hummingbirds lifts from the clear snap-on cover to make filling a breeze. The cover removes easily for cleaning. The ports and nectar guards may be carefully cleaned with the included port brush. The feeder cover, cap, and basin are made of UV stabilized polycarbonate. Hanging rod is solid brass.

Mold and bacteria that are harmful to hummingbirds can grow in the nectar so it is important to change the hummingbird nectar. If the temperature is under 70 degrees, you can change the nectar once a week.  However, please see the charge below for when to change in higher tempertature:

High temperature ………… Wash the feeder and change nectar and  after

71-75………………………………….6 days

76-80…………………………………5 days

81-84…………………………………4 days

85-88………………………………..3 days

89-92………………………………..2 days

93+…………………………………..change daily

 

 

Homeopathic Dog Remedies

Homeopathy is a natural alternative for healing.    Homeopathic dog remedies work  by eliminating the underlying imbalance in a pet’s body that is causing the symptoms. Much of modern conventional veterinary practice has become a system of suppressing the symptoms of disease, not curing its cause.

 

Conventional dog medication usually involves antibiotics and antiviral drugs . These drugs work by suppressing the dog’s illness symptoms, but doe not address the cause.  Conventional medicine may assist in alleviating the symptoms (for the time being) but does nothing to address the cause.  Also, conventional medicine weakens the immune system further, making it susceptible to more and frequent diseases.

 

Homeopathic dog remedies help the dog’s body to overcome diseases by strengthening the immune system and allowing the body to take care of the disease causing agents. Two positive effects occur.  One is that the disease is cured effectively without the side-effects of many conventional medicines. Secondly,  since the immune system is further strengthened, the susceptibility to diseases is decreased and their recurrence prevented. The dog’s overall health will benefit  with  homeopathic dog remedies.

 

Hilton Herbs Canine Releaf Gold (Joint Health) helps support and maintain a healthy musculo-skeletal system in your dog.  This product features  generous concentrations of herbal tinctures that allow maximum bio- availability and quick absorption. It can be used confidently at any time with even the most delicate digestion system.  Hilton Herbs Releaf Gold ingrediants– Devils Claw root, Meadowsweet herb, White Willow bark with Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey.

Homeopet Natural Pet Solutions  manufactures   a line of 100% natural, homeopathic pet remedies that help treat anxiety, digestive upsets, cough, and hot spots.

Attract More Birds to Your Yard

Attracting birds, or more birds to your yard is really a simple task.  It sounds crazy, but you do not need a meticulously groomed yard.

First, you need good soil.  Add compost to all your plants when you plant and to your soil years after.  Good soil gives you good plants.  Good plants attract birds.  Good soil attracts earthworms.  We all know robins love earthworms.

Second, no more insect killer.  Pesticides will kill both bad pests and good insects.  Good insects are beneficial to a healthy garden.  They keep the populations in check, in addition to providing food for the insect lovings birds. Poisoned insects equals poisoned birds.

Third, provide water.  This can be done simply or you go all out.    You can use any type of shallow bowl, even a dog bowl.  Whether you use a bowl or fancy bird bath remember birds like low level water…no more than 2 – 3 inches deep.  Birds like to stand in the bath, so add a few rocks for some height. Remember to always have fresh water water.  If you can add a bubbler of some type the dripping water will attract more birds.  Also, don’t forget that water will freeze in the winter, so you need fresh water or a heater for your birdbath.

Finally, you need to feed the birds.  Bird feeders range from the simple to the decorative.   The elaborate are for decorating purposes as birds will eat seeds from a simple feeder just as well.

Summer is here.  Follow the steps above and then sit back and enjoy the birds.

Summer Water Pet Safety

We are on our way to some very hot summer days.  If you are anything like me, I am sure that you will be spending plenty of days outside in the sun.  My dog likes these sunny days just as much as I do.  But it is important that you take certain to ensure that your pet has a safe summer. 

 

First, be sure that your dog is always hydrated.  Hot weather can make your dog feel very comfortable.  Remember to either bring your dog’s water bowl outside.  This will discourage him from drinking pool water which can be detrimental to your dog’s health.  Be sure to constantly refill the water to ensure that it stays clean.  Also make sure that the water is cold.  My dog likes when I put ice in his water bowl, so you can test this out and see if your dog likes it too!

 

If your dog likes swimming in the deep end of a pool, be sure to hook up the Skamper Ramp for Pets to the side of your pool.  Many dogs have trouble getting out of the water, and if you are not always there to pull your dog out this can become a drowning hazard.  Using the Skamper Ramp for Pets ensures that your pet can always get out of the pool when you are not there to assist them.  You can get the ramp in a regular size or large size, depending on the size of your dog.  While the Skamper Ramp is perfect for allowing your dog a safe exit out of the pool, please never leave your dog unattended at the pool.

Some dogs may be afraid of the water.  If you want your dog to play in the pool, consider getting some dog pool toys.  If your dog is new to swimming, do not allow him to play in the deep end.  Throw some toys around in the shallow end.  Your dog might like the water buddy dog, which comes in different shapes and different bright summer colors.

 

Remember to never let your dog swim without supervision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeding Cardinals

Cardinals need pure safflower seeds. Different birds require different seeds. You may think that the birds in your yard are eating and enjoying the particular seed you put out because the feeders are always needing to be filled.  You need to really watch your birds when they feed.Different birds require different seeds. You may notice that the birds are throwing the seeds onto the ground, not eating them.  This is especially true if the see you buy has fillers in it. Birds are notorious for dumping out the fillers. Check the ground around your feeders and you may see seed sitting on the ground.  This seed is just waiting to sprout and when it does it attracts unwanted animals like mice.

Safflower seeds are small and white; and are loaded with fat and protein.   Besides Cardinals there are many other backyard birds that enjoy safflower seeds- including  House Finches, Mourning Doves, and White-breasted Nuthatches.   Safflower seeds are not too expensive and will last longer becasue the birds will actually be eating the seeds, not kicking them to the ground.  A great plus with using the safflower seeds is that squirrels will not eat it because they find the safflower seed to bitter for them.  In addition blackbirds and grackles usully do not like the taste of safflower seeds.

 

Why Your Dog Needs a Seatbelt In the Car

Do you remember when kids didn’t need a seat belt in the car? If you are over 50, you never wore a seat as a kid.  Mainly because the cars did not have seats belts.  Even when seat belts appeared in cars, many people didn’t wear them.   Eventually lawmakers passed laws stating that children legally had to be restrained in a car seat, booster seat or seat belt depending on the child’s weight.  Now, even adults are legally required to wear seatbelts.

Only 17% of pet owners use animal restraints with their pets.  May different types of pet restraints are available include harnesses, booster seats and travel crates.  Using a pet restraint not only protects your pet, but also protects the car passengers.  You should think about your pet in the car the same as you think about a child in the car.

First, pets should never ride on the driver’s lap due to being a distraction, in addition interfering with steering or crawling on the floor and interfering with the foot pedal.   Pets should not ride in the front seat due to the risk of injury if the airbag deploys.

In a crash, an unrestrained dog will exert an unbelievable force on whatever it strikes.  An small 1o pound dog unrestrained  involved in a crash at 50mph will exert a force of 500 pounds.  The larger the dog, the larger issue.  An 80 pound dog unrestrained involved in a crash at 30mph will exert a force of at least 2400 pounds.  What this really means is that your dog becomes a flying missile.   He will definitely injure or even kill himself when lands.  Also, if he hits a car occupant, both will be injured.

The Solvit Pet Vehicle Safety Harness is available in sizes small to extra-large. Harness has heavy-duty straps attach to a fully-padded, fleece-lined safety vest.  The harness has full metal connectors at all the load-bearing points – no plastic buckles like others use. The safety leash is made from a special material that is strength-rated, but provides a slight amount of stretch to absorb shock in the case of a sudden stop. The  unique leash design integrates with the vehicle’s seat belt tensioning device,  providing range of motion while traveling, but in the case of a sudden stop it locks in place to keep pets secure. This design also makes it easy to load and unload your pet, and installs easily in ALL vehicles.

Older dogs will need time to get used to a restraint.   Initial trips should be short rides. Take him on short fun trips like to the park or to visit grandma to get him used to the restraint.   Eventually lengthen the duration of the trip.   Of course, younger dogs should trained to use a restraint on their first car ride.  This will allow him to consider the restraint in the car no different than the leash for a walk.    For even more years animals, particularly dogs, have been riding freely in vehicles. Although many have been hurt or killed as well, laws have not changed requiring people to strap their pets into vehicles.

Keep yourself and your pets safe by only driving with your pet when he is properly restrained.

*The the passenger seatbelt should NOT be used for a pet.

Are onions okay for dogs? Learn what happens when dogs ingest onions and why you should avoid feeding onions to your dog on articleinsider.com.

 

Summer Pet Safety

During the summer, there is an increase in pet accidents and injuries because more pets are outside. 

Do not leave your pet outside unsupervised unless he is in a safe enclosed fenced area.   Pets need time to get acclimated to the summer heat.  Be certain to have a shaded area that your pet can rest under without the hot sun beating down on him.   Remember that the sun moves so make sure he has shade all day. If the weather is over 80 degrees, let you pet come inside to cool off or even stay inside all day.

Never let you pet run loose. This is how pets get in fights with other dogs or animals, can bite people or get hit by a vehicle.  Always have your pet on a leash when you are walking him.

Most important is to make sure cool, clean, fresh water is available.  Many different outdoor dog waterers are available. The WaterDog Outdoor Pet Fountain operates automatically. The WaterDog actually will sense your dog’s approach to it for water.  It uses smart sonar sensing technology to trigger the WaterDog to turn on when you pet approaches within 3 feet.  It turns off automatically when your pet leaves.  The WaterDog connects easily and quickly to any outdoor faucet. It als includes a flow-through connector to accommodate a garden hose as well. The WaterDog operates on foud C-cell batteries and will last for up to one year.

A more basic outdoor waterer is the EverFull Bowl Auto Waterer This automatic dog watering system easily attaches to your garden hose. Simply attach the 3/4 foot hose to your garden hose, turn on the tapand the bowl automatically fills to the same level, no overflowing, every time your pet takes a drink. The extra large pan is constructed from galvanized steel with the dimesons of  17 L x 17 W x 3.75 H in inches.

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A CAR in warm weather. Even with the windows cracked open, your car can become a death trap for your pet.  Even in the shade, a car can be 10 to 20 degrees hotter than outdoors, and cracking the window has almost NO effect. At a pleasant 72 degrees, a car in direct sun can reach an internal temperature of 116 in a few minutes.   At 90 degrees outside, the interior of a vehicle can heat up to 160 degrees within several minutes. A dog’s normal temperature is around 101.  Once a dog’s body temperature gets over about 106 the result is  everything from nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, systemic organ failure,  and death.  It happens within a matter of minutes.

Special Needs of Senior Dogs

Do you have a senior dog? 

The old rule that one human year equals seven dog years, although easy, is not a very accurate way to determine your dog’s age. Large breed dogs age faster than small breeds.  In general, a dog who is 7 years or older should be considered middle to senior aged.  Your vet is the best person to help you determine the health care maintenance of your dog as he ages.

Choice is one of the greatest yet also one of the worst aspects of modern-day shopping. Unfortunately, dog food is no different. Are you debating which is the best option zignature vs acana?

There are things that MAY occur with your dog that will indicate he is aging.

  1. You may notice your dog is slower.  Slower when he runs, slower when he goes up and down stairs and even slower when getting up.  In large breeds, dogs with arthritis are very common to see. Arthritis occurs in the legs, neck and back.  You may notice your dog seems stiff, has a problem rising and may even be reluctant to go for a walk. Your vet should examine your dog. He can prescribe medication (prescription or over-the-counter) to help with the discomfort.  NEVER give your dog human medicine.  This could greatly harm or even kill your dog.
  2. Hearing loss is also common as a dog ages.  You may find the noises that used to wake him up no longer do or he may be startled if approached from behind because he doesn’t hear you.  This may be normal aging, but you should have your vet check for any medical condition that may be causing the hearing loss.
  3. Most dogs show some sign of graying around the muzzle.  This is normal.  It happens to the best of us. :)
  4. Aging dogs often show a cloudy or bluish haze in the pupil area.  This is called  lenticular sclerosis and is considered normal, with no effect on vision. However, if your dog pupils are white and opaque this is cataracts.  Vision will be affected by cataracts and your vet should examine your dog.

If your dog is showing signs of arthritis, there are many things you can do to help your pet.  First, keep your dog at a normal weight.  This is important to avoid excess pressure on joints. Second, exercise your dog.   A walk will exercise the muscles around the joints and this will help reduce stress on the joint.  Do not push your dog. Let him be the guide to when he is done.  Give you pet any medication prescribed by your vet.

If you have a pickup truck or SUV, you should consider a Pet Ramp which is perfect for helping your pet reach high places.  The Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp   extends from 39″ to 72″ and anywhere in between.  Fully extended it is perfect for  pickup trucks, SUVs, grooming tables, etc.  When the ramp is shortened it is perfect  for limited space or a lower upper surface, such as a bed, couch, or even side entry on a minivan.  The Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp is  lightweight weighing only 13 lbs and will  supports up to 400 lbs.  It has a  unique aluminum and plastic design making it   light weight and strong. Its compact size makes it easy use and store.  The dimensions are  39-72 in. long x 17 inch wide  x 4 inch rails.

A Half Ramp is also available. It only weighs 7 pounds an will support up to 2oo pounds.  The size is 39 inch  long x 17 inch wide x 5 inch rails.

Using a ramp to assist your dog will not only help your dog, but will help prevent injury to yourself since you will not need to lift your dog. A ramp is safe for both pet and owner.

Remember as you pet ages, it is your job to keep him safe and in as little pain as possible.

 

Going Green with Bird Feeders

Everyone is concerned about the environment.  A great way to participate in  “going green” is to purchased items made from recycled material.  Woodlink has a great line of Going Green Bird Feeders that will add a great earth-conscious aspect to your bird feeding.  All the Going Green Bird Feeders are made from recycled milk jugs and/or other 90% post consumer plastic  Do not think the bird feeders look like plastic!  The plastic is colored to blend in to your yard and most have a  faux wood grain look on the plastic which adds to the natural look.

The Going Green Recycled Plastic Ranch Bird Feederis a great bird feeder.  The green and brown feeder (faux brown wood)  has a classic shape for that traditional look.     Seed is protected from moisture by the roof.  A center hinge on the roof allows one side to open for filling or cleaning. The rectangular base and frame allows the food to be contained, with 1 quart of seed  held in the reservoir.  There are 2 feeding areas on either side of the base.  Seed levels can be monitored thorugh the clear plastic panels and also remove for a more thorough cleaning.  A cable is included to hang the feeder.  Dimensions: 10″L x 8″W x 8″H  Made in the USA.

 Also available are Going Green Suet Feeders, like the popular Going Green Bottom Style Suet Feeder.   Suet feeders help to attract only the desirable small clinging birds and keeps out the nuisance ones!  Again, this feeder is made from  90% recycled plastic. Plastic coated wire screen protects birds’ beaks when feeding. A cable is included to hang the feeder.  Dimensions: 10″ L x 8″ D x 4.5 “H

 Always remember to have fresh water available for the wild birds you feed.

Use the Going Green Bird Feeders for great bird feeders and help the environment at the same time.

Stop Your Dog’s Destructive Behavior When You Are Away

Have you ever left your pet alone and returned home to find your house in shambles? When left alone, the biggest issue for a pet is boredom and/or separation axiety.  Boredom in a pet means you must figure out a way to entertain your pet while you are away. Separation axiety means you must show your pet lots of love before you leave.

Always try to walk your pet before you leave, especially if you will be gone all day.  The exercise is good for both you and your pet.  In addition, your pet will enjoy the bonding and will burn off excess energy and be ready to nap for awhile.  If you don’t have time for a walk, try a quick game of catch or at the very least, give him some added attention before you leave.

Once you are ready to leave, give your pet a treat. I like to  use  some kind of treat dispenser toy.  The brand Kong has a variety of dispenser toys and one is sure to keep your pet entertained..  The well known Kong Classic is available in size small to XXLarge.  Made from a natural rubber formula and chewer friendly, the Kong Classic is unmatched for  durability,  bounce and resilience.   The bounce is unpredictable so your pet receives a  great workout of every muscle and reflex while chasing and chewing the Kong.

I find that the trick to keeping the Kong Classic interesting is to stuff it with food.  This will keep your dog busy for hours while trying lick out the tasty treat.  It is easy to stuff the hole in the Kong with plain peanut butter or mix peanut butter and dry dog kibbles together.  You can put the Kong in the freezer overnight. This will make the treat last longer.

Another easy recipe is to put  a small amount of peanut butter into a Kong to seal the small hole at the bottom.  Mix a banana that is cut into slices with some plain yogurt (do NOT use yogurt with artificial sweeteners, which can be toxic to dogs).  Add the banana mixture to the Kong, then seal with more peanut butter.  This can be served immediately or frozen.

There are a variety of Kong dispenser toys available. Of course, you can stuff anything into any Kong dispenser toy  that your dog enjoys.  Just be careful about adding food that will stain carpeting, if your pet eats on a carpeted area.

Remember your pet will be less likely to try getting attention in negative ways, if you have taken the time to give him something special before leaving.  Some dogs will even welcome the owner leaving knowing a special treat waits him.