From the monthly archives:

June 2009

How Can an Invisible Dog Fence Contain a Dog?

by Pet Care on June 8, 2009


An invisible dog fence is exactly that, it is concealed, you cannot touch it see it or feel it. However, it is very good at containing your dog. The main characteristic of an invisible dog fence is, you can set a boundary where your dog can stroll around in.

Get up to speed with the top dog fences at wireless fence.

The invisible dog fence is used for two main applications. The first one is if you have a dog that just loves to escape from your garden or backyard. You know the type of dog we are talking about, they can jump and even climb fences, squeeze through the smallest gap or dig tunnels beneath the fence. If you have one of these dogs then it is extremely difficult preventing it from escaping. You can renew your fence with 10 foot razor wire and bury it 3 feet underground, joking apart, replacing the whole of your fence can be very expensive and won’t necessarily guarantee your dog won’t still find a way out.

The second situation where you would use a dog fence, is if you have a plot of land, but you do not want your dog to have free reign over all of it. You may want to restrict your dog from going to toilet in certain areas, perhaps where your young children play or where you want to protect your grassed lawn. A good example of an invisible dog fence in use is if you go traveling in your RV and when you stop over you can create an invisible dog fence to contain your dog and stop him from running off into an unfamiliar environment and getting lost.

The only trouble with the invisible dog fence is recognizing where the boundary is! The dog fence has two ways it can operate. You can have cable which you can lay underground which then becomes the boundary perimeter, or you can have a wireless fence and a boundary is created using a radio signal. An electric collar is attached to your dog’s neck which will make a noise as your dog gets near the border. If the bleep does not deter your dog then the collar will automatically move up to the next level and deliver a static electric shock to your dog’s neck. This is designed to get your dog’s attention and deter him from crossing the boundary.

To help train your dog and to let you know where the invisible dog fence is, you get a set of training flags. You divide these flags up and position them on the boundary edge. It helps greatly with the training as both you and your dog can clearly see where the boundary edge is and your pet will learn not to cross it. The invisible dog fence is delivered as a complete kit and includes a 14 day training schedule.

To read more about dog fences visit invisible dog fence or visit www.squidoo.com/Wireless-Fence.

Proper Dog Nutrition

by Pet Care on June 7, 2009


Pet owners occasionally find it hard in todays market to select a pet food for your pet. There are so many choices and the labels are not only confusing, but they can be misleading. Knowing the ins and outs of pet food labels will make for a more pleasant shopping experience .

There are two sections to a label: the information panel and the main display panel. The main display panel shows the brand name and product manufacturer. The Association of American Feed Control Officials governs a products name and what ingredients it contains.

It is crucial to focus on how things are worded on pet food labels. If the product name includes things such as ‘beef platter’, ‘beef entree’, ‘beef dinner’, etc. it only has to contain 10% beef. Products that just say beef are required to have %70 beef. If a label reads with beef it must only have a 3% beef content and believe it or not the words beef flavor means the product must only contain less than 1% of beef!

Do not just rely on the name of a pet food because that can mislead you. Always check the food container for a clearance statement from the AAFCO stating the food has passed their standards.

The next part of the pet food label is the information panel, which has to contain an ingredient statement and a guaranteed analysis. The ingredients on the analysis will be listed in order of weight. The analysis will tell you the percentage of crude fat, proteins, fiber and moisture in the product. Even though the percentages are listed, the quality of the ingredients is not stated.

Before you think about changing your pets diet, pay special attention to your pets coat, eyes and his behavior. If he looks healthy, you may not want to upset his system by changing his food. Any pet nutritional information or concerns can be answered by a qualified veterinarian based on your specific pets needs.

Many pet owners become consumed with what to feed their pet and fail to consider how they feed their pet. elevated dog bowls can be an excellent selection, especially for larger breeds. There are several dog bowls and cat bowls to choose from, but whatever pet bowl you do decide on please stay away from using plastic bowls for feeding. They tend to keep the germs around to make for a hazardous eating situation for your pet. Many pet owners opt for having two sets of pet feeding bowls to make sure that one set is always clean. It is so tempting to just keep reusing the same bowl without washing but do not fall into this trap, your pet’s health may depend on it. Look into pet supplies online for great deals and convenience.

Do Inconspicuous Dog Fences Cause Injury To Pet Dogs?

by Pet Care on June 5, 2009


There are a few pet owners who want to understand how an electric invisible fence works, and if it harms their dogs. An invisible fence gives off an electric shock, however this is not a true description and so projects a false image. Some animal right activists think that using any form of electrical training products are bad for dogs and so misrepresent all electric dog training methods.

To learn more about an electric dog fence click on wireless fence

In reality, if you take a close look at an electric PetSafe fence, you’ll find that they don’t harm dogs and are very effective. The shock delivered by an invisible fence is very mild and does not harm your pet, it is like a static shock not an electric shock. It is no different to the way the mother dog disciplines her pups. If a puppy is doing something which displeases the mother, she will give the puppy a nip on the neck. The puppy dog will quickly learn and starts to behave. This is exactly the same way an invisible dog fence works, when the dog attempts to get outside the boundary it gets a nip on the neck. It is not cruel but it is very effective.

Does your dog find it fun to climb over the fence or dig holes under it and escape, because this is a big problem for many dog owners. The problem is doubled if you have a dog which does not accept the conventional form of dog training and completely ignores any instructions you give it to stay within your back yard. So what are your options; don’t let the dog out or chain it up. In my opinion, you can’t get any more inhumane than that.

A dog fence is not cheap and so dog owners do not make a decision to buy these lightly. Only when a dog owner runs out alternative things to try, do they then turn to a dog fence. They want their pet to be able to frolic around outside, and if it is a guard dog then it is not that much of a deterrent if it is locked up inside. If a dog does escape it runs the risk of being run over if it gets out on the road and I have heard some people who get into a lot of hot water because their dogs escape and chase other pets or farm animals. Farmers have a real aversion to having stray dogs on their land and will quickly reach for their gun if they find one. So when you think about these problems, it makes the electric dog fence a very humane option.

The great news is that if you are looking for a dog fence, the new ones are very easy to set-up. You can have as many dogs as you want being contained by them, and they are unobtrusive.

To read up on the latest Dog Fence click on dog fence or checkout www.squidoo.com/Wireless-Fence

Which PetSafe Fence Is The Best For My Dog?

by Pet Care on June 4, 2009


There are many different types of PetSafe Fences to suit different dogs and different containment areas. This can be a little confusing, so in this article we will summarize which PetSafe fence is the best for any given situation. We will look at the area you want to cover, speed and ease of use and your dog’s temperament.

The wireless fence is the simplest and easiest to use, and you can read more about by clicking on wireless fence.

You can get an indoor and outdoor PetSafe fence, and you can get an outdoor fence which is either wireless or uses a wire. The first decision is a very straightforward one, and that is to decide if you want an indoor or outdoor fence. If you want an indoor fence then you go for a wireless fence, if you want an outdoor then there are a number of items to take into consideration.

The 3 outdoor models to evaluate are PetSafe standard fence, the deluxe model and the stubborn dog fence. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Now we can look at their strengths and weakness.

Independently Minded Dog

Only dogs who are difficult to train or have a high pain threshold need this collar. However, it is not for small dogs as the dog has to weigh at least twenty lbs. You will find it difficult to find a more potent invisible fence in the stores. The standard basic of the shelf box allows you to stake out an area a 1/3 of an acre. You can invest in more wire to cover an area up to ten acres.

PetSafe Fence - Deluxe

When looking at a PetSafe fence you should start here as it will cater for most dogs and most back yards. You can cover an area up to 25 acres so making it a lot more versatile than either the stubborn or standard fence. You must take note that to use this PetSafe fence your dog must be at least eight pounds in weight and 26 weeks in age.

PetSafe Standard Underground Fence

The PetSafe standard fence has the smallest collar and has been designed for the smallest dog, in fact, it is so small it can be used for cats as well! The reason it can be used on larger felines and small pet dogs is because of the weight of the receiver collar which is only 1.2 oz. However, please note that the furry friend should weigh five pounds and over. With the standard PetSafe fence you can contain an area up to 10 acres but remember the original kit comes with only enough wire to cover a 1/3 of an acre so you will need to purchase additional wire to extend the area.

Wireless Fence

A wireless fence can throw up a boundary up to 180 ft in diameter from where the transmitter is located. If you want to increase this area then you can buy another transmitter which doubles this area. If you want simplicity and very fast setup then go for the wireless fence, if you need to cover a very large area, and you want a specific shaped boundary then you need the underground fence.

To understand how a wireless fence works then check out www.squidoo.com/Wireless-Fence

Cat Furniture - Who Should Have It

by Pet Care on June 4, 2009


Kittys are familiar with laying around. It is known that cats sleep at least half the day. (What a life,right?) Cats are experts in finding the best seat in the house. The luxurious spots are their resting spot of choice. However, not all cat owners are okay with their feline taking the sofa over or invading their beds. We can try to discipline our cats into staying off the furniture but when you’re not looking watch out! Providing cat with appropriate cat furniture such as a cat climbing tower is undeniably a great alternative to your furniture for your cuddly cat.

Cat condos are manufactured specifically with cats likes and dislikes in mind. In the wild, cats like to perch up high to stalk their prey. It is an inborn desire for a cat to gravitate toward high spots. Cat towers give kitty many levels for the optimal view of his surroundings. Cat lovers/owners tend to open their home to multiple cats. (Okay, as a cat owner we know he owns you, you do not own him, but that’s not the point.) The point is a cat condo with many levels is ideal for multiple cat households, because they provide a spot for all of your kitties!

Cats have an instinct to scratch. This is why many cat posts are made with sisal to satisfy their urge. You will find that cats without claws display this behavior as well. Sisal cat furniture is an important item for your cat to have if he has not been declawed because it will relieve their scratching need and save you a lot of money to re-fabric your furniture!

If you do not have the room for a tall cat tree, consider a “one story” cat perch. They are small but still offer two areas for kitty to curl up in Your cat can sit inside of the cat perch or on top of it. For apartment dwellers, or anyone who does not have a lot of room, a cat cave is perfect. Most cat caves are made of comfy fluffy fabric and may have an attached toy for your cats playful side.

Yet another fun alternative for your cats enjoyment is a cat tunnel. These are easy to scrunch up and store underneath a bed and cats love the crinkle noise it makes as they run through it. They seem to be drawn to this particular sound. It can be used for rest or play.

In the booming pet supplies marketplace, The choices in the types and styles of pet furniture available to cat owners is abundant. You, as an owner, are now able to meet every need of your single our multiple cat family.

Kitty Whiskers Interpretation

by Pet Care on June 4, 2009


Cat lovers have put cats on a pedestool for many years. This comes as no surprise because cats are interesting animals. From their behavior to their body make-up, cats are fascinating! Cat whiskers, lesser known as tactile hairs or vibrissae are as interesting as a cat itself. The top and bottom rows of cats’ whiskers move separately, aiding the cat to detect wind which helps them find out where a scent is coming from. Whiskers are also part of a system that allows cats to detect atmospheric weather changes that mean a storm or even an earthquake is headed its way.

A feline’s whiskers help them find what they do not visualize. Although cats see better than humans in the dark, it is a myth that cats have superior night vision. What truly is the case is that their whiskers help to guide them in the dark.

When a cat catches prey, such as a mouse, it will use its whiskers to determine if the mouse will take off if it is set down

Cat’s whiskers are much thicker than cat hair. Cats do lose their whiskers. The good news is they grow back.

Cat’s whiskers can tell you things based upon their movement.

Here are some tips on reading your cat’s whisker position:

1. Lowered Whiskers- Your cat is not feeling well, not happy or just plain bored. If your kitty seems to always have drooping whiskers try chaning cat toys to help relieve her boredom.

2. If your cat’s whiskers are twitching they are seeking out food or sensing another animal.

3. Whiskers Extended Outward From Mouth And Spread Far Apart- Kitty is happy and calm. The more spread out the whiskers are, the happier the kitty is.

4. When your cat holds its whiskers back close to his face, they are not happy or feeling aggressive. If you have a cat that is feisty and aggressive constantly, you may need to play with them more. A wand teaser cat toy may help her get her frustrations out, at a safe distance from you.

5. Bunched Whiskers Flattened Toward The Face- Kitty is shy or frightened of something.

If your cat is giving signs that she is feeling feisty you can find great pet supplies online. Many online pet supply stores offer inexpensive or free shipping. Your cat and wallet will really appreciate it! Shopping[/spin} online also makes it easier to compare prices from one merchant to another. comparing prices that you consider whether or not you are paying for shipping. One big thing not to forget is to always check for coupons for the online merchant you are purchasing from. It is easy to do just type the store name and coupons into any search engine.