CONTENTS: [If we haven't answered your question let us know. ]

toxins: foods for cats to avoid

toxins: foods for dogs to avoid

poison: safe household tips

poison: extensive list of toxic plants

poison: tomato plant

poison: cocoa mulch

petfood: what foods to feed your pet

skin care: lotions

skin care: sunburn

skin care: blackheads

grooming: common pet with fur

grooming: bird

grooming: reptiles

teeth: cleaning

socialization: how and when

SKIN CARE
 I personally make sure that the products I use are fragrance-free, have no lanolin, and hypo-allergenic.]

LOTIONS -for dogs with dry exposed skin or  hairless pets...

Cetaphil (Moisturizing Lotion, Fragrance Free) [Anonymous]

 

Curél Fragrance Free Daily Moisture Therapy Lotion. Its advanced hydrating formula for sensitive skin actually locks in moisture and lasts 24 hours. This triple-emollient formula penetrates deeply to relieve and comfort dry skin. The formula forms an invisible, non-greasy barrier to lock in moisture, and is clinically proven to provide continuous 24-hour hydration. http://www.curel.com/products/fragrance_free.html   [Lori Oshiro]

Moisturizing Lotion, Fragrance Free Lubriderm was originally created by dermatologists to provide the essential moisturizing elements that contribute to healthy skin.  Its unique combination of emollients penetrate dry skin to effectively moisturize without leaving a greasy feel. -- • Helps heal and protect skin from dryness • Non-greasy feeling lotion absorbs quickly • Non-comedogenic-won't clog pores [Lori Oshiro]

Rule of thumb use a safe mild lotion that you would put on a baby's sensitive skin.  Always test it first on a small area on your pet to make sure there is no reactions.  [Lori Oshiro]

Black Head problems

Facial Scrub:  I like to use a hypo-allergenic & fragrance-free facial scrub that women use.  You can find it in any drug store.  You can try others but watch for any allergic reactions.  I use this scrub once or twice a week with her bath as needed.  Because this will dry the skin out a little.. I also use a hypo-allergenic, fragrance-free, and non-lanolin type of lotion for after the bath.  I prefer the ones also marked "light" or "for sensitive skin" since I don't want to be clogging the pores back up. [Lori Oshiro]

Sunburns (of course, if severe, take immediately to a vet)

Sunburn on a dog? - yes:  Sunburns CAN and WILL happen without precautions, especially on light skinned hairless breeds.

 

Precautions:  I myself have 2 ideas.  Firstly, if my dog is going to be out for more than 30 minutes, I apply a sun block lotion with a high SPF.  I only use the kinds made for babies and also fragrance free if I can find it.

 

Secondly, I dress her with a light cotton shirt to play in.  The light cotton fabric will not only block the sun but also allow air to flow through and under. 

 

Cure if burned:  However my baby WAS sunburned a few weekends ago (long story).  What I did was to apply cool wet washrag first to cool down and clean (no wiping).  Then 4 times a day for the first two days I liberally applied "BENADRYL Itch stopping GEL" (in the drugstores). You can also use Aloe Vera (we have a huge plant in our yard).

 

In addition to the topical spread I put on a full length shirt so she would not lick it all off. - IT WORKED wonderfully. [Lori Oshiro]

POISONS 

Toxins: Foods DOGS should and/or must avoid

http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=2&cat=1939

Toxins:  Foods CATS should and/or must avoid

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1399&articleid=1029

Ten Tips for a Poison-Safe Household

http://www.newpet.com/quicktips/health/ht_poison.htm

List of Toxic Plants- Extensive List

http://www.aspca.org/toxicplants/M01947.htm

Poison: Tomato Plant (Scientific Name: Lycopersicon spp)

Family: Solanaceae

Toxic Principle: solanine

Clinical signs: hypersalivation, inappetence, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, CNS depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate.

Poison: Cocoa Mulch,

This is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called "Theobromine". It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and really attracts dogs.   Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.

Just a word of caution -- check what you are using in your gardens and  be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens. Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate -- especially dark or baker's chocolate -- which is toxic to dogs. Cacao bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

GROOMING:  

General pet with fur or hair:  Its a good idea to groom your pet frequently. By doing this you help the coat in good condition This removes, plant stickers and dirt and will spread the animal's natural oils throughout the coat, preventing tangles from forming. When grooming, be sure to feel you pet all over so that you are alerted any new of bumps or swellings, fleas, ticks or hot-spots or other skin irritations  Also if you want more "quality time" with your pet, grooming is a great way to bond. 

TEETH CARE:   Believe it or not, your pets can develop cavities and other dental problems just like us humans.  Check with your veterinarian to find out how often to clean your particular pet's teeth and what to use.  Some cleanings will need to be performed by your veterinarian him/herself.

PET FOOD:   Boy.. this one is a tough question.  As you probably have already realized, there are many many choices out there for cats and dogs to pick from.  

You should match food according to your pet's needs (puppy or kitten, adult, senior, overweight, etc.).  Next you need to take a look at the ingredients and choose according to your own personal beliefs in nutrition.  However, be sure to use fresh dog food, mostly in popular pet stores to be sure the food's nutritional value has not diminished.  And, as always, be sure to check with the vet  for instruction.

SOCIALIZATION FOR DOGS:  
"Socialization is when a young creature starts learning about the world around him (or her). It's when a puppy "learns how to speak dog"... anonymous

Social Interaction with Humans as well as other dogs is crucial. The imprinted ages are 0-8 weeks of puppyhood. During this time they learn socialization skills and bonding with both other dogs and humans.

Once he or she had the Intratrac and 2nd Distemper/Parvo vaccines, your pup can and should play with other vaccinated puppies and friendly adult dogs as frequently as possible. Encourage your dog to sniff, play and interact with the permission of the other dog’s owner (they might be trying to train, or work out problems - be sensitive to this), but let your dog know you are still in control.

Puppy socialization
http://secondchanceranch.org/play.html has extensive instruction

Tips on Dog Behavior
http://www.metrokc.gov/lars/animal/Educate/cassidy/dog/dog1.htm .   This is a great source of good advise for behavior why's, do's and don'ts.

Adult dog socialization
It seems that if a dog has not been properly socialized as a puppy, it will have a difficult time interacting with humans and/or other dogs.  By the time a dog is an adult, there is a myriad of reasons for it's fearful behavior.  It's best to consult your vet and dog training experts to get right advise.  A dog with social issues can be a danger to others and should be taken lightly.