The Colloid Base

When acquiring your new sugar glider, otherwise known as a pocket pet, you may have many questions about the proper care. I am here to tell you not to believe everything you read on the internet. There is so much false information roaming around the web it is not funny. Sure, sometimes the information that comes from the internet has the best intentions of helping a fellow parent, but this advice is not always correct.

When you go online and start looking up information, you will realize there are many places to go to for help. One place you really want to stay away from is message boards. There is nothing wrong about message boards or blogging, but it seems that everyday a new expert with a new theory pops up. These people try to help, but in all reality, they do not know the facts. In addition, not all sugar gliders are equal and what worked for one person may not work for another. Sometimes these people have just got lucky with their theories and, when given to other people as advice, may actually be harmful to their new family member.

With all the anonymity on the internet, you really do not know who or what kind of person you are talking to for information. All you have to judge them by is what they have to say, but you really do not know if their practices work in the real world. These people may actually be animal abusers or neglectors trying to take advantage of someone really trying to do right. My advice for anyone who is looking for information on the internet about their sugar glider is to make sure the information comes from an accredited website and not a message board. I would also recommend double and even triple checking the information you receive to make sure it is credible.

Dog Grooming - It’s Not Just for Poodles Anymore

Dog grooming is not simply an aesthetic bonus for our canine
friends. Maintaining a regular grooming schedule will help to
keep your dog both happy and healthy. Routine dog grooming will
ensure that your dog is free of parasites, has healthy skin and
a shiny coat, and has good dental health. Of course, the
aesthetic benefits are also a plus. Only a true dog lover wants
to be around a dirty, stinky dog with bad breath. Proper dog
grooming will bring out the best in man’s best friend.

What’s Involved in Dog Grooming?

While dog grooming can be performed at home, the best results
can be achieved via a professional dog groomer. A thorough dog
grooming session takes care of all the hygienic needs of your
dog. The grooming process generally takes a hour or two to
accomplish, but the results are well worth the time spent. A
typical dog grooming session consists of the following
treatments for your dog:

* A thorough bath including flea dip (if applicable) * A
complete coat brushing to eliminate tangles and matted hair *
Styling as requested (can include accessories such as bows,
rhinestones and bandannas) * Nail trimming * Ear cleaning and
examination for parasites * Teeth cleaning

How Often Should Dog Grooming Take Place?

The frequency with which your should groom your dog is dependent
on the breed and coat quality of your dog. Some breeds are
considered high maintenance in terms of dog grooming, while
others need only periodic care. Before you purchase or adopt a
dog, it’s a good idea to find out how much grooming it will
require. A basic guide to dog grooming by coat type is as
follows:

* Curly-Coated - Dogs such as Poodles have a dense and curly
coat that is fairly resistant to water. These dogs will require
dog grooming at least once every two months, or six times a year.

* Short-Coated - Dogs with short dense coats, such as Corgis and
Boxers need a weekly brushing, but do not need to be bathed more
than once or twice a year unless a problem arises.

* Long-Coated - Long coated dogs, such as Collies and Sheepdogs,
require a daily brushing to keep their coats in good condition.
Additional dog grooming including regular bathing, should be
administered once every other month.

* Silky-Coated - Afghans, Cocker Spaniels and Pekinese dogs
belong to the silky coated dog group. These dogs require daily
brushing and a thorough dog grooming session four times a year.

* Wire-Coated - Wire coated dogs require considerable dog
grooming. Dogs such as Terriers and Schnauzers should be bathed
every three months and have their coat clipped every six to
eight weeks.

* Smooth-Coated - The smooth-coated class of dogs includes
Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds. These
are very low maintenance dogs and require only weekly brushing
and bathing as necessary.

Whatever type of dog you own, it’s important to see that proper
grooming is maintained for the health and happiness of your
canine companion.

Of course, we humans use shoes to protect our feet. We insist on it! But dogs usually don’t have that luxury, and routinely walk over ice, rock, grass, cement and soil on their bare paws. Their paws’ thick pads give them protection we don’t have, and that’s why they’re less susceptible to cuts and grazes. But this doesn’t mean a dog’s paws are indestructible. In fact, the areas between the pads are very sensitive and can suffer from cuts, burns, and other ailments.

One of the clues to a paw problem is when your dog comes back limping or favoring only one of its legs. The only way for you to narrow down the issue is to check his paw for any visible and physical signs of bleeding, swelling, redness or blisters.

Some dogs are very protective of their paws and don’t like people touching them — and they’ll let you know! Keep persisting. One of my dogs, who just hates having her paws touched, will usually relax when I gently reassure her that I’m only trying to help. Although dogs don’t understand many of our words, they do just fine at detecting our emotions, and sometimes intentions, from our actions and tone of voice.

If your dog has a cut, wash the wound with an antiseptic solution and apply a layer of antiseptic cream. Check the wound again the next day to see if it’s getting better. If it looks infected, you should bring your dog to the vet. I was once shocked to discover maggots wiggling inside a paw wound on my dog — ugh. Needless to say, we went to the vet immediately (she was fine after treatment).

In certain breeds, hair mats may grow between the pads, which can cause irritation. In these breeds, it’s essential to trim regularly between the mats to keep the paws in good shape. Even in other breeds, dogs that run outdoors can get mud trapped between the pads. Again, this will irritate the paw, so it’s best that you clean up with soap and water when you see mud between the toes.

Just as we humans get dry and cracked heels, dogs also experience dry and calloused paw pads. The solution for them is similar to ours — apply moisturizers. In fact, you can even use your hand moisturizer on your dog! But there’s a challenge involved: stopping your dog from licking it away after you apply it. A good trick is to apply the moisturizer right before your dog has his meal. This way, you can allow a little time for the moisturizer to settle in. Otherwise, you can play with your pooch to keep him occupied and restrain him if he starts licking his paws.

Finally, you probably have seen dogs in dog boots and wondered if these boots would effectively protect your dog’s feet. But your dog may be better off without them, as they can easily walk out of these boots — active, athletic dogs in particular. In the end, your dog will enjoy himself more walking on his own paws, with some occasional care and maintenance from you.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog. http://www.poodle-oo.com/

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated - send to nancy@cat-urine-odor-advisor.com

The annual holidays can be a very stressful time for your cat. This is the time of the year when that strange tree goes up, bright trinkets are hung (but all your cat hears is “No, no, bad kitty!” when she tries to explore them), delicious food is prepared (cats need not apply to eat it!), and lots of strange people come tramping into the house.

Some cats are in their glory, being in the middle of the tree decoration tradition, while others react to differences in the household by cowering in fear. Plus, if the holidays
stress you out (raise your hand if they don’t; the rest of us would like to know your secret), it’ll be communicated to kitty, and she may react in kind. And sometimes that fear
and stress manifests itself in your cat urinating outside her litter box.

Here are three steps you can do to reduce holiday stress for your cat.

First, keep the household changes to a minimum. Think about where you might put the Christmas tree. If you put the tree in a place that normally belongs to kitty, she could be mighty upset with you. Her reaction could range from hiding for days to urinating underneath the tree, if not trying to
pull it down. Look for a location that pleases both the human and animal population in your house. If that’s not
possible, and knowing how cats can be, you’ll have to settle for pleasing one or the other. My bet is it’s whoever pays the bills.

My cat Scout thinks the Christmas tree is a new litter box location. She’ll urinate on the tree cover. That’s a treat to clean! I have to keep a plastic liner under the tree to
facilitate the clean up. I make double certain to keep all the litter boxes clean, but she feels a need to express
herself creatively at this time of the year. It’s her way to contributing to the tree decorating tradition. She does it once, and she’s done.

Next, if you own a scaredy kitty, confine her to a safe room when hosting holiday events in your home. If possible, confine your kitty in a place that guests won’t stumble in. Put her food, water, and a clean litter box in the room. Stop in from time to time to reassure her that it’s alright.

If there aren’t adequate hiding spots in her room, think about putting a box or large paper bag in with her, and
encourage her to burrow in it.

Finally, purchase some natural flower essence compounds to put in her food or water all during the holiday season.
There are several good remedies that are recommended for situational stress. Add a few drops in kitty’s food or water twice a day, and you’ll see results within 24 hours.

Flowering essences are also safe for human consumption, so if you’re contemplating a fall into insanity, take a few drops yourself!

You can also purchase synthetic hormone substances that come pre-packaged in a bottle that plugs into any electrical
outlet in your home. This remedy lasts approximately a month.

Good luck, and happy holidays to you and your family - humans and animals!

About the Author

I created the Cat Urine Odor Advisor to help cat owners understand the materials, solutions, and resources that work together to eliminate cat urine odor from their homes.

www.cat-urine-odor-advisor.com