What are the Signs of Diabetes in Dogs?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandWhen the family pooch is eating like a racehorse, drinking water like there isn’t enough left on this blue planet, and requiring walk after walk to relieve himself, something is wrong! What’s going on with your friend?

Your dog may have diabetes mellitis, the most common hormonal disorder of dogs. The disease is caused by a lack of insulin, the hormone that regulates how sugar is absorbed and used by cells and tissues in the body. It most often afflicts dogs between the ages of five to seven and female dogs are more susceptible than males. Obesity seems to be a risk factor. So if you notice your pooch displaying signs of extreme hunger, thirst or urination, contact your veterinarian. Diabetes is manageable!

What are Giardia and Cryptosporidium and How do Pets Catch Them?

Purina-Dog-Content-Brand Giardia and cryptosporidium are two pesky parasites that can affect an animal’s small intestine, causing diarrhea and cramping. These nasty organisms are transmitted when a form of the parasite called the cyst is shed in one animal’s stool and consumed by another dog or cat.

Dwight Bowman, a professor of Parasitology at Cornell University, says that when the animal ingests drinking water or puddle water or pond water, or eats something that’s contaminated with the cyst, they can get infected. He says that if your dog has diarrhea, diagnostic tests will help determine the cause.

Fortunately, if giardia is to blame, you don’t need to worry about picking it up from your pet. Bowman says there’s no evidence that the species infecting dogs also infects humans.

Virtual "Pooch Protest" Launches Today

Campaign garners donations of much-needed flea and tick treatment to animal shelters nationwide

July 18, 2011

Release Link: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/7/prweb8647245.htm

An innovative national campaign designed to educate the public about the dangers of fleas and ticks while helping animal shelters protect the dogs in their care against the troublesome parasites launches today. In addition to its national online presence, the “Pooch Protest” campaign is featured on billboards which will begin in Charlotte, North Carolina, and then roll out to Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The “Pooch Protest” against fleas & ticks, a partnership between Bayer Animal Health and national pet-adoption charity Adopt-a-Pet.com, invites the public to visit http://www.PoochProtest.com, where they can register their dogs as members of the virtual protest. For every dog registered*, Bayer Animal Health, the makers of flea and tick preventive K9 Advantix® II, will donate a tube of the product to Adopt-a-Pet.com, who will, in turn, distribute the tubes to its member shelters and rescue groups across North America.

“Protecting pets in shelters from nasty parasites and pests is important for so many reasons,” says Adopt-a-Pet.com executive director Abbie Moore, “not the least of which is that a healthy pet, treated for fleas and ticks and other pests, is much more attractive to potential adopters. Treating with a flea and tick preventive can truly help to keep a shelter pet more comfortable and adoptable.”

David Meyer, president and co-founder of Adopt-a-Pet.com, stresses the importance of coming together as a community to help homeless pets. “There are many ways you can help animals,” says Meyer, “but this is perhaps one of the easiest ways of all. It just takes a computer and a few minutes to join, so that you can make a difference in countless lives.”

K9 Advantix® II is for use on dogs only. For more information, see http://www.PoochProtest.com.

Traveling across the Country – Just a Man and His Dog!

Imagine taking off, just you and your canine best friend, on a great adventure across the country.  That’s exactly what a blogger named Will and his dog Mr. Eko are doing. With the support of petcentric.com, they’ve set out on the road looking for adventure and trying to find the best pet-friendly destinations the country has to offer. Thanks to their blog, you can be right there with them…virtually, at least. You can suggest destinations for Will and Mr. Eko, and you might even get ideas for trips you and YOUR dog can take together! What a fun project!  Check it out at www.markingourterritory.com.

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Understanding Glucosamine and Joint Health

Purina-Dog-Content-Brand

Planning for a Lifetime of Mobility

Normal wear and tear on joints occurs daily throughout your dog’s lifetime. Cartilage protects your dog’s bones and joints from the friction caused by everyday movement.

Natural glucosamine, a building block of cartilage tissue, can help maintain cartilage for healthy joints and mobility. That’s why Purina has created adult dog formulas that contain guaranteed levels of natural glucosamine, so you can help your dog stay active and healthy for a long time to come.

CARTILAGE

What is cartilage?

Cartilage is a tissue found at the ends of bones in the joint areas, that acts as a cushion. It is composed of a sponge-like mass of cells, together with proteins, special substances that hold water, and the water itself. Glucosamine serves as a building block to create these special water-holding substances.

What is cartilage?

Cartilage is a tissue found at the ends of bones in the joint areas, that acts as a cushion. It is composed of a sponge-like mass of cells, together with proteins, special substances that hold water, and the water itself. Glucosamine serves as a building block to create these special water-holding substances.

Why is it important?

Healthy cartilage is absolutely essential for proper joint function and overall mobility. Happy, healthy, active dogs need healthy cartilage and a diet that supports overall well-being, including joint health.

Where does glucosamine come from?

Glucosamine occurs naturally in several common dog food ingredients. Purina uses several poultry and meat sources and guarantees the level of glucosamine in several of their adult dog formulas. Glucosamine is also produced in the body itself.

Does natural glucosamine benefit senior dogs only?

No! Wear and tear on cartilage occurs over a lifetime, so glucosamine helps maintain your dog’s joint health throughout life.

How does the body maintain healthy cartilage?

Chondrocytes are cells present in the cartilage of joints. These cells use glucosamine and other compounds supplied by the diet or produced within the body to make and maintain proteins and the water-binding substances in the cartilage. This allows the cartilage to function as a shock absorber.

What role does glucosamine play in joint health?

As a building block of cartilage, glucosamine can help support joint health and mobility.

What Does It Mean to Surrender a Doberman Pinscher?

When you surrender a Doberman Pinscher, it means that you’re giving up your legal rights to them to a shelter or a rescue. Those who are considering surrendering their dog will want to know what’s entailed, along with other options they have for giving up their pet. Surrendering is a relatively easy process, but it’s not the only choice.

What Do Owners Need to Do? 

When surrendering your dog, the first thing you have to do is learn more about the facility where you plan to surrender him.

Rescues can be a good option, but because they have no-kill policies, they’re popular. This means that they’re often full. There may not be room for your dog at the rescue, so it’s not something you can count on at the last minute. Talk to them first. Shelters can take dogs, but they don’t typically have no-kill policies. They can only hold the dogs for a certain number of days, which can vary from one shelter to the next.

Whether you surrender your Doberman Pinscher to a shelter or rescue, those facilities will do their best to find them a new home. However, adoption doesn’t always happen for the animals located there.

Additionally, you’ll have to pay a surrender fee when you drop off your dog in these locations. When you call to set up your appointment—you can’t just walk in with a dog to surrender—they’ll let you know the fees and anything else you may need to bring. When you talk with the staff, you’ll be asked questions about your Doberman Pinscher. What’s her temperament? Does she have health issues? Is there an option to keep her?

They want to know why you have to give her up because they may have some resources, such as contact information for trainers or low-cost vets, that could make it possible to keep her. While it’s not possible for everyone to keep their dog, they’ll present potential resources that could help.

Rehoming Your Doberman Pinscher 

If you have to give up your dog, it doesn’t always mean that you have to surrender her to a shelter or rescue. Instead, you might want to think about some of the other options, such as rehoming her with someone you know. This is a fast and easy way to find her a new home, and it can give you some peace of mind since you know the person.

Of course, you may not know someone who can adopt a Doberman Pinscher right now. In those cases, you can use online pet adoption services like Rehome from Adopt-a-Pet.com. The site is free for owners and adopters only pay a small rehoming fee.

Through Rehome, you’ll create a profile for your dog complete with photos, videos, and a bio. The bio should be honest and detailed, so potential adopters know everything they need about your dog. After all, you want to be sure that she’s going to a home that’s perfect for her.

What is a Reasonable Rehoming Fee for a Doberman Pinscher?

Are you looking to adopt a Dobie, or your rehoming your pet? Either way, you need to know what is a reasonable rehoming fee for a Doberman Pinscher. The fees vary based on several factors, including age and health of the pet and the organization from which you are adopting. If you’re rehoming a dog, you should always charge a rehoming fee of at least $50, but charging a higher fee helps to ensure the adopters are willing to invest financially in your dog. 

I Need to Rehome My Dog Quickly. Will a Rehoming Fee Slow the Process?

You aren’t just looking for a home for your pet; you’re looking for the right home. If a potential adopter is unwilling to pay a reasonable rehoming fee, they aren’t the right fit. That being said, quality adopters will understand the need to charge a fee and doing so isn’t likely to slow down the rehoming process. 

Benefits of Charging a Rehoming Fee for Your Doberman Pinscher

For rescues and other organizations, charging a rehoming fee helps to offset the costs of caring for dogs—although it doesn’t come close to covering those costs completely. If you’re a private owner rehoming your dog, you might wonder why you should charge a fee. There are two main reasons:

  1. To ensure the adopter has the ability to financially care for the pet and that they are willing to do so.
  2. To prevent the dog from being used for nefarious purposes, such as dog fighting or being sold to a lab.  

Don’t feel uncomfortable about charging a rehoming fee for your Doberman Pinscher. It’s the right thing to do.

Are you trying to rehome a pet yourself? Get some help by visiting Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. The peer-to-peer service allows you to list your pet on Adopt-a-Pet.com for millions of potential adopters to see —for free.. You’ll also find expert advice and valuable, user-friendly tools to help you find the perfect home for your Doberman Pinscher. 

What Does It Mean to Surrender a Shih Tzu?

To surrender your Shih Tzu, it means that you’re giving up your legal rights to him. Once he has been surrendered to a shelter or a rescue, he’s no longer your dog. Many people who find that they need to give up their dog first think about bringing him to a shelter or a rescue. While these facilities do their best to ensure that dogs are adopted, this doesn’t always happen.

It’s important to understand what you’ll need to do when you’re surrendering to a shelter or rescue and to consider some other options that you could choose.

Surrendering to a Shelter or Rescue

Before you can bring your dog to a shelter or a rescue, you’ll need to contact them. Start by checking out the websites of locations in your area, which can give you a better sense of what you need to do and what you can expect. Most of the time, you’ll have to pay a surrender fee to a shelter or a rescue. The cost varies and could be from $50 to $150 or more.

The fees for surrender charged by the facilities are used to ensure that they can continue to operate. When you call the facility, they can let you know how much you’ll have to pay and what paperwork you will need to bring.

When you talk to a shelter or a rescue, they’ll likely ask you if there might be a way that you could keep your dog. After all, they want what’s best for the animal. In some cases, they can provide you with a list of resources that could help with things like behavior issues or financial problems, for example.

Other Options to Consider When Giving Up Your Shih Tzu

In addition to shelters and rescues, you can consider some other options. One of the things you’ll want to do is speak with your friends and family. They may be considering adopting a dog, and they might love the idea of bringing your Shih Tzu into their lives. This could be a nice solution since you already know and trust them and their capability of caring for him.

Of course, we aren’t all fortunate enough to have family and friends who can adopt. In those cases, it’s possible to find people online. However, you always want to be careful when a stranger wants to adopt your dog.

You should ask for references and be sure to request a rehoming fee. This fee from the adopter isn’t to give you financial recourse, but to ensure that only those who have good intentions toward your dog try to adopt. Charge a rehoming fee that’s around the same as what shelters and rescues in your area charge.

To make things easier, you may want to use Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This platform is a peer-to-peer service that connects owners with potential adopters. You can create a profile for your dog and then choose from the various adoption applications to find the perfect new home for your Shih Tzu.

What is a Reasonable Rehoming Fee for an Australian Cattle Dog?

A reasonable rehoming fee for an Australian cattle dog should be around the same amount that you would pay to a local shelter when adopting. This can range in price from around $50 to more than $150 in some locations and could be higher for certain breeds. Australian cattle dogs can be $350 or more in many cases. The age of the dog can be a factor in determining the rehoming fee, as well.

The Need for a Rehoming Fee

You may be wondering why rehoming fees are charged. If you can no longer care for your Australian cattle dog, you may be thinking that it would be easier to find someone to adopt them if there were no fees. While it might be able to find more potential adopters, this way is fraught with problems.

Not everyone has good intentions for your pet, and you want to dissuade those people from getting their hands on the dog. Some people, for example, might want to use the dog for dogfighting or for training fighting dogs. These people look for free pets that they can use. It is hard to imagine, but it does happen.

One of the best ways to do that is by charging a rehoming fee. This should be at least $50 in most cases. People who want to harm animals and put them in bad situations do not want to pay for the animals. The rehoming fee works as a line of defense for your dog.

You might want to charge a higher rehoming fee to ensure that the person who is adopting is willing and able to provide proper care for your pet. This is especially true with Australian cattle dogs, which tend to be an expensive dog.

Why Does Age Matter?

Typically, the rehoming fees are going to be higher for younger dogs. As the dog gets older, the average rehoming fee might start to drop somewhat. If you will be rehoming the dog on your own rather than going through a service like Rehome, you will want to keep this in mind.

Consider Using Rehome

Rehome is a platform from Adopt-a-Pet. It could be a good option for those who need to rehome their Australian cattle dog and who are still unsure about what they should charge for a rehoming fee. The system is simple to use. You can upload information about your dog including photos, videos, and a bio. You can also upload medical records that will then be transferred to the new owner when they adopt.

This is a free service to the owner. The adopter will pay a rehoming fee that is similar to what they would pay at a shelter. This ensures that you can find the right people to become the new owners of your dog. You will have peace of mind knowing that your dog will be going to a loving home that can take care of them.

What Does It Mean to Rehome a Beagle?

When you rehome your beagle, it means that you give up your dog and allow someone else to become his owner. Although you love your dog and you never dreamed that you might have to someday give him up, life can throw you curveballs. Regardless of the reason that you’re no longer able to keep your dog, you need to understand what rehoming means and how to find the right place for your dog to go.

Are You Sure Your Beagle Needs to Be Rehomed?

Before you commit to rehoming your beagle, consider some of the other options that could be available. First, you have to think about why you’re unable to keep your dog. Is it because he has a behavioral problem? Is it because you aren’t able to provide him with enough exercise and attention during the day while you work? Are you moving to a location that doesn’t allow dogs?

There may be solutions to these problems, so you don’t have to rehome. For example, you could learn to train your beagle properly or hire someone to do the training. You could also hire someone to come and walk your dog when you’re unable to walk him. There are also doggy daycare facilities that you may want to consider. Additionally, you could look for alternate housing options where dogs are allowed. Make sure that you exhaust all possibilities before you decide on rehoming.

What About Shelters and Rescues?

Keep in mind that shelters and rescues are not true rehoming options. Instead, these options should be the last on your list. Shelters try their best, but they often have limited space, and they have policies on how long they can keep pets before they are euthanized. No-kill shelters exist, but they are rare, and they are often full.

While rescues will keep your dog indefinitely, there is still no guarantee that they’ll ever be adopted. Living in a rescue is not the same as living in a loving home. Instead of these options, you should consider choosing true rehoming.

Better Ways to Rehome Your Beagle

Fortunately, there are several options. The first you’ll want to consider is getting in touch with family and friends who might be interested in taking your beagle. They might already know him and love him, and if they are looking for a dog, this is a perfect way to rehome.

Another option is to use the Rehome platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com. This is a simple-to-use site that is free for owners like you. It allows you to set up a profile for your pet with a bio, videos, and images. You can let potential adopters know more about your dog and what he likes and doesn’t like. Be honest about your dog’s temperament and any potentially problematic qualities. You can then check the adoption applications and make a decision on which person to choose so your beagle has a loving new family.