Pet Abbey

We recently discussed the benefits of using a dog car seat while traveling with your dog. They included increased safety for your dog and less mobility, meaning he can’t distract you as easily by roaming around the car while you’re driving. As with any pet product, however, dog car seats get dirty and need to be maintained to stay looking nice and not develop nasty odors. The best way you can keep your dog car seat clean is to use a car seat cover.

A dog car seat cover should cover the part of the car seat that your dog sits on and protect it from fur, dander, muddy paws, slobber and more. It should be a material that’s easy to wash and dry, like cotton, so you don’t have to do anything more than throw it in the laundry. It’s much easier to wash a seat cover than it is to try to scrub smelly mud and slobber out of the seat itself! If you invest in a good-quality dog car seat for your dog’s safety, you should also pick up a seat cover (or two) to protect your investment.

You would never let your children ride in the car without seatbelts, right? Then why would you let your dogs? Just like any human, dogs are vulnerable to extensive injuries in the event of a car accident. They could easily be launched through a windshield and thrown from the car. Plus, dogs have a natural urge to roam around the car while you are driving, which can be distracting and more likely to cause an accident.

Luckily, there are dog car seats that are made especially to keep dogs seated in one place and protected in the event of an accident. There are several different kinds of car seats, from booster seats to nearly complete enclosures. Booster car seats boost dogs up several inches so they are safely able to see out the window. They strap onto the seat of the car and keep dogs comfortable while traveling. A nearly complete enclosure keeps dogs firmly where they should be, and has a hole for your dog to stick his head out and look out the window. No matter which dog car seat you choose, it will be a great step toward maximum car safety for your dog.

In today’s tough economy, more people are downsizing their homes and cars to get rid of costly excess space. That means items that are easy to store in small spaces are in high demand. For example, in a small apartment, a crate for a large dog can take up tons of space. This is a waste of space if it’s not in use. A collapsible dog crate works just as well as a rigid plastic crate, but takes up a fraction of the space and weighs much less for easy portability.

A collapsible crate is easy to store in the trunk of a small car if you need to take it with you. Show dog owners often use collapsible crates while traveling. Depending on your needs, you can choose a wire crate or a soft-sided crate. Soft-sided crates can feature mesh, which helps air flow through the crate and prevent it from becoming smelly. However, some crafty dogs could easily chew or scratch their way out of a soft-sized crate. Be sure to take your dog’s escape skills into account when choosing a collapsible crate. It should be easy enough for you to disassemble, but not easy enough for your dog to do so as well.

If your older dog has trouble sleeping, he may be suffering from hip dysplasia or joint problems that make lying down painful. You should consult your doctor about these health problems, but you can make lying down more comfortable for your dog with an orthopedic dog bed. The word “orthopedic” refers to skeletal issues, like disorder or injury. Orthopedic beds are designed to accommodate dogs with skeletal problems.

There are several types of orthopedic dog beds available, depending on the breed of your dog and the extent of his health problems. The SSS Monarch Ortho Pet Bed is a wide, low-to-the-ground, high-density bed that cushions your dog’s achy joints and makes it easy for him to step onto. The Kuddlekot ChiroBed has a flat path on one side so your dog can easily get into bed. This is especially helpful for smaller dogs who suffer pain while trying to lift their short legs high enough to climb into a bed. The ChiroBed also has five support pillows around the bed that won’t flatten and become uncomfortable. Splintek’s Gel-Pedic Pet Bed features a gel foam material that molds to your dog’s body for the utmost comfort. This bed has raised edges, so it’s best for dogs who don’t have severe leg problems.

Cats aren’t the kind of animals that like to be harnessed or leashed, however, most owners would still like to take their cat when go outdoors. Whether it’s a walk around the block or a camping trip, it’s possible to take the cat along with a cat stroller. We’ve all seen the strollers used to carry infants, and cat strollers are much the same, except a cat stroller often has a fabric mesh that makes it an enclosure. Cat strollers are great for taking cats for a walk, and can also be used to help injured and senior cats get fresh air and experience the outdoors. Walking with a cat stroller is as intuitive as walking with an infant stroller, and cat strollers are also great for kids who want to take the cat for a walk.

Cat strollers are available in several different styles, and some of the larger models can be used to carry two full grown cats or even a litter of kittens. Find the right cat stroller and enjoy the outdoors with your favorite feline!

Let’s face it, lots of people love pets but have pet allergies, and this can make it difficult to be a pet owner. There’s a good chance that people who didn’t grow up with cats or dogs will have allergies to pet dander, and in truth, even people who have owned pets their whole lives can have pet allergies, but have built up an immunity. For those who do have allergies to pet dander, a UV air purifier can work wonders in the home. UV air purifiers remove pet dander, allergens, and various pollutants from the air, and can even remove pet odor smells from the air. All pet owners should own a UV air purifier because even for those who don’t have allergies, the air purifier removes pet dander that could be harmful to guests and also removes the smell from litter boxes and other pet odors.

There are UV air purifiers specifically designed for pets, and for most pet owners, these models are the best option. Purchase a UV air purifier today and there’s no more need to worry about having a pet even with allergies to pet dander.

For all pet owners (with the exclusion of short haired cats), regular brushing is necessary to avoid excessive shedding and matting.  Short haired cats can clean themselves for the most part, and won’t shed all that often, in addition, a lot of cats dislike being brushed, so it’s best to avoid brushing if possible.  Unfortunately, long haired cats do require brushing.  When brushing a cat, it’s important to start when they’re a kitten if possible, if not, make sure to use a soft shedding brush in combination with smooth strokes.  If you encounter a mat, brush it until the hair becomes looser, and then cut it out with scissors, being mindful of the skin tissue.  Brushing dogs is often a little bit easier than brushing cats because they tend to be more tolerant.  When brushing a dog, it’s best to use a dog shedding brush in combination with a rake.  Use the rake to untangle coarse hair and mats, and the brush to follow up afterwards.  With long haired dogs, be prepared to get several bags of hair during shedding season, and also be prepare to brush for at least half an hour if you do it every 2-3 weeks.

There are a lot of different dog and cat brushes available, and most serve the same purpose.  Don’t spend too much on a brush at first; experiment with different brushes and discover what your pet likes. 

Unless a pet is to be used for breeding, most owners opt to spay or neuter their pets at some point during their lives.  For veterinarians who perform the surgery several times per week, spaying and neutering is a simple process with a small chance of complications.  In fact, most complications from spaying or neutering a pet only manifest if the pet itself has internal problems.  However, spaying and neutering is a major invasive surgery, and following the surgery, the pet will need proper care.  Most pets will have problems holding their bladders right after a surgery, so it’s best to have them rest in a place where the owner doesn’t mind them peeing, such as the kitchen or on a hardwood or tiled floor somewhere in the home.  It’s important to ensure that the pet is resting comfortably for about a week following the surgery.  They should not be jumping, moving fast, or exercising, otherwise there is a danger of the stitches breaking open. 

For owners who need to transport their pets following spay or neuter surgery, pet strollers are a great option.  These strollers can keep the pet resting comfortably, and also restrict their movement so they’re not in danger of sustaining further injury.

It’s common for a number of dog breeds to have problems with their hips and back legs when aging.  These breeds, including Labradores, Golden Retrievers, and Great Danes often need some help getting around when growing older.  The most important thing is to ensure that an older dog receives adequate nutrition.  Just like people, dogs need essential vitamins from calcium, zinc, and protein.  Having good nutrition is important for a dog because it promotes better health throughout their lifetime.  In fact, dogs that start on puppy chow, and transition to adult dog chow, and then senior dog chow often live longer lives and have more youthful years.

Caring for senior dogs also involves taking a few more precautions around the house.  It might be a good idea to put a barrier on the stairs for example.  You might also think about pet ramps for when the dog needs to get into the car, or climb small flights of stairs or other inclines.  Ensure your dog leads a long and full life. 

When it comes to traveling with a dog, it’s important that their need for a comfortable place to rest and sleep is met.  While some dogs do well when an unfamiliar location is encountered, others can be more remiss to explore.  Portable dog crates are the ideal solution for providing dogs a haven to feel safe.  It’s well known that even the common house dog’s ancient ancestors lived in dens and caves, and dogs too feel most safe when in a similar space.  Portable dog crates are practical for travel because they’re collapsible and lightweight, making them great for road trips and long distance travel. 

Most professional dog trainers and show dog owners use a portable dog crate to house their dogs while waiting for a competition or dog show.  Portable dog crates can also work great for puppy crate training.