One of the things I run into often is people telling me about the bad behavior they see in their dog or cat… I cringe everytime I hear it.

I have always contended that animals do not show bad or good behavior. They just respond to their environment, be it immediate stimulus or things they’ve been sitting on for a while.

We humans have asked our animals to behave in ways that we perceive as good. But I would contend that we actually ask them to behave in a desirable fashion. Show me the behaviors that I find acceptable and not undesirable.

Jumping up to give kisses is undesirable to many people. But to dogs, it’s a way to say hello. (Just like butt sniffing… but I digress) Cats scratch on furniture. Cat’s NEED to scratch but do they do it to be mean or bad? No, they do it to satisfy a need.

The biggest issue I hear about is inappropriate urination. I often hear things like the dog or cat is intentionally peeing on the rug or on the bed… etc etc… but in all my years of being around animals, not once have I seen this. I’ve seen dogs urinate in front of people, but more often than not, they have a urinary tract infection and need to let their people know it. Cats often refuse the litter box due to some emotional issue.

Before we label any behavior as bad, we should always look to find the root of the problem. Whenever your dog or cat (or ferret or whatever manner of critter you have) starts showing a behavior that is new (even if it’s sleeping more often), there are things you should do.

Remember, good and bad are terms that we have given to our animal’s. Animals are just trying to live their best life and are communicating in the only way that most humans listen. With their actions.

Jennifer Albertin is an internationally respected Animal Communicator. She has over 20 years experience working with energy and its applications. Visit Jennifer’s website Sacred Paws for more information on Animal Communication, Energy Work and for free information and resources on how you can support your animal companions mental and physical health.

? Copyright Jennifer Albertin, Sacred Paws 2006

Cocoa beans, cocoa bean shells, cola and tea contain a natural ingredient called theobromine that can kill your pet when ingested. Dogs often cannot metabolize this fast enough to avoid poisoning. The amount of bakers chocolate to produce the adverse reaction is about 1 ounce for every 2 pounds of dog weight.

If your dog has symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting along with lethargy and muscle tremors you should want to take him to the vet quickly. If you are sure your dog has eaten chocolate do not wait for the symptoms to appear. In that case poisoning is very likely to occur and you may lose your pet if you hesitate to take action.

Dogs love sweet products. Make sure to keep your chocolates in tightly closed containers placed high up where they cannot reach them. Be particularly careful on holidays like Christmas or Halloween when dogs can easily pick up chocolates off the floor.

Cocoa bean mulch also contains theobromine. Garden retailer suppliers do wash this product before selling it but the best practice is not to allow your dog near this product.

The ASPCA now has a new service providing pre-recorded information on more than 125 petcare topics, including health issues and behavioral problems: 1-888-252-7387 (24hrs)

Greg Cryns is the owner of http:http://www.gochihuahua.com Go Chihuahua addresses issues for chihuahuas and other dog breeds Greg is also the founder of http://www.nursingprogramsonline for nurses and http://www.go-law-school for lawyers

In recent years, the vaccination of cats has become more popular. The three most common vaccines give protection against feline infectious enteritis (FIE), feline influenza (cat flu) and feline leukaemia (FeLV). An initial course of two injections, the first at nine weeks are usually given, and yearly boosters are recommended thereafter.

FIE causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and the cat develops a very high temperature. Before the vaccine was introduced, it killed a great many cats by dehydration due to the bowel symptoms. Cat flu is caused by two viruses: the feline rhinotracheitis (FCV). FVR is the more severe of the two, causing coughing, sneezing, and nasal and eye discharges.

FVC has milder discharges but more gum inflammation and mouth ulcers. Neither FCV nor FVR is usually deadly but the infection can linger on in the form of snuffles, and some cats become symptomless carriers of the disease. When stressed, these cats develop mild symptoms and spread the virus.

FeLV suppresses the activity of the cat’s immune system, allowing a wide range of symptoms to develop. It often results in the death of the cat after several months of illness. The virus is spread mainly in the cat’s saliva. It is a disease of cats that fight a lot, and of cats in large colonies, who share the same food and water bowls. It should not be a threat in a well-run boarding cattery, where the feeding and grooming utensils are properly cleaned, and the cats do not mix with each other.

A vaccine exists against the chlamydial organism, which can cause not only mild eye and nasal symptoms, but more importantly, infertility and abortion. This vaccine is used mainly in breeding colonies to protect against infertility.

1st Cat Care is to provide information and guidance to pet cat lovers in taking care of their cats’ health, cat toilet training, tips on using the cat litter box, vaccinations, pregnancy and more …

Please note that the author is not a veterinarian. Please consult your vet for any medical advice about your pet.

Growing up, a sense of wonder at nature and a love for animals was instilled in us. A normal weekend was spent at Elachee Nature Center in Oakwood, GA learning about the climate that controlled Georgia?s agriculture and natural resources. This normally went into detail about animals as well as the plants that naturally supported such wildlife. This inbred fascination with nature was also reflected in our home. My brother, sister, and I all had numerous books on wild animals and we loved to watch The Discovery Channel. My mom brought it on herself that we tended to bring home and love animals. By the time I had moved out, my family had two birds, two turtles, numerous white mice and hamsters, and one very rowdy little dog. After I moved out, I collected a couple of cats and a couple of very rowdy large dogs.

The most recent addition to the family is Hannah, the dwarf hamster. My brother, Bob, brought her home in late 2003 and my mom quickly became enamored with her. Mom has been known to get Hannah out of her cage in the middle of the night to play and feed her almonds in the kitchen while she gets ready for work.

Early in 2005, Hannah began to develop bald spots under her chin and across her body. My mom would often talk about how it worried her during our weekly conversations, but I hadn?t realized how far spread it was until I woke Hannah up one Sunday afternoon. She climbed up against the walls of her plexiglass hamster-haven and I realized that she had lost most of the hair on her stomach in a patch that stretched from her right arm to her right leg. Her little pink skin showed through clear as day, and I got her out for a closer look. She didn?t exhibit any bumps or discomfort as I probed her, although she was a little irritated that I was bringing her out without the offer of a tasty treat. I gave her a hamster treat and set her back down in her little home.

Then, I decided it was time for an internet search. Little Hannah needed some help, and I didn?t want to pay a vet to tell me she was just getting old. I researched ?hamster hair loss? and found that it is a fairly common problem, especially in older hamsters. The search told me that the most common reasons were age, protein deficiency, vitamin deficiency, hair getting caught in the hamster-wheel, mites, and allergic reactions to the bedding. It also let me know how to check her for mites. Mites cause a red or black pattern of bumps on the skin and they normally nest in the hamster?s hair and bedding. I checked her and realized that her skin was clear, smooth, and free from little insects.

I knew Hannah was aging and getting to where this was a natural instance for her species; however, I couldn?t just tell my mom to prepare for a little hamster funeral. I focused on the deficiencies and found that most pet stores sell a water-soluble vitamin supplement for hamsters. You simply dissolve a pill in the hamster?s water supply, and the hamster ingests it without even knowing.

I called my mom and let her know what my research had concluded and she said that she had found basically the same thing in her own search. She said she was going to get a supplement and see how Hannah responded.

After a couple of weeks, Mom reported that Hannah had regained a new love for life and was even making her wheel ?go squeaky, squeaky in the middle of the night.? She mentioned that the hair had not started to grow back but had stopped falling out. She also noted that Hannah seemed to really like her new supplemented water and she had to refill her little dispenser more often.

Before, whenever I had browsed the pet store the animal multivitamins struck me as silliness for profit: a plan to play off our love for our pets to line the company?s pockets. Now that I have seen it in action, I realize how close we are to our little animal neighbors in how our bodies need the substance of healthiness. In animals and in humans, our food comes pre-processed and our exercise is limited by our lifestyle. As people, our doctors, magazines, TV programs on healthy living and even our mothers tell us to take our daily multivitamin to keep us young, fit, and healthy because our food simply does not satisfy the nutritional needs of our bodies. As hamsters, they only have the attention of their owners to see to it that they get what their little bodies need to survive ? and there aren?t any TV commercials on the benefits of hamster vitamins. Now the victim of a successful experiment, it seems that Hannah now has a greater appreciation for her nutritional supplement as well.

For more advice from real professionals, the following websites helped me in my search for the cure:

http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/hamsters.htm

http://www.petinfo4u.com/advancedsmallanimals.htm

http://www.britishhamsterassociation.org.uk/getarticle.php?fname=journal/dermatitis.htm

Cynthia Dollins works in corporate America and is well known within her company for her training manuals and easy to understand instructions. She also has a love for animals that is often shown through her writing and an odd family that inspires much humor. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums.

Finding a Dog 101 – Dogs are fantastic companions, and love you no matter what, but remember:

? Dogs DO take time! Remember, just like us, they are social animals who do not like being left alone. You can’t just stick them out in the yard or leave them in the house alone all the time and expect everything to be all right. Many types of behavioral problems occur just as a result of this one thing. Do you honestly have ample time every day to spend walking, feeding, cleaning up after, grooming, exercising and playing with your dog? And dogs often live for ten to fifteen years, so enter into this as a seriously long-term commitment.

? Dogs DO cost money. There are food requirements which vary from dog to dog. They will need regular health care as well including: shots, wormings, check ups, etc. Some dog breeds will additionally need regular grooming. Puppies will damage things in your house from time to time – it’s a fact. Finding a dog may lead to things being replaced more often. You will have to do more cleaning from time to time – shedding fur, etc.

? Dogs DO require ample space which can vary from breed to breed. Take the time to research ALL the requirements needed for all breeds you may be interested in. Do you live in an apartment? A duplex/townhouse or condo? A single family home? Do you have a securely fenced yard or access to a securely fenced in area for your dog to play in? If not, can you seriously make some other kind of suitable and realistic arrangements for your dog to get adequate DAILY exercise? Finding a dog requires a lot of forethought and planning.

1) Be Honest. Finding a dog can take some time. First of all, do you really want a dog? Is a purebred dog perfect for you? Or would you be just as happy adopting a dog from the local animal shelter or rescue organization in your area?

2) So you still really want a dog even will all the needs listed above in mind

If you can honestly answer all these needs mentioned above with a positive response then you’re ready for step 2.

So now, you must now ask yourself:

Finding a Dog 101 – What breed of purebred dog do you want?

Research, research, research! Before selecting a purebred puppy breed you must first carefully consider many things about yourself and your family, such as: your exercise schedule, your own personality, your family and home situation, what you expect of your dog (watchdog, companion for your children, hunting, etc.), whether you live in a house with a fenced yard or in an apartment/duplex/condo, etc. You want to honestly match the dog’s needs to yours as closely as possible for the best match possible. Finding a dog takes plenty of forethought and research.

For example, if you’re athletically inclined, you don’t want a doggie couch potato – a dog that has low exercise needs. If you’re a couch potato yourself, you don’t want a purebred puppy that needs a lot of exercise.

? First, DO NOT decide on any dog breed based on looks alone. When finding a dog take your time and do lots of research BEFORE making any new kind of new doggie addition to your family. The eight major purebred dog groups found in the AKC in particular (Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding and Miscellaneous) is a great place to start. Feel free to use the dog breed resources on our site as a good place to start as well. We offer many individual dog breed profiles including lots of indepth information on many kinds of purebred dog..

Finding a Dog 101 – Next: Selecting Your Dog. Do you want an adult or puppy?

Almost everyone wants a puppy. Puppies are lots of fun and can be easy to train and socialize, but they require a lot of time and care. Adult dogs often require less care overall than puppies but may have developed some types of behavioral or socialization problems during their life. If you are more inclined to get an adult dog, one good choice to start with is a rescue dog, possibly from a local shelter or rescue organization. There are many shelters and breed rescue groups available which can be visited on the internet, via the phone or in person depending on your area and finding a dog in one of these places can potentially mean saving it’s life. Sometimes these organizations may have puppies for adoption as well.

Finding a Dog 101 – Where is the best place to find a dog or puppy? ? First, consider adopting a dog from a shelter or purebred dog rescue organization. Way too many dogs are euthanized each year, and you might just find a dog – the perfect companion for you, at the local pound or through a rescue group for your favorite breed. And you saved a life in the process!

? Second, find a real breeder. A real breeder of purebred dogs usually belongs to a breed club for their specific dog breed as well as belonging to several other dog related organizations. Additionally, many purebred dog breeders may be involved in showing their own dogs or participating in other dog related activities as agility, lure coursing or herding events. Finding purebred dogs or purebred puppies here means you have a much better chance at learning abuot the dogs ancestors, breed health problems, littermates, seeing the actual living conditions the puppy was raised in, and have a resource for future questions and a new irend for the life of your new dog.

Other very important things to look for in a purebred dog breeder – do they: provide references; have a clean kennel with healthy, well-socialized animals; provide a pedigree and registration application form; give you written instructions on feeding, training and care; provide a written contract with conditions of sale and warranty; give you a record of vaccinations and wormings?

Are the breeders: interested in your qualifications to be an owner of one of their precious puppies (your home and family situation, etc); insistent that you take the purebred puppy to a vet for a check-up immediately after purchase; insistent that you continue with vaccinations and wormings on a regular basis; encouraging the relationship between you and the breeder as a continuing one; there for you on an on-call basis with ANY future questions or problems that you may have about you new puppy or dog?

Places to avoid when finding a dog:

? pet shop. These poor puppies are often poorly bred and raised in the most terrible living conditions. You’ll never get a chance to see the parents, littermates or the actual original home they were bred in and you will never know what kind of inherited health problems they have until way too late. Finding a dog here means a potential lifetime of health problems as well as the potential to carry on this awful practice of puppy milling by supporting the sellers of their animals.

? backyard breeders. Typically these are people who own a dog but are not knowledgeable at all in the details about the breed, inherent health problems and risks, history of their dogs (other than their papers), etc. and think it will be fun or maybe even profitable to have a litter of puppies. Any dog breeders who lets you handle a very young puppy, shows signs of neglect (such as lack of water, and dirty conditions) in their kennel, are willing to sell a puppy under seven weeks of age are not looking out for the puppies best interest. Leave and find a reputable breeder asap! Finding a dog here also means many potential problems and no real support for your new puppy in the future.

You can find conveniently located breeders in our breeders directory. Remember, it is up to you to check them out thoroughly BEFORE buying / adopting.

We suggest you take your time when searching for your new canine companion. Call breeders, visit their websites if possible, contact parent clubs for references for reputable breeders in your area. The more research you do BEFORE you bring your new companion home, the better off everyone, including the doggie new addition, will be.

Debbie Ray, owner of http://www.pedigreedpups.com, is a lifelong animal lover and dog enthusiast. Interested in more dog information? Training and health tips? Thinking about getting a purebred dog? Check out http://www.pedigreedpups.com or http://www.total-german-shepherd.com for more information.

Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If each dog and cat owner in the United States took the time to understand the root of their animals’

behavioral issues, our animal shelters would be substantially less populated with strays. Around sixty percent of animals in shelters are there simply because of various behavioral problems. When cats start scratching furniture and dogs begin barking continually, it is quite natural to say to ourselves: I didn’t sign up for this. In some cases a pet’s behavioral problems can be entirely or almost entirely health related. In some other cases they can simply be a product of our own mistakes as owners. When all is said and done, who would really want to use a litter box that has not been cleaned in several weeks?

Before you do anything else you must overcoming our pets’ behavioral problems by using our imaginations…… to get into their minds and to try to understand the world through their eyes. Then we may actually see that we ask an awful from our pets. First of all, we put them into a human-created environment and then expect them to simply forget their wildness and behave in ways that suit only us. Many of the things that we teach our animals go against their nature. We sometimes ask our cats to relieve themselves into small trays when it is only natural for them to do so anywhere in their territory. And we discourage our dogs from barking at our guests or passerby when it is

they are just trying to communicate with strangers who are entering their environment.

If it is not stress or some kind of illness, then we should look at ourselves as owners: are we asking our dogs and cats to behave in ways which are totally impossible under the circumstances that we have provided for them? For example, are we asking our cats to use litter boxes that we rarely even clean? Or are we asking them to keep their paws off the couch when we have provided nothing else for them to scratch for the long hours in which we are gone? Are we asking our dogs to defer their whole worlds to us, while all we offer in return is a few hours a day of our aloof presence sprinkled with paltry playtime and affection?

Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher. For more information go to http://www.premium-cat-food.com/

Even if you give your pet the good things he needs such as a good amount of physical activity and good foods for him, you need to realize that your pet can still become sick. The best way to help you pet is to make sure that as soon as you notice something wrong that you take care of it. For example, the symptoms that you may feel yourself when feeling sick, such as diarrhea, lack of appetite or a look of being out of it can be a sign that he has a bug. But, on the other hand, if the symptoms last more than a few days, its time to call your vet. They may have something more serious such as parasites or an infection.

One of your first concerns should be when you pet has diarrhea. This is very important to notice especially in puppies. Again, it may seem like he just has a bug, but it can also signal that there is something more wrong such as a virus, parasite or bacterial infection. While a change in the type of food the dog eats or just the stress he is under can cause it, its important to take steps to protect your animal when he has diarrhea. You need to insure your pet, especially your puppy, does not dehydrate. If the condition lasts for more than a day or so, you should call your vet. You may need to collect a sample for the vet so that he or she can figure out what the problem is and how to treat it.

What about a dog with what looks like a cold? Dogs that are coughing or have discharge coming from their nose are often suffering from a URI (Upper respiratory infection.) These are caused by a virus or bacteria that are lurking in the air. It is important for you to realize what is happening with your dog, for your sake and the pets. What they have is something they can pass on to you and your family as well. Some pets can develop dehydration or even develop pneumonia. Dogs that are exposed to a shelter like situation can also contract other respiratory diseases such as Bortadella or kennel cough. Rest and some proper care can have the dog over this disease within a few days. You can have your dog vaccinated for this condition which is a great thing to do for anyone who uses a doggie daycare of needs to use boarding shelters for when you travel.

Most municipalities will require that all dogs receive a certain number of vaccinations. These are very important to your dogs health. They help to prevent more deadly diseases from affecting your pet. For example, parvovirus, distemper and rabies are diseases that can be vaccinated against. Your dog will likely need to have a booster vaccine every year or so to protect them continuously. Doing this protects you and the dog as well as other dogs in the area.

Parasites can also attack and harm a dog. For many dogs, there are a number of parasites that can affect them. In order to monitor for this, your dog will need to be seen by a vet regularly and the vet is likely to need you to provide them with a sample of fecal matter. A good thing to watch for is small rice sized granules in the dogs bedding or near its anus. This is a sign of worms and your pet needs to be seen by a vet to help stop the problem.

But, thats not all of the parasites that can infect your dog. On his skin there can also be parasites. For example, mange and sarcoptic mites are critters that like to live here the hair follicle and on the skin of the pet. Ear mites live inside the pets ear. They can really cause your dog pain and should be taken care of. You may not be able to see them, either. If your dog is uncomfortable or is scratching quite a bit, even skin biting, there are most likely parasites that need to be taken care of. Of course, there are also fleas to contend with.

You should always consult a qualified veterinarian if you are concerned about your pet’s health.

Best Pet Health Information is a resource which will help you find infomation, hints and tips to keeping your dog happy and healthy. Dog News Center publishes news and articles about dogs and puppies.

Copyright http://www.best-pet-health.info This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and live links are included intact.

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Chihuahuas, like any other purebred dog, need some special care. When considering a new breed to purchase, always be informed. Read what you can and ask others who own the particular breed for their opinion. The more information you have, the happier you and your dog will be.

There are differing opinions on how often to bathe a Chihuahua. Bathing too often can dry out the natural oils in the coat, thus causing dandruff and itching. Others say shampooing occasionally with special shampoos enhance the coats sheen. Another suggestion is that you bath your Chihuahua once per month. Ask your veterinarian or local pet store what they suggest. One certainty is that when bathing, take care to not get water in the chis ears. It can lead to infection.

Since Chihuahuas are most often indoor dogs, their nails will need trimming. Trim at least once per month. Start this routine early and be consistent. It will help your dog become used to the clippers as well as having its paws handled.

Ask your veterinarian about your dogs nutritional needs. Some suggest that puppies be fed four times per day after weaning at six weeks. From three to six months, reduce the amount to three meals per day. Then, from six months to one year, two meals. Lastly, once they reach adulthood at one year, one meal per day is fine. Regular dry adult food works fine for this breed. Soft, canned dog food can lead to diarrhea. A mix is often preferred.

A Chihuahuas large eyes attract dust and dirt. And, being so close to the ground, it will pick up quite a lot. So, Chihuahuas produce tears to cleanse their eyes. It is normal to see the area around the eye slightly wet. The tears should be clear with the consistency of water. Should the tears have any other appearance, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Be careful when selecting treats for your chi. Choose those made for small breeds and if rewarding with people food, only in the tiniest amounts. Do not over-indulge your dog. It can easily lead to an overweight and unhealthy companion!

Ask your veterinarian about a schedule for periodic cleaning of your dogs ears and teeth and for vaccinations.

Chis are delightful, hardy little dogs. Given the proper care, they will thrive for many years.

Nikola lives and writes in Oklahoma. She is active in the local Volunteers in Policing and the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni. She enjoys scrabooking, reading and spending time with her two dogs. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums.

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For nearly five years Anna Lamb, 36, has struggled with depression. She has sought help from doctors, taken various prescription and over the counter medications, vitamins, and an array of natural remedies all in an effort to control it. What has perhaps been the most welcome and effective antidote to combating her depression, however, came to her by chance in the form of a neglected, seven year old border collie named Mike. A friend of hers who is active in a border collie rescue group convinced Anna to bring Mike home and care for him. It was hard to live alone, she explains, hard to come home at times. The only thing facing me was cleaning, the television, the computer, the telephone; no other living being. Mike has changed that. Its nice to come home and have him waiting for me. One of my classmates even told me a short time after I got Mike that my disposition changed. I seemed happier.

Researchers are working to determine whether or not there is any valid medical evidence to support what pet owners like Anna have professed all along, that pets make a positive difference in their lives. In recent years studies have been done with groups of people such as those who live alone, the elderly, and even married couples to see what health benefits, if any, are gained from owning a pet. These studies have included looking at the physical as well as emotional aspects of pet ownership.

Karen Allen, Research Scientist from the Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, specializes in research on the physiological effects pets have on humans. One of her studies involved 48 stockbrokers, all of whom were being treated with ACE inhibitors, medication for high blood pressure. They all lived alone and had not owned pets for at least five years prior to the study. Allen chose people who had the means and desire to care for a pet. I wanted to make sure these were very responsible people, she says. She also made sure each of them would welcome a pet into their lives if they were selected to be part of a group that was assigned pets. When the study began, half of the participants were selected at random and asked to acquire their choice of a dog or a cat. At the end of six months, when they were all receiving ACE inhibitors, those people in the pet-owning group remained significantly more stable during stressful times than those without the pets. They showed less of an increase of blood pressure and heart rates than the non pet-owner group. After the study was completed, and the participants were told of the results, Allen says, They kept the animals, and in fact, at least half of the people [in the study who got the drugs went out and got pets.

One interesting finding that we seem to have discovered, Allen points out, is that people who have the fewest social contacts seem to benefit the most. We think it’s because pets substitute for a certain type of social support. An earlier research project she did involved elderly women, who lived alone, with a pet. She found that they tend to be more active and have lower blood pressure than other elderly women living alone with no pets. Because pets demand attention and exercise, quite often this makes their owners more active than their counterparts who do not have pets. Additionally, this increased activity translates into health benefits such as less depression and anxiety, and increased social behavior, which alone has been proven to be beneficial to our health.

So, should you rush out to the shelter and adopt Fido to improve your health? That all depends. According to Allen, people who benefit the most from having pets are those who view the animal as a cherished member of the family. You might think of Anna though, who has found a best friend and pseudo therapist in her dog, Mike. He is very affectionate, Anna says. Mikie looks at me with his big brown eyes and forces me to get up when I’m depressed. It’s hard when he’s asking me to save his life and let him outside but he also seems to care about how I feel. Now I have someone to nurture. But the truth is, Anna and Mike both have someone to nurture.

2005 PetsitUSA.com All rights reserved.

Therese Kopiwoda is a professional pet sitter and the owner of PetsitUSA.com. Founded in 2003, PetsitUSA.com allows pet owners to locate professional pet sitters, dog walkers, and dog daycares, and learn about the services they provide. For more information, go to http://www.petsitusa.com.

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Is your dog a little less enthusiastic about his daily walks? Is he reluctant to get up or lie down? Do his joints click as he walks? If so, theres a chance your buddy is suffering from canine arthritis.

Just as with humans, arthritis in dogs can be one of a variety of types, but the most common is osteoarthritis.

What is Osteoarthritis and what causes it?

Cartilage in joints acts as a buffer between bones. Sometimes, that cartilage degrades and deteriorates, reducing the buffer between bones, sometimes to the point where there is direct bone-to-bone contact, which is extremely painful for the dog.

There is no single cause of arthritis. Genetics and breeding have made certain breeds more susceptible to hip dysplasia, which often leads to arthritis. Obesity in dogs can also contribute to arthritic conditions. Sometimes young dogs can suffer with arthritis if their bones dont develop correctly. An injury to a limb can also result in arthritis later in life.

Symptoms

If your dog displays some of the following symptoms, you should consult a veterinarian regarding the possibility of canine arthritis:

Inactivity
Favoring of one limb
Reluctance to get up or lie down
Clicking of joints
Visible pain when walking
Swelling of Joints
Whimpering/Crying
Reluctance to climb stairs
Stiffness after getting up

Treatment

There is no cure for canine arthritis. Generally, treatment is dedicated to reducing the inflammation, and managing the pain. You and your veterinarian should decide whether prescribed drugs are warranted.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin have shown good results in reducing the inflammation, and therefore the pain, in the joints in many dogs. Commercial supplements providing this combination include Cosequin and Arthogen, among others. They are available without a prescription.

Changing the animals diet might also help. For overweight dogs, a light product may be in order. Some pet owners may prefer to go the all-natural route, while others might consider dog food that contains Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

Alternative treatments, such as acupuncture and chiropractic have also had positive results for some arthritic canines.

What Can I Do to Make my Arthritic Dog More Comfortable?

If your dog shows signs of arthritis in his neck or shoulders, raise his food and water bowl by using a stand or dog diner.

When the weather is cold or damp, keep your buddy cozy and warm.

Apply moist heat to arthritic joints, in the form of a hot towel, or a towel-wrapped hot water bottle. Never use a heating pad, as it could lead to accidental burning.

Utilize ramps instead of stairs when possible.

Maintain a reasonable activity level. Exercise and mild activity will help stop joints from deteriorating further.

Conclusion

The sad fact is, that once a dog develops arthritis, he will suffer with it for the rest of his life, and all that can be done for him is to make him as comfortable as possible by maintaining a reasonable activity level, feeding the proper diet, and/or treating with over-the-counter medications, prescribed drugs, or holistic remedies. And a lot of love.

Nick Bulka runs a number of pet-related web sites. Visit his sites at http://www.petsupplyguy.com, http://www.dogtraininginstruction.com, and http://www.pet-guide.us

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