If you are considering getting a puppy you should be aware of potential dangers that may exist within your home. Problems that we would never notice can be overwhelming for a puppy, especially in new surroundings. A sure test is to walk around your home on your hands and knees and see things from your pet’s point of view.

Look for electrical cords, window blind cords, children’s toys or anything small enough for him to swallow. Stairs and stairwells should have a gate at least until he can walk up and down safely. Garbage cans can contain anything and most dogs love to turn them over and prowl. Poisonous cleaning products under cabinets should be moved out of reach or locked away.

Poisonous plants are everywhere, at least poisonous to a dog. Both dogs and cats will eat or “graze” on grass and most plants. Unfortunately, these plants are toxic to both and some can be fatal. This warning also applies to outdoor plants, but to a lesser degree, as grass is usually preferred.

Other outdoor hazards are ponds and swimming pools that would be almost impossible for a small animal to get out of. Watch out for outdoor steps and stairs, steep drops from a deck or patio or even in the property itself. And lastly, traffic. If your property isn’t fenced, never leave a puppy loose, as their natural curiosity will lead right into the street.

Bringing home a new puppy can be exhausting, but is the most critical in your relationship. First impressions are indelibly marked in an animals mind and it is vital to establish an atmosphere of security, affection, and mutual confidence.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest

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Cats make great pets. They are quieter than dogs, require less care, and can provide their owners with plenty of attention and love.

Also, cats adjust well to indoor living, take great care in grooming themselves, and are easily trained to use a cat box. For these reasons they can live in an apartment as well as a large house.

But there are some diseases that can strike your cat even if you are giving the best of care. Here are a few.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a common skin disease in cats and dogs. Cats usually pick up the disease from contaminated objects such as clippers or bedding or by coming in direct contact with other animals infected with this disease.

One to two tablespoons of colloidal silver should get rid of ringworm on your cat in about one week, or you can take them to the vet for medication.

Diabetes

Some cats become diabetic. Its scary when you first know your cat has diabetes but once you start understanding the disease and get more used to the monitoring it, it becomes easier for you and your kitty. Informing yourself of the disease is crucial. It is not the same as human diabetes.

Obesity

Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in pets; estimates suggest that up to 45% of dogs and up to 13% of cats are obese (many doctors think these estimates are quite low judging by the number of obese pets they see every day in practice).

The only thing you can do is regulate how much food they eat. If your cat is overweight, don’t leave dry food out all the time. Begin feeding him or her once in the morning and once in the evening.

Basic Care for Your Cat

The best things you can do for your cat is to keep him or her inside away from cars and other dangers, give your cat plenty of water and a healthy, balanced diet that is high in protein, and brush him or her daily. Daily brushing will help prevent hairballs, which is a common malady for cats.

Aside from those basic things, keep poisonous plants out of your home or yard, and keep your home free from any small strings or objects that your cat might accidentally swallow. It’s fairly common to hear of cats that have swallowed an object such as a string, and dying from the resulting obstruction in his digestive system.

Fleas

Fleas multiply fast and do not voluntarily leave the body of the pet. Fleas can transmit tapeworms and cause itchy allergic reactions, which can lead to scratching, hair loss, and infection.

It is highly recommended that at the first sign of fleas you put something on your cat to get rid of the fleas, such as Frontline or Advantage. Don’t let fleas take over.

Infections

Urinary tract infections are another health danger for cats. If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, a urinary tract infection is suspect.

Conclusion

Cats can be wonderful companions. With some basic care and a lot of love, they can be your good friend for many years.

Filled with information about cat breeds and how to take care of your cat, catloversportal.com catloversportal.com is for cat lovers around the world. Learn about catloversportal.com/21/the-american-shorthair-cat-a-good-family-pet/ popular cat breeds, about catloversportal.com/27/feeding-your-kitten-and-cat-what-do-they-need/ cat health, and much more.

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Protect your pets from poisonous plants that grow in your garden! It’s getting warmer outside and the spring flowers are blooming. You may be thinking of what to plant for summer. but be careful about what you plant - especially if your pets like to chew. Many of the pretty flowers you grow in your yard may be hazardous if your pets eat them. These are some toxic plants that are commonly found in gardens:

Azalea

Azaleas and Rhododenrons contain grayantoxins, a toxic substance that can cause symptoms including: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness and lethargy. Severe poisoning can cause heart problems, leading to coma and death. (See also Rhododendrons.)

Castor Bean Castor beans contain a toxin called ricin, a protein that can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, drooling, weakness and appetite loss. Severe cases can cause dehydration, muscle twitches, tremors, seizures, coma and death.

Cyclamen

Cylamen plants contain a toxin called cyclamine, but the root of the plant contains the greatest concentration. If eaten, Cylamen can cause stomach problems including vomiting. In rare cases it has been fatal to pets.

Kalanchoe

This plant can be grown outdoors or indoors in containers. It is a popular houseplant that has cactus-like leaves. Kalanchoe contains components that can cause stomach upset. Some types of the plant have toxins that can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.

Lilies

Members of the Lily family can be highly toxic to cats. The poisonous component is not known, but eating small amounts of the plant can cause severe kidney damage.

Oleander

All parts of the oleander plant can be toxic. The plant contains oleandrin and neriine, which are cardiac glycosides that can cause stomach and intestinal irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

Rhododendron

Some Rhododendrons have a toxin called grayanotoxin in their pollen and nectar. This toxins can result in the following symptoms in animals: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness and lethargy. (See also Azaleas.)

Sago Palm

All parts of Cycas Revoluta (also known as Sago Palm) are poisonous, but the seeds or "nuts" contain the most toxins. Eating just one or two seeds can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Tulip/Narcissus Bulbs

If your pet digs in the garden, be careful about planting bulbs. The bulb portions of Tulip and Narcissus contain toxins that can cause intense stomach problems, drooling, appetite loss, lethargy, convulsions and heart problems.

Yew

All parts of the Yew tree are highly toxic, except the bright red area surrounding the seed. Yews contain a toxin known as taxine, which causes central nervous system symptoms such as trembling, poor coordination and difficult breathing. The toxin can also cause stomach upset and heart failure.

I write and speak about my passions - including animals, fundraising and travel. My latest project is Pet Health Focus ( pethealthfocus.com pethealthfocus.com), an online community for people caring for animals. I think of it as the “WebMD” for pets.

A companion book to the pet web site, “Your Diabetic Dog,” deals with the day-to-day care of dogs with this chronic illness, and is due out in 2007.

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You are ready to bring your Boxer home? First, you must prepare your house. Whether you are bringing home a puppy or adult Boxer, you may want to spend some time surveying your house from a Boxer eye view (about 2 feet off the ground). Wires, drapes and counters look pretty interesting from that height.

The Best Ways to Boxer-Proof Your House

Below is a list of how to Boxer-proof your home for adult or puppy: It is only a partial list, but a good start to your own research.

1. Be sure to keep anything valuable (or what you don’t want chewed) at least 3 feet off the floor. Boxers have an amazing ability to jump, even as puppies. This includes anything on the coffee table, kitchen counter, buffet, etc. Boxers are curious and love to explore.

2. It may be cute to see your puppy with a mouthful of toilet paper, but not when it becomes the habit of an adult. Keep the bathroom door closed and eliminate toilet drinking and rolls of paper strewn about. Boxers seem to have an affinity for used cotton-balls, too!

3. Restrict access to your kitchen garbage. Place the bin in the kitchen sink or behind closed doors. Dispose of your cigarette butts appropriately, as they can cause nicotine poisoning.

4. Electrical cords must be monitored for signs of chewing and/or made inaccessible to your Boxer. Sometimes a nasty-tasting substance can be used to deter your Boxer. Check with your vet for some recommendations.

5. We have all heard the horror stories of Boxers that have gotten into holiday decorations. They are attracted to the bright lights and shiny glass ornaments, so keep a close eye on your Boxer if you have Christmas decorations up.

6. There are many kinds of poisonous plants, so be sure to contact your local veterinarian for a list of any toxic plants that grow in your area.

7. Anti-freeze is highly toxic to dogs and it is a good idea to keep all chemicals safely out of reach of your Boxer, puppy or adult.

Jody Mitchell, a stay at home mom and part time veterinarian assistant who has been saved by Boxer dog from car accident. Her amazing experience inspires her to write about Boxer: “The Boxer Chronicle - A Guide to All Things Boxer.” Visit her Website boxerdogguide.com boxerdogguide.com

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It is always a shock when pet owners come home to find their dog sick and their favorite houseplants chewed to pieces. There are many safe plants that can be kept with dogs but there are some vary common houseplants and even outdoor plants that are extremely poisonous and potentially be lethal to dogs.

Understanding which houseplants should not be kept in the house or within reach of your dog is important. The following is a list of the most common houseplants that are toxic. Remember to check any plant with the nursery or with your vet to make sure that they are not poisonous:

· Most Philodendrons

· Chinese Evergreens

· Cordatum

· Corn Plant

· Devil’s Ivy

· Golden Pothos

· Marble Queen

· Peace Lily

· Nephthytis

· Most Dracaena

· Taro vine

There are also many bulbs that are stored over the winter in houses that are poisonous if consumed by a dog or even used as a fun toy. These include most the garden bulbs such as lily varieties, tulips, elephant ears, gladiolas, hyacinth, iris, crocus and amaryllis bulbs. Lily of the Valley is very toxic both as a bulb and as a plant.

Common garden plants that are found both inside and outside that are potentially deadly to dogs include Dieffenbachia, Foxglove, Morning glory, Nightshade, Onions, Tomato plants and most of the varieties of ivy.

Shrubs in the garden or the yard can also be problematic. Trees and shrubs such as:

· Avocado

· Yew

· Macadamia Nut

· Schefflera

· Bamboo

· Oleander

· Mistletoe

· Yucca

· Sago Palm

Many pet owners don’t realize that Aloe Vera can potentially be poisonous to dogs if consumed in large quantities. There are many other species of plants that can cause allergic reactions, rashes and skin and mouth lesions in dogs if the animal is exposed to the plants at certain times in the plants growth. Often the either the leaves, flower or bark is poisonous but perhaps not all three. For example, grape vines themselves are not poisonous to dogs but the grapes can be extremely toxic.

Safety Tips

Take some time to research the various houseplants and garden plants that your dogs may potentially be exposed to. It is not always necessary to completely remove the plants; rather they may just need to be placed above the dog’s reach. Puppies are more prone to chewing and mouthing items than are most mature dogs, so by monitoring how your dog behaves around your house and garden plants you can predict if you will have to remove the plants or if the dog will not bother them. Remember, however, that even dogs that don’t chew or play with plants may decide to do so at some time, so it is usually best to try to keep these plants out of the areas of the yard or house that the dog has access too when unsupervised.

If you believe that your dog has ingested a poisonous plant, or any type of plant, and is exhibiting signs of pain, nervous problems, salivating, drooling, vomiting or diarrhea immediately contact your vet and have the dog examined. Be sure to bring the plant in with you to help the vet identify the poison that was consumed.

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