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Besides Presidents, their First Ladies and children, dogs have resided at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as well.  It is no wonder that dog ownership is so high amongst the Presidential club.  Unlike their political foes and “allies”, dogs provide loyal companionship that isn’t dependent upon the latest Gallup Poll or focus group.

 

Presidential dogs have often endeared themselves to the electorate.  In honor of Dogs in Politics Day, here are the top five facts about first dogs:

 

5. George Washington’s Foxhounds

The first President had 36 dogs.  George Washington’s favorite breeds were hounds and he used them extensively on fox hunts.  The Father of Our Country, Washington can also be considered the Father of the American Foxhound.  Washington bred his hounds with the French variety, creating a new breed that survives today.

4. James Buchanan’s Newfy

Besides being the only bachelor to have become President, James Buchanan had the heaviest dog to ever occupy the Whitehouse.  Lara, a Newfoundland, was 170 lbs.  Perhaps that was the reason he remained a bachelor.

3. FDR’s Scotty

The only dog to have a statue in a national monument is Fala, FDR’s Scottish Terrier. The statue of Fala is a fixture in the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.

2. George W Bush’s Internet Sensations!

Barney and Miss Beazley, First dogs of George W Bush, were the first presidential dogs to have their own website.

 

1. Abe’s First Fido

The name Fido is a stereotypical generic name for a dog.  But why is that?  Fido has a Latin base meaning “I trust” or faithful one.  The President who came up with that name for his dog was none other than Abraham Lincoln, one of our most beloved Presidents.

Hi Pet Blog Readers!

It’s finally Friday, but before we get to the weekend we have a guest blog from Richard. He has written an informative post detailing what your pet guinea pig needs for a healthy diet. Your furry friend has important dietary needs and you are the one to help them fill those needs! If you have any questions or comments please let us know, they are always welcome! Have a great weekend!

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A guinea pig’s diet is fairly simple. In the beginning, owners just need to follow some guidelines and test out different treats when their pet first arrives. The diet of the guinea pig should be made up of fresh fruits, vegetables, commercialized pellets and timothy hay.

Fruits & Veggies

A proper diet should consist of fruits and vegetables, but in moderation. If you give your guinea pig too much, they will probably have diarrhea, which is potentially very dangerous to your pet’s health if it persists.

Try out different types of fruits or veggies to see which your pet likes the most. After you’ve found a few, stick to those in their diet. Some I would highly recommend include: apples, kale, spinach, carrots, blueberries, peaches and tangerines. It’s okay to switch out a few every now and then, but always research first to see if they can actually eat it.

Here are some foods that you need to keep away from your pig: iceberg lettuce, corn, potatoes, chocolate, “human treats” and raw beans. Don’t just stick to this list alone, there are many other foods they should avoid. Remember to always do your research first.

Timothy Hay

Probably the most popular Cavy food, Timothy hay should make up the majority of your guinea pig’s diet. Yes, you heard right. Your pet can eat the same Timothy hay that is recommended as bedding for guinea pig cages.

Now, if you plan on using Timothy hay for your bedding as well, I would get a hayrack to clear up any confusion for your pet. You want to separate hay that is used as bedding from hay that is used for eating. Make it clear to them by putting treats or pellets inside the hayrack mixed-in with the hay. That way, they’ll know food belongs in that rack.

In the previous section, I mentioned that too many fruits or vegetables could cause diarrhea. If that happens, simply increase your pig’s intake of Timothy hay and it should go away. This is because this type of hay helps with digestion.

Commercial Food Pellets

When looking into food pellets at your local pet store, find a product that is 20% protein and 16% fiber. Also, make sure to look for Vitamin C in these products.

Guinea pigs need Vitamin C because, like humans, they can’t produce any themselves. A lack of vitamin will surely lead to health problems in the future. If you can’t find pellets with any, just buy them tablets and feed them about 10mg per day.

Do not feed them multi-vitamins, as excess in the other vitamins can potentially be dangerous to them.

When to Feed Them

When you first start feeding your guinea pig, pick a time that is convenient for you. You want to get them in the habit of eating food at a certain hour of the day. These critters depend on a set schedule and will often make some sort of commotion if that schedule is broken. Try your best to not be more than an hour early or late when it comes to their diet schedule.

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Just follow these simple guidelines and you’ll have a diet plan designed for a healthy piggy. I also want to note that these diet plan tips can be applied to all guinea pig breeds. And remember, when in doubt, research to see if your pet is allowed to eat it. The last thing you’d want is to poison your new friend.

Richard James has been caring for guinea pigs for over 15 years. He is the author of the care guide, “Guinea Pig Care Made Easy,” which has helped many owners raise a healthy pet. He currently owns 3 guinea pigs: 2 Silkies and 1 Peruvian. Check out his website for more valuable information about caring for Guinea Pigs.

Vacations are great: time for rest, relaxation and recharging. However, some pet owners, including myself, feel guilty leaving our furry friends behind while exploring other parts of the country. I’ve discussed hiring pet sitters and boarding facilities before, but there is another option. Consider it the road less travelled.
What about taking your pets with you? Air travel can be expensive and sometimes dangerous for short-nosed dog breeds. What about a good old-fashioned road trip? After you read this, you might reconsider that boarding facility or pet sitter, but for those instances where you really want to share the road with your four-legged best friend, this post will be your go-to resource for planning the perfect road trip.

There are 5 main steps to preparing for your long-distance road trip:

1. Get the all-clear from your vet. Schedule a well-pet visit for any of the pets that you’ll be taking on the road with you. If you’ll be travelling across the Canadian border, make sure you have copies of your current rabies vaccination certificates. Make copies of any other vaccinations and check with the places you’re staying to make sure your pets are up to date on any vaccinations that they require.
2. Plan your route carefully. Pet friendly hotels are more and more common, but you’re going to need to plan ahead. Don’t just rely on a hotel’s information online, make sure to call ahead and get confirmation that your pets are welcome.

You may want to consider camping during your trip or renting an RV for a cross-country trip, especially if you have multiple dogs or large breed dogs. You still need to call ahead and make sure that your pets are welcome. As unfair as it is, some breeds aren’t allowed in some counties, hotels, or campgrounds.
3. You’ll want to first make a list of everything you’ll need for your pet while on vacation, and secondly pack enough of it for the entire duration of your trip. Here’s a quick list that I came up with:

• • Dog crate/car restraint
• • Dog food
• • Dog Toys and Treats
• • Dog beds
• • First aid kit
• • Bowls
• • Leashes
• • Collar
• • Proof of vaccinations

4. Make sure your microchip information is up-to-date. If your pet isn’t microchipped, make sure to get one done at your vet’s office. If they are already microchipped, update your information online to include your cell phone number in case they escape while away from home.
5. Practice makes perfect! If your dog isn’t used to car rides, take small trips in preparation for the long haul. Slowly build up the amount of time that you’re in the car until you’re confident that your pet will tolerate a long road trip.

While you’re on the road, make sure to give plenty of water and stop every few hours for a stretch and to relieve them. Take a short walk at each rest stop to reduce anxiousness. If you can, go for a run or do some exerting activity so that they’re nice and tired for the next leg of the trip!

Do you have any words of wisdom for any pet lovers getting ready to go on a road trip with their furry companions? Leave them in the comments!

Hi Pet Blog Readers!  As we eagerly anticipate the weekend, we have an article from guest blogger Sam Buddy.  He has written a nice post about bringing a new dog into your home.  Housebreaking a new pup or dog can be a trying task.  Sam has a few ideas that should help you get prepared for the new addition to your home.  If you have any questions or comments, or any new puppy housebreaking ideas of your own, let us know in the comments section.  Have a great weekend!

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He’s so fluffy, you could die! The latest addition to your family, a lovely, furry little thing that can literally turn you into that overexcited little girl in the movie “Despicable Me” – he’s so great for cuddling and nuzzling. All of you are likely to be blindly in love with the puppy for, at most, a week. After that, all members of the family will be pointing fingers at who should have the turn to take the cutie out for a tinkle or a poop session. You all love the pup dearly but he will prove to be quite a handful and a big challenge for the family.

One of your responsibilities as new pet owners is to housebreak your pup. This way, before his natural temperament completely takes over and habits form, you can lead him to the right path of development that will not only benefit him but also your whole family. To housebreak the doggie and protect your home dynamics and relationship, here are tips from trusted professional breeders of purebreds and designer dogs, Chevromist Kennels.

 

• Do your homework.  Learn more about the specific breed of your puppy because their breed will determine their characteristics and developmental needs. Knowing these things will allow you to modify your own behaviours as primary care providers, and even your home design.

 

• Designate places for your puppy’s daily routine.  Chevromist advises pet owners to make sure the dog has a safe place to relieve himself. Over time, this specific area will tell your dog that it’s where he can do his “business” comfortably.

 

• Install convenience and safety features for the dog.  These will allow him to create and stick to the routine easier so even if nobody’s home to take him out to urinate or defecate, or give him food, he can still smoothly go about his daily activities.

 

• Be patient.  Habit formation takes time and patience; dogs are sensitive beings and the way you deliver instructions and your reactions to them impact their ability to learn important lessons. Screaming at your pup or rushing him while he’s trying to relieve himself will stress him out and make it harder for him to work with a routine, to trust you, and at times, it may even cause him to lose control over his bodily functions.

 

• Reinforce good behaviour with rewards.  This is an essential part of dog training and this doesn’t need to be an edible treat all the time; extra cuddles, loving coos, affectionate pats on the head will have the pup learning necessary behaviours, like going outside to relieve himself, that would earn him such treats.

About The Author: Sam Buddy is a pet owner and a freelance writer. He feels a special connection with his pets, most especially to his dog. He treats them as part of his family. He even brings his dog with him every time he travels. He spends most his time learning and sharing informative content about pets. Sam uses this resource for helpful pet care information: http://chevromistreviews.com.au/.

Good day, Pet Blog Readers.  Today we have an interesting article written by guest blogger Christian Wolb, from Hopi Animal Hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona.  He has compiled a list of 7 fun facts you may not know about your dog.  Some are fun behaviors, some are early indicators of potential health problems.  Take a look, and if you have any fun facts about dogs that you would like to share, let us know in the comments section.  Thanks!

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How well do you know your dog sitting on your sofa? Why is he playing odd sometimes? Is your canine doing it on purpose or just desire to make fun of you? The days you are with your dogs do not guarantee how good you know them as well as their odd practices. Let’s try to find out some wonderful dog facts and know them more than what their wagging tail seems to tell.

 

Canine Fact Number 1:  When your dog chases his/her tail, he might need help from the vet.

A wide variety of reasons clarify why dogs chase their tail: exercise, predatory instinct, discomfort or presence of fleas. Nevertheless, to talk with your vet is the safest and surest approach to get the actual reason why your dog keeps chasing his/her tail.

 

Canine Fact Number 2:  Dogs dream while asleep.

Do not be shocked if you see your dog barking or moving his/her feet while asleep. He/she may have been chasing his/her dearest at the park in his/her dream. Humans and dogs share the same SWS (slow wave sleep) as well as REM (rapid eye movement) while asleep. So let him/her experience the moment to savor twitching while the eyes are closed.

 

Dog Fact Number 3:  They have night vision.

Do you know how dogs can freely move in the dark? How did they even get robbers trying to steal your valuables when it’s dark? Well, dogs have tapetum lucidum, which gives them the ability them to see even when it’s dark.

 

Canine Fact Number 4:  If he/she is acting comical, go find your umbrella.

Although scientists have not yet found the mystery behind this, but according to some, dogs can determine the weather especially when it’s going to rain. So, the next time you discover your dog acting funny, go get the umbrella straight away. Besides, it pays to be all set at all cost.

 

 

Dog Fact Number 5:  Dogs don’t sweat like we do.

Dogs do not sweat everywhere. As a matter of fact, they only sweat on their pads. When you find that their paw pads are sweating, you get the notion that the area is a bit warm for them to reside.

 

Dog Fact Number 6: Your dog’s nose is wet because he/she is absorbing scent.

Popularly known to be the captain of scent, dogs secrete a mucous on their nose to help them recognize the scent (more accurately than we do). When their noses get wet, they would lick them to sample the scent they have gathered with their mouth.

 

Canine Fact Number 7:  They are the chief of scent.

Dogs can smell 100,000 times more accurate than their owners. No wonder why even the FBI and peace order departments of our local government search help from them in searching unwanted items in certain public places. This also explains why when you leave your cookies unattended; you would be left with nothing but the food container.

 

There are other things that you do not understand about your pet so do not easily label them by the way they act or kick after peeing in your couch. Some of the strange stuffs they do may really be funny but it is always ideal to visit your vet on a regular basis.

 

Author’s bio:

Do you want to know more about your pets? Visit http://www.hopianimalhospital.com/ and discuss your pet concerns with people dedicated to provide pet care services for the wellbeing of your pets.

Hi Pet Blog Readers, Good Monday!  To start off the week, we have a post from guest blogger Karleia Steiner.  She has authored an informative article about heartworms in dogs.  Heartworms can be a serious problem for your dog, so it is a good idea to take preventative action and stop them before they affect your favorite canine.  Karleia has some great tips that should help keep your pooch happy and healthy.  If you have ideas that you would like to share, please let us know in the comments section.  Thanks!

 

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Heartworm disease is a condition where parasitic worms live inside of the pulmonary arteries. This condition may also affect the right side of the heart. It primarily affects dogs, but it can affect cats, foxes, ferrets, coyotes and sea lions. Heartworm disease can make an animal seriously ill and even cause death. There are treatments for this condition, but in many cases, the treatments result in complications. Fortunately, it can be prevented. Below are some tips that will help prevent heartworm.

Follow A Heartworm Prevention Plan

One of the best things that you can do to prevent your dog from getting heartworm is to follow your veterinarian’s heartworm prevention plan. Your veterinarian may recommend that your dog take chewables or tablets monthly or daily. Your veterinarian may also recommend injections. Heartworm medications will not work on an animal that already have heartworms.

All heartworm prevention medications work in the same way. They work by killing larvae heartworms. Heartworm medications do not work on adult heartworms. That is why it is very important for you to make sure that your dog consistently takes the heartworm medication.

You should also have your dog tested for heartworm at least once a year. Your veterinarian may recommend more frequent testing if needed. This will ensure your dog is heartworm-free before he or she continues taking the medication. Veterinarians can perform a blood test in order to diagnose heartworm. The test checks for antigens that the adult heartworms release into the bloodstream. However, the test usually do not detect heartworm infections that are less than five months old. You can visit Brimley-Lawrence Animal Clinic if you want to know more about heartworm testing.

Reduce Your Dog’s Exposure To Mosquitos

Infected mosquitos transmit heartworm. That is why you will also need to limit your dog’s exposure to mosquitos. The mosquitos are most active after sunset, so you should keep your dog inside during this time if possible. You may also want to consider using a product that is designed to repel and kill mosquitos. This will also reduce your dog’s chances of being infected with heartworm.

 

In summary, heartworm disease can be deadly, but there are some things that can be done to prevent it. You will need to take your dog to the veterinarian in order to get a heartworm prevention plan. You will also need to get your dog tested for heartworms regularly. Additionally, you should reduce your dog’s exposure to mosquitos.

Please welcome guest blogger Tabitha Strepthorne.  For our perusal, she has an informative article about letting your rabbit roam in your backyard.  While exploring your backyard and garden can be a great source of fun and exercise, there are opportunities for your rabbit to get into harm’s way.  She has some helpful tips and advice you can use to make sure your furry friend stays safe while still having a great time.  If you have any questions, comments or your own ideas for bunny fun, please let Tabitha and us know in the comments section below.  Have a great weekend!

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Whether you have a Netherland dwarf or an English Giant it is important to make sure that your pet rabbit gets the exercise he or she needs. Large, spacious hutches are great for keeping your rabbit in shape, and there are outside hutches available for sunny days. There are even rabbit harnesses that you can put onto the rabbit so that you can take your bunny for walks!

However from personal experience, some bunnies may not like the feel of the harness and they will chew through it.  Often outside hutches can seem cramped. So what to do?

Why not make the entire garden your bunny’s exercise yard? If you have a colourful, green garden with a few nice patches of grass, it may be worth looking into bunny-proofing your garden. Unfortunately if you have a pond, chances are no amount of ‘bunny proofing’ will make it safe for your rabbit to run around the garden.

 

Fences and Gates

Bunnies are a lot like babies. If you take your eyes off them for a minute, somehow they will find their way into the strangest cubby holes, nooks and crannies. This is why it is important to ensure that any fences are fully staked into the ground, and that any gates have a rubber lining or a low hanging base to make sure that the rabbit doesn’t crawl underneath the gate and get out of the garden.

If you have decking it is important to board up any entrances to the decking, as if your bunny is at all adventurous they will try to find a way underneath. Beneath the decking is a great place for rabbits as it is dark and shady – perfect for the summer!

 

Harmful Plants

Most rabbits have an innate sense of danger and will be able to sniff out any potentially harmful plants. However rabbits have strong taste buds and can be curious, particularly young rabbits, so on occasion things can take a turn for the worse.

Certain plants are incredibly harmful to rabbits, so it is important to look these up online to make sure that your bunny is safe. A few examples of common plants that can be poisonous to rabbits are oak leaves, poppies and buttercups although a little bit of digging online will harbour a more complete list of poisonous plants.

 

Bedding and Water

Bunnies can get nervous too! If you have a small garden and a young bunny, try placing some of its bedding in a corner of the garden. The bunny will gravitate towards the bedding as a source of familiarity and comfort, and as it gets more used to the feel of the garden the rabbit will then start exploring more and more of the garden.

The most important thing is ensuring that your bunny feels safe and secure while running around the garden. Make sure to put a bowl of water out for your bunny in a shaded area as they will become dehydrated. Weigh the bowl down with a few stones so that your bunny doesn’t knock the water over by running past it or jumping over it.

 

It is important to remember that nothing is foolproof! Although your bunny will be able to run and play it is crucial that you supervise them to ensure that you can take any action needed if your bunny starts getting into trouble or starts acting out. Like a small child, stay close to your bunny and be aware! With a safely bunny-proofed garden your rabbit can hop and run around to their hearts content!

 

This past Sunday the Lancaster Barnstormer’s held their annual Bark in the Park event at the Clipper Magazine Stadium. That Pet Place mascots, Bernie the St. Bernard and Chompers the shark, were in attendance, and That Pet Place had several reps in the lawn area with all of the pets and other vendors.

The afternoon started with a yappy hour in the front of the stadium with $1 hot dogs. All proceeds from the sale of the food and the special lawn tickets went to the Lancaster SPCA and supports a great cause to our local community.

The Barnstormer’s also had several other events going on that day: a walk for kids with diabetes & it was their mascot, Cylo’s, birthday! There were tons of mascots in attendance, including the Turkey Hill Turkey and the Hershey Bear’s mascot! Bernie and Chompers were honored to be a part of the celebration.

Back in the lawn area, the reps from TPP (including myself) were swarmed with fans and their friendly dogs. Everyone had a great time mingling and socializing with each other. Tina from Furever Homes Adoption joined us as well (they’re a proud member of Lancaster CARES) to promote their upcoming craft and vendor fair on That Pet Place grounds on July 12th, 2014. TPP had a camouflage bandanas for the dogs in attendance. If you missed the event, stop by the store. We have a few left over and they’re for sale in the retail store in Lancaster, PA!

Did you go to the game? Snap any pictures? Please, share them with us on our Facebook page!

If you weren’t able to make the game, make sure you keep an eye out this fall; the Lancaster Barnstormer’s are planning another event for this fall! Watch our Facebook page in the coming months as we figure out the details!

As a follow up from my post on low cost DIY pet portaits, I had the opportunity to meet with the artist behind Bztat Studios at the 2014 BlogPaws Conference in Lake Las Vegas. I even won a free digital pet portrait at the conference!

For those of you who aren’t so artistic or “do-it-yourselfers”, a Bztat pet portrait could be a great option if you’re looking for a contemporary style pet portrait and you don’t know where to start to look for an artist. I’ve met her, she’s a real deal artist and very passionate about her art; and great at what she does! Check out some of the Premiere portraits from her blog:

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Hi That Pet Place readers – If you’re local to the Lancaster, PA area I hope you had a chance on Saturday to stop out at the 2nd annual Pet Pantry Proud Pet Day for some fun and games!

I want to thank all of the organizations, volunteers, and customers for making this event such a huge success this year! We had beautiful (although a little bit chilly) weather and a great crowd to meet with.

Cylo from the Lancaster Barnstormers stopped by to promote their upcoming Bark in the Park event (a day where you can take your dog with you to the baseball game) and was a huge hit with the kids and the dogs!

Forgotten Friends was taking snake photos, The Feathered Sanctuary had lots of rescue birds out who were available for adoption, and all kinds of rescue organizations from around the area stopped by to promote pet welfare and adoption.

Thanks to all of our customers who donated to the Stuff the Truck event & helped feed pets in need; the 50/50 raised about $500 and Beau, last year’s winner of the Beneful Dream Dog Park chose the winning tennis ball towards the end of the day.

Local artist Neil was doing Pet Caricatures and Pet Psychic Cynthia was doing readings… all for this great cause for our local area! I can’t even begin to thank everyone enough for all the support they showed.

Another big thank you goes out to the vendors who took the time to set up a table or booth at the event and hand out samples to customers.

I was in attendance as a representative of the organization Tripawds, who is very near to my heart. My very own Tripawd, Barret, was there and of course was the star of the show. He was busy showing off his balance skills on the FitPaws Balance Disk to anyone who might give him a treat (which he got many of since we were stationed next to a treat station from Bradley Caldwell!). Pet Cancer and limb amputation isn’t something a lot of people want to talk about openly, but I had a lot of people who were surprised he was able to get along so well with 3 legs. I just kept repeating that he was “born with 3 legs and a spare”! I hope that I was able to dispel some common myths and rumors about canine cancer and provide a future resource to anyone who may face this tragic disease in their pets’ futures.

We were also stationed next to Chance, the Boxer who had an untreated leg injury as a pup which left him unable to walk (from Last Chance Animal Rescue). Chance recently had surgery to fix his injury and is now learning how to walk for the first time. I was able to talk with Dr. Bryan from The Pet Pantry and Chance was able to to try out the FitPaws Balance Disk which might help him recover if used for physical therapy and training to rebuild the muscles he hasn’t ever had a chance to use!

The question I had to answer most (other than explaining Barret wasn’t a lab puppy, but a 6 year old cocker spaniel mutt) was that he was most certainly NOT up for adoption! This little boy has a home, but anyone looking for a pet, whether they are “specially abled” or not, should check with their local rescues and PetFinder.com before going to a breeder or anywhere else.

Stay tuned, Pet Place friends and family, we’ve got even more adoption and pet welfare events planned throughout the year!

Check out The Pet Pantry of Lancaster’s Photo Album on Facebook – Part 1 and Part 2

Did you attend the festivities? What did you think? Did you have a favorite booth or activity? Let us know what you thought so we can improve the event for future years!

See you next time, Heather & Barret