A cry sounded in the dark… awakening me from my troubled sleep. With cracked eyelids I checked the clock… 3 am!!! What in the world was she thinking? Then the sound came again, a small whimper, followed by the piercing cry. Even though I was trying the cry-it-out approach, my heart wasn’t letting me. To hear the tearful cries was much too difficult. I stumbled to the little bed and took the warm body into my arms. She immediately tucked her soft head into the crook of my arm and fell fast asleep. What was I to do? I sat down and held her in my arms the rest of the night. I woke ... [continue reading]

Grooming, along with health checkpoints, is very important for your dog’s health and should be done on a daily basis. Because grooming requires the owner to have close physical contact with their dog it helps develop a stronger bond between the two of them, naturally improving the dog’s well-being. Develop a daily grooming routine within the first week after adopting your new dog or puppy and continue with that routine throughout the entire life of the dog. Prior to starting the grooming process it is important to make sure, all of the proper grooming tools are at hand. If you are g... [continue reading]

Here’s a spot remover that will help you get rid of grease spots in your pet’s fur between baths, especially those spots that cats get on their heads from prowling under cars. Rub a few drops of Murphy Oil Soap and a small amount of warm water onto the greasy spots. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water. From Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. ... [continue reading]

For pets that just won’t put up with water baths, try this simple dry shampoo. Place 1/2 to 1 Cup bran, oatmeal or cornmeal on a cookie sheet. Put the oven on low for 5 minutes to warm the grain. Removing a little at a time, so that the rest stays warm but not too hot, rub the grain into the fur with a towel. Concentrate on the greasy, dirty areas. Then brush these areas thoroughly to get the grain out. From Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. ... [continue reading]

Rosemary tea makes an excellent conditioner that promotes a glossy coat and helps to repel fleas. 1 tsp dried rosemary or 1 Tbsp fresh 1 pint boiling water Combine and steep for 10 minutes, covered. Strain and cool to body temperature. Pour it over your pet after the final rinse. Rub in and towel dry without further rinsing. When you’re finished with the bath, use several towels to blot off excess water. Then let your pet do what comes naturally, shaking and licking off more of the water. Make sure your pet has a warm place to dry off. From Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural ... [continue reading]

The coat of long-haired breeds like the Pekingese and Shih Tzu get tangled to such an extent that sometimes there is no alternative but to strip the coat down to the skin with clippers. Even while grooming other breeds you are likely to notice that some hair becomes damaged, tangled and matted. These may be some damaged hair, burrs that are difficult to pull off and dandruff or mats that become difficult to get rid of. Some homemade recipes for coat conditioners can help solve these problems and can save you some expense or a trip to the veterinarian. To treat dry or damaged coat, whisk the yo... [continue reading]

What are tear stains? Tear stains are reddish/brownish marks found on the inside corner and just below the eyes of pets. These are most often found on animals with light-colored fur as this makes them more visible. Tear stains are caused by an overflow of tears which then react with normal bacteria found on the skin to produce the darkened color. Red Yeast is a common culprit in producing tear stains as this organism – like most fungi – thrives in the warm and damp environment just below your pet’s eyes. Although tear stains do not generally pose any serious health risk, in s... [continue reading]

If your dog is sprayed by a skunk, you are likely to look frantically in your kitchen cupboards for something that you can wash her with that will neutralize and remove the overpowering smell. Usually this happens in the middle of the night, of course, since skunks are nocturnal creatures. Some simple chemistry will help you choose the right ingredients! The old folk remedy for skunk smell removal is tomato juice. The reason this was passed down through the generations is that it worked! Skunk spray is alkaline, and acidic tomato juice will neutralize the alkaline odor. One of my dogs was once... [continue reading]

Ingredients 1 Extra large box of baking soda 2 lbs Cornstarch. Blend the following to a fine powder: 2 cups dried pennyroyal 2 cups dried lavender 1 cup dried Rosemary. The following essential oils: 20 drops citronella 20 drops lemon 30 drops pennyroyal 20 drops rosemary Mix all ingredients and leave the scents mingle a few days. Sprinkle on your pets coat. ... [continue reading]

Brush your dog often. Brushing will stimulate oils in your pets skin & keep it moist & healthy. Brushing will prevent matting of your dogs coat. Brushing is a great way to show your dog attention. Brushing eliminates dead hair in the coat that contributes to shedding. Maintain the length of your dogs nails. You can walk your dog often to wear down nails. Clip your dogs nails on a regular basis. If they are cut too short they can bleed & sting. Groomers usually charge a little less than veterinarians to cut nails. If you believe your dog will be aggressive about getting their nails ... [continue reading]