Guest Posts

Can Dogs be Litter Box Trained?

by Kristy on July 25, 2011

Can dogs be litter box trained?

Cats are a finicky lot, but one of the nice things about owning one is that they can be trained, fairly easily, to “do their business” in a litter box. The pet’s owner doesn’t have to go outside during inclement weather, or wait for their four-legged companion to answer nature’s call. Cats, in fact, prefer using kitty litter over anything else. Housebreaking cats is usually little more than a matter of showing them where their “restroom” is.

The litter box is ubiquitous with cat ownership, and people certainly appreciate the convenience factor. Some dog owners would love see their pets use a litter box, but is such a thing even possible? There are certainly a number of merchants that will tell you “of course it is, with our product.” While litter boxes specifically designed for dogs are widely through pet stores, and online retailers, little evidence suggests that it’s a worthwhile exercise.

Dr. Michael Fox, a veterinarian and pet advice columnist, told a reader “some dogs have been trained to use a litter box like a cat, but I don’t advise trying it, since failure stress, and distress are the usual outcomes” (The Sunday Gazette, Albany New York, September 8, 2002). He further points out that dogs need to go outside, not only to evacuate, but to poke around the neighborhood and get some fresh air. Cats, on the other hand, seem content to stay indoors and more readily take to the idea of a litter box.

Some dog owners disagree and say that smaller breeds in particular can actually benefit from litter box training. If you’re trying to decide whether or not to try litter box training with your dog, ask around. Fellow dog owners, as well as your vet, may have some valuable insight on the subject.

photo credit

This blog post was provided by HowToPayMyVet.com, a website dedicated to providing help with vet bills. Whether you need help with vet bills for a dog, cat, or other pet, howtopaymyvet.com can provide the assistance you need to pay your bills on time.

Rare Breed Profile: American Alsatian

by Melissa on July 24, 2011

American Alsatian

Previously the Alastian Shepalute, this rare large breed companion dog has been known as the American Alsatian since February 2010. This calm breed enjoys a daily walk and thrives as a therapy dog due to its quiet nature, even though it was developed through the selective breeding of these purebred dogs: Great Pyrenees, German Shepherd, English Mastiff, Alaskan Malamute, and the Anatolian Shepherd. The development of this breed was perfected over a time span of twenty years, and finally recognized as an official breed in 2000.

Although this breed sports females up to 100 pounds and males up to 120 pounds, the American Alsatian was bred specifically to be a family companion. They are loyal dogs that enjoy children and other pets, but act aloof with strangers and have a low prey drive. Despite their size, the American Alsatian does not require large amounts of space and will adapt to most living situations. One unique trait is that this dog is not easily alarmed by loud noises, like storms or fireworks, and they rarely bark.

The breed generally lives to 12-14 years old, and has not had enough time as a breed to establish a trend in health problems. While arthritis was reported in two dogs, epilepsy was reported in another in 2009.

Perhaps the most unique trait of this dog is that it was bred to look like the extinct Dire Wolf, which is known as the largest member of the canid family to ever live. It comes in a variety of colors, including gold, silver, black sable (rare), or cream, with silver being the most desirable. White is also a rare color in the American Alsatian. The body of the dog is longer than it is tall, and it has wolf-like facial expressions. The ears stand tall and it is thick and strong from the nose through the neck.

If you like the idea of having a large and calm family dog, the rare American Alsatian might be the dog for you. Check local shelters or rescue groups and let them know you are interested in this type of dog, or contact the National American Alsatian Breeder’s Association for more information on the breed, Alsatian dog standards, and other important facts about this newer breed.

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.

Help Local Animal Shelters with the Animal Rescue Site!

by Melissa on July 22, 2011

Did you know that just by voting once per day, you can help your favorite local animal shelter win a cash prize grant from The Animal Rescue Site? By partnering with Petfinder, The Animal Rescue Site runs several contests per year that award local shelters with funds they can use to help rescue animals. Voting is currently in the third round for this year, and sixty-nine grants (totaling $75,000) will be awarded to shelters.

Here’s how the voting works:

Visit The Animal Rescue Site voting page.

Type in the name of the shelter you want to vote for, and select the state where it is located.

Hit “search”.

Confirm your vote by typing in the given code.

A “thank you for voting” confirmation page will show at the end of your vote, where you can see who is in the lead in the country and also in your state.

This contest does not only apply to the United States, but instead expands to Canada and other international countries. If a shelter wins a $1,000 “Weekly Winner” grant, they cannot win the regional grant, but are still eligible for the grand prize.

Here is a full listing of prizes:

Grand Prize: One $5,000 grant!
Funny Fluffy Photo Caption Contest: Two $2,000 grants, & two $1,000 grants!
State Winners*: Fifty-one $1,000 state grants
(50 U.S. states and Washington D.C.)
Canadian Winners*: One $1,000 grant will be awarded.
International Winner*: One $1,000 grant will be awarded.
Weekly Winners* Eleven $1,000 grants will be awarded, one for each week of this voting round of the Shelter+ Challenge.

In the past, some high profile shelters have won grants in this contest. Villalobos Rescue Center, known from the Animal Planet show Pit Bulls and Parolees, was the recipient of a previous grand prize in 2011. Villalobos is the largest pit bull sanctuary in the United States that sits on ten acres of land and homes approximately 150 dogs at one time.

It is not only large shelters that can win grants. Any small shelter, even ones that are struggling to stay open, can win in this contest if they receive enough votes. By getting the word out about the contest and promoting the shelter of your choice, you can help them win a grant through the contest.

To see past winners of the contest, visit the Shelter Challenge Winners Historical Archive page.

If you could pick one shelter to win grant money, what shelter would that be and why?

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.

New Cat: Now What?

by Melissa on July 21, 2011

Have you recently adopted a new cat, found one outside that needs a home, or are thinking of adopting one? When bringing a new cat home, there is much to consider. No matter how you acquired (or will acquire) your new feline friend, there are certain things you can do to make your cat comfortable and feel safe in its new home.

The first thing you should do when bringing a new cat home is to find a local veterinarian that you trust. Ask around for recommendations, research their websites, and even make a visit to the vet’s office to get a feel for the place. If you don’t like the original veterinarian choice, you can always request your cat’s records and make another choice. After making the decision and making an appointment, be sure to bring paperwork and any health records you were given upon adoption. This will help the vet decide what your cat needs, including any necessary vaccinations or a spay/neuter. Invest in a quality cat carrier for trips to and from the vet.

When your feline comes home, it is important to have several items on hand to make their stay more comfortable. Cats like perches and safe places, so a cat tree or tower is a good thing to have so your cat can play, scratch, and even look out the window. With a tower or tree to scratch, your cat is less likely to develop the bad habit of scratching furniture, bedding, or other objects in the home. Cats will often use the different perches as beds.

A clean litter box is a necessary item, which serves as the cat’s toilet. Cats can be incredibly picky about what kind of litter they use, so it is best to research different types before purchasing. Place the box in an area where the cat can access it with ease, and show your cat where it is. Don’t get mad if the cat has some accidents before figuring out where the box is, especially if your feline is a kitten. Young kittens take awhile to get acclimated with the litter box. If you took in a feral kitten, put some leaves and dirt in the litter box to make it feel like the outdoors.

The litter box should not be placed near the food and water source. Cats are clean creatures by nature, and will not want to eliminate where they eat. Place a fresh bowl of water and the food dish far away from the litter box. Research several types of foods before choosing one for your cat. To avoid the cat getting fussy, many people rotate food sources on a regular basis. Avoid free feeding, as this will cause your cat to be overweight. Most cats only need a quarter cup of food twice per day, but this varies depending on the size. Ask your veterinarian for a feeding portion recommendation that is best for your cat.

Toys will help your cat get exercise and keep your cat young. You can make toys out of cardboard, or buy toys. Da Bird and laser pointers are usually big hits with cats! Cats love to hunt, and these toys will fill that urge. It is recommended that you let the cat get “the kill” on the last turn, so that they don’t end up frustrated by the hunt.

Grooming tools will help to keep your cat in tip top shape. Nails should be trimmed regularly with quality clippers, and your cat should be brushed often, depending on the length of hair. Some breeds need brushing daily, while other cats only need grooming once per week. Research different types of brushes to figure out which meets your needs the best.

With proper care and the right tools, you can make your new cat feel comfortable in their new home. A happy cat makes life easier for not only you, but the cat too!

How about you, what words of advice would you give a new cat owner?

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.

The Importance of Building a Pet Library

by Kristy on July 17, 2011

Pet Library
If your family includes a furry friend, it is important to stay on top of their needs. This includes feeding, watching for signs and symptoms of possible health issues, and illness prevention. When you bring your pet into your home, or if you have a pet and donʼt yet have any books on their care, it is time to start building a small reference library in order to stay on top of their needs.

If you are wondering where to start, make a list of concerns you may have over the lifetime of your pet. For example, if you have a breed that is prone to cancer, like a Golden Retriever or Boxer, a book on cancer prevention and treatment, such as The Natural Vetʼs Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer by Shawn Messonnier, DVM, and Russell L. Blaylock, M.D., will be a handy addition to your bookshelf. If you love bettas, having a general guide like Betta: Your Happy Healthy Pet by John H. Tullock is a book to consider.

In addition to specific needs, having a whole health guide is essential. Do the research and look around at a variety of books. Read book reviews before buying to make sure you are getting a well-written guide, and consider your approach to pet wellness. If you
are a proponent of holistic remedies, make sure your general health book fits that guideline. If you are looking for a strict veterinarianʼs point of view, choose a book that is written by a veterinarian, and do research on the author before making a final decision. Browsing the local library is a great way to research several books before purchasing one.

Consider adding a cookbook and a first aid guide to your pet library as well. Cooking for your pet, even if it is only a few times per week or just treats, can cut serious costs compared to buying expensive pre-packaged treats that sometimes arenʼt even healthy. A first aid guide will help you in an emergency when you canʼt get to the vet in a timely manner, and might even safe your petʼs life in the long run.

Recommended reading:

Hound Health Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Keeping Your Dog Happy, Healthy,
and Active by Betsy Brevitz

The Natural Cat: The Comprehensive Guide to Optimum Care by Anitra Frazier and
Norma Eckroate

The Nature of Animal Healing: The Definitive Holistic Guide to Caring for Your Dog and
Cat by Martin Goldstein, DVM

The First Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats by Amy D. Shojai

How about you, do you have a book that you would recommend pet owners add to their pet library?

photo credit

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s new article writer: Melissa Chichester.

How To Plan a Stress-Free Move With Your Pet

by Kristy on June 10, 2011

The following is a guest post with helpful advice and tips for what to do to help take the stress away from moving for both you and your pet.

Been wanting some quality time with your pet (or pets)? Well, moving is one way to get it — but certainly not a stress-free one. Taking the time to plan your move and providing your pet with plenty of love and attention before, during and after the big event is really your best way to reduce that stress. Sounds simple — and it is. But here are a few tips to help get you through the process unscathed:

  1. Talk to your pet. You don’t have to be Dr. Doolittle — it does not matter so much whether or not your pet understands what you are saying, as long as your tone comes across. Still, even if you think your pet will not understand, take time to explain what is happening. Doing so conveys the message that, although changes are afoot, you know what’s going on and you are taking care of it — and everything will be okay. Believe it or not, this simple, reassuring message can do a lot to help your pet weather the transition that is coming.
  2. Don’t expect to find a pharmaceutical solution to moving stress for your pet. Airlines generally will not accept animals that have been sedated into their cargo holds, and rightly so — sedation is risky and pets who undergo it must be monitored constantly to make sure that they are still breathing freely. Some dog breeds, in particular, have trouble breathing in stressful circumstances even if they are not drugged — so adding sedation to the mix can be dangerous. Don’t chance it.
  3. Do plan carefully — and, as noted in the first tip above, talk to your vet about your preparations as you accomplish each step. Take your pet to the vet to get the all clear for travel (a certificate of health, which may be required if you are traveling by air or crossing international borders, and updated vaccinations). If you will be using a travel kennel, make sure that your pet has room to stand up and turn around inside. Keep the kennel in your living room for several weeks ahead of time, putting a treat inside it from time to time — and maybe a treasured toy or a old unwashed shirt of your own, to make the kennel smell more like you. Be sure that your pet is wearing a collar with vaccination and identification information (including your cell phone number) attached, but attach that information to the travel kennel, too, along with a bag of extra food. If you will be driving, you may also want to take some practice trips in the car — though this is more easily done with a dog than with a cat.
  4. Don’t travel by air if you can help it. Many people prefer to fly when they move, because it is faster. However, faster does not necessarily equal less stress, especially when pets are involved. Even if you must travel a long distance, if you can manage it, a weeklong car trip will still be easier on you and your pet than a day spent flying, because your pet will be with you the whole time, not separated from you in a cargo hold. But, if you MUST fly, make sure to do so on a pet-friendly airline, one that has climate-controlled cargo areas for pets, and preferably one that can route you through a hub that has kennel facilities where animals can be checked and monitored, as well as fed and watered, during long layovers or delays.
  5. When you arrive at your destination, confine your pet to a small area rather than allowing your pet to roam freely all over your new home. Put a few familiar objects in one room — preferably a room that will not get a lot of traffic during the moving and unpacking process — and keep your pet there, at first. Watching movers carry furniture in and out will only add to your pet’s stress. If you can organize your move so that you and your pet arrive AFTER most of the moving has been done, and if you can organize your new household to be very similar to the old one, that may reduce the stress of the move for your pet. But if that isn’t possible, don’t worry — even having a few familiar items close by will help, and, frankly, your presence and the presence of other family members and companion animals, if any, is what will matter the most.

    6. In his role in the self storage industry, Tim Eyre helps customers care for their cherished belongings that must be put in storage. Tim regularly visits his facilities including a Orlando self storage center. He was also recently meeting customers and staff at the Las Vegas self storage center.

    Photo Credit

What Tips Do You Have For Traveling With Pets?

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