Personal Pet Check-Ups

For all pet owners, regular monitoring and "examinations" of your pet will give you a better idea of the animal's overall health and prove as good "quality" time for both you and your pet. Also, this may help you catch a problem in the early phases and certainly before it becomes life threatening. The list of things you can do during this time could be long but below we've taken the time to list a few of the most basic and easy to read signs of being "off color". In addition to the usual, these steps may help you in deciding your pet's actual state of health.

CHECK YOUR PET FOR:

1)Build up in the tooth area. Also bad breath- which may suggest gingivitis or other tooth/gum problems.
2)Clean ears. Is there wax build up, ticks, mites or other parasites inside? Is a bad odor present?
3)Are the eyes discolored or irritated? Is extensive matter present? 4)A 'greasy" coat? Is the skin grey white or red and irritated? Do you find evidence of fleas or other parasites? Is the smell of the animals coat on your hands, after checking it with your fingers, fishy, rank or offensive?

A doggy odor, while common, is still a sign of a low level of health. If your answers to many of the above areas are "YES", then you should plan some type of action to discontinue this cycle of bad health. First and foremost, diet is the best place to start. Consult with your vet and/or check into possible alternative therapies. In the end, your pet's overall health is up to you, so these early warning signs should not be overlooked. A clean bill of health is the most valuable gift you can present to your pets- next to your love and attention.

Article written and reprinted with permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/ Purebred Dogs, Puppies and Dog Breeders - "Your New Best Friend"

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

Debbie Ray, owner of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com is a lifetime dog lover and owner and breeder of german shepherd dogs for over 15 years.

____________________

Advertisement: SitStayFetch Dog Training - Click Here!

---

Fur Isnt Such a Good Sunscreen

You might think the most important bit of dog health advice would be to let your furry loved on spend all day enjoying the outdoors. But you'd... Read More

Celebrities Discover The Amazing Chihuahua!

Some say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A five hundred million dollar ad campaign featured a talking Chihuahua which continually repeated the slogan, "Yo quiero... Read More

The Benefits of Large Birdcages

We've all heard the phrase, "Free as a bird." In the wild, birds are free, flying from tree to tree in effortless abandon. At home, we should... Read More

A Short Introduction To Flowerhorn Cichlids

Flowerhorn Cichlids Flowerhorn cichlids is a hybrid cichlid that was developed in Malaysia during the second half of the 1990: s. It was created by crossbreeding different... Read More

Canine Distemper

What is Canine Distemper?Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease caused by a virus (paramyxovirus) which attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervus systems of dogs. Although dogs... Read More

7 Good Reasons to Have Your Cat Spayed or Neutered

Every year, many cat owners decide to get their cat spayed or neutered. This decision is made for several different reasons, all of which illustrate why it... Read More

How to Make Your Cats Life, and YOUR Life, Happier - Training Your Cat

Imagine that you are scolding your cat for scratching at your new furniture, and Kitty is sitting staring at you. Suddenly you realize how silly you look... Read More

Attacking the Pit Bull Problem in Los Angeles-MuttShack Animal Rescue Launches Grassroots Campaign

Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los Angeles Animal Services shelters are "Pit Bulls". American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull are... Read More

Too Many Cats?

Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and a big question is, how many cats should a family have? For some people, one is more... Read More

A Reference Guide for Symphysodon Aequifasciatus (Discus)

This is general information on Discus, a member of the family Cichlidae. Although certainly not a complete reference guide, it will give those interested some background information... Read More

Three Important Litter Box Considerations

There are three important litter box considerations to account for whether you're a new kitten owner, or someone who has had a cat for a while. If... Read More

Protecting Your Child from a Dog Bite

Dogs make great loyal pets and are always pleased to see their owner; they are loving and have their own distinct personalities. However, every animal has the... Read More

Top Five Dog Breeds for Homes with Children

Top five dog breeds for homes with children* Beagle * Bernese Mountain Dog * Bichon Frise * Bloodhound * Boston Terrier * Boxer * Brittany Spaniel *... Read More

How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Your Guide to Cat Diseases and Conditions, and How to Cure Them

Even with the best care, cats can become ill. Sometimes this means a simple "kitty cold," at other times the disease might have a more lasting or... Read More

Whats In Your Dog Food?

According to holistic veternarian Dr. Jane Bicks, the maximum life span of dogs is estimated to be around 25 to 30 years, yet the average dog generally... Read More

Horse Training Facts And Maxims

To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about horses they should know. In fact, when someone first gets a horse these timely facts should be... Read More

Lower Your Veterinarian Costs And Increase the Longevity of Your Pets Lives

What does doing natural preventative care mean? I thought vaccinating, prevention medicines, and premium kibble was natural preventative care. Hardly.Unfortunately the pharmaceutical companies and the pet food... Read More

What About a Newfoundland Dog

Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show dog world knows that a Newfoundland won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show in 2004.... Read More

The Wonderful Siamese Cat

This mysterious cat is originally from the country of Siam, now known as Thailand. Siamese cats were highly esteemed by generations of Siamese monarchs, even to the... Read More

Pet Bird Home Hazards - Keep Your Feathered Friend Safe

Interacting with a pet bird outside of it's cage is one of the joys of living with a bird, but the home that is safe for us,... Read More

Introducing a New Puppy into a Home with an Existing Pet

It was November and I had spent 3 months searching for just the right puppy. Finally we had found what we considered to be the perfect one.... Read More

West Highland White Terrier ? How To Capture the Best Pictures of Your Westies

For most West Highland White Terrier owners, the dog is a beloved member of the family. Like your children, you will want to capture pictures of your... Read More

Buying a Custom Bird Cage

Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird perched on our shoulder, accompanying us around town. At the end of the day, though, our feathered... Read More

Breeding Clownfish

Thanks to Disney's Motion Picture 'Finding Nemo,' almost everybody is familiar with clownfish.Clownfish, or Anemonefishes, from the family Pomacentridae, are one of the easiest tropical marine aquarium... Read More

Telepathic Communication With Animals

Animal Communication, or telepathy with animals, is as common an occurrence in some people's lives as it is an oddity in the lives of others. Telepathy is... Read More

How To Install An Emergency Brake On Your Horse

Imagine being on a horse and he bolts. You pull those reins to slow him down but it's no use. He resists and the fence posts go... Read More