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How To Cut Costs When Buying Pet Food

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Sat 4 Jul 2009

With the current economic crisis everyone is facing today, more and more people are feeling the pinch and tightening their proverbial belts in order to cut cost and save money. Since nobody knows how long this financial turmoil will last, each and every person is doing his share to maximize his purchasing power.

The news of big firms in Wall Street filing for bankruptcy and financial bailout packages doesn’t help calm the mind of ordinary consumers. In fact, it adds fuel to the fire because it will result to lower economic growth and higher inflation rate. This is terrible news to those who are already in deep debt. This grim scenario which hovers over the country like a dark cloud is very scary to all concerned.

Even pet owners are not spared from this predicament. It is obvious that expenses for pets are not as steep as those for human being. However, that is still not a reason to be unworried and shell out tons of dollars like there is no tomorrow. Nowadays, it is vital to be more conscious of your spending habits so that you can still maintain ample savings in your bank account. Always be on the lookout on ways to set aside some precious bucks. Here is a comprehensive list of ways to save money on pet food. Hopefully, they will be a welcome solution to your pet-related food woes.

Primarily, you can slash your expenses by purchasing pet food in bulk. You may be curious as to how this is possible. Well, if you were to buy a huge sack weighing seven kilos instead of seven small ones, then it means that less money was spent manufacturing the package. The pet food firm has saved quite an amount, if this is the case. Therefore, the savings they have made will then be passed on to the unwavering consumers.

Another quick way to save is to buy pet food in the internet. It is an open secret that the online marketplace is just as good, if not better, than the real world. By logging online, you have a wide selection that will fit your astute needs. Most web sites present a variety of pet food products, from the lowest priced to the most expensive, depending on the quality. Here, you can easily compare a lot of factors. After you have made a decision, you can easily acquire an item and pay for it using your credit card or PayPal account. In a matter of days, your order will be delivered right at the address you have specified.

Ask your veterinarian. More often than not, he can give you a big discount if you are always buying pet food from him. You may also check out for promotional packages that would include buy one take one options or free perks.

Be on the lookout for pet coupons. They can be found anywhere. Some pet food companies place advertisements in magazines along with a free coupon. Others distribute it to their wholesale suppliers or veterinary offices. Furthermore, there are those who give out these coupons in the mall or in the streets for faster allocation.

Lastly, you can minimize if not avoid, treats. They can be quite draining to the pocket if done in a regular manner. If you must give a nice reward, make sure that your pet has done something special or extraordinary to deserve it. This way, he will learn how to behave better.

One Method for Keeping Dogs Living Longer

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Sun 28 Jun 2009

Now that you have your dog and have it for awhile, you know how to take care of its needs. You water and feed it every day and then groom it when needed. Do you want to know how to help you dog live for more years? Here is one way to help your dog live for more years.

Make sure to be careful on what your are feeding to your dog. Their food should be carefully paid attention to, so that you are providing all their nutritional needs to them. It has been recommended for a long time not to feed table scraps to dogs. This is because it can make them gain weight.

Packaged dog food is made to watch the amount of fats the dogs are getting. Also you can get dog food geared for puppies, adults, or senior dogs. Each classification is geared toward the stage of development the dog is at.

Your dog also needs water given to it daily. They have hydration needs just like we do. On the market now are watering bowls with reservoirs attached that continuously feed water into the water bowl. This is an easy way to keep water out for your dog.

Brush and comb your dog to groom them as they need. Daily brushing can be done but bathing should be done maybe every two weeks, or when the dog gets overly dirty playing outside. Part of the dog’s health is their healthy coat.

Dogs require a certain amount of exercise as do humans, and you can use different methods to accomplish this. Take your dog along on your walks with you. A dog can be trained to catch the Frisbee up in the air; they will run full out to do so. You can also play fetch with your dog using a stick or a ball; the dogs will run with joy to do this trick. Some of the dogs even enjoy swimming and will swim in a lake or a pool right beside you. Competitions are held where dogs go through a particular course or set of activities. Many parks today have areas for the dogs to go in and play together.

An annual checkup by a vet is required for your dog. There are certain vaccines that the dogs require to help protect them against diseases like rabies. Their ears and teeth also need to be in good health. The dog will have a hard time eating and getting nutrition without teeth. A dog’s ears can become easily infected, depending on the breed, when not given proper care. Your vet will show you how to give your dog the correct care.

Just do these tips and add a good dose of love to make you dog live more years. Your dog is a family member and when one is lost it is truly heart crushing, so make sure to care for your dog correctly. In this way the dog will stay part of the family for many more years.

Best Puppy Training Secrets

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Mon 22 Jun 2009

History has shown that most people prefer owning a dog than any other animal as a pet. This is due to the fact that they have proven themselves to be efficient, intellectual and trainable. Dogs have the uncanny ability to be loyal to their masters but wary of strangers. These qualities make them a perfect buddy for those who are living alone as well as to couples who are just beginning to start their own families. No matter what is the age of the person, he can still benefit from the presence of a dog.

It has been said that a dog’s behavior only reflect his breeding and training. Obviously, there is nothing that you can do anymore to change his breeding. However, there is still a lot you can do with his training. You can still teach new tricks. Now, if you are thinking of getting another puppy as a pet, here are some of the best-kept secrets of puppy training that you should bear in mind.

The first thing that you should bear in mind when training a puppy is to start low and go slow. This means that you must first establish a good rapport with your pet. Do not instantaneously start the complicated tricks that will make him want to run away with his tail between his hind legs. Create a favorable mood that will make him relax and be conducive to training. Upon reaching that ideal state, then you can already commence your training schedule. This might seem cruel but you have no alternative if you want to enforce obedience in his existence.

Tie him with a leash, put him inside a dog kennel or put him in a crate to demonstrate that you mean serious business. Initially, he might get a little raucous and yowl until the early hours of the morning. This is more evident especially if they have lived a very free lifestyle. Force yourself to play deaf to this kind of pain. Sooner than you can say “silence”, they will realize that all their whimpering will have no effect on you. This will instill the fact that you are the chief and he is the mere subordinate who must follow orders. It won’t be long before they get used to this situation and will look forward to your arrival.

Second, teach him a simple trick followed by a treat. The treat could come in the form of a small chewable bone or a piece meat. Just like the classic conditioning method by renowned psychologist Ivan Pavlov, they will learn to associate the new trick with food. This will stroke their interest and whet their appetite for more food.

Third, you can go the opposite direction and make your dog realize the power of negative conditioning. This is done by imposing the words no, stop and don’t in the training process. Use a powerful voice if possible. An example would be catching him rummaging through the garbage. So the moment you see him, say stop out loud and give him a slight slap on the tail area.

Fourth, you have to follow through. Be consistent when giving commands and orders as well as their corresponding rewards or punishments. Do not flip flop when it comes to this. Your dog will get confuse if you did something once then change the rules the second time. He must realize that everything is well-established when it comes to your instructions.

Lastly, give plenty of alternatives. If there are chores that your dog can’t easily do as told, like not peeing on the plant, then provide another option like giving him a pee box. This will shift his attention and result to a more favorable attitude. Don’t be such a strict disciplinarian all the time that you will take the fun out of this training exercise. Have fun with your pet dog.

Why You Need Dog Insurance

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Sat 30 May 2009

If you have taken out dog insurance to cover the veterinary costs you may incur for your dog or puppy, then you’re in the minority. The majority of pet owners never think about dog insurance - until, that is, they receive a vet bill in the hundreds, or thousands, of dollars. And to think that dog health insurance would have covered those fees!

Have you ever suffered a broken bone yourself? Well, your dog is no less likely to do so. Dog bone fractures occur across the spectrum, as well - a dog that stays indoors is not much less likely to break a bone as a dog that spends all his/her time in the backyard. And broken bones of course also occur elsewhere - when you’re out walking, or running, with your dog, or if your dog takes off on a jaunt of his own, as many do if they get half a chance. And broken bones are not cheap. The avery vet bill for a broken leg is almost one thousand dollars.

Dog Health Insurance

Look into the different types of dog insurance plans available. The same as with other types of insurance, dog insurance policies do vary, so it’s wise to compare a couple before you buy. All good dog insurance policies should cover the following items:

Spaying and Neutering: As you know, all dogs (except those being professionally bred, or shown) should be de-sexed. Many dog insurance policies cover the entire cost of spaying and neutering, which is great, because those procedures cost at least a couple hundred dollars for a straightforward operation - never mind if your dog experiences expensive complications, which can happen with any surgery.

Prescription Flea Control: Some dogs just don’t respond adequately to over-the-counter flea remedies. And fleas must be taken seriously, not only for your dog’s comfort, but because they also carry various diseases and encourage other parasites. Dog insurance plans may cover the costs of the more potent prescription flea control products.

Annual Exam Costs: Even if your dog is 100% healthy, he should still be taken to the veterinarian annually for a complete checkup. Why spend this money out of your pocket when dog insurance can cover the fees each year?

Heartworm Medication: If you forget your heartworm prevention meds, your dog may contract heartworm. This condition is more prevalent than most people realize. And it’s expensive to treat. Your dog health insurance plan is likely to cover this cost also.

Pathology Lab Fees: Blood tests and other lab work is covered by most dog insurance. You never know when blood work will be needed, and it is important in quickly identifying serious conditions such as heartworm and dog diabetes.

Teeth Cleaning: If your dog suffers periodontal disease, or you are unable to keep his teeth clean by other means, surgical teeth cleaning is often required. And because it’s performed under anaesthetic, it’s pretty expensive. Good news - your dog insurance should cover this, too.

Hospitalization Fees: Accidents and illnesses do have a habit of occurring when you least expect them. And they can be very expensive, as already noted. There is also the possiblity of complications of other procedures, such as de-sexing procedures or even teeth cleaning. Complications of surgery may require that your dog have blood transfusions or be monitored in intensive care. Now that’s a big expense. So instead of being landed with an exorbitant vet bill, your dog insurance will cover you.

Taking Emotional Distractions out of Pet Insurance Decisions

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Wed 20 May 2009

If perception is reality then doesn’t logic dictate that the difference between a bad decision and a good one isn’t the choice that’s made but the results of that choice? If you leap out of the way of an oncoming car, you’ve made a smart choice. But if you land in front of another car speeding in the opposite direction, suddenly your decision to jump doesn’t seem as smart.

Both outcomes resulted from the exact same choice; to dive out of the way of certain death. But in evaluating the results, the first scenario seems to be the product of a smart decision while the second outcome resulted from what seems to be a decidedly bad choice. But does that mean that random fate determines the merits of our decisions in life? Couldn’t one say the decision was smart regardless and the outcome simply unfortunate in the latter case?

A very intelligent man once explained to me that the virtue of a decision can’t be judged on the simplicity of the decision itself but has to take all variables into consideration. Don’t worry, I had the same deer-in-the-headlights look you may have right now when he said it to me. But he went on to clarify things.

“If,” he asked, “I offered you an investment opportunity that could convert $5,000.00 of your dollars into $50,000.00 in ten years, would you take it? Consider that you have about a 50% chance of making that $50k and better odds of making only $30K or $40K. Regardless, you can rest assured that you’ll almost certainly get your full investment back if things don’t work out but you’ll still have to wait 10 years.” I thought about the question and thought, absent any pressing needs or wants, I might take the opportunity if I had disposable cash handy.

“OK,” he continued, “now what if I told you I might be able to make you $5 million dollars and all you’d have to invest is $5 for the purchase of a lottery ticket?” Well that, I thought, was a no-brainer. I’d hand over the $5 with hardly a thought.

He smiled at me and then shook his head before explaining that my decision was a bad one made by thousands of hopefully lotto players every day. Though $5 was a paltry investment for such a huge potential payout, the odds were so astronomically stacked against me that the decision was a bad one. Even if I won, the decision wasn’t smart. It was a dumb choice that just happened to result in a good outcome. The $5,000.00 investment, on the other hand, was a smarter choice.

But the point we’re trying to make here isn’t about gambling on lottery tickets or dodging oncoming traffic. What this article focuses on is the sometimes difficult choice we face when considering the value of purchasing veterinary insurance for our pets. If you’re in the market, you already know that it isn’t always a cut and dry decision.

As with the example of an investment vs. a lottery ticket, we struggle to make a smart decision when it comes to pet health insurance because we’re considering an investment in an unknown potential outcome. How will we feel spending hundreds of dollars each year if our pet never requires a costly medical procedure and, instead, dies peacefully of old age? Won’t we have made a bad decision and wasted our money?

Alternatively, we apply emotions to the choice. If we don’t get health coverage for our pet, does that mean we don’t love it? Are we wrong for assigning a dollar value to the health of our animal?

In both cases these are the wrong approaches and will not lead to a smart decision. Basing the choice on what-ifs is wholly unproductive. No matter how healthy your particular breed may be in general, you can’t predict accidents such as poisons or car accidents.

The second approach is a mistake in that a financial decision should never be grounded purely in emotion. If you can’t afford a monthly fee for health insurance, it has no bearing on the level of affection you feel for your pet. Rather, it’s a simple fact of economics.

Your decision to purchase veterinary insurance should be grounded in sound, rational thought. Take the facts into account and go from there. Consider what you’d face in a health emergency if you didn’t have pet insurance. Would your savings carry you through? If you are well off financially and are good at leaving your savings untouched except in emergencies, pet insurance may be completely unnecessary.

Also consider your pet’s age and general health. If it is young and healthy, non-problematic breed then perhaps the choice to purchase pet insurance can be delayed until later in your pet’s life. Just remember the warning that emergencies can and do happen.

Does it make more financial sense to you to pay a monthly fee just in case? For many, the monthly expense of insuring a pet is preferable to the possibility of an unexpected hit to their savings. Job stability, the balance of your savings account and your own tolerance for risk should be the factors that influence your decision.

The bottom line is that you should take the time to honestly assess the facts. Do your research, consider your cash position and make the choice based on what makes sound financial sense. Leave the excitement and emotional highs and lows to day traders.

Getting Pet Insurance for Your Dog

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Tue 19 May 2009

A dog is more than just a pet; they are a companion whether you are sitting quietly by the fire at home or going for a walk, they are their keeping you company. Taking your pet out for a walk or for a simple game with the Frisbee can guarantee a healthy workout for you and in the most enjoyable manner possible.

In all probability one of the most restful things a individual can do is walking with their dog; perhaps throwing a stick for them to fetch but they are just as happy sitting at your feet after a long day. They are a loved and valued member of the immediate family, one that doesn’t get upset because they have lost their favorite shoes or that they haven’t had that bath you promised.

Other than love, there are few ways we can really show our admiration for the love and companionship a dog provides except by keeping them in first class health which can be done with a dog insurance plan.

These policies provided by various pet insurance underwriters cover a wide range of services starting from accidents, serious illnesses and even routine health care for the pets. These types of dog insurance policies bring a peace of mind with them as keeping your dog healthy is the main concern but if they do have an accident or become sick, vet bills are taken care of without any thought required by the owner.

Technology can be it’s own downfall often and as medical treatment for pets improves, so does the price and many treatments that are available now, which weren’t a few years ago, are very expensive.

These medical advancements have lead to treatments until now reserved for humans like organ transplants and replacements for old or damaged hips. Some dog conditions are genetic like heart enlargement, epilepsy and even hip dysplasia.

Many diseases that dogs are prone to suffer from do not occur until they reach middle age and of course by then, the dog is a member of a close family and loved by everyone. This type of dog insurance plan does mean that providing health care for them does not become a matter of financial worry, frustration or even stress which is something some dog owners feel when it comes to paying out thousands of dollars for medical treatment.

Keeping your pet healthy can be an costly prospect if you do not take certain precautions and guarantee that they have visits the veterinary on a regular basis to rid the nasty parasites that like to make their home on a dog’s skin in addition to other routine health checks.

All of this and more should be part of the regular check a dog has when they visits the vet and is incorporated into most policies. If such care is taken it will guarantee a happy and loving association between the dog and his owner.

Your dog may not fully understand the lengths you are going to for their good health but it does mean they should have a long carefree life with you. Finding the correct plan that will suit everything you need could be as simple as asking a friend who has dog insurance to the vet who will know all the companies and might be able to suggest a good one to approach.

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