Dogs Bark - How to Stop a Dog From Barking

By Penelope Diamante

Have you ever tried to ask yourself what have you done to stop your dog from barking? Your dog may have attended obedience classes and you may have even taken time to provide your canine with home training. It may be time to consider obedience training classes.

The advantages of obedience training outweigh the time and effort that you invest in it, and it will solve your barking dog problem.
 
The ideal way to control barking is to allow your dog to bark when it is appropriate, but to discourage barking when it becomes a nuisance. Ideally you should train your canine to stop barking on your command.

This article describes the immediate solutions to manage the problem of barking dogs. There are many products on the market today to stop your dog from barking. Ultrasonic devices can be placed your house or yard, and when your dog barks, they emit ultrasonic sounds which are inaudible to people. Ultrasonic devices work on the principal of it is safe and humane to simply distract even the most relentless barker. These external systems may also be used to control your neighbors barking dogs.

You can also try collars that are designed to stop your dog from barking. Obviously a collar-based solution can only be used on your own pet. Your neighbor will probably not approve of you putting a collar on their canine.

Anyway the most effective collars are either citronella spray collars or electronic collars. Citronella collars emit spray when the dog barks. A number of dog owners have had measurable success with this type of bark collar, but it really depends on the individual dog.

If your dog refuses to stop barking and barks at virtually everything, then you are probably going to experience more success with an electronic bark collar. Barking dogs can be a severe nuisance for you and your neighbors, so any investment in solving the problem will help improve the quality of life for the humans who have to listen to endless barking.

Solving a barking dog problem requires patience. Remember that dogs communicate by barking, so insisting that your dog not bark may be like asking people not to talk. Even still there is definitely a difference between necessary and unnecessary barking. The key is that your dog learns to distinguish one from another.

Sometimes dogs bark for attention so if you respond by giving the dog attention, you are only training your dog to bark at inappropriate times.

Read more about how I solved my barking dog problem at dogloversonly.com: http://www.dogloversonly.com/blog/dog_barking.html

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How to Train a Cat to Use the Toilet

By L. Zackarian

Did you ever wonder if it is really possible to train your cat to use the toilet instead of a litter box? Did you ever think how wonderful it would be to never have to clean a dirty, smelly litter box ever again? Well, it certainly is possible to do and if you learn how to train a cat to use the toilet, you will never have to clean that litter box again!
 
There are many different ways to train your cat to use the toilet and oddly enough which method you use will depend on what breed of cat you own. Each breed responds differently to training techniques and there are so many options to try when you are really serious about eliminating the litter box. I can remember all the times I changed my cats stinky litter box, thinking to myself, there has got to be a better way. Not to mention that kitty litter costs a small fortune. I hated every time I had to spend money on it, and I thought to myself, I can't believe I have to spend so much money on something that my cat is going to go to the bathroom on.

After a couple years of spending my money on cat litter, I decided to search for some ideas on how to train a cat to use the toilet. The internet is the perfect place to find information on just about any subject so I did some research, visited many websites, and found lots of information from other people on what they think is the best way to approach this. I tried several suggestions that I found along the way, but to my disappointment, nothing worked. My cats did not want to hear it, and I was beginning to think I was doomed to a life of cleaning dirty litter boxes.

I continued my search, and one day I stumbled upon a website and bought an ebook on how to train a cat to use the human toilet. I figured the price is very reasonable with a money back guarantee, and all the free information got me no results at all. I took a chance and to my surprise, this book is filled with tons of helpful and effective training methods. I learned that it really depends on what breed of cat it is as to what method works the best. I would have never known that otherwise.

There are many different methods to try when teaching your cat to use the toilet. One of them is to slowly start moving the litter box closer and closer to the toilet until it is right next to it. Then, once your cat gets used to the new location you can make a container that will fit inside the rim of the toilet and put cat litter in it and introduce it to your cat, don't forget to remove the litter box at this point, but I do recommend you have a litter box in another area of your home so if your cat does not take to the new bathroom situation, it will not go on the floor. The cat should recognize the cat litter as the place to go to the bathroom. It may not happen overnight but with persistence and patience, your cat should learn to use it. Once you have established that your cat is using the toilet, then you can try removing the cat litter all together. If your cat stops using the toilet, you may have to put the litter back for a while longer but eventually you should be able to remove it.

I am still in the process of teaching my cats the techniques in this book, as with anything else, it does take time and persistence. But, I have achieved some success, and was thrilled the first time my cat actually used the toilet! I still keep the litter box around though because I don't want any "accidents" on my floor while my cats are in training, but this is the most helpful information I have found.

Please visit my blog at http://pet-products-reviews.blogspot.com for more information and teach your cat how to use the toilet.

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Atrial Fibrillation in Cats

By Frank Will

Atrial fibrillation in cats can and does occur, and when it does, in most all cases it will remain a permanent condition. In the severe cases, it can be fatal, and in most of the cases, your cat will also be in what is referred to as CHF, or congestive heart failure. Atrial fibrillation is actually an electrical disturbance that is marked by very rapid contractions of your cats atrial heart muscle. This than causes an irregular heart beat as the electrical activity that is usually very well coordinated, is suddenly lost.
 
The actual definition of atrial fibrillation in cats are abnormal heart rhythms in which the atria, which the upper chamber of your pets heart, become out of sync with the ventricles, which are the lower chambers. When atrial fibrillation occurs, the atrium actually quivers or wiggles chaotically, and as a result the ventricles start to beat irregularly. If the condition is considered atrial flutter, the atria will beat regularly but it will be faster than the ventricles.

Both of these situations are very dangerous for your cat, as they dramatically reduce the proper functioning of their heart. Atrial fibrillation can occur as a stand alone problem, but in most cases is a combination of a heart muscle disease or a chronic heart valve disease. What makes this condition so very dangerous is that it can rarely be cured or corrected back to a normal state of operation. It is estimated that over 90 percent of all the cases can not be corrected.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of atrial fibrillation in cats will not be real specific, and as a result, can be very difficult to detect. The first symptom will be an unwillingness of your cat to attempt any type of exercise. This should not be treated lightly and assumed that your cat has become lazy. Most all cats can be very slow and methodical at times, but in this case, it will develop into a situation where it will be all of the time. But they are not being lazy; their heart will not allow them to do much exercise.

If you suspect this, the first thing you should do is to check your cat heartbeat. If it is atrial fibrillation, their heartbeat will be both rapid as well as chaotic. The normal pulse rate, or heartbeat of your cat, should be between 130 and 240 beats per minute. Checking their pulse, however, can be somewhat challenging. The first method is to run you hands along the inside of your cats thighs at the groin until you can feel the femoral artery. If you can not locate the artery, there is another method to try.

Press your hands on your cats ribcage directly over their heart. Do this while your cat is standing, and you will feel their pulse directly below their elbow. With either method, count the number of beats in a fifteen second cycle, and than multiply it by four. Do it three to four times to make sure it is accurate. If they indeed have atrial fibrillation, it will be much more rapid. You may also be able to feel the actual chaotic rhythm as well.

The final symptom will be congestive heart failure. This occurs as the result of fluid accumulation in your cats chest, abdomen, or both.

Treatments:

Treatments for atrial fibrillation in cats will all depend on the actual underlying heart condition. The major objectives of any type of treatment will be to do three things; control the congestive heart failure, control the heart rate, and to provide home therapy to slow the progression of the condition. In most all cases, you can never reverse or completely stop it, but you can certainly slow it down considerably. The initial treatment for your cat may require hospitalization that will involve both drugs and oxygen. If your cat is in congestive heart failure, the fluid will have to be drained.

The first form of treatment is usually with a diuretic drug that will prevent your cats kidneys from retaining an excessive amount of sodium and water. It will be very important that your cat does not retain water, and this is the main reason this is the first form of treatment. However, this can be a very tricky process; if it is too high, it may cause kidney failure or lead to an excessive loss of potassium. Potassium is absolutely critical for you cat to survive.

For this reason, a potassium supplement will also be used. Liquid forms are usually advised as they absorb much quicker and much more effectively in your cats system. Most all cats will also be given an angiotensin which acts as a very powerful controlling agent in regards to controlling arterial pressure. It is also very effective at preventing sodium or salt retention. However, it is also very tentative, as it can also cause kidney failure, but it can also dramatically lower your cats blood pressure.

Beta-blockers may also be used to control your cats heart rate as well as controlling and protecting the heart muscles. But before these are used, ask for a second opinion; they are extremely dangerous if the dosage is too high. As a result, your veterinarian will usually start out with very small doses and work up slowly until it starts to produce results.

However, by far and away the safest and most effective treatment will be an immediate modification of your cats diet. Fish oil supplements are recommended in most all cases. There is mounting evidence that tuna and salmon eaten twice a week has had a huge impact of atrial fibrillation in humans. Raw tuna and salmon fed to cats can be dangerous, but cat foods that contain them as well as fish oil supplements are extremely effective. Vitamin E and the coenzyme Q10 are also very effective in treating atrial fibrillation in cats.

Coenzyme Q10 helps to ignite the cellular power stations in your cat and this powerful antioxidant is found in concentrated levels in your cats heart muscles. Because of this, in supplement form it may help to reinforce your cats natural ability to control the condition.

Summary:

Atrial fibrillation in cats is a very dangerous situation that may never be reversed or even stopped. But it can be controlled if you watch your cat and catch it as early as you can. If your cat suddenly becomes lazy, there is a reason. Check their pulse when you spot these initial symptoms and than immediately notify your veterinarian. Next, modify your cats diet as soon as possible. However, reinforcing your pet diet with these very simple supplements may prevent it from ever occurring.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field. He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds. After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach. Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.

I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process. Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website;

Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets
http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/

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Best Female Cat Names - Got a Girl Cat to Name?

By Anne Sterck

Female cat names and female kitten names are not hard to find but a good female cat name can be elusive!

Elusive? With all those lists of names on the web?

They are, especially if you don't want your cat to have the same name as every other cat on the block.
 
If you're looking for that particular, memorable or special name, it's time to put your thinking cap on.

Some of the best female cat names come with a lovely story attached. Like the black cat who got her special name, Friday, because she was brought home from the cat rescue center on Friday the 13th! Lucky for her.

What's behind the best female cat names?

Has your new kitten or cat got a story to tell? Could that story provide the inspiration for her special, unique cat name? If so, go for it!

No story? No worries.

How about a name that describes her beautiful eyes or her fur? Cocoa for a tortoiseshell or Calico cat, Honey if she's red or ginger, or Bluebell for the feline with blue eyes to die for.

Want cool, unique or cute kitten names? Chanel after the perfume for the luxurious cat, Silk and Lightning for the unique sophisticated feline, and why not Dinky, Bambi or Bubbles for the cutest of kittens?

Still no inspiration? Lets mine the beautiful world of crystals and precious stones. Could you imagine your beautiful cream-colored cat with a name like Pearl? Or Amber if she's ginger, and Sapphire if - you guessed it - it's those big beautiful blue eyes again.

Time for tea, anyone?

I did much of the research on my female cat names in the UK, a great source for names. Something British... Cadbury, perhaps, or Miss Marple from Agatha Christie's famous detective stories.

You can be extra-creative and check out Wiccan cat names based on nature or something a bit spooky. Why not Hallowe'en?

Or something to do with trees - like Cypress, Holly or Hazel, or from within the magical plant kingdom you could consider Poppy, Rose, Gentian or Valerian.

If none of these work for you, there's no reason to give up - not at all. You could go for something popular: enter Miss Kitty, Millie and Sophie, all beautiful girl cat names for your special kitty.

Good luck in your quest. May the inspirational female cat naming muse light your way!

Anne Sterck, 'The Siamese Cat Lady', has never been without a cat or two or six! She is presently owned by Cumin, the cutest and naughtiest Siamese cat in France and a collection of cat waifs and strays that decided to come in from the cold.

Obviously she couldn't include all the best female cat names here. For more help with cat naming ideas and inspiration, please go to http://www.loving-siamese-cats.com/female-cat-names.html.

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