For millions of people worldwide, pets are considered as members of the family. Beyond the inexplicable emotional bond we typically forge with our animal friends, scientific studies have proven that we get more from keeping and caring for a pet than just companionship or indulging our inherent need to become preoccupied. This has been proven by many people who were proven to live happier, healthier, more independent lives simply because they have pets. To learn about the many health benefits of keeping a pet, read on.

Pets help prolong life for those who have suffered from a heart attack.

According to statistics, dog owners who have undergone heart attacks experienced higher chances of survival after their hospitalization compared to their counterparts. Likewise, other pet owners (regardless of whatever kind of pet they keep) who have cardiovascular diseases have better increased longevity after they had been hospitalized due to their condition.

They help to lower blood pressure.

Studies showed that women who underwent stress tests in the presence of a dog yielded lower blood pressure results. Similarly, dogs have the same effect on children, whose blood pressure, heart rate, and distress, are considerably lower when they take medical tests with the aforementioned nearby.

Pets are identified to be of great help in alleviating stress.

Have you ever wondered why running your hands on your pet’s pelt makes you feel better and lighter, especially after a hard day’s work? Studies have shown that pet owners who keep dogs or cats with them in their offices do not experience the same blood pressure increase, as they go about with their tasks compared to those who work without their pets around. So, given that you can’t bring your pet with you to work, try keeping a picture of him in your office instead. Or you can try petting him as soon as you come home from work.

They can help diminish your cholesterol and triglyceride level.

Regardless of weight, dietary habits, or practiced vices(smoking and drinking), pet owners are said to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to their counterparts.

Keeping pets help you stay physically active.

Pets need to be cared and for. Aside from feeding them, it is vital that they get regular exercise. With these responsibilities that come with keeping pets, pet owners are prompted to move around every once so often as they attend to their pet’s needs, thus forcing them to become physically active.

Having pets works to help promote overall good health.

Based on a study conducted in nursing homes, those that make use of pet therapy-a therapeutic method aimed to help keep seniors both mentally and physically healthy-have proven the success of keeping animal companions in ensuring the overall good health of people. This was reflected in the lowered cost of expenses alloted for medications and doctor consultations. Likewise, this result coincides with a finding that showed people who keep pets at home have fewer health dilemmas, hence spending less on medical necessities.

Dogs can be trained to foretell an impending seizure.

Recently, it has been confirmed that dogs can indeed be trained to detect if their owners are about to have a seizure. They are especially taught in identifying the tell-tale indications that could lead to the aforementioned attack 15 up to 45 minutes before its onset. This would give their owners ample time to prepare or call for help and thus have a better chance for survival.

About the Author

Felicity Maris Modesto is a content writer/editor and visual artist with a passion for topics delving on health and self-improvement. She is interested in the emerging online pharmacy industry. For more information about online healthcare and buying fioricet online without prescription, please consult http://www.buypharmacyonline.ca/fioricet.html.

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How Keeping Pets Benefits Your Health

So you have decided to get your favourite pet immortalised in pet portrait or oil painting and now you want to prepare your photographs to be submitted to the chosen artist and you are wondering how best to photograph your fine feathered or furry friend.

Paramount to the success of any painting is the foundation work of understanding your subject, so having good reference photos from different angles is key to achieving a great likeness of your faithful companion.

If you decide to commission an artist remotely located, then you are going to need a good quality photo of your pet, as artists who work remotely don’t have your pet in real life to sketch from.

So in order to prepare a great shot then there a few tips you should follow, that will set you on the right path. Remember the better the photos you supply the better image the artist is going to have in their mind. Naturally any kind of special personality traits or favourite habits or tricks are also going to prove to be helpful as the painter needs as much information as you can supply to truly capture the spirit of your pet.

Make sure you do not use flash photography unless your pet has dark fur. Camera flash tends to flatten details, so it is best to photograph your pet outside in natural sunlight.

Also make sure your pet is close up for a few shots or head shots so that the facial detail is as clear as possible as well. Just like humans, animals have a different left side of their face when compared to the right side. Differences may be minimal, but this is the sort of important information the artist needs to be aware of, if a good likeness is to be portrayed.

If its a pet portrait you are after then you could do no better than to commission world class oil painter Greg Gillespie. With over 25 years experience in the commercial and fine art worlds, the quality of your pet portrait is going to be second to none. Greg’s paintings are keenly sort after and treasured in private collections around the world.

To contact Greg Gillespie the pet painter, regarding a custom commissioning of one of his pet portraits, simply go to his website http://www.mypetpainyed.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Gillespie

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How to Photograph Your Pet For a Pet Portrait Painter

One of the most annoying things about pet dogs is their habit of answering to calls of nature almost anywhere they feel like it. Your bedroom rug, the drawing room sofa, your Persian carpet; everything seems as good a place as any for your little pup to go cool his bladders on.

If you have just brought your pup home therefore, buckle up and get ready to save your upholstery and carpets by means of a simple method we call Housebreaking.

Now, here’s what housebreaking is all about. We humans tend to visit the loo when we feel like we must relieve ourselves, in one way or the other (thank god for that!). However, our pooches don’t have mother potty training them at the age of 1, telling them to take a crap at some fixed time on a shiny blue potty, and hence they tend to treat everything like a big ol’ lavatory. And that would be ok if we were dogs perhaps but most average human beings tend not to like that sort of thing. So what we have to do is potty train our doggies ourselves. And this training, to cut a long story short, is what we call ‘housebreaking’.

Now, facts first. Remember,

• No pup is able to keep himself from peeing or …well…relieving himself in some other form, till about 12 weeks of age. Your attempts at training your dog therefore must begin before this.

• Most puppies need to engage in bathroom related activities approximately 6-7 times a day

• Every time your dog seems to be following its tail rather slowly, and doing giddy rounds around a non-descriptive area put your shoes on to take it out cause it’s getting ready to relieve itself

• Take your dog out every time it has a meal because food immediately puts pressure on its colon and bladder.

The first lesson in housebreaking, ‘communicate with your dog’. Make sure you let your dog know that you don’t like him peeing all over the drawing room loud and clear. No there isn’t any need to use violence; just a loud “NO’ should do the trick. For best results catch him in the act so that he has no problem in associating the rebuke with the exact action.

Keep a keen eye on your pooch. As soon as he looks like he could do with a visit to the good old lavatory take him out. Once he relieves himself at the right place pat him to show how much you appreciate the fact that he didn’t pee all over your favorite rug. Give him a biscuit, and an appreciative nod and he’ll know.

See, dogs are like politicians, always eager to please. They will do anything to get cuddled and patted by their masters, thus it’s always easy to make them do things as per your requirements. You want him to pee outside? Show him how happy you are when he does so and he’ll do it always, you want him to crap every morning? Give him a friendly pat and he’ll bound off to be at it everyday. For your part make sure you know your dog’s habits, build your routine round his, try and find out what his usual urinating or defecating times are, is it after dinner? Before going to bed? Or right in the morning? Take him out accordingly.

Proper communication will ensure your pooch’s proper health and your peace, and of course a clean bedroom rug.

About the Author

Want to find out about schnauzer grooming and poodle grooming? Get tips from the Puppy Grooming website.

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How To Bring A Puppy Into Your Home

If you have pets, you have been fighting with fleas and ticks at one time or another. The situation in the southern part of the United States has even worsened recently, as the three past winters have been unusually warm.

Many pet owners who have been using the veterinarian flea and tick repellents have also noticed that those chemicals are less and less efficient due to the fact that the insects are getting immune to them. As a matter of fact, if you didn’t do anything, the result would be about the same. I have proof tested that myself with my own pets.

Just about any pet is bound to get fleas and ticks, and pets going outdoors even more so. Once a flea has jumped on your pet and nothing is done, It is just a matter of time for the infestation to happen, since the female can lay as many as 300 eggs per week. Once your pet is infested, your house will become infested by fleas as well. In turn your pet will get re-infested indoor as well as outdoor. Warm home with carpeting is the ideal environment for fleas. This is a vicious circle you don’t want to get into, and if you have, it is time to do something about it.

A single flea can bite your pet some 400 times per day, and not only be a nuisance but create some allergic reactions and permanent hair loss to your pet. The more the pet scratches the worse his coat will be, worsening hair damage and hair loss.

In the case of ticks, the situation is not any better. About 200 species of ticks live in the United States, and some of those can transmit infectious diseases, such as lyme disease which affect pets and humans as well. lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of the deer tick, also called the black-legged tick, which is no larger than the head of a pin.

However, the battle is not lost as there are natural healthy ways to get rid of fleas and ticks.

There is an All Natural, none toxic liquid supplement that will get your pet rid of fleas in 20-24 hours and will prevent any re-infestation. When added to your pet’s drinking water the product is ingested and works internally and naturally by producing an enzyme that shields the protein the female needs to lay eggs. Without this protein the female flea will have no choice but exit the animal since it has only 20 to 24 hours to live without drawing blood. The male does not lay any eggs and has no other reason but fertilize the eggs. Since there is no more eggs to fertilize it will also live the animal.

About the Author

Flea Free works on all blood feeding insects: fleas, ticks, mites, lice, mosquitoes and biting flies. Flee Free doesn’t only get your pet rid of fleas and ticks, but it also contains over 200 vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Flea Free not only will free your pets from parasites, but it will give them the food supplement they need to stay healthy and condition their fur and skin.

To lean more go to: http://www.squidoo.com/HowToGetRidOfFleasAndTicksNaturally

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How To Get Rid Of Fleas And Ticks Naturally

Over the years, many people have chosen to use natural remedies to treat all kinds of human ailments. Regardless of whether a person is suffering from heartburn or arthritis pain, there always seems to be some herbal remedy that can be used to mitigate the condition. On the other hand, finding natural pet remedies tends to be a bit more difficult. For example, if your cat or dog has dysplasia, you basically have a choice between using harsh pain killers and euthanasia.

If neither of these options appeal to you, natural pet remedies such as Flex Pet may be of some help. Depending on the situation, you may also want to try Joint Rescue or Old Bones. With the latter two products, you will need to choose a formula based on whether you are treating a cat or a dog. Fortunately, there is little else in the way of complexity when it comes to choosing a natural pain killer for your pet.

Typically, most pet owners do not realize that their pets may be in pain once they reach three or four years of age. As may be expected, this age also coincides with the onset of a mature personality. Therefore, you may conclude that your pet is not as active because they are simply putting their puppy or kitten days behind them. Unfortunately, your pet may be quieter because of trying to cope with pain.

Even though he/she may be as affectionate as ever, it does not change what is going on inside your pet’s body. In most cases, your veterinarian will not pick up on the subtle symptoms that indicate chronic pain. As a result, it will be up to you to look for possible treatment methods, as well as try them out. If you try a natural pain relief remedy, and notice an immediate increase in activity levels, you may safely conclude that your pet has pain associated with some type of joint condition.

Matt Richards is the director of popular blog PetPain.Net. He is an expert on pet care. He provides honest information and advice on topics like pet pain spray for suffering pets and more. Check out his blog for more info!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Richards

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Remedies For Pet Dysplasia

Pets are remarkable creatures. They are:

• Masters of life in the moment and in the art of simplicity

• Reflections of a world forgotten, presynthetic, more complete

• Reminders of the quiet strength and dignity of creation not tinkered with

• Keepers of gifts we have lost or never had

• Ambassadors of loyalty, love, forgiveness, acceptance, fun, and truth that are neither measured nor withheld

• Recipients of our wonder, respect, love-and needful of the care that will bring them the fullness of health that comes only from nature obeyed.

Animals are not best served by imposing all the elements of modern life upon them. All the principles about genetic context, medical dangers, and preventive care apply equally well to pets. Our choice to live unhealthily is a crime against our own person. To impose such unwise decisions upon others-children and pets-who have no real options, is an even greater crime.

Although pets are often treated like surrogate human infants, that is not what they are. If we pamper them with modernity we will condemn them to the cruelty of modern-living diseases. Obesity, cancer, allergies, arthritis, dental diseases, and the like, ravage modern pets just like they do their owners. Such preventable conditions are essentially absent in wild populations.

Pets deserve our understanding and respect. They are not what we are. We may be superior in our factories and at our computers, but they are superior in their tool-less senses and intuitive skills to survive in nature. Life for them is meant to be challenging and interesting. That cannot happen at the end of a chain or on a couch. If they are to be healthy, they must be allowed as much freedom as possible, and we must engage with them every day.

The healthiest place for animals is in their natural setting. But given that we are not all going to release our pets into what’s left of the wild any time soon, the onus is upon us to create for them as much ‘wild’ as possible. That would include exercise, fresh air, sunshine, real natural food, fun, excitement, and companionship. If we choose to have a pet, maintaining its life and health is a moral duty.

Dogs and cats are carnivores, retaining all the wild skills we have forgotten. They are intelligent because that’s what they have to be to catch prey. If that is not evident, leave your clothes and provisions behind and set out into the woods for a couple weeks’ stay. See if it’s easy to catch the food your pet could easily catch if released into the same setting. Their intelligence is one of the things attracting us to them, but it is also something that places demands upon us. Imprisoning people is a severe punishment because of the intellectual and social needs of humans. Imprisoning animals as pets is also a punishment unless we modify their prison with the appurtenances they naturally need.

The right to have pets doesn’t mean we should, anymore than our right to have children means we should. We should not bite off more than we can responsibly chew. A pet is not a toy, appliance, or piece of wood to whittle. We don’t have the ‘right’ to carve them to our liking with spaying, castrating, declawing, defanging, vegetarianizing, ear cropping, dewclaw removing, and tail docking. (This is not to say that the pet population problem we create may not require a remedy such as neutering surgeries.)

They are not disposable things to obtain on a whim and then cast aside when the novelty wears off or when they become inconvenient or burdensome. This doesn’t just apply to dogs and cats, but to all creatures including horses confined to pens where every bit of sod is trodden to dust, and goldfish purchased in a baggy as a surprise ‘for the kids.’ Just because an animal is different from us is not an excuse for abuse or negligence. How we treat fellow creatures is a direct reflection of what we are inside. Gandhi wisely said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress, can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Dogs and cats are a 15-20 year commitment. In that span we are responsible for the needs of a baby, adolescent, pubescent, adult, and senior. Although they grow older, the daily demands upon caretakers are not unlike those demanded by an infant that never grows up. They must be fed every meal, their dishes must be washed, and their potty needs tended to. We must bathe and groom them and perhaps contend with fleas, ticks, and worms. Their nails may need to be trimmed, their messes cleaned up, and any damage they may cause repaired. We must respond to their crying, take them to the doctor, and give them almost constant attention.

Compressed into their years are most of the things we experience in our own lives. They can be ‘good,’ they can be ‘bad’ (in our terms). They can bring joy, sorrow, fear, and love. They will require doctoring (little, however, if things are done properly), have accidents, and can succumb to disease. We will have to experience their death and perhaps be faced with a choice of whether to cut their pain short with euthanasia. We will suffer greatly at the loss of a wonderful friend.

Having and properly caring for a pet for its entire life is a personal decision because of the commitment involved. Giving pets as gifts to kids or friends is therefore presumptuous and irresponsible. Sending pets off for long stays at caged boarding facilities (the equivalent of human prisons) is not commitment or responsibility either. Yes, this may occasionally be necessary, but it can be a great trauma to pets. They have no idea if you will ever return, and their stay in a pen or cage is not home no matter how well they are tended to by caretakers.

If a pet is obtained to teach the kids responsibility, forget it. No matter how much they plead that they will do all the tending, they won’t. Figure on about one or two weeks of enthusiasm for the work of pet keeping at best. Afterwards, guess who gets to take care of the pet.

The point is, the thrill of getting something new, like a car, television, or coat should not be transferred to obtaining a pet. They are not low maintenance and cannot just be set aside when the excitement wanes.

Now then, if you personally decide to shoulder the responsibility, save a life at the same time by getting a pet from the local humane or animal shelter. These facilities are usually filled to overflowing from discarded pets dropped off by people who did not put thought before emotion. (How people can abandon the family pet to such a facility is incomprehensible. It’s like putting an innocent person in prison to be executed.) Demand should not be placed on breeders until there are no shelter pets left. There is already a pet overpopulation problem, so why not help solve it rather than contribute to it?

It is also better and kinder for everyone involved to have two pets. This will decrease the demands to occupy their time since they will enjoy one another’s company. It is arguably inhumane (should be illegal) to imprison in solitary confinement a creature designed for the freedom of the wild. A pet left alone in a cage, in the house, or on a chain for extended periods while we go about our interesting work and social life is hardly fair.

Pets are a responsibility, a burden, a worry and a lot of trouble at times. But what they return in guileless love and devotion, and health benefits for their owners, makes the costs one of the best bargains in life.

What we get out of it aside, pet keeping is a serious responsibility that extends far beyond the euphoria of watching the antics of a kitten or puppy. It requires serious commitment as well as the circumstances and knowledge to care for them properly for their lifetime. If that is not possible, then vent the affection for animals by helping at the local shelter or humane society, pet sitting, or volunteering at the zoo.

Another option is to think of animals in terms other than as ‘pet.’ Possessing animals is not the only way to show affection and concern for them. Become active in environmental actions that restore and protect natural animal habitats. Just observing animals in the wild and respecting them for what they are is love too.

Dr. Randy Wysong is author of [http://www.asifthinkingmatters.com/livinglife.shtml]Living Life as if Thinking Matters, Solving The Big Questions as if Thinking Matters, several books on health, nutrition, self improvement, philosophy, and the origin of life. He is a pioneer in the natural health and nutrition movement, and is the first to put the creation-evolution debate on rational footings. His blog, books, updates, mind-stimulating content, interactive forums, and FREE thinking matters video-rich newsletter can be found at [http://www.asifthinkingmatters.com/]AsIfThinkingMatters.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Wysong http://EzineArticles.com/?Pet-Keeping—A-Serious-Responsibility—Pets-Are-Not-Toys&id=1881165

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Pet Keeping – A Serious Responsibility – Pets Are Not Toys

The two studies, conducted by Colorado State veterinary epidemiologist Dr. M.D. Salman and sponsored by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, reveal that moving and other lifestyle issues were the main reasons given by pet owners when surrendering their animals to shelters. But the majority of those pets–64 percent–are euthanized instead of adopted into new homes.

The studies also found that the majority of pet owners who surrender their animals to shelters are under 30 years of age and that more dogs are taken to shelters than cats and all other animals combined.

“Euthanasia of domestic pets in the United States is an epidemic,” Salman said. “These studies give us the first glimpse of why so many pets are entering shelters and what happens once they are surrendered by their owners.”

About 1,000 shelters in the United States responding as part of Shelter Statistics Survey accepted an estimated 4 million pets each year in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Of those sent to the reporting shelters that participated in the study, about 64 percent–or 8.2 million pets–were euthanized.

The survey also revealed that, on average, 42.5 percent of pets that entered animal shelters were submitted by animal control authorities and nearly 30 percent were surrendered by their owners. The remainder were relinquished by other sources. Twenty-four percent, or 3 million, of the animals taken to shelters over the three-year period were adopted by new families. Only 10 percent, or 1.2 million, were reclaimed by their owners.

The studies mark the first, large-scale national effort to quantify pet overpopulation in the United States and identify reasons why pet owners relinquish their animals. With this information, the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy hopes to develop strategies to curb the epidemic of pets entering animal shelters.

Of the 70 reasons pet owners could cite for relinquishing their pets, 15 percent said their animals were ill or old and needed to be Euthanized; 7 percent said they were moving; 5 percent felt they had too many animals; 4 percent said owning a pet cost too much; and 3.5 percent said the animals had soiled the house.

In addition, the majority of respondents–62 percent–were under 30 Years of age and 52 percent had at least finished high school.

“Some of the reasons pet owners cited for giving up their pets to shelters may be resolved through educational or other types of programs,” Salman said. “Most of the problems are really not with the animals, but rather with pet owners who may not be knowledgeable enough about or prepared for the realities of owning a pet.”

The council is composed of 11 non-profit and scientific organizations. Members include the American Animal Hospital Association, American Humane Association, American Kennel Club, American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Teachers for Veterinary Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Cat Fanciers Association, The Humane Society of The United States, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the National Animal Control Association and the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators.

Colorado State University’s Epidemiology and Animal Disease Surveillance Systems is the scientific co-ordinator for the council. The center is based in the department of environmental health in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Commitment, Firmness, but kindness.

Post from: Pets On The Blog

Animal Shelters and Rescue

PLEASE NOTE: Your animal friend’s olfaction process is similar to humans though much more acute. Animals are SUPER sensitive to smells!

Remember less is more with essential oils. Only a tiny amount is needed for results. 1-3 drops of an essential oil is equivalent to 1-4 cups of plant matter. You must always dilute essential oils in a carrier of aloe vera, jojoba or light coconut oil for safe skin application. Compresses are also an effective method for using essential oils.

As animals have extremely sensitive olfactory senses use them in very low percentages of less than 1% to achieve the results desired. A few general uses, include: pet wash, grooming spray, fleas and ticks, anti-fungal, breath freshener, horseflies, stress and anxiety, muscle rub.

USE SELF SELECTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS with your animals which means to include them in the selection process of the essential oils to use. Pay close attention and listen to how your animal or pet responds to a tiny amount of an essential oil first before using it.

ANXIETY, STRESS, GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT ESSENTIAL OILS:

FRANKINCENSE ( Boswelia fereana ) Keywords: COMFORTS, RELIEVES DISTRESS.
Frankincense oil slows and deepens cellular respiration, and has the characteristic effect of comforting and centering during times of distress. Use Frankincense for relieving insecurity and anxiety. Its calming and rejuvenating influence makes Frankincense especially useful for treating post traumatic stress syndrome.

PLEASE NOTE: Frankincense is the essential oil most highly recommended for emotional support and to relieve grief after the loss of an animal friend.

LAVENDER ( Lavendula angustifolia ) Keyword: SOOTHES, CALMS, RELAXES.
Apply Lavender pure essential oil immediately to burns to prevent blistering, or scarring, as well as speed healing of wounds as it stimulates cellular repair and regeneration. Lavender essential oil has been used to help balance moods and calm emotions. Helpful for calming intense feelings of nervousness, stress, depression, fear, and irritability.

NEROLI ( Citrus aurantium ) Keyword: PEACE AND CALMING.
Neroli resonates with the open nature of your heart energy and serves to uplift and inspire. Its subtle vibration can produce immediate results in any stressful situation.

ANTI-FUNGAL, ANTI-SEPTIC, IMMUNE STIMULANT, INSECT REPELLENT ESSENTIAL OILS:

Essential oils with a strong medicinal aroma like Tea Tree are okay for treating fungal issues such as a horse hoof fungal infection. Your horse may not like the strong aroma, however using it with your horse to treat a thrush or fungal issue with the hoof that is far enough away from their nose so that the aroma is usually not problematic. Dilute your essential oils in aloe vera as your method of application for hoof fungus.

TEA TREE ( Melaleuca alternifolia ) Keywords: POWERFUL ANTISEPTIC, ANTI-FUNGAL
Tea Tree essential oil has an undisputed popular reputation for being the first choice of essential oils when treating fungal and bacterial infections and known as a cure all treatment for many chronic and acute bacterial, fungal and viral conditions. Use Tea Tree as an antiseptic and to eliminate fungal infections, blend with Lavender and Thyme to enhance your results! An immune stimulant! Tea Tree oil promotes and strengthens the immune system by stimulating the formation of white blood cells.

PATCHOULI ( Pogostemon patchouli ) Keywords: ANTI-FUNGAL, ANTI-SEPTIC, INSECT REPELLENT
Patchouli oil’s properties make it an effective mosquito and insect repellent, as well as useful for treating fungal infections.

THYME ( Thymus vulgaris ) Keywords: POWERFUL IMMUNE STIMULANT, ANTI-MICROBIAL
A powerful immune stimulant and one of nature’s most potent anti-microbials Thyme essential oil’s fierce energy gives it the notable ability to support and protect the immune system unequaled by other aromatic oils. An especially potent anti-bacterial agent Thyme oil’s action to disinfect will destroy staphylococcus bacteria even when diluted 1,000 times!

LEMONGRASS ( Cymbopogon citratus ) Keywords: ANTI-FUNGAL, ASTRINGENT, INSECT REPELLENT.
A powerful astringent use Lemongrass to regulate excess oily skin, hair and scalp conditions. Recent research indicates that Lemongrass oil has a sedating effect on the central nervous system. Its vasodilating, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties help relieve muscle spasm and promote regeneration and healing of soft tissue. Its strong anti-fungal properties makes Lemongrass good for treating a wide variety of fungal infections. A natural insect repellent Lemongrass oil makes a powerful mosquito and insect repellent, and is useful for preventing and eliminating fleas and ticks from your dogs.

FOR TREATING INJURIES AND TO RELIEVE ACHES AND PAINS:

SWEET MARJORAM ( Origanum marjorana ) Keywords: ANTI-SPASMODIC, PAIN RELIEVER. A stimulating oil with antispasmodic properties makes Sweet Marjoram effective as a muscle rub oil, or try it in a compress for treating muscle strains and sprains, and to relieve joint stiffness.

A WORD ABOUT CATS: Please remember to take especial care when using any essential oil on a cat. They simply can’t metabolize them the way dogs, horses and humans do. When diffusing oils for your own use, make very sure that your cat can exit the room if he/she chooses. Hydrosols, floral waters, on the other hand, are safe and gentle for our feline friends.

Aromatherapy is Nature’s Medicine in its purest and most essential form. Aromatic Oils are the very soul of a plant. Even a drop or two can produce significant results. Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance an animal’s health and well-being and may produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your veterinarian regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to diagnose.

You receive five FREE aromatherapy publications as a gift when you purchase PurePlant Essentials Organic Fair Trade Aromatherapy.

Click for PurePlant Essentials COMPLETE MENU OF ORGANIC AROMATHERAPY and to order any of these pure essential oils: http://www.pureplantessentials.com

Click to order DOG GROOMING SPRAY for Flea and Tick Prevention and Treatment: http://www.kgstiles.com/doggroomingspray.htm

KG Stiles is a certified aromatherapist practicing in Ashland, Oregon, USA. She has utilized essential oils in her professional practice for more than 30 years. She is the Director of PurePlant Essentials Organic Aromatherapy and a specialist in formulating aromatic blends for healthy living. KG can formulate the aromatherapy blend that’s just right for you, or your animals and pets! More Info? Contact: KG Stiles at Springhill Wellness Center, Ashland, OR (541) 941-7315. Mahalo!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KG_Stiles http://EzineArticles.com/?Animal-Aromatherapy&id=1786692

Post from: Pets On The Blog

Animal Aromatherapy

A pet like a child is a great responsibility and the animal or bird is dependant on you to care for it and protect it. And if a move is stressful for children the pressure is ten -fold for a pet that cannot quite comprehend what is happening. Often a house filled with strangers, boxes, and din is not just frightening for a pet it can be quite intimidating.

Before you move you must:

Take the pet to the vet and check whether his health will stand the move. Ask the vet about preventive health care and whether the pet will require any vaccinations.
Make a file containing the pet’s health records and registration details.
Pack all personal possessions belonging to the pet in an easily identifiable box.
Set aside things the pet will need while traveling and when you reach your destination.
Find out what the law regarding pets is in your new town or area. Ask about whether dogs or pets are allowed in your new home or apartment block and whether you need to apply for new registrations or permits.
Do a bit of research and locate a new vet in your new home. Choose one recommended by your old vet but make sure he suits your needs.
If you are moving fairly close then consider driving down with your pet and kids. Otherwise you will need to take care of details like flying with pets and the rules that apply.
While the movers are in the home packing or unpacking either keep the pet close to you or in a separate room in a crate with a few toys and plenty of water. Of course if you crate the pet you will need to remember to release him and take him for a walk ever so often.
If the move requires an overnight stop then choose a hotel that welcomes pets. This makes the move much easier on the pet as dealing with wary strangers can add to the stress.
Always carry an old sheet, a few toys, medicines, medical files, water for drinking, a little food, a sponge, plenty of plastic bags, paper towels, and a crate, cage, or leash. If it is fish you are transporting then you will need special containers sold by aquariums.
Get the pet a new Id tag and microchip in case he gets lost.
If you are nervous about transporting your pet there are professionals who will undertake to do the job for you.
In case you are moving to a new country and the climate is not suitable for your pet then consider finding the pet a new home. It is kinder than killing the pet.

While transporting pets remember that you cannot ship them in moving vans. And, except for “seeing eye” dogs pets are not allowed on buses and trains. So, you will either have to take your pet by plane or by car.  If your pet appears agitated ask the vet to prescribe a sedative. Check carefully about interstate health certificates and vaccination requirements. Be a vigilant pet-parent and find out all the pros and cons of moving a pet well before the actual moving date.

Author Bio
Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for www.1888MovingCompanies.com, the premier website to find help on Moving including topics on moving companies search, compare movers, moving insurance, auto transport, moving tips and more. He also freelances for the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Pet Site www.1888Discuss.com/pet/

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Post from: Pets On The Blog

Tips On Moving Pets

There is virtually nothing as embarrassing as when your holiday guests arrive and your dog Fido is jumping all over them. You start tugging and ordering him to get down and stop, but as usual he doesn’t acknowledge a single word coming out of your mouth. You have tried everything and he refuses to listen to you. Is there any hope for a good puppy?

There is no need for an expensive trainer to teach your puppy. You can do this on your own, without an expensive trainer. With training your dog will no longer cause you any unnecessary embarrassment. For you to successfully train your dog to obey your every command, you will need to do a few things.

It is vital that you do not give up on your puppy or yourself. You need to be clear, consistent and persistent at all times. Believe that you can succeed in training your dog to do exactly what you want him to do. Keep in mind, even after you have ended a training session, you can continue to teach your dog. Just like you would your child. You wouldn’t only teach your child right from wrong during a specific time, you do this all the time.

When you are teaching your dog to obey, you will need to make it interesting for him. A dog will easily lose his drive to please you if you do not keep things fun and hold his attention. Similar to teaching a child to clean up their toys after play time, you need to make it seem like fun, not work.

Positive reinforcement is very important in training your dog. Reward your dog for the behavior that you are asking for. You can reward him or her in a way you feel is appropriate. Some people find it best to reward the dog with a treat. Others find it best to not use food rewards, instead a quick rib or pat on the head.

Once you begin to work on a specific task with your puppy, you should continue with it until he has mastered it. Avoid throwing in too many new things because you can confuse your dog. Try to have a consistent tone of voice s well. This will let your dog know you mean business. Keep the commands you are trying to teach as simple as possible. One to two word commands are best when teaching now things.

Continue training once you have gone in the house. For example, if you are working on sitting during your lessons, implement it in the house. Try to have your puppy sit and wait for you to give him his food or a treat. Or you can have him sit while you put his leash on to bring him for a walk.

About the Author

For more information on Puppy and Dog Care, visit My Puppy Care Site

Post from: Pets On The Blog

Training Your Puppy Yourself