Looking for a new pet?

The following is a guest post by blogger Kelly Marsh on how you can adopt a pet with little or no cost.  I hope you find it interesting.

How To Find Free Pets
A person who is on a lookout for a pet to include into the family is familiar with the expenditure part of it, as breeders ask for several hundred dollars, even for the smallest pets . However, finding a free pet service would be a great idea, considering all the pets in the world that are currently homeless and living in animal shelters without anyone to look after. Looking out for free pets is not only a reasonable option but also a good act of kindness.

Whilst there are a number of animal rescue organizations and pet-shelters which are working around the US to adopt a pet, there is only one reliable resource which does  charge some fees, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The ASPCA and the Humanitarian Society of the US also offer listings of trustworthy shelters and adoption homes which can help you adopt a pet absolutely free. It is also possible to find a free pet by searching through the classified advertisements in newspapers or online sites where owners regularly post free pet advertisements, but when you are planning to adopt from these sites you need to be careful and follow a few important guidelines like the reasons for giving away the pet, health of the pet, etc.  A good general rule in this case would be to get it examined by a veterinarian to make sure all is right with the pet.

The local shelter is also a popular place to find free pets easily. Many shelters do not charge any fee to adopt a pet but there are some exceptions. The charges are usually very nominal and are mainly utilized for covering basic expenses. You can walk through these shelters and choose the pet you like for the adoption process. This process may include a screening procedure, economic background, and area where the pet is going to live to ensure that the pet is safe with you.

Benefits of adopting pets from a shelter
Adopting a pet from a pet-shelter has many benefits; you can spend time with the pet before deciding to adopt and get to know the pet’s behavior and observe how it interacts with people and other pets. You don't have to adopt the pet right away. If you don't find the pet you want then you can take a look at other shelters, or ask to be put on a waiting list. Adoption fees vary at these shelters and you will also have to pay for any additional services required. The pet shelters even help you with training, veterinary care and behavior counseling.

From ASPCA
The ASPCA is an association which helps to promote animal shelters and rescue organizations and also takes excellent care of animals across the country. At the ASPCA Adoption Center you will also be provided with listings of hundreds of pets which need a home. The benefits of adopting through ASPCA are:

1. Assistance provided to help bring the pet home.
2. Free vet care for 2 weeks.
3. Free neutering, micro chipping, vaccinations, and registration, all built- in the adoption fee.
4. Literature to educate you about the pet behavior and pet-care.

Pets are always a wonderful addition to family and anyone who is interested in getting a free pet needs to be aware that you need to give it full care.

About the author: Kelly is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of gadgets. Recently an article on baby gear attracted her attention. These days she is busy in writing an article on skin tags.

Dog and Cat breeds

The following is a guest post written by Grayson Nance which might be helpful if you're planning to add a pet to your household, especially if you're thinking of a purebred.  

Finding the best in dog and cat breeds

Getting a new pet starts with deciding what kind of animal would be best for you, which can be a big and sometimes difficult decision.  Every pet owner has a different personality and circumstances, that are suited for different kinds of pets.  Many people turn to the internet to find information on what kind of dog or cat to get for their next pet.  FindTheBest is a valuable resource for unbiased information on the best dog breeds and cat breeds for anyone.  It is a great reference for information on 198 different dog breeds and 68 cat breeds, comparing temperament and breed standards as well as physical features like size, coat and color.  This reference will help people to select the right pet and prevent animals from ending up in unfitted homes.  

This reference presents the facts in easy to use tables and allows for side-by-side comparisons of different breeds and consumer products so that you can find the best.  This is a great reference for anyone that needs to make a quick and informed decision.

Compare All Dog Breeds

Grayson Nance is a recent graduate of UCSB and now works with FindTheBest where you can compare anything from cat breeds to the best espresso machines.  

Why Dogs Bark

Barking is a natural means of communication for a dog. Dog barking  can signify needs, protection, and dominance. There are many different types of barks, and different tones may have different meanings.


Some breeds are simply “barking dogs”. These may include German Shepherds, Dobermans or Bloodhounds. There are those small breed dogs who seem to love the sound of their own voices, and will bark for any apparent reason. These include Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and Poodles.

Dogs like to communicate as much as possible, because they feel like the Alpha dog. If barking gets out of hand, it is important to be able to train your dog into realizing that YOU are the Alpha, and not him. Dogs always have a reason for their barking. The first step in training a dog to stop barking is to find out why he is barking in the first place.  There are many reasons why your dog may bark. Some barking may actually be good. Training your dog to bark during certain occasions may be beneficial for your household.


Reasons Your Dog May Bark

Barking at night - Your dog may be barking at night simply out of loneliness or boredom. This may happen especially if you keep your dog outdoors at night. Another reason for barking at night is because your dog has excess energy. If your dog doesn’t get enough exercise during the day, he may be restless at night and vocalize his boredom.

Pathologic barking - This abnormal barking may be caused by separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders or hyperactivity. This type of behavior is usually accompanied by other extreme actions such as destroying the house or causing self harm.

Other dogs - If your dog constantly barks at every other dog he sees, it may be because of lack of social contact. Sometimes it may be a sign of aggression or protective instinct.  Although this can sometimes be a good type of barking, it may set other dogs off and scare people away from your dog.

Barking at the door - This is usually territorial behavior or a result of over-excitement. Dogs will bark if they sense any type of threat. This can actually be the most difficult type of barking to treat, since there is usually always someone around the home (mailman, neighborhood kids and friends coming to visit).

Barking at people - This ties in with barking at other dogs. Your dog may not be social enough, therefore he sees everyone that isn’t familiar as a threat.

How To Stop Dog Barking

After figuring out why your dog may be barking, it’s time to start breaking the habit. There are lots of different training techniques available, you just have to determine which technique will work best for your dog. As soon as you determine what methods your dog understands best, it is important to keep at this method for as long as it takes your dog to fully understand what you are asking him to do.

It is also important to realize that training won’t cure your dog overnight! It takes time and patience to stop your dog’s barking completely. Puppies tend to learn quicker because they soak in information you provide for them. Older dogs with a barking habit may be trained as well, but their habits may be harder to break.

Another method that comes to mind when stopping your dog from barking is the use of spray or shock collars, as well as debarking surgery. These are very controversial methods to stop your dog from barking. Sometimes, however, they may help your dog the most. It is important to fully understand the risks involved when considering an invasive surgery or shocking methods to train your dog.


For more information about dog barking training, information about debarking and more, visit www.dogbarkingresource.com


(this guest post was written by Ciara Black of Dog Help Network)

Information on Canine Diabetes

Diabetes not only affects humans, but dogs as well. Diabetes in dogs is known as Diabetes Mellitus, and will affect 1 out of ever 10 dogs. Canine diabetes usually strikes between the ages of 6 and 9 years old. It is actually known that female dogs are more susceptible to diabetes than males because of changes in their hormones. 

Insulin is produced in the pancreas and helps to control the levels of glucose in the blood. When a dog has diabetes, there is not enough natural insulin produced to slow the glucose production to the bloodstream.  It is important to catch diabetes as quickly as possible because you do not want the glucose levels to get too high. If this happens, glucose can leak into the kidneys and cause infections as well as infect other organs in the future.

Causes of Canine Diabetes

Obesity - This is a very common reason for humans to develop diabetes. It is slowly becoming a common reason for dogs as well. Dogs who are constantly fed sugary or fattening foods, or “human food” are consuming high amounts of carbohydrates and sugars. This can easily affect the blood glucose levels, which may in turn affect the production of insulin over time.

Diseases - Certain diseases, mainly those that affect the pancreas, may trigger diabetes in the future. These diseases usually cause an abnormal production of insulin in the body, which can affect your dog’s ability to control glucose levels.

Steroid Use - Sometimes steroids are given to help control other illnesses. Steroids are known to affect the pancreas, which can cause an imbalance of insulin in the body. Always talk to your veterinarian about the risks of using steroids for treatment purposes.

Heredity - Many cases of diabetes cannot be prevented or controlled. Often times, the main reason your dog has developed diabetes is heredity. If your dog’s parents had diabetes, there is a high chance your dog could develop it as well. Some breeds are actually more susceptible to diabetes. These breeds include Pugs, Beagles, Poodles and Schnauzers.
Preventing Diabetes

The best way to prevent diabetes is to keep your dog at a normal, healthy weight. Having a balanced diet and regular exercise will help to prevent obesity in your dog. If you can, try to find out information about your dog’s parents. This could give you information about not only diabetes, but other ailments that your dog could inherit in the future. Try to avoid giving your dog human foods as treats. There are many healthy options for treats available on the market.
Sometimes, diabetes simply cannot be avoided. Be sure to keep up on regular visits to the veterinarian to be sure your dog is healthy.

For More Information

Always talk to your veterinarian if you have any doubts or concerns about managing your dog’s diabetes. Diabetes is a lifelong commitment once it has been diagnosed. It may be a little tricky to manage at first, but once a routine is set in place it can be easy to ensure your dog has a comfortable and healthy lifestyle.

For more information about canine diabetes, a list of symptoms to look for as well as treatment and home remedies to manage your dog’s diabetes, visit www.dogdiabeteshelp.com

(This guest post is courtesy of Ciara Black of the Dog Help Network)

Dog Diarrhea

Today we have a guest post written by Ciara Black from the Dog Help Network. I hope all you dog lovers find it informative and helpful in dealing with your dog's health.

Dog Diarrhea

Dog Diarrhea is an unpleasant, yet common ailment in dogs. We donʼt like to talk about it, we pretend itʼs not there... We just want it to go away! There are a number of reasons your dog may have diarrhea. It is important to observe carefully and properly treat your dogʼs diarrhea, because he canʼt do it himself.

Diarrhea itself is a sign you should take your dog to the veterinarian. Other signs to look out for are lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite and fever. Always be sure to give your dog plenty of clean water to keep him hydrated while dealing with diarrhea.

There are a number of home remedies available to help treat your dog’s case of diarrhea. As long as your veterinarian has checked him out, you should be able to treat your dog’s case of diarrhea at home.

Home Remedies For Dog Diarrhea

The First Step - The first step in treating your dog’s diarrhea is to take his food away. It is important to clear the stomach and intestines of dog food for the first 24 hours. Avoid giving your dog any rawhides and treats.

Be sure to have plenty of water available, unless diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting. This could cause more vomiting. If your dog refuses to drink any water, consider adding a low-sodium broth to his bowl of water. Pedialyte may be another alternative to water as well to keep him hydrated.

Diet and Exercise - After your dog has been fasting for about 24 hours, you can try to give him bland meals. These meals are easily digestible, gentle for the sensitive stomach and low in fat, sugar and salt. You can feed your dog three or four small meals a day for the first few days. If diarrhea persists, try and cut down the meal portions and fewer meals.

Some foods consider are cooked rice, boiled hamburger and cooked oatmeal. After a few days of eating a bland meal, you can slowly introduce your dog’s regular food back into his diet.
Exercise can also help with treatment for dog diarrhea. As long as he is willing, try to take him for a short walk twice a day. The nervous system responsible for maintaining normal digestion may be stimulated by a bit of exercise.

Herbs and Supplements - Herbs and supplements are great home remedies for dog diarrhea. They can be very effective if used in proper amounts along with medication and diet.

• Licorice: Licorice helps the healing process in the intestinal lining by increasing blood flow.

• L-Glutamine: This is an amino acid which is a source of fuel for cells lining the intestinal tract.

• Enzymes: These are essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Enzymes also have anti-inflammatory properties. Consider plain yogurt.

• Slippery Elm: Slippery elm is a herb that neutralizes stomach acids and soothes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Training - If your dog’s diarrhea is triggered by over-excitement or stress, it is important to train him to be able to handle the situation without causing diarrhea and other problems. If the problem persists, sometimes it is best to simply remove him from the situation.
If you are in a situation such as moving to a new home, the stress may cause diarrhea. In this case, there is not much to do but wait it out.

For More Information

Always take your dog to the veterinarian to properly diagnose your dog’s diarrhea. Sometimes diarrhea is caused by serious illnesses, and need to be caught immediately to avoid further illness and death.

For more information about dog diarrhea, causes, treatment options and more, visit www.dogdiarrheahelp.com