Labels: Agility Training

The "Dog Days of Summer"

Everyone knows that the “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season. Webster defines “dog days” as...

1. the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere


2. a period of stagnation or inactivity

But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer “dog days?”

GregRobert Tip:
The dog days of summer are just around the corner, and pet
owners should be on guard for their furry friends' safety. Now
is the time to think about parasite control, heat stroke and
travel arrangements for cats and dogs.

In ancient times, different groups of peoples in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by “connecting the dots” of stars. The images drawn were dependent upon the culture: The Chinese saw different images than the Native Americans, who saw different pictures than the Europeans. These star pictures are now called constellations, and the constellations that are now mapped out in the sky come from our European ancestors.

They saw images of bears, (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins, (Gemini), a bull, (Taurus), and others, including dogs, (Canis Major and Canis Minor).

The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. In fact, it is so bright that the ancient Romans thought that the earth received heat from it.

GregRobert Tip:
As pets spend more time outside during the warm weather, they
are likely to encounter a disease-transmitting insect such as
a tick, mosquito or flea. Pet owners should take a few minutes daily to run their hands, or a specialized comb, through their pet's fur to look for ticks.
Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky
Mountain spotted fever.

In the summer, however, Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the
sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the dog star.

The conjunction of Sirius with the sun varies somewhat with latitude. And the “precession of the equinoxes” (a gradual drifting of the constellations over time) means that the constellations today are not in exactly the same place in the sky as they were in ancient Rome. Today, dog days occur during the period between July 3 and August 11. Although it is certainly the warmest period of the summer, the heat is not due to the added radiation from a far-away star, regardless of its brightness.

Of course, the heat of summer is a direct result of the earth's tilt.

GregRobert Tip:
When it comes to keeping a pet healthy during the summer, owners need to be aware of how heat affects their animals. Remember that dogs have padded feet, and the sidewalk can be too hot for them. It's a good idea to walk them on grass if possible, and preferably in the early morning or evening."

Happy Summer - and remember buy Pet Supplies with Google Checkout and save $5.00 on all orders > $75 with coupon: googlerocks (all lowercase)

Labels: Google Checkout Coupon for Pet Supplies

Pets. Firecrackers and other Fireworks

As many pet owners know, fireworks, sparklers, firecrackers and other recreational explosives commonly deployed on the 4th of July can cause a great deal of stress for some pets. Many dogs and cats have problems - but other pets like Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Ferrets can show signs of stress.

Commonly seen stress signs include

• Shaking and trembling


• Excessive salivation or drooling


• Incessant Barking and howling


• Panicked attempts at trying to hide or get into / out of the house, fence, or other kennel type enclosure.


• Refusal to eat food and stomach issues like diarrhea or nausea.


• Some animals may loose bladder or bowel control from prolonged stress caused by fireworks

Some pets do fine and don't seem to notice the fireworks at all. Our dog in particular, gets excited about the firecrackers and seems to be enjoying himself. Some do well with having Mom or Dad nearby - or in some cases (with smaller pets) sitting on their owner's lap and being talked to in a soothing voice. Petting your dog or cat or holding him/her can go a great deal in
calming them.

There are some pets that cannot be calmed by petting or talking to them. Try one of the all-natural calming remedies for pets that are on the market. Many people have found great success in these potions

Animals that are extremely upset or frightened can hurt themselves and possibly escape if they are left alone. Results from a frightened pet escaping can be fatal. Frightened animals running loose are in danger of being hit by a car.

Note - please consult with your veterinarian if signs are excessive or persist after fireworks
have subsided. Also consult a vet if you suspect that your pet may have been poisoned or is otherwise ill.

Labels: 4th of July and Pets

With the hot summer weather upon us, it is important to remember to keep your pet cool.
Pets suffer from the same hot weather problems humans do, like overheating, dehydration and sunburn. You can take some simple precautions so that you and your dog can enjoy the summer months.

Dogs are much more susceptible to overheating than humans are because dogs are much less efficient at cooling themselves. A dog’s normal body temperature is 100-102 degrees. Dogs have sweat have sweat glands on their nose and pads of their paws. You probably know that dogs pant to cool down and drink water to cool down. It is important to always have fresh, cool water available for your dog. Remember if you are on walk, in the house or in the yard make sure you have fresh, cool water for your dog. If your dog is an outdoor dog, you need to provide a large shaded area for him and he should be brought inside during the hottest hours of the day. Make certain he always has access to cool water, because the sun can quickly make water too hot to drink. This can be easily accomplished by using a product like the EverFull Bowl that simply attaches to your garden hose. Once attached, you turn on the tap and the bowl fills to the perfect drinking level. The bowl automatically refills to the same level, every time your dog takes a drink.

Monitor the amount your dog runs or exercises during the hot days. Heat exhaustion in dogs is caused by dehydration and overheating due to over-exercising during hot weather. Heatstroke can occur when your dog’s body temperature is too high for a prolonged period of time. Both heat exhaustion and heatstroke can cause heart failure, brain and organ damage and even death. Pets that are thick coated or short nosed are susceptible, as are puppies, senior dogs and dogs with Heat exhaustion in dogs is often caused by dehydration and overheating from running or over-exercising during hot weather. Heatstroke can occur when your dog’s body temperature is too high for a prolonged period of time, and both can lead to brain and organ damage, heart failure and even death. Short-nosed, thick-coated breeds and (just as with people) puppies, seniors and dogs with respiratory, cardiovascular and other health problems are especially susceptible. Interestingly, this is just like people, heat affects babies, the elderly and people with
respiratory, cardiovascular and other health problems .


Signs of heatstroke can be one or more of the following: panting hard, staggering gait, dazed look, listlessness, restlessness, rapid heartbeat, dark red or purple gums and/or tongue and vomiting. If you think that your dog has a heat-induced illness, gradually lower his body temperature by moving him to a cool area, either to the shade or air conditioning. Then, apply cold packs to his head, neck or belly. You can immerse your pet in cool (not cold) water or give small amounts of cool water or ice cubes to lick — and then take him to the vet immediately.



Never leave your pet alone in a car during hot weather, not even for a minute. Even with the window cracked, a car’s inside temperature can increase as much as 40 degrees in an hour. About 80 percent of that increase occurs within the first 30 minutes. This means that on an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car, with the windows cracked, can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes! This is deadly for your pet. If you ever see a pet in a parked car on a hot summer day, enlist the help of a security guard, go to the nearest store and page the owner, or call the local police.


Always protect your pet near water. People think all dogs can swim, this is not true! Many dogs cannot swim and many can, but get panic stricken if they are not familiar with the area. If you take your pet to a lake or have a swimming pool, make sure you have a life jacket for her and that she wears it.


A great way to keep you pet cool is to us the Cool Bed III ™ There is no electricity required to operate the Cool bed III and these beds are attractively designed to allow a cool spot for dogs. Simply add the recommended amount of tap water through the easy fill cap and burp with the new easy air adjustment valve. The unique Cool Core diverts the liquid better than ever throughout the bed for advanced cooling power. Your pet will have a dry, cool, comfy place to relax. This beds works simply - the water-saturated core (that you just add tap water) inside the Cool Bed III absorbs the dog's natural body temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit and converts it to room temperature. This is normally well below the dog's natural body temperature. For instance, it is 80 degrees in your house, the Cool Bed III will be 22 degrees cooler than your dog's body.


The Cool Bed III Features:

• Indoor/Outdoor Use—The Perfect Place For Keeping Your Canine Cool Year-Round
• No Electricity Required
• Non Toxic
• Unique Super Soft Material Maximizes Comfort And Cooling Capabilities
• Aids In Medical Recovery, Skin Conditions, Callused Elbows, Arthritis and Excessive Panting
• Easy To Clean - Just Wipe Down With A Damp Cloth
• Great for Travel
• 3 sizes available:
  Small 17" x 24" Up to 25 lbs
  Medium 22" x 32" Up to 60 lbs
  Large 32" x 44" Over 60 lbs

Also available are some great accessories for the Cool Bed III. The Cool Cover Fitted Sheet is the most affordable, durable option available in Cool Cover Accessories! This linen/cotton blend fitted sheet is available in two fashion colors to match any decor’.


The Cool Cover Bolster Sheet is the ultimate in Cool Bed III comfort accessory! This durable linen/cotton blend cover includes a soft, comfortable side bolster and will be any dog’s favorite cool spot.


Your dog is more than a pet. She is part of your family! Give her the hot weather attention she deserves so that both of you can have a great summer.

Labels: cool bed, life jacket

It seems to be common knowledge amongst pet owners to make sure that your dog's bowls are at the proper height for optimal digestion and relieves stress on your dog's hips and shoulders. But exactly what is the correct height? Many of the popular elevated feeders and bowls have adjustability - but what should you adjust them to?

Before going any further - you need to know the "Wither height" of your dog. This height can be different on every dog. Even dog's of the same age and breed have different wither heights. Measure from the ground to the top of your dog's shoulder to determine his or her's wither height. Subtract 6 inches from the wither height. This is the correct feeder height for your dog.



If your dog is a smaller breed, subtract 4 inches instead of 6 to define the correct feeding height.

• Raised dog bowls allow for better posture, especially with older dogs.


• Elevated Feeders promote better digestion - food moves from mouth to stomach quicker and easier.


• Raised dog dishes will bring less stress on the Pasterns (canine forearm/wrist area)


• and finally - dog dishes that are off the ground or raised are cause less "leaning", and relieve stress on hips and shoulder area.

To the right is the Posture Pro Raised dog dish in Cherry finish. The posture pro also comes in Maple, White and Oak finishes. They offer a number of bowl sizes from 1 pint to 3 quarts.

This simple precaution to raise your dog bowl is so easy. Why don't you do it? Your best friend will love you for it!

Labels: Pet Feeder

Pet Supplies on Sale!

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however
measured or far away.” Henry David Thoreau

Henry hit the nail on the head, we think - but seldom do businesses leave the beaten path for unknown territory - especially in the extremely competative vertical of pet supplies - but GregRobert has proven that the beaten path is not the only path with the launch of thier new "Quantity Discounts and Savings" campaign that hit the Internet last night.

In a time that everyone is raising prices because of the increasingly high cost of internet marketing, with more and more online retailers opening shop each day, GregRobert has taken a different path - LOWERING prices to increase market share in the pet supplies industry.

A huge "Across-the-Board" decrease in prices was launched and is proving extremely successful. Visitors can save a tremendous amount of money when purchasing more than one item of the same type.

• Cat Supplies
• Dog Supplies
• Bird Supplies
• Fish Supplies

You may have heard about GregRobert in the last few years because they were one of the first online pet stores that advocated and implemented Web 2.0 strategies for marketing including dynamic RSS product feeds.

Give the new feature a whirl the next time you need to stock up on Nylabones or Dingo Dog bones - check out GregRobert. Got to get Greenies? No problem!

A few specials off that beaten path - Enjoy!!

• Sniffers Shake-Ins for Dogs 12 oz. All natural meal enhancer preferred over gravy and wet mix.
• Excel Gas Preventative Digestive Aid - 60 tabs Alleviates gas while promoting digestive health in dogs.
• HyperDog Food or Toy Storage Bin 20 or 40 lbs.

Labels: Discount Pet Supplies

Bladder problems are common in cats. I can't explain why and even most veterinarians that I have asked don't know why. Weird .. but we have to deal with it.

Bladder problems and incidences are estimated at about 6% of the cat population- believe it or not. There is a great debate amongst professionals on their causes and their treatment.

Bladder problems in cats and less commonly, kittens, may be caused by either infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma or fungi, crystals in the urine or even noninfectious conditions such as interstitial cystitis. Bladder problems or urinary tract issues can be caused from trauma such as being hit by a car or falling out of a tall building or even a tall fence.

You can't do anything to prevent trauma induced bladder conditions, but you can do something about preventing infectious or dietary induced bladder conditions in your cat.

Before I continue, I want to make sure that you understand this: ANY INFECTION IN YOUR CAT OR KITTEN, any unusual behavior etc... PLEASE, PLEASE see your veterinarian first.

The first product that we have found to be effective is UTI Paste by Mark and Chappell

UTI Paste provides a source of dl-Methionine and natural cranberry extracts.
This unique formulation acts as an aid in the management and maintenance of
urinary tract health for your cat. Dl-Methionine an essential amino acid can
only be obtained from the diet, aids in lowering urinary pH levels.

The second product that is recommended by professions is by EXCEL.

Excel Bladder Paste is a tasty paste that is prepared with cranberry for your cat's urinary tract health and preventive care. Cranberry extract and DL-Methionine help balance the pH. Great for senior cats and indoor cats.

The most common signs of a urinary tract infection in your cat that you will see include:

• Seeing your cat spending alot of time in the litter box, often straining to urinate.
• Blood in the urine, at other times there may be just tiny spots of urine even though they were in the litter box for a long time.
• Sometimes, they will associate the litter box with pain and actually urinate elsewhere.
• Sometimes you will here them cry, moan or move about uncomfortably in the litter box due to pain and discomfort.
• Sometimes, you will not see any urine and this can be very serious and life threatening because they may be blocked and unable to urinate and become toxic.

This is an emergency and you should take your cat to your veterinarian immediately. Any of the above signs warrant a visit to your veterinarian.

Labels: Cat Urinary Tract and Bladder Health