Doghouse and Crate

2006-02-09T13:06:00.000-06:00

Can Cats And Dogs Live Together As Friends?

Can cats and dogs live together without constantly being at war? It seems that they very often can.

We often hear people claim to be a "cat person" or a "dog person", but browsing through the various pet forums it appears that there are many of us that equally like both cats and dogs.

My son has a beautiful Border Collie who was the only pet of the house until she was five years old. Then three part Burmese kittens were brought into the family. Mollie the Collie and the kittens were introduced to each other slowly, and Mollie was taught that the kittens were not to be harassed. Naturally she was given extra doses of attention and affection, just to show her that the kittens were an addition to the family, and not a replacement for her.
As the kittens grew they soon learned to dominate the dog, after all they are felines and a canine must know its place, besides there are three of them. Often when Mollie is snoozing, or just reclining chilling out, one of the cats will just walk right over her, forgoing the niceties of walking around the dog. Mollie gives the impression that this behavior does not bother her, but sometimes a little sigh of exasperation is heard. Rarely do the cats take any interest in what is in the dog bowl, Mollie on the other hand, will quite often take a sniff of the cats lunch, and if one of the cats is close by it will give a warning hiss.

I don't think that it can be said that the cats and Mollie are great friends, they never appear to play together. They live together in a state of tolerance, rather than friendship, but the relationship works OK, my son's house is free of cat and dog fights.
But from reading the posts on the pet forums, many people report that their cat and dog are the best of buddies.

A lady writes that her Boxer and tabby curl up together on the sofa. Another post from an elderly gentleman reports that his Persian often hitches a ride on the back of his Labrador cross. There are many posts about cats and dogs being taken for walks together, stories of felines and canines being absolutely inseparable, even accounts of dogs pining for cats that have passed away.

All this does not imply that any old cat and dog can be thrown together and get on like a house on fire. Some dog breeds are unlikely to put up with sharing their home with a cat. Hounds and hunting dogs, for example may not be a wise choice. Also not all breeds of cat are sociable enough to live with another species of animal.

When introducing cats and dogs to each other do it slowly and make sure that you are in control. Never leave your pets without supervision while they are learning to get along with each other. Feeding your cat and dog in separate places, and at separate times is probably best until they are used to one another.

Remember that two or more dogs are likely to have a pack instinct, and could see a new kitten as prey. If yours is a multi-dog household and you are adding a cat to your pet family, make the introduction one dog at a time. Remember also that it is not only dogs that can hurt cats, frightened cats can inflict nasty scratches to inquisitive puppies and dogs, and a scratch on the puppy's eyes could be serious.

So can cats and dogs live together as friends? Yes, they can, it may take patience and perseverance on your part, but the result will be worth it

About the Author
Larry Chamberlain is the webmaster of www.best-cat-art.com and a lifelong cat lover. He lives in London England. Want to find that perfectCat Lover Gift?catarticle@best-cat-art.com

This article courtesy of www.doghouseandcrate.com.You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.

2006-01-26T21:13:00.000-06:00

Why Dogs Rule
Ever wonder why dogs make such good pets? It's not something many people seem to give much thought to, but I've been pondering it lately. I've had cats, snakes, fish, even a bird once, but as pets they all compare unfavorably (in my humble opinion) to playful puppy dogs. But why? It's not like those other species don't have their good points as pets.
I've concluded that the main reason that dogs make better pets is a simple one, although it's not one that most people ever really think about. They show their need for us, openly and honestly. They don't hold anything back. Most other animals tend to be aloof and sometimes downright arrogant at times. Cats come to mind.
I realize that my reasoning involves a certain amount of anthropomorphism (applying human traits to non-humans), but that's my point! I think we can't help but be more attracted to dogs precisely because they appeal to us in human terms. They're loyal, loving, needy, funny, always nice to us, etc. And I think the best pets are those who fulfill those kinds of needs we all have.
And it doesn't matter if you prefer small dog breeds like a Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier, or a larger breed like Golden Retrievers or Rottweilers. I've had dogs as pets in all shapes and sizes, and they invariably exhibit the wonderful traits we all crave. There's nothing quite like coming home from a long day and being met at the door by a wagging tail and happy disposition. Know what I mean? Dogs are simply the best friends we can ever know!
Just some food for thought…
John Schwartz is the owner and webmaster of http://puppies-dogs-supplies.com. He lives in East Texas with his wife, Shannon, who owns a dog rescue 'no kill' shelter.This article courtesy of www.doghouseandcrate.com.You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.

Come visit us at www.doghouseandcrate.com for more interesting articles and terrific products. Hope to see ya soon.

Finals of the National Championship

2006-01-15T18:51:00.000-06:00

Hey, what are you doing reading this blog? Its about five minutes until the final three hours of the National Championship--7 Central on both Animal Planet and Discovery Channel. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

National Championships aka The Big Dog Show

2006-01-13T22:27:00.000-06:00

This weekend is it--the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships. If you've never seen The big dog show and you love dogs, you are in for a huge treat. Hours of fun watching outstanding dogs in the country being exhibited and judged. (I am chosing my words carefully here, because I know that your dog and mine are the best anywhere. No question about that.)

This is an opportunity to see dog breeds you don't usually see running around the neighborhood and to see professional handlers at work.

Its a great evening of TV. There is info on dog training and health, and lots of explanation of breeds and what judges look for. In other words, they explain how dog shows work. You can catch it at 7pm Central on both Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel.

For great info on dogs and products and services for dogs, please come visit us at http://www.doghouseandcrate.com/.

Things to Consider When Chosing a Dog

2006-01-11T00:30:00.000-06:00

Recently I was having lunch with some friends when one of them said she was going to "adopt" a new dog. Everyone had advice on which was "the best dog." Of course, everyone had their favorite breed which ranged from muts from the SPCA to pure breds from pricey, exclusive breeders. It was a fun conversation which was more confusing than helpful. So I started looking for help for my friend and I found this article which poses great questions to consider.

10 Things to Consider Before Getting a Dog
1. Are there any size or weight restrictions on dogs within your condominium or community? Many won't allow dogs over 30-pounds.
2. Do you keep your home very warm? Some dogs are bothered by warm room temperatures. A Chihuahua would be a better choice than Shih Tzu in that case.
3. How much dog can you lift? A Pug is a happy-go-lucky companion but may weigh 18-pounds while a Yorkshire Terrier usually doesn't exceed 7-pounds.
4. How much grooming can you do? If arthritis is a problem, avoid longhaired breeds such as Pekingese or Maltese and look at short, smooth-haired dogs such as Toy Manchester Terrier. Beautiful coats are beautiful because they're groomed daily.
5. How much exercise does the dog need? Any Terrier is a high-energy dog requiring outdoor exercise. On the other hand, an English Toy Spaniel or Japanese Chin can get all the exercise they need inside an apartment.
6. Is the breed's temperament a good match with you? Some people find Toy Poodles too challenging and would do better with the sweet-tempered Papillon.
7. Are you prepared for the costs of dog ownership? The bare minimum estimate for dog ownership is $1 a day.
8. Can you acquire pet insurance? Many companies offer group rates to their employees and retirees.
9. Would being a "foster" owner satisfy your need for canine companionship? Even if you don't want to take a dog into your home, shelters always need people who can walk and play with the dogs or provide temporary housing.
10. Finally, have you considered what happens to your dog if you can't care for him? Toy breeds often live 15-years or longer. Be sure to include instructions in your will on how your pet should be placed.
With a little forethought and planning, you can select the right breed of dog for your lifestyle and enjoy many happy years together.
Former dog breed and all-round dogperson, Louise Louis now operatesa website, toybreeds.com dedicated tohelping people select the best smalldog breed for their lifestyle.This article courtesy of www.doghouseandcrate.com.You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.

2005-12-01T19:59:00.000-06:00

Since I decided to work on this blog, I have learned all sorts of fascinating new things. For instance, dogs like small, cozy spaces. My dog's favorite place, when I am working at the computer, is between my feet and the wall. I thought she liked to be near me (maybe she does). Now I find out that she feels safe and comfortable! Well, doggies--as Jed Clampett use to say.

2005-11-30T19:59:00.000-06:00

Yesterday,heard about a group who are chaining themselves outdoors for 24 hours to bring to attention pets, especially dogs who are left outside 24/7. What a great idea! With the big snowstorms in the northern part of the country this week, every dog needs protection and a cozy house--either its own or with its humans. I think dogs are pretty accepting of a good doghouse in the yard or their favorite spot under the desk.

Have you heard Jana Stanfield's song "Every Dog Knows" on her "Enjoy The Ride" CD? Its worth checking out at http://www.janastanfield.com/store/

2005-11-16T10:31:00.000-06:00

This is my first blog. Where I live it has turned really cold for the first time this Fall. I thought this was an interesting article on keeping your "outside" puppy warm.

Add Warmth To Your Pet's Dogloo Doghouse
If you're one of the millions of dog owners whose pet lives outside in an igloo style doghouse, give your dog a some warmth for Christmas. A Colorado heated pet bed manufacturer has developed a heat pad that will fit any size of the round doghouses. K&H Manufacturing calls it the Igloo Style Heating pad and it fits in any size Dogloo™ or Indigo™ doghouse.

The pad's half-round shape covers half the floor surface allowing the dog to naturally choose when it wants warmth. An internal thermostat will maintain a cozy 102º surface temperature when in use. K&H heated pads are waterproof, easy to clean and are UL and CUL Listed and recommended for year round outdoor use. They come with a 5 1/2 foot steel-wrapped, abrasion-resistant cord and a limited one-year warranty.

The warmth provided by the pad is not only for comfort, but it is recommended by veterinarians for active dogs to soothe muscles and for older, arthritic dogs to improve circulation.

The Igloo Style Heating pads can be found at PETsMART and internet retailers like drsfostersmith.com or totalpetcomfort.com

This article courtesy of www.doghouseandcrate.com.You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.