Archive for April 2011

Although emergencies and accidents are unforeseen, one should  always be prepared for worst case scenario. That is why all pet owners should know canine first aid and have a pet first aid kit within paws reach. Preparedness, knowing what to do in an emergency, and acting swiftly could mean the difference between life or death and your pet sustaining additional injuries. Being prepared gives your pet a fighting chance of survival and most often a quicker recovery.

Making a basic DIY Pet First Aid Kit or purchasing a pre-made kit at your local pet store is a must. Pet First Aid Kit is great to have on hand for everyday use or in the event of a natural disaster resulting in minor or major injuries.  It is recommended that you have one for your home and your car for easy accessibility. If you prefer making your own first aid kit here are a list of essentials that should be include. Make sure your first aid preparedness disaster kit is well stocked and medical materials are stored in a durable, water proof container.

• Sterile gauze pads (3" x 3" and 2" X 2") and gauze bandage rolls (1" and 2")
• First-aid adhesive tape, 1" roll
• Masking tape
• Cotton swabs (Q-tips®)
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Forceps
• Plastic freezer/sandwich bags
• Small bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• Styptic pencil or cornstarch (stems blood flow from minor cuts)
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Antibacterial ointment
• Antiseptic cleansing wipes
• Kaopectate® or Pepto-Bismol®
• Flash light
• Stethoscope
• Saline Solution (clean out wounds and flush the eyes)
• Muzzle (to help restrain your animal if it becomes aggressive due to shock and pain)
• A current pet first-aid book
• Eyewash
• Eyedropper (dispensing liquid medication or for cleaning superficial wounds)
• Mineral oil (a lubricant and laxative when given by mouth)
• Ipecac syrup ( to induce vomiting in the event your pet is poisoned, consult your veterinarian before inducing vomiting)
• Digital or rectal thermometer in a plastic case
• Leather work gloves (to protect you from being bitten)
• Latex gloves
• Leash
• Thin rope
• Splint materials (tongue depressor, 12-inch wooden ruler or thick magazine)
• Activated charcoal (good for poisoning or diarrhea and controls flatulence resulting from any stomach or intestinal upset)
• Blankets
• Phone numbers (your pet's regular veterinarian and of a nearby emergency veterinary hospital)
• Instant cold pack
• Rags/rubber tubing for tourniquet
• Emergency Heat Blanket (used if an animal’s temperature is decreasing due to shock or exposure. Always take the pet’s temperature first before using)
• Thermometer & Vaseline

The Chihuahua is a tiny little dog and has a very distinctive small apple-shaped head with a short muzzle. They have large adorable eyes and small erect ears that make this animal look different to any other breed. The Chihuahua is the ultimate companion dog. They are courageous, extremely lively, and adventurous and thrive on affection. These little animals are really agile and fearless and without proper training can be quite strong minded and even naughty. However, with the right training they can be the perfect little pet.

Once you get a Chihuahua you really do have a friend for as long as the animal lives. As a breed, Chihuahua’s are incredibly loyal and become very attached to their owners. This means that you can literally take this little dog anywhere with you and they will love it. Chihuahua’s are a big favorite amongst celebrities and many of them have bags designed specifically to carry round their little pets. Chihuahua’s really are affectionate; some even like to lick their owner’s face so if you don’t like really attentive dogs then this breed isn’t for you!

Chihuahua’s really need to be supervised well as some can be quite difficult to train but with the right training program and dedication it can be achieved. Chihuahua’s are not stupid creatures; in fact they are really intelligent and can learn quickly if treated with a firm but gentle hand. They can be quite hard to house train but as long as you establish the ground rules early on your pet will respond well. Just because they are a small dog you shouldn’t let them get away with things that you would not allow a large dog to do such as jumping up on people. This is allowing dominant behavior and if you allow this you may be allowing your dog to develop other negative behaviors such as jealousy and aggression with other dogs and sometimes even humans.

In general, Chihuahua’s are not recommended for children. This is not because they respond badly to them but because people tend to treat Chihuahua’s differently than they would a larger dog and allow bad behaviors because they are “cute.” As owners, a lot of people tend to baby Chihuahua’s because of their size and make the mistake of thinking that they don’t need to be exercised. Although smaller dogs do require less exercise than larger breeds, they still need exercise. A walk is a lot more than just a walk to smaller breeds, as well as providing much needed exercise is also provides great mental stimulation.

If you do not give your pet the exercise it needs on a regular basis, you run the risk of it turning snappy, yappy, overly-protective and untrustworthy with children and adults that they do not know. That being said, with the right training this great little dog can be a great companion for any family. The right dog toys can help in making the exercise fun for both parties.

These little dogs do tend to have their fair share of health problems. As a breed Chihuahua’s are prone to rheumatism, colds and gum problems. They can also suffer from corneal dryness and secondary glaucoma; do to their distinctive protruding eyes. They can also gain weight very easily which can cause problems for their small limbs. Chihuahua’s also have a tendency to wheeze and snore due to their small, short muzzles. Health care and dog grooming supplies can be useful when owning a Chihuahua.

Chihuahua’s are ideally suited for apartment life and although they are small they still need their space and cannot be kept in a very small area. Remember that even though it is very tempting to carry these cute little animals around everywhere, they do need a daily walk.

As they have a smooth, short-haired coat they only need to be gently brushed occasionally or just wiped over with a damp cloth. Baths can be kept to twice a month and be careful not to get water in the ears. The ears need to be checked regularly and the nails need to be trimmed.

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NEW! PRICE-MATCH GUARANTEE!

We are so confident that we offer the best prices at www.bestbullysticks.com that we now match ANY online vendor price on any item we sell!

If you find anything on www.bestbullysticks.com for less on another website (excluding Amazon and Ebay), let us know and we’ll credit the difference to you. It must be the same item. For bulk items, we’ll try our best to match the price. Email us at bbinfo@bestbullysticks.com with any questions or to take advantage of this great new service.

Is your dog barking for his or her time in the spotlight?

If you would like your dog spotlighted or want to recommend a dog breed you love for our next Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed entry please send us an email or tweet @bestbullysticks. Don’t forget to send over a photogenic pic of your dog as well.

Give the gift of a good chew. Delicious & all natural, the way nature intended!

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats & chews, and of course our bully sticks. Try our odor free bully sticks!

Take The Guessing Out Of Gift Giving With A Best Bully Stick Gift Certificate!

But what do you do for the pampered pup or feline that has everything? Hmmm..For the pet that has everything give a Best Bully’s Gift Certificate and take the guessing out of gift giving! This is a great way for you to give that furry special someone in your life or loving pet owner a special gift by allowing them to select the exact products their furry companion are looking for.

A picture is worth a thousand words, or shall we say free bully sticks!

Our photo gallery is growing constantly, please submit a photo of your dog enjoying any of our products to enter our twice monthly contest! Each month we will have a drawing on those customers who submitted pictures to the gallery and a winner will be chosen and posted on the site. The winner will win more bully sticks!

Bark the Word! Join the Best Bully Sticks Free Affiliate Program & Earn 6% Commission or 6% Product Discount

At Best Bully Sticks we consider your pets part of our pack and family. Like our beloved pugs Sushi & Espy, we only want to give your furry family member the best in healthy, safe pet products.  We are constantly searching for the best of the best so if you have any feedback or product suggestions please let us know. So here is what’s new on the site and in our wag of the woods! Please be sure to check out our barkworthy  New Products for everything we have added in the last month.

Introducing Bravo! Dog Chews and Treats with No Compromises!

Bravo! offers the industry’s widest range of top quality products formulated to give your pet a happier, healthier, longer life. Made from top quality ingredients that you and dog can be proud of!

Check our delicious Bravo! offerings & get shopping!

Bravo! Bonus Bites Buffalo Liver Dog Treats 8 oz.

Bravo! Bonus Bites Cod Fish Dog Treats

Bravo! Bonus Bites Salmon Dog Treats

Bravo! Bonus Bites Turkey Hearts Dog Treats

The incredibly elegant poodle is often referred to as the most intelligent and wisest of the canine race. However, along with this heightened level of intelligence, he also requires a great detail of attention and affection in order to keep him accustomed to his lifestyle. For example, poodles are renowned for being particular about where they go to the toilet and commonly desire to be as clean as possible. For this reason, the owner of a poodle may find that they are required to spend more time grooming him than they would if they owned a different breed of dog, for example, a working dog.

Although poodles require more attention, they have the positive attribute of generally being less trouble than other, more boisterous breeds, although they are incredibly playful themselves. Poodles have an elegance and dignity about them and can often possess a sense of calm which one does not usually find with some other breeds of dog. However, during the training process when your poodle is a puppy, it is advisable that he socializes with other dogs. This will not only help to make him a more sociable dog, but it can also help to eliminate any aggressive tendencies as he becomes and adult.

As with all breeds, poodles require a great amount of care, not just in regards to their appearance, but also their general health and nutrition. Poodles require high grade dog food that has meat as a primary ingredient. Poodle puppies, similar to other puppies, will generally want to be fed up to four times a day, but as he ages, you will find he eats just twice a day but will consume larger portions. As poodles are relatively lean dogs however, feeding him several smaller meals a day can help eliminate any issues relating to bloating. In all cases however, refrain from overfeeding your dog with dog food or foods. Your poodle will also require adequate exercise. In order for any dog to remain healthy, happy and obedient, he will require daily exercise, sometimes more than once a day. After exercise, always provide your poodle with plenty of water to keep him hydrated and ensure that he gets the rest he needs in between periods of exercise. Ensure to spoil him with dog treats when he learns new tricks and obedience’s and always follow a healthy diet with dental treats to encourage a healthy mouth and eliminate doggy breath.

One of the most recognizable aspects of a poodle’s appearance is his coat. Poodles possess a very dense coat which will require clipping every six to eight weeks in order to stop it over growing and affecting his hearing or visibility. Although poodles do not generally shed much hair, they still require frequent brushing to stop their coat from becoming tangled or matted. This can be completed by a professional dog groomer but due to the excessive amount of grooming a poodle can require, it is sometimes more beneficial to invest in appropriate brushes and combs to do this at home yourself.

Owning a poodle with provide you with a friendly, intelligent and playful companion. Due to the level of elegance a poodle exudes, they are the ideal choice of breed if you are maybe unsure or hesitant to own a more playful or boisterous dog. However, no matter what, you can guarantee that your poodle will be utterly loyal and loving should you do the same in return.

Best Bully Sticks News!

Become a Facebook Fan, “Like” our page & Help us reach 5,000 fans.

NEW! PRICE-MATCH GUARANTEE!

We are so confident that we offer the best prices at www.bestbullysticks.com that we now match ANY online vendor price on any item we sell!

If you find anything on www.bestbullysticks.com for less on another website (excluding Amazon and Ebay), let us know and we’ll credit the difference to you. It must be the same item. For bulk items, we’ll try our best to match the price. Email us at bbinfo@bestbullysticks.com with any questions or to take advantage of this great new service.

Is your dog barking for his or her time in the spotlight?

If you would like your dog spotlighted or want to recommend a dog breed you love for our next Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed entry please send us an email or tweet @bestbullysticks. Don’t forget to send over a photogenic pic of your dog as well.

Give the gift of a good chew. Delicious & all natural, the way nature intended!

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats & chews, and of course our bully sticks. Try our odor free bully sticks!

Take The Guessing Out Of Gift Giving With A Best Bully Stick Gift Certificate!

But what do you do for the pampered pup or feline that has everything? Hmmm..For the pet that has everything give a Best Bully’s Gift Certificate and take the guessing out of gift giving! This is a great way for you to give that furry special someone in your life or loving pet owner a special gift by allowing them to select the exact products their furry companion are looking for.

A picture is worth a thousand words, or shall we say free bully sticks!

Our photo gallery is growing constantly, please submit a photo of your dog enjoying any of our products to enter our twice monthly contest! Each month we will have a drawing on those customers who submitted pictures to the gallery and a winner will be chosen and posted on the site. The winner will win more bully sticks!

Bark the Word! Join the Best Bully Sticks Free Affiliate Program & Earn 6% Commission or 6% Product Discount

We always love getting emails from our customers & readers asking us to feature their dog or favorite breed for our Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed blog series every Thursday. As always we are honored to oblige. Thanks Jill for submitting Miss Mia K. Crawford, an American Pit Bull Terrier to be featured in our series. She's a beauty!

Height: 18-22 inches

Weight: 30-60 lbs

Coat: The American Pit Bull Terrier has a glossy, short, smooth coat that is stiff to the touch. The coat comes in a variety of colors, combination of colors, or color patterns.

Color: multicolored, black and white

Appearance: The American Pit Bull Terrier is solidly built, medium in size, muscular, and powerful. It has a short coat and smooth, well-defined muscle structure. Its eyes are round to almond shaped, and its ears are small to medium in length and can be natural or cropped. The tail is thick and tapers to a point. The coat is glossy, smooth, short, and slightly stiff.

Temperament: This breed is extremely loyal, deeply devoted, affectionate, intelligent, and good-natured. The American Pit Bull Terrier does best in a home with older considerate children. Frequently referred to as great warriors, this breed exhibits strength, courage, agility, and grace. They have an exceptionally gentle disposition with those they love. They will get along with other dogs they have been raised with but may exhibit aggression toward strange dogs and other small household pets. They are exceedingly protective of their family, home, and territory. American Pit Bull Terriers are not generally used for guarding due to their friendly nature. Aggressive behavior toward humans is an uncharacteristic trait in this breed. They are not recommended for the novice, apathetic, or sedentary owner. Like every dog, American Pit Bull Terriers need early socialization--exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences--when they're young. Socialization helps ensure that your your puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

Health: The average life expectancy of an American Pit Bull Terrier is about 12-14 yrs making them one of the longer living large breeds. The breed tends to have a higher than average incidence of hip dysplasia. They may also suffer from patella problems, thyroid dysfunction and congenital heart defects. American Pit Bull Terriers with dilute coat colors have a higher occurrence of skin allergies.

Is your dog barking for his or her time in the spotlight?

If you would like your dog spotlighted or want to recommend a dog breed you love for our next Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed entry please send us an email with the subject “Spotlight My Dog” or tweet @bestbullysticks. Don’t forget to send over a photogenic pic of your dog and short 2-3 sentence bio.

Best Bully Sticks News!

Become a Facebook Fan, “Like” our page & Help us reach 5,000 fans.

Give the gift of a good chew. Delicious & all natural, the way nature intended!

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats & chews, and of course our bully sticks. Try our odor free bully sticks!

Take The Guessing Out Of Gift Giving With A Best Bully Stick Gift Certificate!

But what do you do for the pampered pup or feline that has everything? Hmmm..For the pet that has everything give a Best Bully’s Gift Certificate and take the guessing out of gift giving! This is a great way for you to give that furry special someone in your life or loving pet owner a special gift by allowing them to select the exact products their furry companion are looking for.

A picture is worth a thousand words, or shall we say free bully sticks!

Our photo gallery is growing constantly, please submit a photo of your dog enjoying any of our products to enter our twice monthly contest! Each month we will have a drawing on those customers who submitted pictures to the gallery and a winner will be chosen and posted on the site. The winner will win more bully sticks!

Bark the Word! Join the Best Bully Sticks Free Affiliate Program & Earn 6% Commission or 6% Product Discount