How to Trim Dog and Cat Nails

Trimming dog and cat nails is an important part of pet grooming, as overgrown nails cause problems for both you and the animal. The trimming of a pet’s nails depends on the pet itself, as different steps for different animals so the nails are cut correctly and without pain. Learn how to do it yourself and save money on trips to the groomer!

Check out pet care tips at Petsmart.com and Get latest Petsmart grooming coupon $10 off february 2016 for saving now

Unless you’ve never seen a cat or a dog, you already know their claws are different. Dog nails are not retractable, whereas cat nails are. The latter are visible only if the animal flexes its paws for scratching, gripping, stretching, or hunting. Although both cat and dog nails wear down on their own, with cats actually shedding their claws occasionally, it’s still important to trim nails, especially if your home mainly features carpeting and other highly-scratchable surfaces. Dogs, for example, require hard surfaces in order for their claws to wear down. Kanines need regular trimming to avoid paw misalignment and subsequently walking unsteadily on their feet.

Keeping claws short is also important to protect furniture, drapes and curtains, hardwood flooring, other household items, and your own skin and clothing. While it may seem difficult at first, the more you work at it, the more used to the procedure the animal will become. Although slightly different procedures are necessary for each animal, it is important to avoid the “quick,” or what brings blood flow to the nail. Cutting the quick on a cat or dog nail will result in blood and pain.

This lesson is free for the first 7 days, after which; to subscribe to the lesson will cost only $1.99. All other lessons will cost $1.99 too.

Owning a dog is a rewarding, heart-warming experience that can touch you for the rest of your life, but it’s not always easy: 38 Brilliant Dog Care Hacks

Featured photo credit: Owning a dog is a rewarding, heart-warming experience that can touch you for the rest of your life, but it’s not always easy via Shutterstock

3 Ways to Save Money on Dog Food

Food is one of the most important aspects of a dog’s life, and offering your dog only the best quality dog food is one of the best things you can do for him to live a healthy and long life. Unfortunately good quality always has its price. You might think that it’s impossible to include only high quality products in your dog’s diet on a daily basis, but there are several ways to save money on dog food without cutting down the quality.

Take 20% OFF Select Flukers Reptile Food And Care Products. Get this discount and more Petsmart grooming coupons 2016 at PetSmart.

1. Cook it yourself

One of the easiest ways to save money on your dog’s food is to make it yourself. Food cooked at home tends to be much better than what’s available at the store. It can also be more cost effective. There are many tasty recipes that are extremely healthy because you can use organic ingredients and avoid any preservatives or artificial flavors. The food made with natural ingredients will offer your dog all that’s best for him; it is highly nutritional and good for his health too. And the price for a serving will be much lower than you might expect. You can save a lot of money if you cook at home for your dog and you will know exactly what is going into his diet.

If you decide to cook your dog’s food the most important thing you need to consider is food safety. It’s true that dogs have many defenses against parasites and bacteria but that doesn’t mean that they are completely immune to them. Keeping your utensils clean and cooking the ingredients at the right temperatures is very important if you want to kill all the unwanted bacteria. This is very important for puppies and older dogs because they are much more vulnerable than others.

2. Buy only in bulk

Not everyone has the time or aptitude to cook at home. If you are one of them, a great way to save money on dog food is to buy in bulk. Many stores have different promotions and products on sale, especially if you buy in big quantities. That’s why you need to do a little bit of research on the different pet stores and buy what’s convenient for you. It’s also very helpful to have a stockpile of food for your dog in your house because it can save you from the stress of wondering what to feed your dog tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow.

3. Pay for the ingredients not for the brand

Last, but not least, in knowing how to save money on dog food is to consider the brand. When shopping for dog food, sometimes the key factor in choosing one brand over another is the price. You might assume that a product with a higher price must be a better quality product when, in reality, you might just be paying more for the brand name and not the ingredients. Always check the labels of the products and compare them with other brands before you decide what you buy. You might be amazed to find products that contain the exact same ingredients, but the price will be higher only because a product is made by a certain brand. Be smart and buy the same quality for the lowest prices!

As you can see, it’s not that hard to save money on dog food. All you need is some knowledge and a bit of determination in order to achieve anything you want. There are other ways you can save money on your dog’s food, but the most important thing is to find a way that works the best for you and stick to whatever you find that has the best results for you. This is about your dog and his health, and nothing’s more important than that.

Featured photo credit: smerikal via flickr.com

Coupons 2016 for Foods & Dangerous Foods That You Should Never Feed Your Dog

Coupons 2016 for Foods at Petsmart.com

Get $5 OFF On Select Varieties Of Hills Science Diet Dry Cat Food. Buy now!
Take 20% OFF Select Flukers Reptile Food And Care Products.
Petsmart offers Up To 25% OFF On Select Fish Food And Water Care Products. Offer valid 1/4 - 1/31
Petsmart grooming coupons 2016

14 Dangerous Foods That You Should Never Feed Your Dog

As the holiday season approaches, it can be more difficult than ever not to share your food with your pup. Their big, puppy-dog eyes are bound to follow you around your home while you try to eat but, according to the Huffington Post, under no circumstances should you share these fourteen foods with your dog. These foods include: alcohol, avocado, raisins, bones, walnuts, onions, dairy, grapes and mushrooms. Chocolate is a particularly notorious as a no-no for dogs, as it’s core ingredient can be toxic to your canine’s heart and nervous system.

There are, however, some alternatives to boring dog food that you can share with your dog. Purebred Breeds recommends plain baked sweet potatoes, steamed string beans, carrots, broccoli, turkey and canned pumpkins as fantastic alternatives to the more dangerous foods, you can even follow their recipes to make sure your dog has the best holiday season ever. Or, you can create some wonderful, homemade doggy treats such as peanut butter, banana and parsley bites and mint buckwheat biscuits.

Featured photo credit: Huffington Post via huffingtonpost.com

Learn FromYour Pets and Get Healthier Too!

“A dog has a lot of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue.” – Anonymous

Even if they do not know it, pets can teach us a lot about life and happiness. No matter what kind of hair day we are having, how deflated we feel, or whether or not we said or did something stupid, they love us anyway. Nothing is going to keep them away from wanting to nuzzle up to you and lick your face – no matter what!

For instance, you do not need to actually have a dog to appreciate the appeal of being greeted at the door with a wagging tail, eager to greet you like you are the most important person in the world.

• Pets do not judge you and find fault — they accept you as you are unconditionally.
• Since they do not judge, they will not notice or remember what you did wrong and therefore will never remind you!
• They don’t ask for much more than the basics — food, shelter and your company – they take what they can get! Get $5 OFF On Select Varieties Of Hills Science Diet Dry Cat Food. Get Petsmart grooming coupons for saving, Buy now!
• They have mastered the art of radical acceptance and unconditional love.
• They show appreciation and can give love without expecting much in return
• They are living in the moment — they do not get hung up on what happened, what might have happened, and what might happen in the future.

Learning from what pets can teach us will keep you focused on many key ingredientsfor success in relationships and in life: love, acceptance, forgiveness, compassion, loyalty and a total focus on today.

There is also considerable evidence that pets are actually good for your health. Medical issues ranging from high blood pressure, depression and even allergies have been shown to be alleviated by having pets. Yes — even allergies!

Despite the common notion that pets and people who are allergic do not jive, in actuality studies that shown that infants who grow up in a homes with furry friends are actually are less likely to be allergic to pets. Researcher James Gem, M.D. states that actually children growing up with furred animals have less incidence of eczema and stronger immune systems. Drs. Rita and Blair Justice of University of Texas medical center even compare petting a dog with eating chocolate, claiming both have been are helpful in releasing the “feel-good” chemicals like serotonin that and other brain chemicals that they measured while studying the effects of pets on the brain.

Pets can even improve your work life. Having pets in the office have actually been shown to increase productivity as well as morale! I assume, of course, they need to be the well-behaved type!

And don’t forget (of course) that pets are a date magnet, and a wonderful social lubricant to meet friends and break into conversations with a cute focal point that already makes people smile!

So next time you want a health or social boost, or are anchored down by regrets and misgivings of the past, reach for a pet and feel good!

My question to you: Would your life be different if you followed the lessons of acceptance, unconditional love and present-centeredness that pets can teach you? If so, how? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

(Photo credit: Young Gorl Happy to Lay With Dog via Shutterstock)

4 Ways to Save Money on Dog Food

Food is one of the most important aspects of a dog’s life, and offering your dog only the best quality dog food is one of the best things you can do for him to live a healthy and long life. Unfortunately good quality always has its price. You might think that it’s impossible to include only high quality products in your dog’s diet on a daily basis, but there are several ways to save money on dog food without cutting down the quality.

1. Cook it yourself

One of the easiest ways to save money on your dog’s food is to make it yourself. Food cooked at home tends to be much better than what’s available at the store. It can also be more cost effective. There are many tasty recipes that are extremely healthy because you can use organic ingredients and avoid any preservatives or artificial flavors. The food made with natural ingredients will offer your dog all that’s best for him; it is highly nutritional and good for his health too. And the price for a serving will be much lower than you might expect. You can save a lot of money if you cook at home for your dog and you will know exactly what is going into his diet.

If you decide to cook your dog’s food the most important thing you need to consider is food safety. It’s true that dogs have many defenses against parasites and bacteria but that doesn’t mean that they are completely immune to them. Keeping your utensils clean and cooking the ingredients at the right temperatures is very important if you want to kill all the unwanted bacteria. This is very important for puppies and older dogs because they are much more vulnerable than others.

2. Buy only in bulk

Not everyone has the time or aptitude to cook at home. If you are one of them, a great way to save money on dog food is to buy in bulk. Many stores have different promotions and products on sale, especially if you buy in big quantities. That’s why you need to do a little bit of research on the different pet stores and buy what’s convenient for you. It’s also very helpful to have a stockpile of food for your dog in your house because it can save you from the stress of wondering what to feed your dog tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow.

3. Pay for the ingredients not for the brand

Last, but not least, in knowing how to save money on dog food is to consider the brand. When shopping for dog food, sometimes the key factor in choosing one brand over another is the price. You might assume that a product with a higher price must be a better quality product when, in reality, you might just be paying more for the brand name and not the ingredients. Always check the labels of the products and compare them with other brands before you decide what you buy. You might be amazed to find products that contain the exact same ingredients, but the price will be higher only because a product is made by a certain brand. Be smart and buy the same quality for the lowest prices!

As you can see, it’s not that hard to save money on dog food. All you need is some knowledge and a bit of determination in order to achieve anything you want. There are other ways you can save money on your dog’s food, but the most important thing is to find a way that works the best for you and stick to whatever you find that has the best results for you. This is about your dog and his health, and nothing’s more important than that.

4. Coupon Codes

Get FREE Shipping on orders of $49 or more. Valid within the contiguous 48 U.S. states and to military APO/FPO addresses! Offer Ends Soon! Click here

Featured photo credit: smerikal via flickr.com

10 Reasons Why Dogs Are Man’s Best Friend

To put it simply, dogs are awesome. Whether they’re begging for your food, barking at their leash to convince you to take them on a walk, or simply greeting you when you get home, dogs do all of the little things that put smiles on faces around the world. What are some of the more endearing reasons why dogs are and always will be man’s best friend? Read on…

1. Dogs have terrible short-term memories.

One of the crappier aspects of human friends is that, generally speaking, they remember all of the times you’ve wronged them and will hold it against you for the rest of their lives. Dogs, on the other hand, have the “gift” of poor memory. That means you can mess with their tail, play keep away with their food, and tug on their ears to your heart’s content, even if it annoys them. You get to have your fun, and your dog will forget all about it and treat you like their best bud within a couple minutes! It’s truly one of the only win-win scenarios in life.

2. Dogs have great long-term memories.

While your pooch will forget you pulling on their tail, they won’t forget the connection they share with you, and, if you are good to them, you will leave a lasting impact on them that they’ll never shake off. Take, for instance, my dachshund Chester. From a young age he was babied by my mom, and now, nearly twelve years later, he never leaves her side. Unfortunately this sort of thing goes both ways, as I used to mess with him quite a bit on a consistent basis (actually I don’t think it had anything to do with me; he’s just too attached to my mom to like anyone else), and so nowadays he barks in my general direction whenever words of any sort come forth from my mouth.

3. Dogs have your back.

Even though my dog Chester isn’t exactly a huge fan of me, he’ll still take me over strangers. Now, when a dog actually likes me (like my dog Sally does), they’ll defend you even more vehemently. Whenever a creepy solicitor or girl scout cookie peddling entrepreneur knocks on your door, your dog will be right there beside you barking at them as you tremble behind a corner, too afraid to answer. Of course, this can go a little overboard, like this one time when the UPS guy showed up and tried to put a box on my porch, only to be chased away by three dogs rushing out to defend the homeland. Understandably, he now leaves packages by the front gate instead.

4. Dogs can mimic your emotions.

Based on the tone of your voice and your body language, your dog will do its darnedest to emulate your current state of mind. When you’re sad, they’ll look at you with big doe eyes. When your angry, the fur will rise on their backs and they’ll start barking and growling at inanimate objects. Whereas humans might not respond to your emotional upswings and downswings in a way that you’d prefer, dogs will always be there whether you’re thrilled, depressed, or anywhere in between.

5. Dogs act as mini-dishwashers.

Ok, that sounds a little gross, but hear me out. Ever finish dinner and have too little food on your plate to save, but too much that it’d be a hassle to wash it in the sink? Well, here’s where your dog comes in! Just hand the plate over and let them polish it off. They’ll be happy, and you’ll have an easier time doing the dishes!

6. Dogs are great motivational tools.

In case you’re afraid that using your dog as a dishwasher will lead to them becoming overweight, fear not. Dogs prefer being active, at least when they’re younger. Make use of their abundance of energy and take them on walks, or, if you are super ambitious, runs! They’ll be tuckered out and supremely amused, and you’ll be on track to becoming a healthier person!

7. Dogs are freaking smart!

Intelligence varies depending on the kind of breed you get, but overall, dogs are some of the most intuitive animals around. This is demonstrated by their multiple facial expressions (I especially like the one where they tilt their head and look at you quizzically), their ability to deviously hide toys in the strangest of places, and more. One of my dogs is a miniature schnauzer, and he cracks me up with how smart he is. I have a few tennis balls by my desk (which I don’t use for tennis; I just toss em in the air whenever I’m concentrating), and he knows this. So, what he does is go on little reconnaissance missions into my room. If I’m in there, he pretends to look out my window or inspect my bed, while simultaneously stealing a few glances at my tennis balls (which usually lay haphazardly on the floor). Then, he’ll leave, but only after making a mental checklist of where the balls are. Later in the day, or it could even be several days later, I’ll go downstairs and see him happily chewing at one of my tennis balls, a mischievous look in his eye as he gazes up at me. It’s hilarious every time! He planned a stealth mission, waited for me to leave my room, retrieved the ball, and escaped without me noticing. Sounds like he should be made an honorary Navy Seal…

8. Dogs won’t allow you to eat alone ever again.

Who wants to eat alone? Sure it’s nice sometimes, but even as an introvert I’ll admit to liking a nice dinner with other people (only if I enjoy their company of course). Well, fear not, because if you have a dog you’ll always have company for dinner. Of course, they’ll be sitting by your knee, panting in your face, asking for your food, but it’s company all the same! Recently I went to go eat alone in my room, when I heard a distinct huffing and puffing outside my door. Turns out my 14 year old dachshund Sally had dragged her fat little body all the way up two flights of stairs to be there while I ate (presumably because she expected me to give her some of my Chinese food — oh and by the way she looked exactly like the corgi pictured in the above gif). After you’ve had a dog, it’s difficult to eat without the incessant barking in the background!

9. Dogs won’t leave you hanging.

Ever make plans with a human friend, only to find out that they canceled at the last minute? Well, no need to worry about that when you have a dog. They don’t know how to use phones, as far as I know, so there’s no reason to fear them calling up the neighbor’s poodle to see if they want to hit up some local bars, abandoning you to your TV and a paltry, lonesome microwave dinner. They’re there for you, and you alone!

10. Dogs know how to live.

To put it simply, dogs behave like humans who aren’t concerned about the more ridiculous aspects of sentient existence. For example, paying the bills, getting an education, running errands, dealing with annoying people all of the time, etc. All they want to do is wake up, say hi to you, run around, play with their toys, eat, nap, eat again, nap again, say hi again, and sleep. Is that so bad?! Sure, we humans have certain responsibilities thanks to our “intelligence,” but it sure would be nice if we could all go through life like dogs; care free and completely sure of ourselves. At the very least, if you have a dog, you can live vicariously through them. As long as you know what you’re getting into, it’s totally worth it!

Get the best pet supplies to care for your pet. PetSmart offers quality pet products and accessories for a healthier, happier pet. Save Up To 30% OFF PetSmart Special Offers + FREE Gifts + FREE Shipping on orders of $49 or more! Redeem this Petsmart grooming coupon and save!

Featured photo credit: DSCN7900.jpg/ pippalou via mrg.bz

20 Pet Websites Every Pet Owner Needs To Know ( Part 2)

11. What Not To Feed Your Dog

Canine Journal offer a very handy list of foods/beverages you really shouldn’t feed your dog. From the obvious (alcohol), to lesser known food stuffs like avocado and cat food. As dogs have a habit of mischievously snatching food, it’s worth considering what not to keep lying around in your dog’s line of sight.

12. PawsPlus

With PawsPlus you can find vaccinations up to 70% off standard prices. This low cost healthcare for dogs, puppies, kittens, and cats is brought to you through local pet stores.

These are US based services, but you should check your favorite search engine for localized versions wherever you’re from. There are likely to be similar schemes.

13. DoggieBuddy

There are plenty of dog trick websites, and one great example is Doggie Buddy’s 52 Tricks To Teach Your Dog. This is an exhaustive list of new tricks which you can try and get your pet to obey – failing the more elaborate ones you can at least begin with “sit” and “stay”. A positive inauguration for any dog beast.

14. PetDiets

Aimed at cat and dog owners, this site offers information on healthy diets. Through Pet Diets you can also contact a nutritionist for further information. Very handy.

15. Parrot & Birdkeepers Club

Although a UK site, Lakeland Parrot & Birdkeepers offers an extensive range of information on birds, including detailed section on anatomy, a contact line for advice, and the chance to connect with enthusiasts from around the world.

16. Animal Planet

This is the Discovery site for the TV channel. Along with a helpful list of everything on throughout the day, Animal Planet has blogs on animal well being, a “Pets 101” section, fun facts, oddities, a shop with unusual gifts, and plenty more. A great site indeed.

17. Dog Shaming

Dog Shaming became an online craze in 2013. It acted as a fun way for exasperated owners to showcase their pet’s embarrassing behaviour to the world, whilst connecting them with millions of like minded dog fans. Although most owners no doubt secretly adore their pet’s eccentricities,Dog Shaming (and its other versions) is a revealing insight into the arbitrary world of animal behavior.

18. Exotic Animals

If you’re thinking of making a home for an exotic pet, or if you need to re-home your hedgehog/bush baby/bobcat/blue whale, then Exotic Animals For Sale is for you. Offering information and advice on the process, as well as animals already for sale, you can learn how to make a home for your new pet walrus. With 1.1 thousand Facebook Likes the site is certainly a sound place to start.

19. Wikipedia

It may seem obvious, but Wikipedia is packed full of fundamental advice. As each page is edited individually, you’ll find information on pets from fellow enthusiasts, along with links to suitable websites. For instance, if you’d like a pet snake, you’ll find, “They require minimal space, as most common species do not exceed five feet (1.5 m) in length. Pet snakes can be fed relatively infrequently, usually once every 5 to 14 days”.

20. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

More commonly referred to as PETA, this organization promotes the well being of animals. You can support your pet, and help animals around the world, by signing up and getting involved.

Coupon Codes for Pets at Petsmart.com:

Save up to 25% OFF Select Aquatics Essentials + FREE Shipping. Ends 1.31.2016.

Get Up To 50% OFF Treat of The Week + FREE Shipping W/ Petsmart grooming coupons 2016. Save now!

Source: Lifehack.org

20 Pet Websites Every Pet Owner Needs To Know

The internet offers a vast array of pet websites. There are so many it can be difficult to tell which will prove useful, but Lifehack can give you a head start. Through the following 20 sites you’ll find web pages catering for healthy, useful, and creative needs which can assist you and your beloved pet. Outstanding? Absolutely.

1. Petsmart

Get the best pet supplies to care for your pet. PetSmart offers quality pet products and accessories for a healthier, happier pet.

Get $5 OFF On Select Varieties Of Hills Science Diet Dry Cat Food. Buy now! Get Petsmart $5 off $25 2016 for saving now

2. Only Natural Pet Store

If you’d like to offer your pet a sustainable, organic food supply then you can try Only Natural. Things are slightly more expensive here, but the quality of products goes up with the promotion of preservative free, sustainable sourced food stuffs. US only.

3. Bring Fido

Taking your pets with you on holiday is becoming an increasingly popular notion. Many hotels are catering for this craze, and you can use Bring Fido to peruse which lodging best suits you and your woof dog.

4. Web Vet

Before madly dashing off to your nearest vet, you can search through Web Vet‘s database for common ailments among animals. What could be a simple issue easily treated can save you time and money, and the site can provide additional information on how to care for your pet.

5. Pet University

With articles provided for by scientists, Certified Pet Dog Trainers (CPDTs), University Professors, and numerous animal authors, Pet University is an intriguing site. You can really learn what makes animals tick here, whilst picking up handy tips on what your pets expect from you.

6. Cat Lovers Only

A popular community for cat owners, Cat Lovers Only may have an archaic looking site, but they boast 82,000+ Facebook fans and a vast database of cat based information. A must for cat fans.

7. Pet Health Information

Here you can find a huge range of information about various pets. The site is particularly useful for anyone intending to buy a pet, as you can look up fundamental information you’ll need. Pet Health Information also offers some freebies, such as a free calendar and downloadable gifts and cars.

8. Omlet

This unique site offers all manner of unusual pet food products, gifts, toys, and endless other fun objects. Omlet cater for the more rustic pet owner; you’ll find a large range of products for chickens and beekeeping. For the former you’ll come across some excellent Extreme Temperature Jacket chicken coops, as well as high visibility chicken vests!

9. The Ultimate Hamster Cage

If you’re a hamster fan then you may want to consider upgrading to what looks like the best cage ever. Omlet’s Qute Hamster Cage is something special to behold, which means it comes at a price of £119. It’s split over two levels and, aesthetically, it’s like a living piece of furniture for your house. The Qute opens a window into the world of your hamster’s life whilst promoting fun and cleanliness.

10. Build A Hamster Cage

If you want to skip on the expense of the Qute, you can always try building a cage. The BabblePie blog displays just how very well. With a bit of creative flair, and assembling the right products, you can end up with a fine playground for your rodent friend.

Source: Lifehack.org