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		<title>Different Types Of Dog Food</title>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 06:30:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HappyPaws</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Diet]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.happypa.ws/?p=1254</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Everyone&#8217;s budget is different. Some eat junk, some eat raw food and some opt for Michelin star restaurant. But at least we, as humans, are directly involved in the process of choosing and purchasing what goes inside our body. If [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/how-to-keep-dry-dog-food/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Keep Dry Dog Food'>How To Keep Dry Dog Food</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/how-to-keep-wet-dog-food/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Keep Wet Dog Food'>How To Keep Wet Dog Food</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/dog-coat-types/' rel='bookmark' title='Dog Coat Types'>Dog Coat Types</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">Everyone&#8217;s budget is different. Some eat junk, some eat raw food and some opt for Michelin star restaurant. But at least we, as humans, are directly involved in the process of choosing and purchasing what goes inside our body. If we eat a burger from McDonald&#8217;s, at least we are making an aware decision to consume junk. But not our dogs. Our canine friends eat whatever we provide them. When you buy Pedigree, Science Diet, Alpo or other supermarket brands, you are feeding your dog something equivalent to junk food. If you didn&#8217;t know this, then now it&#8217;s the time to learn the <strong>different types of dog food!</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I categorize dog food into three types based on their <strong>ingredients</strong>. It is also important to note that inferior brands tend to have the mark &#8220;Premium&#8221; or &#8220;Super Premium&#8221; on their packaging, while the real deal would display none of these.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>1. Grocery Quality</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1255 alignleft" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: right; border-width: 0px;" title="Grocery-Quality" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Grocery-Quality-300x185.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="185" /></p>
<div>
<p style="text-align: left;">This refers to dog food brands easily found in any grocery or convenient store. Below is the ingredient of your typical grocery quality dog food.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Main ingredients: Rice, cereal, corn, soy beans, egg, bone powder, animal blood and animal by-products (e.g. liver, intestines).</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Preservatives: Yes, chemical.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Flavour enhancers: Yes, chemical.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Companies selling grocery quality dog food are only interested in producing in bulk, and they do not give a damn of how it would affect your dogs. Corn, for example, is not a suitable food product for dogs. <a href="http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/care/corndogfood.htm" target="_blank">Sharon Maguire from Dog Breed Info Center </a>wrote: &#8220;A dog&#8217;s body cannot process corn properly. It is difficult for them to digest it. Corn is cheap filler, a starchy energy which serves little to no nutritional value. A lot of it comes out in their waste.&#8221; If you love your dogs, don&#8217;t feed them this crap.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>2. Premium Quality</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Dog food of premium quality use much better ingredients than the grocery quality ones. The most apparent change is in their main ingredients.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Main ingredients: Real animal meat (beef, chicken, ducks, fowls), including fish, egg and the likes. Animal by-products are still used. Cow, soy beans and rice are also still used.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Preservatives: Usually animal fat, vitamin C and vitamin E are used instead of chemical preservatives.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Flavour enhancers: Natural flavour enhancers obtained from dried cheese or egg powder.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Premium Quality dog food would also contain proper nutrition for a dog, so that dog owners do not need to purchase additional supplements. Big jump, eh?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>3. Super Premium Quality</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Ingredients used for Super Premium Quality dog food are<strong> similar to ingredients humans would consume.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Fresh-Ingredients.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1256" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; border-width: 0px;" title="Fresh-Ingredients" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Fresh-Ingredients-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Main ingredients: If chicken, it would be chicken breast. Animal by-products are not used. Corn and soy beans are not use. White rice, brown rice and oat meal are used as carbohydrate source.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Preservatives: Majority of dog food brands in this category have completely omitted the use of preservatives. They instead manufacture better quality packaging to ensure the freshness of the food.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Flavour enhancers: None.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Really good Super Premium Quality dog food use only holistic or organic ingredients, which means that your pet’s food is completely free from any hormones or pesticide. Some use only fresh never-been-frozen meat to maintain its taste and nutrition level.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Old time readers should know by now how much I love natural products. If you have extra bucks, always try to opt for Super Premium Quality dog food. Your local grocery store would not stock them. Consult your vet for which brand would best suit your dog&#8217;s need. Alternatively, you can get them online at <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=jHx2jzRI1lQ&amp;offerid=202319.10000014&amp;subid=0&amp;type=4" target="_blank">Only Natural Pet Store</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Seriously, you&#8217;ll notice the difference in your dog!</p>
</div>
<p>Related posts:</p><ol>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/how-to-keep-dry-dog-food/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Keep Dry Dog Food'>How To Keep Dry Dog Food</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/how-to-keep-wet-dog-food/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Keep Wet Dog Food'>How To Keep Wet Dog Food</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/dog-coat-types/' rel='bookmark' title='Dog Coat Types'>Dog Coat Types</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Is It Necessary To Brush Fido&#8217;s Teeth?</title>
		<link>http://www.happypa.ws/is-it-necessary-to-brush-fidos-teeth/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=is-it-necessary-to-brush-fidos-teeth</link>
		<comments>http://www.happypa.ws/is-it-necessary-to-brush-fidos-teeth/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 09:46:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HappyPaws</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grooming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dental]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.happypa.ws/?p=1239</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The answer to this question depends entirely on you. I maintain the exact same attitude I have towards whether dog owners should wipe their Pugs, Sharpei, or other wrinkly dogs on a daily basis (read the article here). According to [...]
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<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/choosing-the-perfect-brush/' rel='bookmark' title='Choosing The Perfect Brush'>Choosing The Perfect Brush</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">The answer to this question depends entirely on <strong>you</strong>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I maintain the exact same attitude I have towards whether dog owners should wipe their Pugs, Sharpei, or other wrinkly dogs on a daily basis (read the article <a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wiping-wrinkly-dogs/" target="_blank">here</a>). According to <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27240370/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/worlds-first-dog-lived-years-ago-ate-big/#.T6JDDO1GtzQ" target="_blank">recent findings</a>, dogs have been existing since 31,700 years ago, which is concrete proof that they have survived just fine without human intervention, and will continue to do so. In other words, whether we brush their teeth or not, they will be fine. Do you think tigers and lions in the zoo get their daily brushing? Fat chance. So it all comes down to one question: do you want your dog to have smelly breath?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I am not going to lie, I do brush Bubble and Koda&#8217;s teeth (because realistically speaking, who wants smelly dogs?), but definitely <strong>not on a daily basis</strong>. They are family, but they are also animals. It is so human of u to want to think otherwise and dress them up in frilly costumes or spray perfume on them. My dogs get their dental treatment<strong> once a month</strong>, but they get their raw hide treats almost on a daily basis. Feeding your dog <strong>raw hide or other chewy treats</strong> such as <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=jHx2jzRI1lQ&amp;offerid=56753.10770&amp;type=2&amp;subid=0">Greenies</a>® or <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=jHx2jzRI1lQ&amp;offerid=56753.10443&amp;type=2&amp;subid=0">C.E.T. Hextra</a> could help prevent the build up of plagues as the chewing action helps scrape off tartar.</p>
<p><img class="size-full wp-image-1248 alignleft" title="golden puppy and bone" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/golden-puppy-and-bone.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="208" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Sometimes it is also good to feed them <strong>raw meaty bones.</strong> Raw meaty bones have mildly abrasive texture and they are able to flex around the teeth, thus they&#8217;re a great help at removing plaque without using harsh toothpastes and chemicals. You should be able to get this from your local butcher or supermarket.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Bones (typically from poultry) are generally considered safe and digestible for most dogs. However, because they can splinter, never use cooked bones of any kind. For the same reason, avoid weight bearing leg bones from larger animals. In addition, although the risk is small, uncooked meat can carry bacteria that can be hazardous to both pets and humans. So, use caution and common sense when handling these natural tooth-cleaning treats <img src='http://www.happypa.ws/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I personally think that dogs (and human) suffer from dental problems now because of the food we consume. Weston A. Price conducted an extensive 10-years research on the role of nutrition and physical degeneration (click <a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=happaw-20&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;asins=0916764206&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;fc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;lt1=_blank&amp;m=amazon&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;bc1=000000&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;f=ifr&quot; style=&quot;width:120px;height:240px;&quot; scrolling=&quot;no&quot; marginwidth=&quot;0&quot; marginheight=&quot;0&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot;" target="_blank">here</a> to see his book) and found ample evidence that indigenous people &#8211; who never have never seen a toothbrush in their whole life &#8211; have perfect dental arches, minimal tooth decay and high immunity to various diseases, all because they eat organic products that have not been stripped of its nutritional value and turned into junk mass-produced goods we, Urbanites eat nowadays. The same goes for our canine friends.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">So instead of feeding your dog junk or scraps, you could instead feed him chewy treats or raw meaty bones. Science Diets offers dog food kibbles named &#8220;Oral Care&#8221; which supposedly &#8220;has interlocking fiber technology that helps scrub teeth and is clinically proven to reduce plaque build-up&#8221;. Sounds cool, but Science Diet is a crappy brand that sells low-quality dog food. Forget about this, you&#8217;re really better off brushing your dog&#8217;s teeth every month and feeding him good food instead.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Remember: <strong>we are what we eat,</strong> so we should never be stingy with our food quality!</p>
<p>Related posts:</p><ol>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/choosing-the-perfect-brush/' rel='bookmark' title='Choosing The Perfect Brush'>Choosing The Perfect Brush</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Different Types Of Worms That Could Affect Your Dog</title>
		<link>http://www.happypa.ws/different-types-of-worms-that-could-affect-your-dog/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=different-types-of-worms-that-could-affect-your-dog</link>
		<comments>http://www.happypa.ws/different-types-of-worms-that-could-affect-your-dog/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:14:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HappyPaws</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[worms]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.happypa.ws/?p=1207</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Worms in dogs can be really nasty. Here&#8217;s a summary of different types of worms that could potentially harm our dogs: 1. Hookworm Small, thin worms, invisible to the naked eye. They live in the small intestines of its host. [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/why-you-should-worm-your-dog/' rel='bookmark' title='Why You Should Worm Your Dog'>Why You Should Worm Your Dog</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: left;">Worms in dogs can be really nasty. Here&#8217;s a summary of different types of worms that could potentially harm our dogs:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">1. <strong>Hookworm</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Small, thin worms, invisible to the naked eye. They live in the small intestines of its host. Hookworms have sharp teeth. They survive by sucking blood and tissue fluids of the unfortunate host, which if left unattended could lead severe blood loss which would eventually lead to death. A dog inspected with hookworm would experience anemia, bloody stool, diarrhea, pale gums, low energy level, skin irritation and weight loss. Dogs can get hookworms from eating infected feces, touching infected area where other dogs have passed eggs before or from the milk or from the milk of their mother if she was infected.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">2. <strong><strong>Roundworm</strong></strong></p>
<div id="attachment_1222" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pot-bellied-dog.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1222" title="pot bellied dog" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pot-bellied-dog-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">One of Roundworm symptoms: Pot-bellied</p></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">These bad boys are the most common type of dog worms. They reside in dogs&#8217; intestine and can grow up to 20 cm in length. One female roundworm can lay up to 200,000 eggs in a day, which means that if you don&#8217;t treat it, it is just a matter of time before your dog&#8217;s intestine get blocked. Roundworms feed on partially digested food in the intestine. Symptoms include coughing, diarrhea, pneumonia, dull coat and could cause a pot-bellied appearance as shown on the right side. Roundworms are more common in puppies, and as your dog gets older, they will have better immune system to resist it. Roundworms <strong>can affect humans</strong>, thus dog owners with children should definitely worm their dog on a regular basis (click <a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/573090" target="_blank">here</a> for more information). Dogs could get Roundworms from swallowing the eggs in contaminated substance (e.g. milk of an infected mother).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">3.<strong><strong> Tapeworm </strong></strong></p>
<div id="attachment_1224" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tapeworm-in-poo.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1224" title="tapeworm in poo" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tapeworm-in-poo-300x240.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="240" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Tapeworm in dog poop</p></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">This worm earned its name from its long, flat, tape-like appearance. They are about 6 mm long and are usually transmitted when dogs bite or swallow a flea or lice that ate a tapeworm egg. They do not have mouths and feed by absorbing food through their skin inside the host&#8217;s small intestine. Occasionally you might see segment of Tapeworms on the fur near your dog&#8217;s anus area. Tapeworms can cause anal itching, and it might cause your dog to drag its bum along the floor in an attempt to decrease itching. If you see either the tapeworm segments (they resemble white rice, as shown on the picture) or the unusual behavior, worm your dog. Common symptoms include weight loss, vomiting, abdominal pain, nervousness and severe itching around the anus.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">4. <strong><strong>Whipworm</strong></strong></p>
<div id="attachment_1227" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/whipworm.gif"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1227" title="whipworm" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/whipworm-300x204.gif" alt="" width="300" height="204" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Whipworms</p></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Called whipworm because their long neck next to their short fat body looks like a whip and a whip handle. Whipworms reside in the host&#8217;s intestine could reach 7 cm in length, and can only infect dogs when worms are swallowed. When they feed, they bury their necks into the intestine wall, causing internal bleeding. Symptoms include abdominal pain, anorexia, dehydration, bloody diarrhea, pale eyelids and gums, and weight loss. Dogs could only get Whipworms through swallowing their eggs. The good news is, Whipworms do not affect humans.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">I think we all agree that worms are nasty and could potentially be fatal to dogs. As responsible dog owners, it is our duty to worm our dogs so that they will never have to suffer from these creatures.</div>
<p>Related posts:</p><ol>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/why-you-should-worm-your-dog/' rel='bookmark' title='Why You Should Worm Your Dog'>Why You Should Worm Your Dog</a></li>
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		<title>Why You Should Worm Your Dog</title>
		<link>http://www.happypa.ws/why-you-should-worm-your-dog/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=why-you-should-worm-your-dog</link>
		<comments>http://www.happypa.ws/why-you-should-worm-your-dog/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:24:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HappyPaws</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medicine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[worms]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.happypa.ws/?p=1204</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Regular worming is an essential part of to protecting your dog against many internal parasites. Although the general rule is to worm your dog once every 3 months, but I do it once every 9 months. There is a reason [...]
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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">Regular worming is an essential part of to protecting your dog against many internal parasites. Although the general rule is to worm your dog <strong>once every 3 months</strong>, but I do it once every 9 months. There is a reason for this: I personally dislike chemicals, and any substance that could paralyze worms is definitely toxic to dogs too, no matter how small the side effect is. However, I am not trying to persuade anyone to follow suit. In fact, under some circumstances, it is crucial for you to worm your dog once every 3 months. Those circumstances are:</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">1. If you have children. Roundworms can affect human, and you should never take any chances when you have children.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">2. If your dog is about to be mated. Breeding female dogs have to be wormed prior to mating. Infected mother would give birth to infected puppies with various health diseases.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">3. If your dog is displaying any signs of infection. Symptoms to look out for include weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, appetite loss, coughing, low energy level, pot-bellied appearance and dull coat. If your dog is displaying any of these symptom, take him to the vet for a <strong>fecal examination</strong>. It is the most accurate way to find out if your dog is really suffering from worms.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Worms can be treated easily, and if detected early, would not cause harm to your dog. Only when the infection is allowed the chance to develop could it lead to fatal results such as death. Different worms require different treatment (click <a href=" http://www.happypa.ws/different-type…ffect-your-dog/" target="_blank">here</a> to see different types of worms), so you should find out which type of medicine is needed. Consult the table below on which wormers you may need.</p>
<table class="alignleft" width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10">
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<td width="565px">
<table width="100%" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff">
<tbody>
<tr align="middle" bgcolor="#A5A782">
<td></td>
<td><strong><br />
</strong></td>
<td><strong>Large<br />
Round-<br />
worms</strong></td>
<td><strong>Hook-<br />
worms</strong></td>
<td><strong>Tape-<br />
worms</strong></td>
<td><strong>Whip-<br />
worms</strong></td>
<td><strong>Heart-<br />
worms</strong></td>
<td><strong>Need<br />
RX</strong></td>
<td><strong>Safe<br />
During<br />
Preg-<br />
nancy</strong></td>
<td><strong>Min.<br />
Age/<br />
Weight</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Prowormer•2<sup>®</sup></strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">2 wks</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Nemex<sup>TM</sup>-2</strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">2 wks</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Droncit<sup>®</sup></strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">4 wks</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Drontal<sup>®</sup> Plus</strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">3 wks<br />
&amp; 2 lbs</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Panacur<sup>®</sup></strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" />**</td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">None</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Heartgard<sup>®</sup><br />
Plus</strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">6 wks</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Heartgard<sup>®</sup><br />
Chewables</strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">6 wks</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Interceptor<sup>®</sup></strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" />+</td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">4 wks<br />
&amp; 2 lbs</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Revolution<sup>®</sup>++</strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">6 wks</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Tri-Heart<sup>®</sup>Plus</strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">6 wks</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Safe-Guard®<br />
Granules</strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" />**</td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">6 wks</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Advantage Multi<sup>TM</sup>++</strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td>n/d</td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">7 wks/3 lbs</td>
</tr>
<tr align="center">
<td align="left"><strong><br />
Iverhart Max<sup>TM</sup></strong></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"></td>
<td><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9"><img title="yes" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/articles/check2.gif" alt="yes" width="8" height="10" align="MIDDLE" border="0" /></td>
<td>n/d</td>
<td bgcolor="E0E1C9">8 wks</td>
</tr>
<tr align="middle" bgcolor="#A5A782">
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td><strong>Large<br />
Round-<br />
worms</strong></td>
<td><strong>Hook-<br />
worms</strong></td>
<td><strong>Tape-<br />
worms</strong></td>
<td><strong>Whip-<br />
worms</strong></td>
<td><strong>Heart-<br />
worms</strong></td>
<td><strong>Need<br />
RX</strong></td>
<td><strong>Safe<br />
During<br />
Preg-<br />
nancy</strong></td>
<td><strong>Min.<br />
Age/<br />
Weight</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="10">**Not effective against <em>Dipylidium caninum</em>, the tapeworm transmitted by fleas.<br />
+Not effective against <em>Uncinaria</em>, the Northern hookworm.<br />
++Also effective against fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and certain mites. Applied topically.Table courtesy of http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1086</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
<td height="100%"><img title="" src="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/dot_clear.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: left;">Administering wormers to your pet is not a daunting task. If you are a first-time pet owner, <a href="http://www.happypa.ws/how-to-trick-y…g-worm-tablets/" target="_blank">read</a> my post on how to worm your dog. Worming your dog is a very easy task, thus as a responsible dog owner, you have no reason not to do so. Don&#8217;t worry, your dog will be fine. Just don&#8217;t forget the regular check-ups! <img src='http://www.happypa.ws/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Related posts:</p><ol>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/how-to-trick-your-dog-into-eating-worm-tablets/' rel='bookmark' title='How To Trick Your Dog Into Eating Worm Tablets'>How To Trick Your Dog Into Eating Worm Tablets</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>To New Dog Owners: Shit Happens</title>
		<link>http://www.happypa.ws/to-new-dog-owners-shit-happens/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=to-new-dog-owners-shit-happens</link>
		<comments>http://www.happypa.ws/to-new-dog-owners-shit-happens/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:24:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HappyPaws</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carousel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[potty training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[puppy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.happypa.ws/?p=1180</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Puppies are like babies: extremely adorable, but extremely troublesome. You would&#8217;t expect your newborn baby to know when or where to pee and poop, so do not expect the same of your puppies. Both in dogs and humans, potty training [...]
No related posts.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>
<div>
<div>
<p style="text-align: left;">Puppies are like babies: extremely adorable, but extremely troublesome. You would&#8217;t expect your newborn baby to know when or where to pee and poop, so do not expect the same of your puppies. Both in dogs and humans, <strong>potty training is not an innate behavior</strong>. Our current ability to control our bladder and release it on appropriate places is a result of years of non-stop childhood training provided by relentless persistent parents. We owe this to our parents, and as parents of the new puppy, it is our job to provide potty training for him/her. <strong>Patience and persistence</strong> is the key.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">You should potty train your puppy as soon as you get them, and they should be <strong>at least 8 weeks old</strong> (otherwise you might want to doubt the credibility of your breeder/pet shop). Early separation from the mother could result in aggressiveness and other behavioral problems that might be present in the dog in the future. For this reason, sales of puppies under 8 weeks of age are prohibited in several States. Read more about the law <a href="http://www.mspca.org/programs/animal-protection-legislation/government-affairs/current-legislation/animal-template-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Potty Training Tips</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Bringing your dog home for the first time can be the most exciting thing ever. But never forget this: the first thing you have to do after your new puppy arrives is to <strong>leave him outside</strong> and <strong>wait until he pees/poos before entering the house</strong>. I forgot to do this with my Husky, Koda, and sure enough, the first thing he did after he entered the house was to pee in the middle of our living room. Mum wasn&#8217;t pleased.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="size-full wp-image-1185 alignright" title="puppy pissing" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/puppy-pissing.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="227" />You should also learn to <strong>anticipate your dog&#8217;s needs</strong>. New dog owners should know the length of time a puppy can be left alone without taking a wee is roughly equal to his age in months:</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">2 months old = 2 hours of confinement without a potty break</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">3 months old = 3 hours</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">4 months old = 4 hours</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">When they hit 6 months of age, majority of dogs can already hold their pee for a good 8 hours.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<p>The trick is to recognize their schedule. My boyfriend said that understanding puppies is easier than understanding women, and I think this is true to some extent. Puppies have a tendency to poo and pee everything they eat or drink within 20 minutes. This means that in order to prevent your new puppy from soiling your Persian carpet, you would need to <strong>take your puppy out after every meal</strong>. Which, shouldn&#8217;t be a daunting task since that is your job anyway (if, you are a responsible owner). If you can&#8217;t commit to this for the first few weeks due to [insert your <del>bullshit</del> reason here], then do the world a favor. Return your puppy to the breeder and admit that you would make one poor owner and that this dog deserves a better person than you. If you don&#8217;t have time or are too lazy to even potty train your puppy, then you are just not fit to own a dog. Advice: Get a goldfish.</p>
<div id="attachment_1233" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/bubble-pooing.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1233" title="bubble pooing" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/bubble-pooing-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Bubble in action</p></div>
</div>
<div>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Designate a pee/poo zone</strong>. Since dogs instinctively choose specific spots to pee or poo in, your puppy will get confused if he is allowed to poop in various places. When cleaning up accidents in the house, use soiled rags or paper towels to dry the mess and move it to whatever area you want as the pee/poo zone. The smell will help your puppy recognize the area as the place where he is supposed to conduct his business. If you don&#8217;t have a budget, you could purchase some <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=jHx2jzRI1lQ&amp;offerid=170445.11316639&amp;type=2&amp;subid=0" target="_blank">potty training pads</a> to establish where the area should be. But honestly, rags and old newspaper work just fine.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">You should also learn to recognize the &#8220;I need to go to the loo&#8221; signal, which is usually characterized by sniffing around and walking in a circle. Ask your puppy: &#8220;Do you need to go outside?&#8221; while taking him out. He will learn to associate the word &#8220;outside&#8221; with the need to release himself outdoor. Reward your puppy with <strong>praises and treats</strong> every time he completes his deal outside.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Don&#8217;t punish your puppy </strong>for eliminating in the house. I know people who shove their puppies&#8217; head into their own piss in the name of &#8220;correction&#8221;. They claimed this trick worked, but this might cause your dog to fear you. If you find a soiled area indoor, it is already too late to administer a correction. Just clean it up as best as you can because puppies are highly motivated to continue soiling in areas that smell like urine or feces.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Bottom line is, although it might be frustrating in the beginning, potty training a puppy is a relatively easy task. Don&#8217;t waste your money buying books or instructions on how to potty train your dog. With patience and persistence, you can definitely manage without spending the extra bucks. Good luck! <img src='http://www.happypa.ws/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
</div>
<p>No related posts.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Momo-Chan On Catnip</title>
		<link>http://www.happypa.ws/momo-chan-on-catnip/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=momo-chan-on-catnip</link>
		<comments>http://www.happypa.ws/momo-chan-on-catnip/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:44:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HappyPaws</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[catnip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[effect]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.happypa.ws/?p=1166</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The effects of Catnip on Momo-Chan! A polite sniff&#8230; Then hell breaks loose! Catnip rocks! Related posts: The Magic of Catnip A Day With Momo-Chan
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/the-magic-of-catnip/' rel='bookmark' title='The Magic of Catnip'>The Magic of Catnip</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/a-day-with-momo-chan/' rel='bookmark' title='A Day With Momo-Chan'>A Day With Momo-Chan</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">The effects of Catnip on Momo-Chan!</p>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: center;">
<dl id="attachment_1167" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_1083.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1167" title="IMG_1083" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_1083-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">A polite sniff&#8230;</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: center;">
<dl id="attachment_1168" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_1084.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1168" title="IMG_1084" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_1084-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Then hell breaks loose!</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<div id="attachment_1169" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_1085.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1169" title="IMG_1085" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_1085-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Rolling, rolling...</p></div>
<div id="attachment_1170" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_1086.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1170" title="IMG_1086" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_1086-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">And I haven&#39;t even opened the plastic bag!</p></div>
<div id="attachment_1171" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_1087.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1171" title="IMG_1087" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_1087-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Getting sober. I think she realized at this point how stupid she had acted <img src='http://www.happypa.ws/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p></div>
<p style="text-align: left;">Catnip rocks!</p>
<p>Related posts:</p><ol>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/the-magic-of-catnip/' rel='bookmark' title='The Magic of Catnip'>The Magic of Catnip</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.happypa.ws/a-day-with-momo-chan/' rel='bookmark' title='A Day With Momo-Chan'>A Day With Momo-Chan</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>The Magic of Catnip</title>
		<link>http://www.happypa.ws/the-magic-of-catnip/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-magic-of-catnip</link>
		<comments>http://www.happypa.ws/the-magic-of-catnip/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:10:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HappyPaws</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[catnip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[effect]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[usage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.happypa.ws/?p=1119</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When we had Momo-Chan as a kitten, she was the embodiment of energy and playfulness. A few years down the road, hardly anything excites her and often our attempts to stimulate her with new toys have been futile. I have [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">When we had Momo-Chan as a kitten, she was the embodiment of energy and playfulness. A few years down the road, hardly anything excites her and often our attempts to stimulate her with new toys have been futile. I have heard about Catnip and its rejuvenating effect on cats, but as a first-time cat owner, I had no idea how to use it and whether it had any negative side effects.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Luckily, we live in the era of Google. An hour of research was enough to convince me to buy Catnip and try it on Momo-Chan. If you&#8217;re as clueless as I was about Catnip, let me share some of my research result with you <img src='http://www.happypa.ws/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>What is Catnip?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Catnip is a bush plan that is originally native to east Mediterranean. However, it is now available in any parts of the world and is easily grown. Catnip is a member of the mint family and goes by the fancy name of Nepeta Cataria.</p>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: center;">
<dl id="attachment_1121" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1121 " style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-width: 0px;" title="catnip flowers" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/catnip-flowers-300x200.jpg" alt="Catnip flowers" width="300" height="200" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Catnip flowers</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<div>
<p style="text-align: left;">Catnip secretes an aroma similar to mint. The plant can grow to 3 feet tall and sports clusters of white purple-spotted flowers.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>How does Catnip affect cats?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Catnip contains a chemical called Nepetalactone. This substance is concentrated on the stem and leaves, and is responsible for behavioral changes in cats. A specific organ only found in animals called Vomeronasal organ has the function of detecting pheromones. The same organ responds to the odor of Catnip.</p>
<div class="mceTemp" style="text-align: center;">
<dl id="attachment_1125" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/CatNip-High.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1125" title="CatNip High" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/CatNip-High-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Popular facial response to Catnip</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<p style="text-align: left;">Cats affected by Catnip would display unusual behavior, usually by destroying the plant with their ecstatic rolling and rubbing. The response to Catnip consists of sniffing, followed by licking and chewing with head shaking, then chin and cheek rubbing, and finally a headover roll and body rubbing (see my cat gets high <a href=" http://www.happypa.ws/momo-chan-on-catnip" target="_blank">here</a>).</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Looking at the effects Catnip has on my cat, I believe that Catnip has the power to transform a lazy fat cat to some insane energizer-bunny machine.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Not all cats would be affected by Catnip. In fact, about 30% of cats would display no response. Some studies suggest that this has something to do with genetics. Cats whose parents are affected by Catnips are more likely to also be affected by the plant. Kittens will not respond to Catnip until they are about 3 months old. A small number of cats – usually tomcats – could become aggressive under the influence of Catnip.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Catnip sold in pet shops <strong>comes in many shapes and forms</strong>. Some people prefer to buy cat toys with Catnip inside, but I prefer to buy the raw dried form. I usually take a pinch of Catnip and spread it on top of Momo-Chan&#8217;s scratching board and wait until she goes insane.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Alternatively, you can home-grow your own Catnip, but I prefer to be in charge of when my cat should get high.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Does Catnip have any side effects?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Aside from creating an uber-energetic cat for about 5-15 minutes, <strong>no</strong>. Catnip&#8217;s effect does not last forever and it will not lead to addiction. Once the effect has run down, your cat will return to her own lethargic self. To produce the same desired effect, you should feed your cat more Catnip after an hour interval.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Can I get high on Catnip?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">No. If you were thinking if Catnip could make you high, then you are wasting your time. Although it has calming properties, <strong>it is not weed</strong> and <strong>it</strong> <strong>will not make you high</strong>. The weed-like effect only works on feline (i.e. cats, tigers, etc). However, Catnip has many beneficial properties for humans. Many like to enjoy a cup of brewed Catnip to<strong> calm anxiety, treat insomnia, </strong>and many other ailments (click <a href="http://www.buzzle.com/articles/catnip-effects-on-humans.html" target="_blank">here</a> for more details). For best result, consult with your doctor or herbalist to find out the correct dosage.</p>
</div>
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		<title>A nice neighborly visit</title>
		<link>http://www.happypa.ws/a-nice-neighborly-visit/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=a-nice-neighborly-visit</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:46:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HappyPaws</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.happypa.ws/?p=1112</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Our dog&#8217;s neighbour visited our cat today. They are both so adorable and my boyfriend managed to snap a picture of him kissing (or bothering) her! Momo-Chan and Tomato On a less positive note, Koda (my Siberian Husky) likes to [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">Our dog&#8217;s neighbour visited our cat today. They are both so adorable and my boyfriend managed to snap a picture of him kissing (or bothering) her!</p>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: left;">
<dl id="attachment_1113" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 829px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DSC05111.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1113 " title="DSC05111" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DSC05111-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="819" height="614" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Momo-Chan and Tomato</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<p style="text-align: left;">On a less positive note, Koda (my Siberian Husky) likes to eat (i.e. kill) stray kittens. We found some dead ones before in our garden and Koda&#8217;s fur was covered in blood. If anyone knows a remedy for that, do drop me a line.</p>
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		<title>Wiping Wrinkly Dogs</title>
		<link>http://www.happypa.ws/wiping-wrinkly-dogs/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=wiping-wrinkly-dogs</link>
		<comments>http://www.happypa.ws/wiping-wrinkly-dogs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:08:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HappyPaws</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Grooming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grooming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[skin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.happypa.ws/?p=1098</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Dog breeds who have folds and wrinkles are limited to Shar Pei, Pug, Dogue de Bordeaux, Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Bloodhound, Basset Hound and Pekingese. Majority of articles available on the internet talk about how important it is to maintain wrinkles and [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">Dog breeds who have folds and wrinkles are limited to Shar Pei, Pug, Dogue de Bordeaux, Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Bloodhound, Basset Hound and Pekingese.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Majority of articles available on the internet talk about how important it is to maintain wrinkles and folds in dogs who have them. Most listed one or two, perhaps three products of their favorite choice. Pet forums. Dog owners asked, fellow dog owners answered. As dog lovers, perhaps 10% of pet owners would feel obliged to purchase whatever products were mentioned. The other 40% might conduct more research into dog wet wipes brands before making the purchase. 20% might opt to ignore the information. Another 29% might feel that they need to take actions, but might forget the instant they turn their computers off. Only 1% would go on Google and type in: <strong>Do we really need to clean their wrinkles on a daily basis?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Consider this:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Several tens of thousands of years ago humans decided to domesticate wild gray wolves. We selected animals of docile temperament to breed with other docile ones. Our current dog breeds are results of many years of cross breeding. Shar Pei is considered one of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_dog_breeds" target="_blank">ancient dog breeds</a>, from which many other breeds derived from.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Hundred years ago when wet wipes did not exist, when humans did not even bathe everyday or even every week, would Shar Pei owners wipe their dogs&#8217; wrinkles on a daily basis?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Didn&#8217;t think so. And yet, they were obviously fine since they still exist today. Contrary to people&#8217;s expectations, dogs do not require much grooming. In fact, grooming animal is only done to satisfy human requirements. Humans cannot stand the smell of stinky dogs, thus grooming is a must. I confess that although I care about my dogs skin health, the major reason to why I brush my dogs daily is because I simply do not want their hair everywhere in the house. <strong>It&#8217;s for me. Not for them</strong>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">A dog is a dog. They are friends and family, but you should always let them remain as what they are. Natural and free. Do not treat your dog as your baby and over-spoil him.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1099" title="SharPei Bum" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SharPei-Bum-300x265.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="265" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">All information telling dog owners to wipe their dog&#8217;s skin on a daily basis is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>wrong</strong></span>. Like human skin, dog skin contains natural oil. Unlike human, dogs are not supposed to shower on a daily basis. Their sensitive skin are prone to dryness, and with each wipe, you are wiping away dirt as well as the natural oil required to keep their skin moist and healthy.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I am not trying to discourage anyone by saying that wiping your dog&#8217;s wrinkles daily is <del>stupid</del> futile. Some pet owners might feel the need to do something on their dogs&#8217; behalf. If that person is you, then by all means, feel free to do so. But for all other pet owners who might feel obliged to wipe your dog on a daily basis, don&#8217;t be. I am letting you know that it is <strong>not necessary</strong>, and that we should only clean our dogs when they start becoming unbearably smelly and visibly dirty.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Cheer up. I just told you that you don&#8217;t have to spend extra bucks on your dog <img src='http://www.happypa.ws/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Note: This view is personal, but it is also backed up by vets that I know and friends who have wrinkly dogs.</p>
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		<title>Shedding Solution</title>
		<link>http://www.happypa.ws/shedding-solution/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=shedding-solution</link>
		<comments>http://www.happypa.ws/shedding-solution/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:35:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HappyPaws</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Grooming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shedding]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.happypa.ws/?p=1081</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the most frustrating time in my life could be attributed to the shedding of my furry friends. At one point each of my clothing bore evidence that I had a golden-colored animal at home (I avoided wearing dark [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">One of the most frustrating time in my life could be attributed to the shedding of my furry friends. At one point each of my clothing bore evidence that I had a golden-colored animal at home (I avoided wearing dark for quite some time). Countless hairy meals and hairy beverages. Washing your hands and realizing that there&#8217;s even hair on the piece of cloth you dry your hands on! Turning to my uncle who is a vet for some piece of advice on how to deal with shedding dogs was one of the smartest move I&#8217;ve ever made. Although now that I recently got a cat, I have a shedding cat who does not enjoy getting groomed&#8230;. And so, my frustration has returned!<a href="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shedding-dog.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1087" title="shedding dog" src="http://www.happypa.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shedding-dog-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">First and foremost, I would like to tell potential pet owners that if you are looking for non-shedding breed, then tough luck. <strong>All dogs shed. </strong>Some breeds just shed less than others. Dogs with thick undercoat such as Siberian Huskies and Pomeranians are more prone to shedding. Single-coated dogs (<a href="http://www.happypa.ws/2012/03/30/dog-coat-types/" target="_blank">click here for an article on dog coat types</a>) such as Dobermans would give you the least headache when it comes to shedding.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Why do dogs shed?</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Similar to humans, each strand of hair on a dog&#8217;s body goes through a hair cycle. Dogs shed their old hair to make way for news ones. Dogs also grow heavier coats in the winter to keep themselves warm. During warm weather, they would shed the un-needed extra hair. Dogs will also shed broken or damaged hair. Especially in cases of allergies, dogs with irritated skin will shed profusely.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">To sum it up, <strong>dogs shed to get rid of old, damaged or extra hair. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to minimize shedding?</span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">While it is impossible for pet owners to thoroughly eliminate shedding, there are many small easy changes we could implement to minimize it.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Regular brushing</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">A simple but very effective way to minimize shedding. Brushing your dog on a daily basis could make a huge difference to your domestic shedding problem. When a dog&#8217;s fur is brushed, the loose strands of fur are collected by the brush. If left alone, the dog would naturally shed them throughout the course of the day. So brushing the dog prevents unwanted fur from landing everywhere else but your grooming tool and straight into the trash bin.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If your dog has a particular thick coat, brushing more than once or twice a day is recommended. It is also essential that dog owners use the proper <a href="http://www.happypa.ws/2012/03/28/choosing-the-perfect-brush/" target="_blank">type of grooming brush</a>. Different breed requires different brush.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Regular bathing </strong>could also help moisten dog&#8217;s skin and hair. However done too frequently and you could actually injure your dog&#8217;s skin as each bath removes natural oils present on their skin and coat.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Change in diet</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">In some cases, excessive shedding in dogs could be attributed to poor diet. Dog food brands found in common supermarkets usually use grain as their main ingredients (<a href="http://www.happypa.ws/2012/02/14/determining-quality-of-dog-food/" target="_blank">click here to view an article on dog food types</a>). For instance, grocery-quality brands such as Pedigree or Alpo use cereal, rice, corn and soy beans as their main ingredients. A dog&#8217;s body is not designed to process large volumes of grains. Consequently, this imbalanced diet could cause excess shedding and other health problems in the long-term.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Premium dog food uses meat as their main ingredients. Although premium dog food is not exactly budget-friendly, but it would save you from paying your vet bills in the long term.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Fatty acid supplement</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Fish oil contains essential fatty acids that keep the skin and hair moisturized and soft. For dogs who shed excessively, fatty acid supplements are a great choice. Dogs&#8217; bodies are incapable of self-producing fatty acid. They have to rely on their diet to obtain the necessary amount of fatty acid required for their health. Click <a href="http://www.happypa.ws/2012/03/15/fish-oil-your-dog/" target="_blank">here</a> to read more about the benefits of fish oil for your dog.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Own a vacuum</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If you don&#8217;t have one, get one! This is an essential household item for any pet owner.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Visit your vet</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Shedding more around spring and fall is completely natural, but if you notice your pet losing an abnormally large amount of fur, developing bald patches or constantly chewing at his coat, then it is time for you to visit your vet. Your dog might be suffering from skin parasites or fungal infections, and your vet would be able to suggest you on how to tackle this problem.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Another thing I found helpful is to have a supply of <strong>roller tape </strong>ready for that last-minute sofa sweep before a guest comes in. Not very cost-effective, but it works efficiently <img src='http://www.happypa.ws/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I hope this helps!</p>
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