Archive for the 'PETS & ANIMALS' Category

Doggie Dream Holiday Wish List

Published on December 10, 2010 in HAYNEEDLE and PETS & ANIMALS. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Looking for the perfect present for your furry best friend?
Want to get a great gift for the dog lover on your list?
Look no further!
From the Modern Dog to the Pup Princess at Hayneedle you are sure to find an amazing gift for any pup personality. Here are some of my favorite picks to get you started!

The Modern Dog

  1. Contemporary canines will snooze in style with the Modern Dog Bed. This bed is sure to be a classy yet comfy conversation piece for this pet pal.
  2. Add some flair to doggie dining with this contemporary Raised Double Bowl Diner – a high dining experience for even the most delicate pup palate.
  3. The Zen Haus Black Crate is one decorative den that will be sure to keep fido cozy and safe when he is ready for some rest and relaxation. This crate has so much style it doubles as an end table!

Modern Dog Bed

The Pup Princess

  1. Every princess needs a throne and this Posh and Pink Pet Tent is sure to make any pup princess feel like royalty.
  2. No bland wire crates for this pup! The Pink Two Door Pro Valu Crate will make it clear a princess has arrived.
  3. When the weather outside is too hot, too cold or too rainy a true pup princess will be sure to resist a trip outdoors. For those dainty debutants try The Pet Loo – an easy to clean indoor pet bathroom system made of synthetic grass!

Puppy Tent

The Sporting Dog

  1. After a long day out and about, this dog needs a cozy place to rest his tired paws. The Fatboy Doggie Lounge is sure to send him right to dreamland. Since this bed is moisture resistant and has a removable cover (available in 10 fresh colors) you will be sure to love it too!
  2. When your car doubles as a travel kennel, convert your hatchback or SUV into roomier accommodations. This Vehicle Pet Barrier has a door built in which is perfect for a quick pat on the head when your backseat passengers can no longer resist those puppy dog eyes!
  3. Any owner of a sporting dog knows that some days it can be virtually impossible to keep this dog cooped up inside for long. The Dog Palace Heated Dog House will give this dog a warm place to rest when he’d rather stay outside and play on those cold winter days.

Dog Bed

Need ideas for the other pets in your life? From Fish to Ferrets, Birds to Rabbits Hayneedle Pets & Animals selection has everything their heart desires!

Enjoy your pet pal!

Happy Holidays,

Lisa E

I welcome your feedback. Just click into this post to leave comments, questions or suggestions.
Follow me on Twitter! @hayneedlepets

Pet, Meet Baby. Baby, Meet Pet.

Published on September 27, 2010 in BABY & KIDS, HAYNEEDLE and PETS & ANIMALS. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Whether it’s a doggie or a kitty, your pet was probably your very first baby. Many couples bring a pet into their lives before having a child of their own. Although it’s not exactly the same as the real thing (way more fur) – pet-parenting can be a great first step towards starting a family.

When it comes time to welcome a baby home, there are usually valid concerns around how a pet will react to the new smallest member of the family. Here are a few things you can do before and after Baby arrives to help make the transition a safe, happy, and smooth one for every family member.

Before Baby Arrives…

    Sights, Smells, Sounds
    Begin getting your pet used to the sounds and smells that come with having a baby around. Play a tape recording of a baby crying. Put baby lotion on your hands before interacting with your pet. If possible, have a friend or family member with a baby or small child come over for short visits to see how your pet reacts. Make sure your pet is also used to having its paws, tail, and ears touched regularly.

    Routine
    Even though your time will likely be monopolized with caring for Baby it is still important to fit in time during your day to interact with your pet. Start getting your pet used to variations in their routine before the baby arrives. Try walking your pet at different times of the day. Change up play and training times and get your pet used to shorter, but perhaps more frequent, petting sessions. Change up feeding times slightly. This will help your pet begin to adapt to daily changes, since it’s doubtful that Baby will be adhering to anyone’s schedule for quite a while!

    Baby’s Room
    Have Baby’s room set up well before Baby’s arrival so your pet can get used to and explore the area. If there are items or areas that you don’t want your pet to have access to, this is a good time to start setting and enforcing those boundaries and limitations. Installing a screen door or pressure gate on the room is a handy way to keep your pet out while still offering them the ability to observe what is happening in the room.

    Training
    For dog owners, the time before baby arrives might be a perfect time to brush up on obedience classes to ensure consistency of basic commands like Sit, Stay, and Lay Down.

    Toxoplasmosis
    For cat owners, Toxoplasmosis might be a concern. Toxoplasmosis is a rare parasitic disease that can cause birth defects. While pregnant, women should avoid contact with cat feces. This does not mean you need to give up your cat, but it does mean that cleaning the litter box should be added to your husband’s “Honey Do” list. Learn more about Toxoplasmosis here.

Bringing Baby Home…

    Ask a friend or family member to bring a blanket or item of clothing with Baby’s scent on it so your pet can get used to how Baby smells before your arrival home.

    When Mom arrives home, have someone take Baby into another room so Mom can have a few quiet, calm moments to greet the pet before they meet the baby.

    When your pet is around Baby have treats handy to reward good behavior. Be sure to speak in positive tones around the baby so your pet can begin associating positive feelings with being around Baby.

    Be sure to spend some quality time with your pet when Baby is napping so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.

Enjoy the time with your growing family!

Lisa E

I welcome your feedback. Just click into this post to leave comments, questions or suggestions.
Follow me on Twitter! @hayneedlepets

Dog Days of Summer

Published on August 17, 2010 in HAYNEEDLE and PETS & ANIMALS. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , .

Whew! It’s been a hot one so far this August. With kids heading back to school soon and Husker football just around the corner, it would seem that summer is coming to an end…sigh…until you go outside. As I type, the heat index for today (and the rest of the week) is a refreshing 110 degrees. Viva la Summer!

While we humans can wear shorts and tank tops to help stay cool, imagine how this heat feels to our furry and fuzzy buddies. Here’s how to help your best friend stay cool and comfortable while outdoors this summer:

Relief from Summer Heat
A dog’s normal body temperature runs from 100.5°F to 102.5°F. Considering he’s covered in fur, he can get hot very quickly. If your dog is outdoors for long periods during the day, provide access to a shaded area for relief from the heat either under a tree or in a dog house. Make sure there’s plenty of fresh, clean water left in a shady area available at all times. If your dog is a longer haired breed, a summer cut can help provide some relief. For those times when your dog wants to be really stylish about staying cool, a cooling bandana might be right up his alley!

Dog in Dog House

Sunburn
Mom always said to wear sunscreen, and remember that dogs can get sunburned too. Dogs with light coloring, pale noses or shaved short summer hair cuts are especially prone to sunburn. There are several pet safe sunscreens available, so be sure to choose one that won’t be harmful if it gets licked off.

“I’ll Just be a Minute”
Many people bring their dogs with them while running errands. I understand you love your dog and want him with you as much as possible! Unfortunately, though, in the summer this practice can be deadly. A dog can only withstand a high body temperature for a short time before suffering nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, brain damage or even death. In only 10 minutes the temperature in a car can rise an additional 19°F! Cracking your car windows has little effect on the vehicle’s internal temperature.* DO NOT leave your dog in the car in the summer heat, even for “just a minute.” If you see a dog left in a car, don’t be afraid to call your local Humane Society or police department.
*Source MyDogIsCool.com.

Keep these tips in mind and familiarize yourself with the signs of heat stroke to help keep your dog safe, healthy, and happy for many summers to come!

Lisa E

I welcome your feedback. Just click into this post to leave comments, questions or suggestions.
Follow me on Twitter! @hayneedlepets

Summer Pet Safety Tips

Published on July 9, 2010 in HAYNEEDLE and PETS & ANIMALS. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Summer is a great time for being outside with family, friends, and your dog. After spending the holiday weekend at the lake with family, I was inspired to write about some of the safety hazards that many adults see as common sense when it comes to children, but seem to overlook when it comes to the family dog.

Whether you are grilling, swimming, or just enjoying the great outdoors, many pet owners like to include their dogs in these summer pastimes. Here’s how to make sure your pet stays safe this summer.

Grilling
The smell of burgers and hot dogs cooking is even more irresistible to dogs than it is to us, so don’t forget to keep an eye on pets when grilling out this summer. Before you know it they can try to sneak food from the grill just like they might with food on the counter, resulting in burnt paws, noses, and tongues. Be especially mindful of smaller camping grills that sit lower to the ground.

Walking
During the summer months, pavement and sand can get extremely hot and burn the pads of your dog’s feet. Try taking your dog on walks in the morning or evening when the pavement is cooler. You can also encourage your dog to walk on the grass or try dog booties to help protect his paws. If it is too hot for your bare feet, it is probably too hot for their bare paws. Always bring water on your walks for both you and your pet. Some dog walkers suggest bringing a collapsible cup for your dog to drink from. Be aware of signs of heat exhaustion in your pet and stop in the shade for a break if you or your pet have any symptoms.

Swimming
If your dog likes to swim it can be a great way for him to get some exercise and cool off from the summer heat. It is important to keep an eye on your dog when he is in the pool or lake, just like you would with children. Make sure there is a place available for your dog to get out of the water easily when he is ready. Dog friendly ladders are available for the pool, dock or boat so your dog can easily get out of the water. Dog life jackets are also available to help make sure your dog stays afloat if he should get too tired to swim. Also, make sure kids know never to hang onto or try to “ride” your dog while it is in the water.

Boating Dog in Lifejacket
Photo by puppypfd

Stay mindful so both you and your pet can enjoy the activities summer has to offer!

Lisa E

I welcome your feedback. Just click into this post to leave comments, questions or suggestions.
Follow me on Twitter! @hayneedlepets

Hayneedle Pets

Published on June 17, 2010 in HAYNEEDLE and PETS & ANIMALS. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , .

Hi, I’m Lisa. I’m a member of the PPC Search Marketing team for the Outdoor and Pets & Animals sites at Hayneedle. I was recently invited to be a contributing writer for the Hayneedle Blog and to tweet for our @hayneedlepets account on Twitter.com. As an animal lover, I am so excited about the opportunity to contribute and share the experiences I’ve had as a pet owner, volunteer dog walker, and my time spent working as a CSC at a local vet.

My past experience with animals has helped grow my interest in animal welfare and admiration for the bond between pets and their people. My goals are to research and share pet related tips, topics, product reviews and specials I hope you’ll find interesting and fun.

As a company, Hayneedle prides itself on dedication to specific niche sites. As we all know, Pets & Animals require more than dedication. The products on these sites are much more than just items for your home, they are items for your pets; your furry, feathered or scaly family members. We understand you want the best for them and we devote time and resources to not only finding unique and quality products, but also to providing interesting and helpful pet related content and tips.

Hope you enjoy!

Lisa E

I welcome your feedback. Just click into this post to leave comments, questions or suggestions.
Follow me on Twitter! @hayneedlepets