Why Marrow Bones?

At Wag Watchers we like to treat your pooch to a marrow bone. Why you may ask?

Well first and foremost your dog loves them. They are a delicious and nutritious treat. Also, bones are great fun for dogs. They provide a task that is enjoyable to your beloved pet.

Bones are great for your dogs teeth. They help to clean teeth and eliminate bad breathe. Bones are also good for your pooches digestive tract.

Overall, we share a bone with your dog, not only because it is a great treat for them, but also because it is a healthy treat too.

Wrestling with a Matted Dog Coat

Mats and tangles are not becoming to say the least and can cause painful pinching and pulling against your pet's skin. (They also mean an achy wrist for the one doing all the brushing.) Unleash your inner groomer by making daily brushing part of your dog's routine fur treatment.

Brushing helps prevent tangles and clears away loose hair that would otherwise shed, only to end up around the house. Daily grooming helps your dog maintain lush shiny locks and a soft coat by distributing the natural oils that keep your pet's fur healthy.

How to Properly Set Up a Rabbit Cage

Preparing a home for a new bunny buddy? These cute, fun animals have specific housing needs. Follow these tips for the proper setup of a rabbit cage:

• Set up your rabbit's housing before you bring your pet home.

• Unless they're spayed or neutered, rabbits should be housed alone.

• Caging should include a hiding area, food bowl, water bottle, salt lick, and hay manger.

• The larger the cage, the better! Get a cage that has a lot of surface area, rather than multiple levels. Two levels are fine, but there is no need for a really tall cage.

• The cage should have a solid bottom. Avoid a wire bottom, which can irritate a rabbit's sensitive feet (the same goes for exercise wheels).

• Use rabbit-safe litter or shavings to line the litter box. Make the bedding about one inch deep and be sure to change it at least every other day.

• Put the cage in an area that gets a lot of activity – rabbits are very social and love people!

• Use only pet-safe cleaners in your pet's cage. Nature's Miracle is great for cleaning rabbit cages.

• If you give your rabbit access to the outdoors, beware of high temperatures and potential predators (stray or wild animals).

• Rabbits need daily exercise for their health. An exercise pen is ideal for keeping your rabbit safe, but still giving them room to run.

• If you allow your rabbit to roam your home, first rabbit-proof it by:

            Moving all plants out of reach.

             Moving all electrical cords out of reach. Rabbits try to chew them and can be       
             electrocuted.

             Restricting access to furniture & rugs (to avoid chewing and digging behaviors).

A Message From Your Cat: Why I'm Bored and What You Can do About it

Dear Keeper-of-the-Food:

It's me, your adorable feline, and today I want to talk to you about something important—boredom, specifically, my boredom. My life may seem wonderfully relaxing to you, but I can only cat nap for so long. And just when I'm ready to play, you're going to sleep!

You don't play with me as much as you used to, so I've had to come up with my own amusements. Pouncing on you while you're sleeping and other naughty things are all very amusing. There's nothing else to do really, so why am I being scolded?

I think it's time we discuss an upgrade in entertainment options, don't you? Here are my demands requests:

A variety of toys – I've been playing with the same sad toys for quite a while now. Here are some fun options that will keep me busy:

	Wand toys with danglers - I love to pounce on dangling toys, as you know.
	Treat-dispensing toys – Food! In a toy! This is genius!
	Catnip toys– Need I say more?
	Interactive toys – Puzzles or toys with moving parts I can chase. There's a food maze, for example, that sounds delightful.

Curious things – That cardboard box you had the other day was such fun! You know I'm a curious cat. Why not leave those boxes, paper bags and other interesting things around a little longer? They just might keep me away from the drapes.

A window seat – There's nothing I enjoy more than watching my prey outdoors, so I'd appreciate a window ledge or perch. I can dream of my attack as I watch birds and small animals. Better yet, hang a bird feeder outside and I'll be in heaven.

Fun furniture and high perches – I need to watch over my domain and explore. If you give me a high post or some interesting cat furniture (or a jungle gym!), I'll consider staying off the refrigerator.

Flea & Tick Myths

You may have heard a lot of advice about fleas and ticks. But there are surprisingly many untruths or myths about them that are still circulating today.

MYTH: Fleas and ticks are a warm-weather problem
In certain areas, they're a year-round problem. Even in states with cold winters, fleas can survive in microclimates. These areas (under decks, in sheds or elsewhere) are warm enough to keep a population of fleas or ticks alive during the winter.

MYTH: Indoor pets don't need protection Think your indoor puppy or cat is safe from fleas and ticks? Think again. These pests can hitch a ride indoors on other visitors, both human and animal. MYTH: Fleas live best in carpeted spaces Believe it or not, wood and tile floors can also harbor fleas. In fact, it may be harder to treat these areas as flea larvae and eggs can survive in small crevices, along baseboards and under furniture. MYTH: It's best to remove ticks with burning matches, nail polish or alcohol These and other common folk remedies claim to solve the tick problem. But they may worsen it by leaving the tick's head embedded in the skin or releasing disease-laden fluids into your pet's blood. Focus instead on removing the tick as quickly as possible. MYTH: A few fleas are not a "serious" problem Once you spot a few adult fleas, you can expect there to be hundreds of eggs, larvae and pupae on your pet and in his favorite areas. Act quickly to treat your pet, home and yard with flea and tick control products. Better yet, use a flea preventive to protect Fido year-round. MYTH: A flea infestation can be eradicated in a few days It's more likely to take three to eight weeks. That's because new adult fleas are emerging every day as part of their lifecycle. Keep cleaning and treating each area consistently to combat the problem and see results.

For Anyone with Pets!!!

Who has pets that have had an accident in the house? This is a Eco~Friendly & $$$ Saving Tip to help clean urine out of your carpet or upholstery. 

Just take a container of regular old table salt and pour a generous amount on the wet area of your carpet. Let is set for several hours and then vacuum it up. The salt absorbs the urine. Anytime I have used this there is no stain or smell that remains. 

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.  

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said, ''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued,

''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!