How to Tell a Husky and a Malamute Apart

The Siberian husky and the Alaskan malamute are commonly confused. Both dogs are somewhat similar in appearance (they can have the same color patterns), they are spitz breeds; and both have a somewhat similar personality; they love to run/  But is always good to know how to tell Huskies and Malamutes apart, or know what traits either is more likely to have especially if you are considering getting either dog as a pet.

Please note that there are many different breeds of husky, in general we will refer to the Siberian Husky.

So how do you tell the difference between a malamute and a husky?

Alaskan Malamute

photo source

• Malamutes are quite a bit larger than huskies with some males weighing in at 90 pounds (41 kg).
• Have a wider head and ears are set further apart.
• Malamutes have brown eyes.
• Tend to carry their tails over their backs.
• Malamutes are noted for digging out of yards to escape the boredom of confinement.
• The average lifespan is 12 years.

Siberian Husky

 

 photo source

• Huskies are considered medium sized dogs, with males weighing around 60 pounds (27 kg).
• The shape of a huskies head is narrower and the ears are set closer together.
• Huskies can have brown eyes, blue eyes, or one eye of each color.
• Tend to have a more relaxed way of carrying their tail, although they sometimes carry it high they will often hang their tail down.
• Huskies are noted for jumping fences and will often climb a fence to get out of a yard.
• The average lifespan of a husky is 14 years.

Both huskies and malamutes are high energy dogs who need a lot of exercise. They are considered to be “northern breeds” and enjoy colder weather and in warm weather care should be taken to keep the dogs cool.

Huskies and malamute have strong prey drives and have been known to kill cats, chickens, rabbits, and so forth. If you have other pets and are thinking of getting a Husky or Malamute, make sure to get one from a breeder that has other pets and has socialized the puppy well. 

Both are noted for being escape artists who then run, and run, and run. They are more independent than most dog breeds.

Huskies and malamutes were both bred to pull sleds. Huskies were often used in larger teams with more dogs, and are often used in sled races, while malamutes were used in smaller teams of fewer dogs, and were used to pull heavier at slower speeds.

Both the husky and the malamute dog can travel 35 miles a day and as such they need an owner that can provide them with lots of physical exercise.

Neither breed is particularly suited for being a guard dog, but both tend to love people in general.

Malamutes and huskies rarely bark but both will howl. They sometimes learn to bark if around other dogs that bark.

Both the Malamute and the Husky are independent breeds, as noted they will often run with no interest in turning around. They can be trained but are not necessarily obedient.



The largest selection of nutrient rich foods are available at PetFoodDirect.com! Up To 25% OFF

Training Guide for a Husky
Pet Wolf

This article has been republished at Full of Knowledge.

Can Pets Be Claimed as Tax Expenses?

Who among us that loves their pet would not want to be able to write off pet expenses on their taxes?   Everything from pet food to vet care, in the eye of a pet owner, would be deductible from taxes, sadly in most cases this is not allowed.  While an attempt at having veterinarian expenses allowed as deductible in the USA, has still not passed (The Happy Act, HR 3501), there are a few cases where animals, and their expenses, can be deducted.

What Animals can be Claimed on Taxes?

Most pets and their expenses cannot be claimed.  Generally what determines if a pet, and pet expenses, can be claimed, is if the it is used to make money, is a “working” animal, or if the animal is a service animal.

Pets Used as Service Animals

Animals, such as seeing eye dogs, are often considered to be medical needs. This is only the case when the animal has been assigned as such. In many cases the animal needs to be prescribed as a service animal by a doctor.

Pets that are Working Animals

Guard dogs are a good example of working animals, specifically when they are used for guarding a business. The business claims the dog as an expense.  Only a portion of a guard dog's expenses may be claimed, specifically in ratio to the time they spend "guarding".  Some dogs might only be used to guard a business at night, so 50% of the expenses may be claimed on taxes, as the animal is living as a "pet" for the other part of the time.  A dog that lives outside with sheep, and guards them all the time, could be considered fully deductible as a farm expense. 

Cats who are used for mousers may be considered working animals if their mousing is at a business (such as a cat kept at a warehouse or on the farm).  A pet house cat would not qualify.

Herding dogs are considered working animals and would be claimed as a farm expense.

Pets that are Used to Make Profit

This often applies more to livestock, and pets who are treated as livestock. If income from the animals is claimed, expenses can be as well. As an example, if a person is a rabbit breeder, with several hundred rabbits breeding for the pet store (or food) industry, they can claim expenses, as this is a business, but they must also report the income derived from sales.

The same would apply to dog breeders when they claim a profit, this is typically limited to mill breeders who breed pups for pet stores.  Most other dog breeders do not make (or claim) a profit and keep the dogs more as a hobby, or passion, than an income source.

When pets are used to make a profit they are claimed as a business expense, with the breeding operation being the “business".  There must be reasonable belief that the business will be profitable; a person keeping only a few hamsters or a few breeding dogs, is not an actual business and would really be just a hobby. 

Livestock animals used on a farm for the farming business can be claimed, but if the farmer also has a pet dog that stays in mostly in the house (and is not used for herding or guarding), then that dog cannot be claimed.  Horses kept as pleasure riding mounts, and their expenses, could not be claimed, however if the horses were used regularly for hire (trail rides and so forth) they could be claimed, or a percentage of their expenses could be claimed against the trail riding business that would have to be licensed as such.

Remember if you are in doubt check with a tax specialist in your area.  Laws can change at any time and may be different in different countries.

Where to Buy Blue Buffalo Pet Food Online?

One of the biggest killers of pets, second only to accidents, is cancer. While it is hard to pinpoint the cause of all cancers in pets a good many of them can be linked to what we feed our pets or other chemicals we expose them to.

Did you know that some of the ingredients in commercial pet foods have been linked to causing cancers. BHT, and BHA, are low quality, and cheap, preservatives used in some of the lower quality pet foods. They have been suspected of causing many health problems in pets, including cancer. Ethoxyquin (used to preserve by-products) is a chemical pesticide so risky that it is highly regulated in livestock feed, and banned in some countries, yet is fed to pets in other nations, having been suspected of also contributing to health problems in pets.

Concerned pet owners are looking for natural products, and natural ingredients in their pets food and treats.
What many pet owners do not realize is that you won't find good pet food easily in most stores. Most of the pet foods sold commercially in grocery stores contains cheap filler, grain, and by-products. They are priced cheap because the ingredients used are “cheap”.

Many pet owners simply assume that AAFCO approval means a pet food is good, when in fact AAFCO means no such thing, and a concerned owner would do better to read the ingredient list to study what goes into the food itself.

Blue Buffalo is one of many high quality pet foods and is sold in some pet food stores, however many owners find it just as easy to order their pet food, treats, and supplies, online and have them delivered.
One of the online distributors for Blue Buffalo pet foods is PetFoodDirect.com. Pet Food Direct sells over 16,000 pet products and supplies, including more than 150 Blue Buffalo healthy pet treats, foods, and products.

screenshot from PetFoodDirect

Let us look at why Blue Buffalo is a good quality food by looking at two of their products.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Kitten - Chicken Dry Food

• First Three Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal
• Contains NO chicken or poultry by-product meal, NO artificial preservatives or colors and NO corn, wheat or soy.
• Also contains Cranberries, blueberries and carrots support antioxidant-enrichment. Contains yucca for odor control in the stool.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Adult Dog – Turkey Dry Food

• First Three Ingredients: Deboned Duck, Chicken Meal, Potato Starch
• Sweet potatoes and potatoes provide healthy complex carbohydrates. Blueberries, cranberries and carrots support antioxidant-enrichment.
• Contains no grain, no artificial preservatives or colors. Great for dogs who have grain allergies.

Click on the coupon below to get $5 off Blue Buffalo Pet Foods, or any product!

About Switching to Blue Buffalo Pet Foods

If you are use to buying cheap, low quality pet food, Blue Buffalo (and other good pet foods) might seem expensive. In truth many pet owners find they save money when feeding a better food, such as Blue Buffalo, because your pet does not need to eat as much. The food contains more nutrition and less filler so is easier to digest. You will also notice fewer stools too, and hopefully fewer diet related health problems.

Switching to a new pet food should always be done slowly. In fact if this is a big step up in quality (as if the current food your pet is eating has “corn” as the first ingredient) you can stretch out switching to Blue Buffalo so it takes two weeks or more. Switch by mixing in the new food, Blue Buffalo, with what ever food your pet is currently eating, increasing the % of Blue Buffalo and lowering the % of current food until the switch is complete.

If your pet seems reluctant to switch at first it may be because they have become addicted to the flavorings and fillers the lower quality foods use to get the pets to eat them, much the same way people have a difficult time putting down cake to eat something more healthy. You can put the new food in the microwave for a few seconds to bring out the oils and make it smell stronger so your pet will be interested in eating it. Once they try it they are usually hooked.

Save 15-25% off All PetFoodDirect.com Orders When You Enroll in Auto Ship! Convenient, Reliable and Worry-Free. Start Saving Today!


PetFoodDirect has an auto-ship program which will reduce the cost of your pet food even more... And... You can join the PetFoodDirect rewards program where points can be accumulated and used to “buy” pet food for shelter pets.

Natural Remedy for Dogs who Eat their Own Feces

Coprophagia is the name given for when a dog that eats its own feces. This is a disgusting habit in the eyes of many pet owners, but perfectly natural among dogs. Some breeds, such as the Dachshund, seem more prone to engage in eating their own stools.



A long standing myth has been that dogs eat their stools because their food is low quality. We now know this is not true, dogs eating poor quality food are not going to get any additional vitamins or nutrients in their stool. However there has been a link made between dogs with vitamin B deficiencies and coprophagia.

A dog fed a good quality food is likely to engage in coprophagia simply because there can be some undigested bits in their poop, and quite honestly, their poop might even smell yummy!

A dog with worms might be getting fed enough but the worms are eating their share of the dog's food and making digestion difficult, as such the dog may still feel hungry and eat its feces as a result.

Mother dogs eat the stools of their pups as a way to keep the den area clean. In the wild dogs might also eat their own feces around their den as a way to keep the area clean. In puppy mill situations a bored dog might even eat its own stools as something to do, or as a way to fill its empty stomach if underfed.

Owners who leave their dog out in a dirty backyard with very little mental stimulation, may find that their dog picks up coprophagia as a habit.

How to Stop a Dog from Eating its Stools

The first thing an owner can try to do is to be more proactive in regards to cleaning up after their dog. As coprophagia sometimes starts when the dog is a puppy, while house training an owner can pick up after the pup immediately and give the pup a small treat reward so that it never even thinks about turning around to eat its poop.

Some people have found that adding canned pineapple or meat tenderizer to the dog's food can help as they may make the dog's stool taste bad after the fact. This is a home remedy that works for some dogs, but not others. Dogs that have been eating their own stool for some time will have

There are also products available in stores and online that can help with this nasty behavior. Not all of these products are any good, and some use questionable ingredients, so always look for an “All-Natural” product when dealing with any sort of concern like this.

Save 5% on your first order at Only Natural Pet Store! Coupon code CJ15.

Only Natural Pet Store has a terrific product, Only Natural Pet Stool Eating Deterrent

screen shot from only natural pet

The Only Natural Pet Stool Eating Deterrent product is a pill that contains:

• digestive enzymes (to help improve digestion so fewer yummy bits are left in the stool), 
• cayenne pepper (to make the stool taste bad), 
• vitamin B (to combat any deficiencies), 
• yucca (to reduce the smell of the stool),  
• and a few other natural ingredients. 

This product is made in the USA, and contains human grade ingredients. One bottle contains 90 pills.

Click here to learn more about this great product or to get it.

Concerned pet owners will always look for all natural solutions to any pet problem they have, noting that second to accidents, cancer is a leading killer of pets.



Read other articles on products from Only Natural Pet

What are Holistic Pet Products
Natural Ways to Control Fleas and Ticks
Vegetarian Dog Foods

Pet Safety in the Dark

Pet safety in the dark is always something people should consider. One of the leading causes of pet death is accidents and many accidents happen at night when cars hit pets. Pet owners sometimes assume that drivers will see their pet, but pets are fast moving and being short, they are usually below where most drivers focus their eyes.

Never assume that because your pet has never been hit by a car that it won't be hit in the future. At night a LED product can save your pet's life.

If you ride a bike and walk your dog at the same time having a LED light on your pet can help drivers take notice of the animal. A LED light on your bike is a good idea as well.

People who ride their horses in the evening may find clipping a small LED light (such as the LED collar light) on the bridle adds extra safety – as sometimes it can get darker faster than you might expect. Another safety tip when riding near roads is to ride in the direction of the oncoming traffic.

Rural people, or those who do not have fenced yards, may find that a light on their dog is a great way to see where it is when they let it out in the evening.

Nite Ize is an online supplier of LED safety lighting and other similar products (including light up pet toys), but in particular their products for pet safety are excellent.



Pick from:

• LED Collar
• LED Collar cover (turns a regular collar into a light up collar)
• LED Collar Light (red or white)
• LED Leash
• LED Flying disc (toy)
• LED Ball (toy)

Click here to see their Pet Collection

Free Shipping on orders over $45 with code FSCJ213 valid through 2/28/13


Nite Ize also sells batteries for their LED pet safety products. Nite Ize is located in the United States and most products are available to be shipped internationally. They have a 30 day return policy on all unopened products.

What Pet Products does 911HealthShop Sell?

Pets have health problems, just as people do, but in many cases it is not safe to give human medication to pets. Even so, some medications that are safe for one type of pet may not be safe for another. Tylenol, for example, is fine for humans, but not safe for cats and dogs; aspirin is somewhat safe for dogs, but not at all safe for cats.

As such if you are considering giving human medications to a pet for any reason it is always best to check with your veterinarian first. Otherwise just stick with medications intended for pets.

There are many places in where a pet owner can buy medication for pets. This article is to introduce you to 911HealthShop.com, a place to buy nutritional supplements and vitamins for people and pets too.



It is often hard to know when a pet needs vitamins, but most certainly older pets benefit from having vitamins and joint supplements. Pets that are going to shows can benefit from the vitality, those that are going to be bred can also be brought into condition with vitamins, however these should not be used while the pet is pregnant or nursing without checking with your vet first. After her young are weaned the momma might be thin and again this is a good time for nutritional supplements.

Pets who are stressed have more risk of developing health problems, including digestion problems, and mites, so by helping them maintain health you actually can reduce other problems from developing.
911HealthShop has over 250 pet health products, often priced well below suggested retail prices.

Some of their top selling products are:

• K-9 Glucosamine by Liquid Health Inc – a product that helps dogs with arthritis.
• Zinpro Skin and Coat Formula for Dogs by Lincoln Biotech – a zinc supplement to improve skin and coat.
• Multiple Vitamins and Minerals Spray for Cats and Kittens by Dynamic Health Labs – a great way to boost your cat's health.
• Transfer Factor Animal Stress Pack by 4Life – to relieve stress in all types of pets from rabbits to horses.
• Herbal Flea Collar by Petguard – much safer than the chemicals used in typical flea collars.

5% Off Orders of $50 at 911HealthShop.com click here - Use Code: nyaff550 - ends 1/20/2013- combines with human health care products too!

911HealthShop has a range of products to help with clipper burn, ear cleaning, and so forth, but by far their most popular products are those related to aiding and improving joint health in dogs and cats. You will also find many biscuits for dogs and cats that are not just treats but contain health supplements such as those for the skin and coat. Other products help with digestion or are safe ways of preventing fleas and ticks. They have products, such as a variety of dental bones, to help with cleaning a dog's teeth.

911HealthShop has a Rewards program, join and collect rewards which can be redeemed for cash.
They are located in the USA and currently only ship their products within the United States.
Just click on either ad to visit their website.



If your pet is actually sick please check with a veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis of the health problem your pet is experiencing.

Your Pet Purchases can Help Feed Shelter Pets

PetFoodDirect is an online supplier of pet foods and supplies. They have a rewards program that allows their customers to help shelter pets.

Many pets end up in animal shelters for no fault of their own, sometimes a person got the wrong pet for their lifestyle, sometimes the owner had to move but could not take the pet with them. There are many reasons why cats and dogs are surrendered to animal shelters.

Most animal shelters are non-profit, they depend on donations from the public, government grants, and fund raising, to help provide food for their pets. As a pet lover you can donate to your local animal shelter at anytime. They always are happy to receive cash donations, and donations of pet food, however you might want to call first to see what they need. 

probably not what you think of when you think of feeding shelter pets!

Some of the things people often do not think about donating to an animal shelter, but that the shelters often need, are office supplies (paper, pens, etc.) and cleaning supplies (garbage bags, bleach, etc.). For pets, animal shelters often need blankets for the dogs, and toys. They can use old towels for their cats. 

Of course making a donation is not always possible but that does not mean you cannot help pets.

As a pet owner all you have to do is join PetFoodDirect's Rewards Program and you can help shelter pets as well as saving on money for your pet's food and products.

PetFood Direct sells great quality dog and cat foods such as Orijen and Wellness. They carry treats and flea and tick products, heartworm products (such as Heartgard) and even pet toys. They sell things for pet birds, wild birds, fish, reptiles and small caged pets. Their autoship program allows for further savings and convenience of not having to worry about running out of pet food.

What is the PFD Rewards Program?

With the PetFoodDirect Rewards Program every dollar you spend earns you reward points. You earn 15 points just for joining the program and if you sign up for autoship your points are doubled, plus you can get 300 points just for signing up. 

• 150 points = Donates 2 meals to shelter pets
• 400 points = Donates 6 meals to shelter pets
• 600 points = Donates 10 meals to shelter pets

Or you can use your points on your own purchases, 1,000 points can be traded in for $10 off your next purchase, or 1,500 points can be used for 25% off.

Here are some links you can click to get you started on your way to help shelter pets just when buying things you already need for your own furry friends!

Join our PetFoodDirect.com Rewards program and earn points with every purchase that can be used to donate meals to animals in need! Help those who cannot help themselves!

Save 15-25% off All PetFoodDirect.com Orders When You Enroll in Auto Ship! Convenient, Reliable and Worry-Free. Start Saving Today!

Get $20 Off Any Order $150 Or More At PetFoodDirect.com Today! Use Code PFDSAVE20!

Signing up for PetFoodDirect's reward program is free and I encourage you to take advantage of it to help animal shelters to help their adoptable pets.

 

Do Dogs Need Heartworm Medication in the Winter?

Heartworm is a very serious concern in pets. While cats also can suffer from heartworm, these pests are mostly associated with dogs. The treatment for a dog infested withheartworm is risky in itself so prevention is the best measure.

There are many medications that are used to prevent heartworm and although not terribly expensive the costs do add up, so reducing the number of treatments per year can have financial benefits to a pet owner. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, there are concerns in regards to the over-medication of pets and potential risks (including cancer).

The question remains, should you treat your dog year round for heartworm or only in the months in which mosquitoes are active?

First let us understand how heartworm medications work.

Heartworm is spread to cats and dogs via mosquitoes. The mosquito must drink the blood of an infected pet and take up the very young heartworms at that time (larval stage 1) . The larva grow inside the mosquito and eventually travel to the mosquito's mouth and wait to be inserted into another pet. The heartworms develop in the pet's bloodstream eventually making their way to the heart. Heartworm prevention medication does not actually “prevent” the heartworm infections, but rather they kill the young heartworms at one larval stage which is about 30 to 45 days after the initial infection, but before the worms make their way to the heart. Heartworm prevention medication does not kill the mature heartworms in the heart.

In order for the heartworms to develop in the mosquito temperatures must be relatively warm. When temperatures drop below 57F (14C) the lifecycle of the heartworms in the mosquitoes is ended.

But recalling that the heartworm preventative medication is only effective on larvae that have been in the infected dog for more than 30 days, you can see that treating a dog in the fall (depending on how cold it gets in your area), after mosquitoes have died off, is still a good idea, however into the winter is not necessarily required unless you live in a warm weather area. As such if you live in an area where winters get cold you may find that you do not have to treat your dog with heartworm medication from December to February or March.

You may want to discuss the risks of heartworm with your vet before going on a heartworm medication prevention program. In warm areas where there are lots of dogs and mosquito's (areas with lots of water) the risk is certainly higher than in areas with desert conditions and a lower population of pets.

Click here to Shop US Pets for the lowest prices on pet supplies, medicine, treats, and more. Save up to 50% on major name brands, plus free shipping!

If you are looking for places to buy heartworm medication for your dog (or cat) here are some great online places worth considering. They sell many other pet health products too and you should note that a healthy pet has a natural defense against heartworm. 

How to Diagnose your Pet's Health Symptoms

A brief look at what some common symptoms mean in a pet and where to find more help if you think your pet is sick.  This list is not every symptom, nor is every cause listed it is only to give you some ideas of health concerns in pets.

Vomiting – There are a few different types of vomit pets can have. Food vomit is when there are still undigested chunks of food and can just mean the particular type of food does not agree with your pet's stomach (or is rotten). Bile is yellow liquid containing no food and can mean the pet has an upset stomach but the stomach is empty. Cats sometimes vomit up hairballs. Vomiting can be a sign of poisoning or other health concern. 

Diarrhea – Diarrhea can signal many problems, from a poor food, to a too rich food. Diarrhea can be an indication of worms, bacterial infections, or a viral problem. Black smelly diarrhea can indicate parvo. 

Blood in the Stool – If bright red, blood in the stool indicates a problem (such as worms) in the lower intestine, if dark red it can be a problem in the stomach.

Refusing to Eat – Can be just a minor tummy upset or something more serious. The pet could have bad teeth, or an upset stomach.

Refusing to Drink – This is a very serious problem that can cause body organs to shut down and often means the pet is very ill and should see a veterinarian immediately.

Drinking A Lot – This can be a sign of many health concerns, of which diabetes is one.

Frequent Urination – Again this can be a sign of diabetes, or urinary tract problems.

Change in the Stool Habits – This can be from a change in food or an internal health problem.

Pet Appears to be in Pain – Could the pet have been hit by a car, hurt by a neighbor, or child, could it have fallen down stairs? Could the pet have been bit by a snake? Is the pet old and possibly suffering from arthritis?

Swollen Joints and Pain – This could be a sign of Lyme disease.

Holding Head at a Tilt, Falling Over – This could be a sign of a brain injury, stroke, or vestibular disease, it can be due to an ear infection affecting balance.

Pale Gums – Can be a sign of anemia, poor blood circulation, a weak heart.

Coughing – There are many different types of coughs in pets and a cough can be a sign of any number of concerns including a bacterial or viral infection, heartworm (if coughing after exercise), something stuck in their throat, trachea collapse, and so forth.

Fever – Note that to determine if your pet has a fever you must actually take its temperature, feeling the nose is not an accurate way to judge if your pet has a fever. If your pet does have an elevated temperature this usually means it is fighting some sort of infection.

Lethargy – Can be a sign of an infection, poisoning, or other concerns.

Itching - Can be from fleas, lice, ticks, or even a food allergy or an allergy to chemicals used in the home or yard.

Bad Breath -  May be due to rotten teeth, poor food, or can be a sign of a problem with one of the pet's internal organs.  Diabetes can also make a pet have bad breath.

Above all if your pet is exhibiting any kind of health problem you should consider taking it to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.  Kittens, and puppies, in particular can get worse very quickly but symptoms of a health concern should not be ignored in older pets either.  This list was only very basic. I am including two links for further help regarding diagnosing your pet. 

PetMD lets you ask questions online from a real veterinarian.

Their Symptom checker lets you select either a cat or dog and you click on the body of the pet to see a list of symptoms and then are given information in regards to what the problem could be. Just click on their ad or link below.  

Does your pet have suspicious symptoms? Visit petMD's Pet Symptom Checker today for informative, helpful, veterinarian approved articles.

Remember in most areas vets are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  There is no reason to ignore the health of your pet.

Problems for Pets in the Winter

Winter can be a wonderful time, however the cold weather can present a lot of problems for our pets.

Of course most people are aware of the risks as related to frostbite or just problems with being cold in general but there are other winter concerns and problems for pets.

Arthritis Pains

In cold weather pets with arthritis have more aches and pains then ever. Some people try to help their dog with arthritis pain by giving it aspirin, however aspirin can be risky for dogs, and should never be given to cats. 

There are better medications for helping pets with arthritis, including those with glucosamine and chondroitin.  I personally take glucosamine and chondroitin for my own arthritic pains and can tell you they work.  Some dog foods have these added but there are some claims that say when these are cooked into dog food they are not as effective and should be fed as a supplement. 

Cold weather means aches and pains for arthritic pets with hip and joint issues. Prescriptions like Previcox, Remadyl and Carprofen can help! Shop today at NationalPetPharmacy.com!

In this cold weather, your dog needs everything he can get to stay healthy. Click here to check bone and joint supplements that are great for senior dogs, athletic dogs, or dogs suffering from an injury.

Aches and pains can also be relived by offering your pet a warm heated bed.

Keep your cat warm this winter with heated cat beds that are now UP TO 25% OFF at NationalPetPharmacy.com

Dry Skin

Our pets also tend to suffer dry skin in the winter. You may have already noticed your cat or dog has more dandruff than usual. This can also make pets itchy and uncomfortable. Better food can help as can having a humidifier on in the room where the pet spends most of its time but there are also supplements you can buy to help improve your pets skin and coat in the dry winter months.

Dermatitis is what your pet gets when they've got itchy, dry skin from the cold weather. Shop for brands like Atopica Cyclosporine at NationalPetPharmacy.com to keep your pets feeling comfortable.

Other Winter Worries for Pets

Dogs can burn their paw pads by walking on ice and ice melting chemicals. There are special boots you can buy for your dog, as well as special de-icing chemicals you can use that will not burn your pet's paw pads.

Ice melts can often contain harsh chemicals that are not good for pets. Check out the "pet approved" ice melts that are safe for you and your pet!

Of course a sweater might also be something your pet would benefit from. Small dogs may even need a sweater for indoors when temperatures also cause our homes to be cooler. They particularly will need a sweater after having their hair clipped.

Shop from PetFoodDirect.com's wide selection of cold weather outdoor gear to keep your pet warm and cozy this winter.

Be sure kids know not to let pets outside on cold days, kids often forget to let the pet inside and if left out too long a pet can get frostbite.  Make sure all younger family members know to ask an adult first before letting pets out when temperatures are very cold.

Remember that short nosed dogs have more problems with cold weather and their walks should be kept short. 

Great Online Pet Product Deals for January

Are you looking for great online deals for pet products for January?

Hello pet lovers, and pet owners.  If you have been following along, the December deals are over and we move into some deals and coupons for pet products for the New Year.

These are all reputable companies  that provide good quality products for your pets.

To use the coupons (where codes are needed) just make a note of the code I have given you.  When you are done shopping and go to the checkout you will see a box where it asks for your Promotion, or Coupon, Code, put the code in and click the APPLY button and your total price will be recalculated.

Happy Shopping!

.

Dog.com

Dog.com is offering a great January Deal, from now until January 21, 2013 you can get 10% off your purchase if the total is over $75.  This means a savings of at least $7.50 on fantastic products for your dog.

Get 10% off $75 or More at Dog.com! - Use code: CJDWEEK2 - Ends 1/21/2013

Ferret.com

Ferret.com is offering $5 Off orders over $75.  They have a great range of products for ferrets, from food to hammocks. 

Save $5 on orders of $75 or More at Ferret.com! - Use code: CJFWEEK2 - Ends 1/21/2013

Here is an article covering some of the basic ferret supplies offered at ferret.com.

Horse.com

Horse.com is offering two great deals.  From now until January 31 it is their big blanket blow out.
Winter Blanket Blowout! Save up to 45% Turnout Blankets and Sheets at Horse.com! - Use code: CJHWEEK
Another great promotion to help horse owners save money is this deal for $10 off orders over $100.

Save $10 on orders of $100 or more at Horse.com! - Use code: CJHWEEK2 - Ends 1/21/2013>

StatelineTack.com

And of course Statline Tack also has some fantastic January shopping deals.
They also offer a savings of $10 for purchases more than $100.

Save $10 on Orders of $100 or More at StateLineTack.com! - Use code: CJSWEEK2 - Ends 1/21/2013

Pet Care RX

Pet Care RX has great savings on pet supplies and medications and you can get free shipping right up until March, 2013.

Save up to 50% every day on Discount Pet Supplies at PetCareRx.com Pharmacy! Find pet meds for dogs, cats, and more! Enjoy FREE SHIPPING on orders over $49!

Only Natural Pet Store

Clicking on the ad will take you to the site where you will enjoy great savings, just make a note of the coupon code to get the discount on all your pet food, treats and supplies.

Where can you Get Real Veterinarian Advice Online

I have always warned people against getting free veterinarian advice online, you simply do not know who is answering.

On forums and other question and answer sites are loaded with people who may claim to be vets but are not. Sure you might get some help from people based on their experiences but sometimes there is more to it than that, and at any rate a common answer in forums is simply “Take your pet to the vet”.

I have seen terrible advice given out by well meaning people but people who simply do not know the facts. For example I have seen a person ask if they can give aspirin to a cat and they were told “Sure, I gave it to my dog so I do not see why you cannot give it to your cat”. Of course the truth is that aspirin is somewhat risky for dogs (although if carefully dosed it is fine) but very dangerous to cats and even a small amount can be fatal.

PetMD.com is one of the few places where pet owners can turn and find real information from real veterinarians. They have a place where users can ask questions about their pet or other concerns. These questions are answered as quickly as possible by the vets who are online at any given time.

What is really great about the question section for vets on PetMD is that it is not just limited to questions about cats and dogs either. PetMD allows you to ask questions about birds, horses, reptiles, or other exotic pets.

The PetMD website itself has loads of links with information on all different types of pets and is a good resource in itself.  Click on the logo above to give it a shot and ask a veterinarian your pet questions today!

As part of the Pet 360 family PetMD is affiliated with PetFoodDirect.  They also have a symptom checker.

Does your pet have suspicious symptoms? Visit petMD's Pet Symptom Checker today for informative, helpful, veterinarian approved articles.

If you have a pet emergency it is best to contact your veterinarian. Most vets do have 24 hour services and are available even when their office is closed. For non-emergency situations or times when you just have a simple question, try asking a veterinarian on PetMD.com

Get Cat Food and Dog Food Delivered to your Door

Not everyone relishes the idea of going to the store for pet food over and over again. Additionally because the really good pet foods are rarely carried in most grocery stores (including Walmart) it can be a bit out of the way for a pet owner to get their pet's food on a regular basis and there is nothing worse than running out of pet food at a bad time (such as winter). 

Pet food has very low profit margins, in stores it is often more expensive than ordering online because stores have more overhead. Additionally there is nothing more frustrating than driving to a store for your pet's food only to find they have run out!

These are just some of the reasons why pet owners are turning to ordering their pet's food online and having it delivered right to their door.

PetFoodDirect is just one of the many online companies that offers pet food online and free delivery (on orders over $49.00). They also have an autoship program that offers a further discount of 15% off your orders. Autoship is great because you will never run out of pet food again, and can take an advantage of saving money on pet food.

Don't make your pet get its own food!

Some of the best quality pet foods are available from PetFoodDirect including Blue Buffalo, Natural Balance, and Wellness as well as many other brands. These pet foods are quality foods that do not use cheap filler. When you feed a better quality cat or dog food you will find your pet needs to eat less food and you have less mess to clean up (fewer poops). You should also notice an improvement in your pets health when compared to feeding the cat and dog foods that are loaded with cheap filler and by-products.

PetFoodDirect sells more than just pet food, they also sell pet supplies, flea and tick products, as well as products to keep your pet's skin and coat looking healthy. 

Get $20 Off Any Order $150 Or More At PetFoodDirect.com Today! Click here and ese Code PFDSAVE20!

PetFoodDirect ships cat food and dog food throughout the USA.