The more pets become a part of the family, the less they live outside and rather indoors with us. Freedom, my black lab, gets spoiled like my own child complete with a comfy dog bed with matching pillows.

Although we walk at least 30 - 60 minutes an evening, because of his age and natural inactivity indoors, I really need to be careful in regards to his weight and calorie consumption.

Dogs in general eat the same amount as outdoor farm dogs. Add that with all the treats we give them on occasion can lead to some heavy calorie storage.

We don't think about calories for our pets the way that we do for ourselves.
It's obvious that unhealthy eating and obesity can lead to physical illnesses, however, obesity can also lead to canine and feline depression.

Allowing your cat and or dog to play outside for at least an hour or two supplies natural vitamins contained in sunlight for their coat/fur such as Vitamin D which is often missed in commercial pet foods.

The difference between a cats & dogs metabolism is associated with grooming. There is a higher percentage of obese cats than there are dogs simply because when a cat grooms him/herself, the hair balls sometimes gets swallowed thus causing food digestion to take up to 4 hours, whereas a dog is ready to expel the waste within 30 minutes.

The last time I traveled with my black lab Freedom he was still a puppy, hyper, curious, and barked at everything he saw out the window. We went to beach and came back to our car, full of sand and memories.

We enjoy traveling with our pets 'cause we consider them family, however, there are some guidelines to consider when traveling with pets, especially dogs and small cats.

Because genetically cats or dogs are not equipped for commercial travel, there are some guidelines to consider. Cats in a carrier need to be placed securely, dogs need to make sure that they have enough room to stand and turn around.

We take traveling with dogs for granted in cars and don't secure them properly. Now that the weather in the city is getting nicer, on lunch, I see many dogs placed in the back of a pick up trucks. Although no accidents to my knowledge have been reported, that's not to say that serious injuries have not occurred.

Most of the time, dogs walk around while the car is in motion. A sudden stop or sharp turn can throw them off balance causing injury. This is why securing them in a harness is recommended.
There are many pet harnesses or dog seatbelts on the market at various pet stores worth looking into.

Even if you have your pet securely placed inside of the car, now that the weather is nicer there is the threat of heat exhaustion. The first 15 minutes in a car without windows open, just like a child, can be life threatening. More so in animals than humans since both dogs and cats get dehydrated faster than humans. It's never a good idea to leave any pet under any circumstances unsupervised.

Luv Freedom (my black lab) & Sheila

The following is a testimonial on our Resthyro:

"Resthyro has worked wonders with Sam. I didn't really know if the tonic would help. However, she's eating well and keeping the food down. Sam has gained weight and she is, without a doubt, much improved. I am very happy with your product. Thank you so much."

Please check our our disclaimer before ordering.

Cats are independent by nature, Dogs on the other hand require constant attention, amusement and or company. It's why they're known as man's best friend.

My sister, whom we share Freedom with, packed her bags over the weekend to leave for a camping trip. Freedom, my black lab, immediately noticed the suitcase and sniffed the contents inside and realized that she was leaving. How did my dog know this?

Clothes, regardless of how many times you wash them, leave DNA and or some sort of scent behind. Freedom recognized the concentration in scent and registered that as my sister leaving for a long trip.

Although my sister leaves often for trips and I am always at home with him, he still hasn't gotten used to the separation anxiety. In fact separation anxiety happens in all dogs, some last longer than others.

When my sister and I leave for work, he finds other ways to show that he craves company. There have been times we often find him wrestling with a toy or with a blanket as though it was a defenseless pray. He "pretends" to be in the wild, much like how when we were younger we had imaginary friends.

Freedom will even rummage through the garbage or tear newspaper as a form constructive activity or solitary confinement. This is often mistaken as destructive behavior.

To help cope with lonliness my sister and I have started to do a few things. We found a $5/hour day care center by our house. When my sister and I are doing our monthly grocery shopping, we drop Freedom off at Daycare for an hour or two. Seeing his friends once a month not only has improved his behavior but has also made him a happier dog.

Secondly, my dog was happier when we had our rabbit and degus around to give him company at home during the day. Sadly, those have since passed away. Instead after work, I walk and volunteer once in a while to walk a neighbor's dog so at least he has company.

Luv Freedom & Sheila

Due to the Memorial Day long weekend on Monday, Petwellbeing.com will not be processing orders and phone and e-mail support will be limited. We will return back to the office on Tuesday 27th.

Ever heard the terms "Follows you around like a puppy?" The reason why dogs follow so closely to their owner, besides wanting attention, is they view their owners as the alpha leader. Nature of the beast, dogs are pack animals and prefer to do everything with their leader or fellow mates.

False feline pregnancy is when a cat shows signs of pregnancy, however, the cat is not pregnant at all.

Although the most common symptom or sign of feline pregnancy is pink swollen nipples, however, although rare, go through pseudo pregnancy.

The most common reason for false pregnancy is that the cat may have mated with a neutered male and thus causing an egg to be released. The cat then goes through all the normal hormonal symptoms of pregnancy without actually being pregnant.

In some cases, cats will "mother" and nurture a stuffed animal or one of their toys as though it was their own baby.

If you suspect that your cat is actually pregnant after a few weeks, it's always advised to check with a certified vet before hand.

Luv Sheila & Freedom (my black lab whom is male and can’t experience false pregnancy).

The following is a testimonial on our ES clear supplement.

"Yes It seems that the ES Clear has helped prolong the life of our dog and has made her feel better."

Disclaimer: Results may very depending on, however, not limited to: age, breed, stage at which the pet was diagnosed, previous medical history and associated medication(s), allergic reaction(s), proper or improper administration, viral, bacterial or emotional. These products are not drugs nor are we making any drug claims. If you suspect your pet has a medical condition, seek out a trusted veterinarian to assist you with proper diagnosis and ongoing clinical verification.

I searched some of the pet forums and the most common question for the Spring/Summer season was the following:

“We're an expectant family so very soon, and we're looking into getting a puppy in the autumn, but are having trouble selecting a dog breed that is workable with an infant."

There are a few things to consider, the first is that all puppies are a handful, regardless of breed. Freedom was a handful and at most times, seemed like a little infant himself. Puppies, like children, demand a lot of attention and care. For example, puppies need to be let out every hour to ensure proper housebreaking, combined with the demands of a newborn, it's always best to wait until the child is at least 7 or 8 before considering such addition so that the child can participate in the care of the puppy.

From the child's perspective, there are some advantages such as children who grow up with dogs or cats are less likely to develop serious allergies when they're older. Also bonding for both at a young age is both emotionally and health beneficial.

Luv Sheila & Freedom

The following is a testimonial over our Resthyro supplement.

"Since we started the resthyro our cat has not lost any additonal weight. He may have even gained a half pound. Originally our vet wanted to medicate him and run blood tests every two weeks. I would have been giving our cat an injection daily. Due to the high costs involved and two children in college I could not afford a $1,000/ month vet fee. Our cat is still higly active every day. He goes on his morning and evening prowls as if he was a young cat again. The medication has not only kept our cat alive but it has also improved his activity level. "

Disclaimer: Results may very depending on, however, not limited to: age, breed, stage at which the pet was diagnosed, previous medical history and associated medication(s), allergic reaction(s), proper or improper administration, viral, bacterial or emotional. These products are not drugs nor are we making any drug claims. If you suspect your pet has a medical condition, seek out a trusted veterinarian to assist you with proper diagnosis and ongoing clinical verification.

It's no secret that dogs get far better medical care than humans. No wait lists, no dealing with insurance companies, few red tape etc. So why is it that our pets don't have to wait more than a day to see a specialist whereas most of us have to wait for weeks even months to book a check up?

I spent a few days last week trying to resolve this issue, many answers came from both vets as well as people in general.

1. There are a fewer liability issues for vet(s)
2. No wrangling with insurance companies (the large majority don't own pet insurance).
3. It's an easier pay as you go service with fees paid up front.
4. Less risk of very costly litigation.
5. Very sick animals in most cases are humanely euthanized without political or religious views interrupting said procedure between pet owner and pet.
6. Pets don't have the option to say "no" to anything, hence a speedy more efficient in and out procedure.
7. Veterinary medicine is still a free market system. This means that the client has some say in how services are performed.
8. Most offices are not supported by the government or insurance companies but by the public just like any other small business. In other words if the vet office messes up, most will know without major political cover up, therefore, it's in the offices best interest to make sure they offer top service.

Luv Sheila & Freedom

I had a customer ask a serious question. She wanted to dye the fur of her white cat for a city parade and was wondering if it would be safe to use the same brand of hair dye her teenage daughter uses.

Using any sort of drug store brand hair dye for you animal is not recommend 'cause the pores in both a cats and dogs skin differ both in size and reaction than that of humans. Because a cat's fur is extremely sensitive to begin with, even simple bathing with the wrong shampoo can cause such skin conditions as dermatitis, therefore, the wrong hair dye is no better.

I love dying my hair blue, green, yellow, red, orange and every other color of the spectrum, however, those are not natural colors. Cats are not meant to have their fur dyed pink or blue but then again, neither are we, however, our hair is genetically designed to tolerate such harsh chemicals. Anything you use to dye your cat will be ingested by your cat, so don't use anything you yourself would not eat.

I have been noticing a trend lately, especially in celebrity gossip magazines, of pets with dyed fur, especially around Halloween, however, finding a reputable groomer who uses vegetable based dyes in a safe controlled environment is far and few between. If you're lucky to find one, you're looking at spending an average of $150 per coat.

The benefit of going to a professional groomer is not only do they have access to pet hair dye, not available to the public, but also you will be avoiding a large mess around the house from either the cat shaking off the dye or from hair dye rubbed on the floor and or furniture.

Because these special formulated dyes only color the animals hair and does not penetrate the skin, less irritation will occur.

If you must go the DIY (do-it-yourself) route, There is a great, temporary, beautiful magenta dye you can use: beet juice. Many also use fruit juice crystals which come in a wide variety of colors.

Disclaimer: We are not responsible for any illness that may occur during at home dye jobs (through the pores or orally). Always speak to a groomer before making any sort of vanity decision on the behalf of your cat.

Luv Sheila & Freedom, my black lab (whose hair is still naturally black).

originally posted on petwellbeing.com blog

The following is a testimonial on our Es Clear supplement.

"Steroid drops and other stuff I got from the vet just irritated his ear. Certainly the cancer won't go away, but I believe the products I've gotten from your site have improved his quality of life and slowed the spread of the cancer a little bit. He was diagnosed 3 mos. ago and is still here, I hope for a month or two more, and I believe the 'cancer kit' I bought from your site has helped. His comfort has been better because of it, and I get more time with him. He's the best cat I've ever had, so I appreciate that very much.

Disclaimer: Results may very depending on, however, not limited to: age, breed, stage at which the pet was diagnosed, previous medical history and associated medication(s), allergic reaction(s), proper or improper administration, viral, bacterial or emotional. These products are not drugs nor are we making any drug claims. If you suspect your pet has a medical condition, seek out a trusted veterinarian to assist you with proper diagnosis and ongoing clinical verification.

The following is a testimonial on our Mellit supplement for diabetes.

"Overnight improvement with just one dose She seems to like the taste."

Disclaimer: Results may very depending on, however, not limited to: age, breed, stage at which the pet was diagnosed, previous medical history and associated medication(s), allergic reaction(s), proper or improper administration, viral, bacterial or emotional. These products are not drugs nor are we making any drug claims. If you suspect your pet has a medical condition, seek out a trusted veterinarian to assist you with proper diagnosis and ongoing clinical verification.

Over the weekend I took my niece to the science center here in the city. She stumbled upon a very interesting fact about cats that I thought that I would share. I found this fact in the bathroom stall of the science center of all places.

A cat's urine glows under black light.

This fact is a perfect segway into a question that a customer e-mailed me on Monday which motivated further on-line research on my end.

A cat's urine is one of the worst smells, especially aged cat urine. Very often we can't see these stains with the naked eye which is where the portable black light, purchased at most hardware stores, comes in hand. The black light will visibly detect stains missed by the naked eye.

The customer was inquiring as to why a cat's urine smelt worse than a dog's. Cat's don't drink as much water as dogs, therefore, their urine is more concentrated. In general urine is made up of bacterial strains. Cats detoxify the most through their urine in comparison to dogs, therefore, the concentration in bacteria causes the pungent odor.

The second part of the customer's question was if whether or not I had any specific recommendations for cleaners, which unfortunately, I don't have, however, what consumers should look for is a formula specifically designed for removing pet urine stains. Regular house hold cleaners will just remove the moisture, however, the bacteria will still be present, therefore, the smell will still live in the area. Overtime the aged bacteria will create a stale, even worse smell around the living area if not treated with proper cleaners.

Luv Sheila & Freedom originally posted on petwellbeing.com blog

The following is for cushings supplement

"He is feeling much better since we have used your product and his energy level has returned and he is starting to act like his old self!"

Disclaimer: Results may very depending on, however, not limited to: age, breed, stage at which the pet was diagnosed, previous medical history and associated medication(s), allergic reaction(s), proper or improper administration, viral, bacterial or emotional. These products are not drugs nor are we making any drug claims. If you suspect your pet has a medical condition, seek out a trusted veterinarian to assist you with proper diagnosis and ongoing clinical verification.