Welcome to the Your Pet Essentials monthly newsletter. Whether you’re a dog or cat lover, your free subscription will bring you informative, innovative and humorous features for you to enjoy. Having trouble viewing this newsletter? Click here to see it on the web.

This Months Special     Funnies     In The News    This Months Article    Monthly Prizes To Be Won!

This Months Special:

Subscriber Specials For October 2007:

Login to see the products on special. NOTE: If you haven't created a password in the past, just contact us to have one assigned. Otherwise once logged in enjoy the specials! Accounts take 24hrs to set up after signing up.

Funnies

The Heavenly Cat:

In The News

New Pet Articles Resource:

Putting our collective years of experience together, we're beginning to write our own articles, and will be collecting other experts articles on pet nutrition and health and will be developing a resource library on the site so that we can help to answer any questions you may have and hopefully help educate you in ways that'll aid you in looking after your dogs and cats health and well being. Topics covered will get wider and wider, but nutrition and lifestyle are of particular interest to us, and we feel, the most misunderstood.

Your Pet Essentials Community Forum:

We intend on starting a forum on the site so that we may promote more of a community atmosphere. Ideally what we'd like is to provide a platform where you guys can easily give feedback about us and products of ours, so that others may learn of your experiences and trials.

In this way we hope to promote an healthy helpful atmosphere where a "newbie" would feel safe jumping on the forum and posting some questions to its members, knowing that they'll get helpful, welcoming responses! Before we go ahead on this though, we'd really appreciate some feedback from you guys in regards to how many of you would really like to see this happen, and if there are any particular forum topics you'd like to see on there. Thanks guys! We appreciate the help :)

A New Grooming Line Update:

The grooming products are coming!! We just need to wait for new labelling and pictures from the company we're working with, then it'll take a week to set up the web pages and we'll be running.

We can't wait for you to see this range of all natural and organic shampoos, smellies, and other goodies. We know you'll love them as much as we do. The products are hypo-allergenic and they smell great :) We'll have shampoos, aroma-therapy, and a fantastic new range of tasty dog treats.

Do You Have A Dog First Aid Kit Prepared?

Most homes have a first aid kit for the two legged members of their family but did you ever stop to consider that you should have a dog first aid kit as well?

Every year millions of dogs are taken in for emergency veterinarian treatment for things that could easily be treated at home. By being prepared with a first aid kit, you can save both you and your dog a lot of stress if an emergency ever arises.

There are three must have items for your dog first aid kit.

Muzzle - A muzzle is a must have item because a dog will often become aggressive when they are injured. By muzzling your dog first, you are able to quickly access the injury without the fear of getting nipped by your dog.

Dog Clippers - By keeping dog clippers you will be able to quickly remove hair from the injured area in order to see the degree of injury. Often times, a wound will look much worse than it really is when hair is matted to the area.

You don't need an expensive pair of dog clippers for your dog first aid kit but you should make sure that the clippers are sufficient to effectively remove your dogs coat. You will want to check your clippers from time to time to make sure that they are operational and that the blades are not rusted.

Hydrogen Peroxide - Hydrogen peroxide can be used to induce vomiting in your dog in case of poisoning or to clean a wound. It is important to call your veterinarian as soon as you suspect that your dog has been poisoned in order to see if it is necessary to induce vomiting. By having the hydrogen peroxide on hand, you an be prepared and save valuable minutes and possibly your dogs life. Hydrogen Peroxide is a must have item because it is a multipurpose item. It will assist in cleaning a wound and induce vomiting if needed due to poisoning.

While we hope that our dogs are never in need of emergency pet care, it is important to be prepared in order to have the ability to help your dog if the need arises. By having a dog first aid kit prepared and readily available you could possibly save your dogs life being able to provide immediate treatment.

You can save your dog's life by being prepared. Get must know information about your dog first aid kit.

NUPRO Custom Electrolytes should definately be a part of your kit! Check this fantastic product out now.

We are always interested to hear from our members, so please email us with any pet related topic you choose, and we will endeavour to publish it in the next issue.
The most informative, fun, or interesting letter will go in the running to win a gift for their pet. One winner will be drawn monthly.

Welcome to the Your Pet Essentials monthly newsletter. Whether you’re a dog or cat lover, your free subscription will bring you informative, innovative and humorous features for you to enjoy. Having trouble viewing this newsletter? Click here to see it on the web.

This Months Special     Funnies     In The News    This Months Article    Monthly Prizes To Be Won!

This Months Special:

Subscriber Specials For November 2007:

Login to see the products on special. NOTE: If you haven't created a password in the past, just use ilovepets and once logged in, change your password by clicking on your name.

Funnies

In The News

The Mini Wee Has Launched in the USA!

Finally! After much anticipation, The Pet Loos' little brother, The Mini Wee has launched in the USA. It'll be known there as The Pee Wee :) Very cute! We are now in a position to offer the Mini Wee/ Pee Wee Pet Toilet to those patient subscribers  in the USA and Canada. To get the special, please log in first.

A 63cm square (compared to 83 in the Pet Loo) MINI Wee represents the consumers in need of our Pet Loo solution - only smaller.

This Months Article:

 Monthly Prizes To Be Won: 

We are always interested to hear from our members, so please email us with any pet related topic you choose, and we will endeavour to publish it in the next issue.
The most informative, fun, or interesting letter will go in the running to win a gift for their pet. One winner will be drawn monthly.

This Months Special:

Subscriber Specials For December 2007:

Login to see the products on special. NOTE: If you haven't created a password in the past, just use ilovepets and once logged in, change your password by clicking on your name.

Funnies

                      The Creation of Dogs

No one told me smoking would stunt my growth! Jane, QLD.

Huh, what? I'm awake, ... i'm awake! Liz, NZ.

On the first day of creation, God created the dog.

On the second day, God created man to serve the dog.

On the third day, God created all the animals of the Earth to serve as potential food for the dog.

On the fourth day, God created honest toil so that man could labour for the good of the dog.

On the fifth day, God created the tennis ball so that the dog might or might not retrieve it.

On the sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep the dog healthy and the man broke.

On the seventh day, God tried to rest, but He had to walk the dog.

In The News

Our All Natural Dog Grooming Has Launched!

It's been a long wait we know. We had some deals fall through, and it seems it all worked out for the best. We are over the moon with the quality and efficacy of the Cain & Able Collection. The Cain & Able Collection offers top quality all natural dog grooming products. This mild and beautifully aromatic collection will have your dog running for the bath at bath time! All products are tested on humans first to ensure their efficacy and effectiveness.  All dogs should be bathed with a dog shampoo that is not only wonderful for their hair or fur, but also has practical benefits and is good for the environment. With this, Cain & Able deliver. For more information on the individual products, click on the link above, or view the beautiful dog bath sets on offer.

Make sure you checkout some of the gorgeous Xmas packages available this season. Here's one to get you started, the Deluxe Christmas Spa Pack, click on the picture to your right to view. Otherwise, go to our Xmas Specials online.

This Months Article:

Look After Your Dog This Summer! - Strategies To Beat The Heat 

If your dog suffers heat stroke easily or is particularly active, you should have some pet electrolytes on hand for first aid or just to help keep them well hydrated during the hotter months.

 Monthly Prizes To Be Won: 

We are always interested to hear from our members, so please email us with any pet related topic you choose, and we will endeavour to publish it in the next issue.
The most informative, fun, or interesting letter will go in the running to win a gift for their pet. One winner will be drawn monthly.

This Months Special:

Subscriber Specials For February 2008:

Login to see the products on special. NOTE: If you haven't created a password in the past, just use ilovepets and once logged in, change your password by clicking on your name.

Funnies

A Dogs World - Who's world is it? It's mine, it's mine!

1.If I like it, it's mine.

2. If its in my mouth, it's mine.

3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.

4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.

5. If I'm chewing something up, all the pieces are mine. 
 

Sent In by C. Dacre Of ChCh, NZ. Thankyou! We hope you and Plenty enjoy your new Gummi Spots Collar! 

In The News

Firstly, let us wish you all a very Happy New Year. January was so crazy, we didn't even get around to doing a newsletter! Mainly because my partner and I were away getting married! It was a fantastic and joyous time, believe me :)

Onwards though. We've been fielding queries left, right, and center from potential suppliers, and the decision process and expansion process that has ensued is rather large to say the least. We're planning on adding a pure luxury accessory line of collars and jewellery for those of you who like spoiling your pet just that little bit extra :)

We will also be expanding our pet essentials with some organic and all natural pet beds and hopefully a pet water fountain (applicable to this months article actually). At the moment our all natural and organic pet food line, and our all natural dog grooming supplies are American based and thus sometimes unknown and untrusted to the Australian market. Though their quality is second to none, early in 2008, it's our plan to extend those two options to make an Australian made organic or all natural pet food line available, and the same will be done for an Australian made grooming line.

So... keep your eyes and ears open! We'll be growing quickly, and aiming to keep all our customers four legged friends happy and content!

This Months Article:

How to provide the best quality drinking water for your dogs and cats

1. While water plays many key roles in dog's bodies, waters' chief functions are to maintain a stable environment inside and around their cells, allowing them to acquire sufficient nutrition and aiding elimination of waste in cells. To provide an optimal environment for life, the water we allow our pets to consume through food and drink must be clean and should supply the body with needed electrolytes. Almost every enzyme action and chemical interaction in your pets' body is dependent upon water. Animals' brains are so sensitive to water loss that they can begin showing signs of malfunction with as little as 1% to 10% loss of body water. It's essential that our dogs and cats water source and quality is as good as it can possibly be.

2. Where do you find the best quality water?It's very important to prevent your dog from drinking contaminated water. All water that is unfiltered/untreated can have contaminants in it such as parasites, bacteria, and even viruses. Often these contaminants can have more of an effect on your dogs or cats stomach and system than on your own. So it's suggested that you use caution with any body of water, whether from an outside source of indoors (e.g. tap water). Note how the above states that clean water doesn't necessarily mean water from a tap. Tap water can be some of the most toxic water available to your dog. Research has shown that tap water contains chlorine, often fluoride, and toxic substance that overtime, can have very evil effects on yours and your dogs' body. And don't just assume that by switching to bottled water you've solved the problem of quality, some bottled water is no better than tap water. In Phillip Days' article "Water Under The Bridge - The Damning Case Against Fluoridation." he presents some scary findings that all of us should be aware of.

3. What are the dangers of Fluoride and other toxins in tap water? It's well known that Government agencies and certain health professionals have pushed the importance of Fluoride for humans before. Its main purpose was to prevent tooth decay. But this waste product had been shown to CAUSE tooth decay and mottling (I myself have suffered such, according to the dentists I have seen) and it can be quite harmful to dogs. The same type of research has been performed on dogs, with the same results, Fluoride in the water supply of dogs caused mottling of the tooth enamel, amongst a host of other problems as far reaching as cancer. It's also well known that, much like Lead, Fluoride accumulates in the body. As a result, damage is caused over long periods of time.

4. Did you know Fluoride is more toxic than lead? And only very slightly less poisonous than arsenic!! Under the USA's ratings for toxicity, Fluoride is higher than Lead, Environmental Protection Agency, will allow lead in drinking water to be 0.015mg/litre, as opposed to Fluoride being allowed to be 4.0mg/litre. For those of you who aren't mathematicians, that's over three hundred and fifty TIMES more than the acceptable level of lead. Knowing this, I would be surprised if you didn't a) go and buy yourself a good water filter today, and b) start quenching everyone's thirst in the household with good clean water from it, including you dogs! Household tap water can also be very high in nitrates, iron, or magnesium, which can pose long term health risks for people and their pets. So, now you have clean good quality drinking water for your dog.

5. How do you keep clean water clean? Most natural water sources that provide the best quality drinking water are bodies of water that move. Moving water is more often than not, much fresher than still water. Through movement it's constantly being aerated by the surface breaking and bringing fresh oxygen into the water. You can keep your dogs water fresh like this by trying one of two things. You can either go all out, and purchase a pet water fountain (these usually have built in filters, and the fountain continually recycles and cleans the water, keeping it as clean as possible) or, you can be more traditional and fill your dogs stainless steel water bowls regularly. Notice I said "bowls". You really do need multiple sources of fresh drinking water around. It's too easy for pets to forget about drinking if it's not in their face. However, beautiful clean water will not help if it is placed in a dirty bowl. Like any container with organic material in it, a water bowl will collect and harbour bacteria. Your dogs' bowls need to be washed often, preferably daily and should be a stainless steel bowl as they are the easiest to keep clean. Buy a good quality bowl and after it starts to look worn and scratched, replace it. One other consideration in quality is temperature of the water. Much like us, your dog will prefer water that fits the seasons. If it's hot, make sure the water is cooler. If it is winter, room temperature would be received better. So we have superior, clean, quality, filtered water.

6. How much water should we be providing? I'm not going to go into to this too much as it would seem that just common sense would get you through. It goes with out saying that water should be available to your dog at all times. (Handy Tip: When toilet training dogs, just make sure that after a big drink you take your pooch outside to go to the toilet). As a general rule though, the most common average seems to be around 80ml per kilogram of body weight per day. Lifting the skin on an animal's back and watching how quickly it snaps back is a rough indicator of dehydration. If your dog is hydrated, its skin will return quickly to its normal state, as opposed to a dehydrated dog whose skin would creep back over a few seconds. If your pet is prone to dehydration, or you have a particularly active or old dog, it may be worth while having some pet electrolytes handy to aid in quick replacement of fluids and minerals. We do however, need to be aware of excessive consumption (Polydipsia), which can signal of developing Diabetes Mellitus. We also need to be aware of consumption that is too low. This is mainly a concern for those who feed dry food to their pets as it dehydrates them, unless appropriate moisture is added. 

7. Conclusion:

How do you get the best quality water for your dog or cat? Water is the most important nutrient for a healthy life. You can provide your dog with the best quality drinking water it seems, if you serve filtered water, at an appropriate temperature for the time of year, and in clean ceramic or stainless steel bowls. And, remember, much like us, animals can forget to drink, out of sight out of mind. Make sure you give them the choice to drink when they want by providing multiple sources and locations where clean, good water can be found. Happy hydrating!

Murray Ballenden, partner in Your Pet Essentials 11/02/2008

 Monthly Prizes To Be Won: 

We are always interested to hear from our members, so please email us with any pet related topic you choose, and we will endeavour to publish it in the next issue.
The most informative, fun, or interesting letter will go in the running to win a gift for their pet. One winner will be drawn monthly.

This Months Special:

Subscriber Specials For March 2008:

Login to see the products on special. NOTE: If you haven't created a password in the past, just use ilovepets and once logged in, change your password by clicking on your name.

In The News

Our decision on beds is provig a difficult one, it seems there aren't too many all natural or organic material. Having said that, there's not much to update you guys on! :) It's been flat tack and we are very much involved in the research phase of our expansion.

One great set of news though is that our Nupro Pet Supplements have almost been accepted by customs for importation to Australia. There is some testing going on with the inclusion of Glutamine in the Joint Support Supplement for dogs, and once that's done, we're in! Fingers crossed it goes smoothly.  

We will also expanding our pet essentials with some organic and all natural pet beds and hopefully a pet water fountain (applicable to this months article actually). At the moment our all natural and organic pet food line, and our all natural dog grooming supplies are American based and thus sometimes unknown and entrusted to the Australian market. Though their quality is second to none, early in 2008, it's our plan to extend those two options to make an Australian made organic or all natural pet food line available, and the same will be done for an Australian made grooming line.

So... keep your eyes and ears open! We'll be growing quickly, and aiming to keep all our customers four legged friends happy and content!

This Months Article:

Cats And Litter Boxes Don't Always Get Along

By David P Lee

If your cat has a problem using a litter box, don't worry. You're not alone. It is one of the most common problems among pet owners in regard to their cats. Cace explains that if the cat is not using a litter box, this is probably occurring for one of two reasons. Either the cat has developed some dislike for its litter box for some reason, or a stressor is causing the cat to stop using its box. The most common cause of the cat not liking to use its litter box is that it simply may not be clean enough. Case states that if you feel at all this might be a problem, the first thing you should do is to scoop every day and change litter more often than previously.

A cat may also develop an aversion to its litter box simply because it is not accessible enough. Some cats either can't or don't want to spend a lot of time trying to find their litter box. Therefore, if you place the litter box in an accessible location, you take this obstacle away and make it easier for the cat to use. Another problem is that the cat may not like the spot you've designated for the litter box. Simply moving it may help this simple accessibility problem. If your cat is under stress, he or she may urinate outside the litter box. Especially in a multiple cat households, for example, there may be stresses that humans will not pick up on.

Group dynamics among cats are an interesting field of study in behavioral research. Recent studies suggest that even though one cat may not be actively kept away from the litter box, the cat may nonetheless be anxious and be manifesting this anxiety by urinating inappropriately outside the litter box or even with "marking" behavior. A rule of thumb to follow is that you should have one litter box for each cat, placed in various locations. This gives your cat or cat choice of location and can also help the cat choose with whom the litter box is shared (or perhaps no one at all). Another reason for litter box aversion may be preference of location.

Cats often either prefer soft absorbent surfaces or smooth porcelain ones, according to Case. Other problems that may occur include urinary tract infections, which can cause a previously "well behaved" cat to suddenly begin urinating outside the litter box. Cats also associate unpleasant memories with people or locations. Therefore, a cat that has a urinary tract infection and who goes to use its litter box may then associate the litter box with his or her pain. The cat thinks that if he or she stops using the litter box, the pain will go away. Therefore, if the cat is normally faithful about using the litter box and suddenly stops, you should take your cat to the vet and have him or her checked out for a urinary tract infection or other health problem.

Finally, it's a common owner complaint that the cat will "misbehave" and will go to the bathroom on bedding or clothing when "Mom" or "Dad" leaves the house. Some owners think that the cat is "angry" with them and is acting out of spite. However, this simply is not true. Cats do not develop separation anxiety as dogs might, because the simply aren't as strongly attached, according to Case. However, they can become stressed by change; this in turn can cause anxiety, which then can manifest itself by inappropriate urination or defecation outside of the litter box.

David Lee is the owner & designer of several pet sites. Find info on feline leukemia , cat furniture, German Shepherds.
Source:www.isnare.com

Toilet train your cat and get rid of litter box problems for good! Try the Litter Kwitter Cat Toilet Training System.

 Monthly Prizes To Be Won: 

We are always interested to hear from our members, so please email us with any pet related topic you choose, and we will endeavour to publish it in the next issue.
The most informative, fun, or interesting letter will go in the running to win a gift for their pet. One winner will be drawn monthly.