Kolossal K9 collars are cute, clever and cause-worthy

A pet-loving friend just introduced me to these cool dog collars, produced by a creative Florida dog fan. Sales of these canine collars support K-9 units, especially in the Sunshine State.

Available from Kolossal K9, the home-crafted collars are specifically tailored for larger dogs.

Constructed of ribbons, the collar designs include patriotic, birthday, autism awareness, and more. Tie dyes, polka dots, stripes, paisleys, and additional patterns are also available.

Each Kolossal K9 collar is equipped with a heavy duty plasticsnap clip and a metal ring (for use with dog tags and leashes).

Custom Kolossal K9 dog collars are currently priced at $10 for one, $18 for two, and $25 for three. (Dog lovers need to double-check before ordering, and pricing is subject to change over time.)

Currently,  sales of Kolossal K9 dog collars help to support K9s for Warriors.

Pretty neat stuff.

Although I have not actually seen these collars in person, they look to be well made and durable, with a sturdy lining and double-sided top-stitching.

NOTE: This blogger has no affiliation with Kolossal K9 and received no remuneration or reward for this post.

Image/s:

Kolossal K9

Product promo photo

Fair use

Feel free to follow on Google Plus and Twitter. You are also invited to join this writer's fan page Facebook. You are invited to subscribe for free to my General Pets Examiner column, so you will receive email notifications whenever new articles appear.

Get the point: Fun for Pointer fans

Pointers are popular pets. Whether a canine enthusiast adores English Pointers or any breed of dog that points, the point is well taken.

And those who treasure these dog breeds may enjoy this clever framed tile.

We think this one is whimsical and fun. You might say we get the point.

The design is also available on tanks, tees, pillows, tote bags, caps, cinch sacks, water bottles, and even a doggy tee shirt. But it’s only found at CafePress.

Image/s:

The Point is well taken

Product promo photo

Fair use

Feel free to follow on Google Plus and Twitter. You are also invited to join this writer's fan page Facebook. You are invited to subscribe for free to my General Pets Examiner column, so you will receive email notifications whenever new articles appear.

Chewy chew toys are not for puppies

Lesson learned. Well, duh.

OK, it’s been a while since I had a puppy in the house, and now I have a spunky and quirky one. And she loves her toys, especially the squishy and squeaky ones.

Know how we figured that out?

Besides the never-ending squeaking noises throughout her playtime moments, I’ve been picking up bits and pieces of frayed cotton roping and colorful rubbery plastic bits all over the house.

In short order, she wiped out the Isqueak Bone, Nerf Squeaker Football, Rascals Latex Spiny Ball, Sea Shammie Floppy Plush Crab, and a Squeaky Rubber Chicken. 

Sure, she loved these toys. She loved EATING them!

Chewy chew toys may be fun for puppies, but they sure aren’t practical!

Not at this stage. Maybe when she outgrows that whole puppy teething process.

Having tossed out more same-day-purchase shredded dog toys, I have now invested in an ample stock of solid Nylabone chew toys in various shapes and colors. The perky pup can gnaw and toss and grind and chomp to her heart’s content.

I’ve got her number now. She has a nice set of Dental Chews. And they are mostly Large, so they should keep her busy for a while.

Image/s:

Puppy with Toy Ball by Renesj - StockXchng

Feel free to follow on Google Plus and Twitter. You are also invited to join this writer's fan page Facebook. You are invited to subscribe for free to my General Pets Examiner column, so you will receive email notifications whenever new articles appear.

Dog breed DNA testing can be a mixed bag of bucks

Do you know what breeds your dog may carry?

Unless you have a pure-bred pedigreed pooch, it’s possible you may not. Addressing this concern, veterinary medicine now markets a host of testing capabilities, all aimed at identifying the various canine breeds a dog may have in its ancestry.

Some dog breed DNA kits use saliva, swabbed from the pet’s mouth. Others test blood instead.

Sure, the accuracy claims of various canine DNA testing options vary.

Some seem to offer wider dog breed recognition capabilities, including exotic and rare breeds not commonly found. But none of the Canine DNA Breed Identification Test Kits makes any claim of 100 percent accuracy.

Prices are all over the map, running anywhere from about $65 to $200 or more.

Having adopted a mixed breed pup from a canine rescue group, I wanted to run a DNA test to identify the breeds in her background. We are pretty sure she is a Border Collie and Labrador Retriever mix. At least, that’s what they told us. And she sure looks the part.

However, she may have additional dog breeds in her bloodlines.

My veterinarian offers a DNA testing program, using a blood sample from the dog. The test costs $160.  The local pet store (part of a major pet supply retailer chain) can do a similar test for about $75.

I opted not to have my vet run the pricey test. And I clicked onto the internet to compare other dog breed DNA testing choice.

The Wisdom Panel test, one of the most popular ones, retails for $79.99. I found it for $65.99 on Amazon. And, because I am an Amazon Prime member, the shipping is free. They’ll send me the kit, which includes swabs to collect the dog’s saliva samples, and a packet to mail them in for testing. Within a few weeks, I should receive the canine breed report.

So we’ll stay tuned to learn my pup’s actual dog breed DNA test results. Is she a Borador … or something more complicated than that?

Image/s:

Created by this user

with public domain clipart

Feel free to follow on Google Plus and Twitter. You are also invited to join this writer's fan page Facebook. You are invited to subscribe for free to my General Pets Examiner column, so you will receive email notifications whenever new articles appear.

Raw food may sicken dogs and humans

Raw food is all the rage among plenty of dog owners. Pet lovers shell out significant sums to purchase fresh or frozen raw meats and other portions for their pups.

Maybe it’s the back-to-nature, basic food thing that appeals to these dog owners. After all, dogs survived for centuries in the wild by eating raw food.

Now, however, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says raw food may be dangerous to dogs. Apparently, such food-borne illnesses as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can crop up in some raw foods.

These bacteria can possibly infect pets who ingest foods containing them, as well as the humans who feed those animals and handle them.

What is raw food?

Generally, raw pet food is comprised of uncooked meat. This may include beef, bison, pork, poultry, or a host of other types of natural protein. Often, raw food contains animal bones, organ meats, and skin as well.

What are the symptoms of raw food infections?

Food poisoning symptoms in pets and humans may include

• appetite loss
• decreased activity
• diarrhea
• fever
• joint pain
• lethargy
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

In the most severe canine cases, dogs may suffer neurological disease, particularly if such infections are not promptly treated.

Among humans, pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and individuals with immune system impairment are at particular risk.

What precautions can pet owners take to prevent raw food illness?

Ideally, pet owners will cook raw foods to kill any bacteria those products may contain.

Proper hygiene is essential for those who choose raw foods for their pets. These food products must be produced under strict quality control practices, packaged well, and used quickly to ensure freshness.

In addition, humans should wash hands thoroughly after handling raw foods. Cooking and serving utensils and dog dishes also need to be sterilized.

In the face of this FDA warning, dog owners may be well advised to pay particular care when feeding butcher bones and leftovers to their canine companions, in addition to products marketed specifically as raw pet foods.

Image/s:

Dog Eating Raw Bison Meat

- Creative Commons Licensing

Feel free to follow on Google Plus and Twitter. You are also invited to join this writer's fan page Facebook. You are invited to subscribe for free to my General Pets Examiner column, so you will receive email notifications whenever new articles appear.