Chew, Chew on This: Pets on Trains Service Permanent on Amtrak

by Diana Faria

February 3rd, 2016 12:00 AM

chew chew on this pets on trains service permanent on amtrak

With Amtrak’s pilot pet program a booming success, the train company has expanded its program. Commuters can ride with their pets on more corridor trains across the nation.

Last October, Amtrak tried out their “ Pets on Trains” program so dog and cat owners can have their furry friends travel with them rather than being stuck in the back of the train like cargo.

Due to the program’s overwhelming success, the company has now made the program permanent on eastern and a few mid-western corridor trains across the nation, which is great news for traveling pet parents! But keep in mind, this applies to cats and small dogs that tip the scales at no more than 20 pounds (unless you have a service animal – they’re always allowed on board).

Related: Law Allowing Dogs On Amtrak Trains Is On Track

Starting February 16, the “Pets on Trains” service will be eligible on trips up to seven hours long to most long-distance destinations (excluding Auto Train). A weekend-only pilot program will also start up on February 20, 2016 aboard the Acela Express. The Acela Express pilot program will run until June 12, 2016, when pets will only be allowed in business class. On all other trains, pets are only permitted in coach. Amtrak will then review its success to determine whether or not the program will become permanent or not on this line.

Related: DOT Report Outlines 2014 Pet Injury And Fatality Numbers On Airlines

Since the program’s launch, more than 2,700 pets have traveled with the company along the Northeast Corridor, with top departure cities being Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

Service dogs who offer assistance to their owners are always able to ride Amtrak free of charge. However, should you bring your non-service dog into a train, there is a surcharge of $25 each way.

You may bring one dog or cat along with their carrier per passenger, and both pet and carrier can’t weigh more than 20 pounds. Your pet must be in the carrier beneath your seat at all times (unfortunately, no cuddle time with Fido while you’re riding). Because there are only a few trains that accept pets, Amtrak offers pooch-class on a first-come, first-serve basis. That means you’ll ride a lot more comfortably if you call ahead to see if there’s seating still available. All of the nitty gritty details can be found on Amtrak’s website, just in case you want to read over the fine print.

Diana Faria

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English Springer Spaniel

English Springer Spaniel Basics When you think about the Spaniel breeds, perhaps no better breed comes to mind than that of the English Springer Spaniel. This is a classic hunting dog that is related closely to the English Cocker Spaniel and is not only a favorite at dog shows but around homes across the world. As a friendly, loyal breed that is known for obedience and a general friendliness toward strangers, the English Springer Spaniel can make an ideal pet for both you and your family. But it takes much more than that to make a great companion: does the English Springer Spaniel really have those intangible qualities? We think you’ll find that they do. As a classic hunting and retrieval dog in the “gun dog” group, the English Springer Spaniel is versatile enough to be friendly around the home and obedient enough to make a great outdoor dog. Whether the English Springer Spaniel is the right breed for you and your family remains to be seen, but you’ll find that in terms of temperament and loyalty, the English Springer can be difficult to beat. A friendly, loyal breed that is known for obedience and a general friendliness toward strangers. Origin You don’t earn a name like the English Springer Spaniel unless you’ve got some good roots in jolly old England, and you’ll find that the history of the English Springer is closely intertwined with other similar English dog breeds. While the Spaniel itself has been around for several hundred years, the diversification and classification of the different Spaniel breeds has taken a bit longer. During the 1800s, when many dog breeds were both being developed and classified, the Spaniel breeds began splitting up as well. It wasn’t unusual for these Spaniels to take on the name of the place they were developed. By around 1910, the English Springer had finally reached a level meriting a classification of its own in the United States and the breed was soon born. But in England, this breed was already well-known, as the classification had endured since 1902. Today, we associate this excited breed as a classic of the Spaniel class, but in truth the English Springer Spaniel is a refreshing update of a classic breed.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Basics A low-to-the-ground dog willing to give you plenty of obedience and all the activity you can handle, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a prime example of a dog that can be a good challenge for those who want to develop dog leadership skills. Even though leadership skills are required of virtually any type of dog, you’ll soon realize that you have to be up to this “challenge” if you want a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi can be a perfectly friendly, ready-to-please breed that is nice to children as long as it understands its place in the pecking order. Considering how common this is across a variety of dog breeds, there might be something else about the Cardigan Welsh Corgi that attracts you to the breed. Maybe it’s the small, house-ready features or simply its lively, often-submissive personality. Whatever it is about the Cardigan Welsh Corgi that attracts you to this breed, it’s time to fill in the blanks and learn even more about what makes it unique. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi can be a perfectly friendly, ready-to-please breed. Origin Many believe that the Cardigan Welsh Corgi first arrived at Cardiganshire in 1,200 B.C. If so, this makes the breed among the oldest known breeds. Like many dogs, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi built up its instincts by being of a certain use to farmers… in this case, British farmers who would need a way to herd cattle without taking up a lot of space. Herding remains a strong instinct in the Cardigan to this day, and we’ll get into a little bit more detail later to explain how this behavior can manifest itself in the 21st century. Being suited for the outdoors but able to handle smaller spaces, thanks to this upbringing, the origins of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi have led to it becoming a flexible outdoor/indoor dog, capable of handling city life or rural life. As the Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed grew and was eventually recognized as its own breed in the 1930s, it attained this flexibility by living in many small-acre farms and lots. Pedigree

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever Basics Some dog breeds need to be sold to potential dog owners as they might not be familiar with the intricacies of what makes those particular pups special. Other breeds are so legendary that the name is a selling point in and of itself. Enter the Labrador Retriever. The reputation of this beloved breed speaks for itself. There’s a reason why suburbs are filled with these fine animals and why seemingly every family wants to bring one into their homes. These dogs live up to the hype. Labrador Retrievers are among the most popular dog breeds out there today for a reason. Loyal, easy to get along with, and easy to train, these retrievers could be considered a neighborhood classic all around the United States and even in other parts of the world. It’s hard to find anything negative to say about these remarkable pooches and they are guaranteed to remain family favorites for generations to come. But what exactly makes Labrador Retrievers such popular and well-respected dogs? Does a strong breed always mean that a Labrador Retriever will be the right dog for you? The answers to these questions and many more can be found below. So if you’ve ever considered bringing home a Lab Retriever, you’ve come to the right place. Keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll away. By the end of this article, you’ll either be racing out to get a Lab or beginning your search for a new breed. But what exactly makes them such popular, well-respected dogs… and does a strong breed always mean that a Labrador Retriever will be the right dog for you? Origin Canadian in decent, Labrador Retrievers originated in Newfoundland, having descended from the St. John’s Water Dog around the 16th century. The smaller versions of the St. John’s Water Dog were often used to retrieve as well as pull in fishing nets, giving this breed of dog a true working class background. Many people will observe that the personality of Labrador Retrievers is a strong indication of this background. These dogs are happiest when performing a task with their humans, after all. Descending from Portuguese, English, and Irish breeds, the Labrador Retriever could be considered a classic “blue-collar” dog. It is not quite on par with some hunting dogs, but certainly one of the more favorable “working” dog breeds available out there today. More recent history through previous centuries brought the Labrador Retriever back to England where it became a popular sporting and hunting dog. These dogs may have started in Canada, but they belong to the world now. Pedigree

Rover Boutique Offers Designer Dog Clothes for Refined Pooches

Your pup will strut his stuff in cool Canadian Designer Dog Clothes Some dogs like glitz and bling, other prefer to don a more refined, classic style. And for posh pups that love designer dog clothes, there’s Rover Boutique. A Canadian-owned and -operated company, Rover handcrafts durable and timelessly designer dog clothes for fashion-conscious dogs and their owners. Rover offers a selection of shirts, dresses, outerwear and accessories in six sizes to accommodate dogs from the small to big (they also do made to measure as well.) Perfect for a day on the water, the navy peacoat is made from mid-weight cotton twill and features a double-breasted design with velcro closure. We love the Skipper Peacoat, part of the Classic Collection. Perfect for a day on the water, the navy peacoat is made from mid-weight cotton twill and features a double-breasted design with velcro closure. Rover has a variety of coats, blazers, dress shirts (the Oxford shirt is too adorable for words), bow tie collars and dresses that will set your pooch apart from all the other dogs at its next obedience class reunion. For designer dog clothes that definitely make a statement, you can check out the full line of clothing at Rover’s website.

Dog Insurance Pros and Cons

Going over the good and bad of dog insurance You’ve been antagonizing over the decision of whether or not to buy dog insurance. Sure, your puppy may be healthy now, but what about in the future? You can’t predict if your dog will get into an accident or get cancer and require costly treatment. On the other hand, your dog may only require yearly vet visits for many years. So what should you do? Let’s go over a few pros and cons of dog insurance… we hope it will make the decision a bit clearer for you. PROS: There are lots of dog insurance companies to choose from, and all of them offer a variety of policies and coverage. These policies cover all types of vet care, from annual checkups and immunizations, to long-term treatment and rehabilitation.You can pick your own vet. It doesn’t matter which one you go to, as long as they are licensed. Just submit the bill to your dog insurance company to file a claim.If your dog gets ill or is in an accident, the vet bills can reach into the thousands. Dog insurance could save you from making the painful decision of going into debt or putting your dog down.If you have multiple dogs, you can save on certain insurance policies.Peace of mind that comes with knowing your dog will get the treatment it requires when it gets sick and you won’t have to dip into your saving account to pay for it.Now that dog insurance is gaining popularity, some larger companies are offering it to its workers as part of a benefits program.Depending on which company you go with, some policies include prescription foods or alternative therapy, such as acupuncture or chiropractic care.Many dog insurance plans are customizable, which means you can pick and choose what coverages you’d like on your policy. Let’s go over a few pros and cons of dog insurance… we hope it will make the decision a bit clearer for you. CONS: You have to pay for the vet bill out-of-pocket first. Only after you pay are you able to send in the paid bill to get reimbursed.It can be expensive – there are deductibles, annual premiums, limits on pre-existing conditions, and exclusions for hereditary defects.You can’t claim pre-existing health conditions. If your dog already has cancer, the dog insurance company won’t cover any treatments relating to the pre-existing issue.Benefit limits can be low. Be sure to read the fine print – if you go with a cheaper plan, it’s not going to offer you and your dog much coverage. Some policies only cover accidents and illnesses, so be sure you know what you’d be paying for.Some policies have age-limits set within its plans. If you have an older dog, it may have reduced coverage or it may not even qualify for coverage.You’ll always have to pay something extra, on top of what you’re paying the dog insurance company. Most dog insurance policies pay between 50 and 75 percent of the total medical charges. Check for the maximum amounts a dog insurance policy will pay. No matter which option you go with, always have enough money saved for the unexpected. If you don’t go with dog insurance, set up an account where you can put a certain amount of money into it monthly – that way, you’ll be able to cover your dog’s health issues when they pop up.

Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Mama

Meet Mama, our Adoptable Dog of the Week. Mama is an adult female King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise mix from Baton Rouge, LA. She is already spayed, housetrained, up to date with shots, and good with kids. Mama’s Story: Mama came to the shelter very pregnant. She was immediately sent to foster care where she had her babies. A wonderful mother her babies are now old enough to find their forever homes and so Mama is looking for hers as well. She is 1 to 2 years old. We believe she is a Cavachon, which is a King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise mix. She has a low shedding coat that requires grooming and frequent brushing to prevent mats. She is potty trained, walks well on a leash, comes when called, and loves to ride in the car. She plays fetch and a ball is her favorite toy. She loves, loves, loves kids and will happily play fetch with them all day long. All dogs come with a microchip, annual vaccinations including EBR rabies license and tag, dewormer, vet exam and spay/neuter. Adoption fees vary based on adoption criteria. To learn more about Mama, please visit Adoptapet.com.

Adoptable Dog of the Week- Kona

This dandy doggo is looking for someone willing to pamper him! Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Kona, a 2 year old Cockapoo from Dover, Massachusetts. This lovely little fella weighs only 25 pounds and he’s already neutered, housetrained, and up to date on his vaccinations. Kona needs to go to a home without any children under 18 years of age, as well as no cats or other dogs. Kona’s Tale Sweet, smart, and with a great personality, Kona is really a pooch anyone would wish to call their own. This lovely little guy still acts like a puppy (in the best ways!) and has a silly, cheerful temperament. He loves spending time outside and playing, and will love to be a part of a family that will take him on long daily walks and makes sure he spends all of his excess energy. Ideally, his adopters would be experienced and willing to work with Kona on his training, as he’s an ideal pupil- smart and eager to learn. He knows all the usual commands and he loves structure, so there’s no limit to what you could achieve with this smart cookie! Kona was surrendered to the shelter because he was jealous of the new human baby in the family- he hasn’t shown any issues with children since he was surrendered but nevertheless, his rescuers insist he goes to a home without kids in the family. While a friendly, loving pooch, Kona would prefer to be the only pet in the household. He isn’t too keen on cats and with dogs, it depends on their temperament and size- no pooches over 30 pounds for this cutie- but it would be best if there were no other dogs for him to have to share your attention and affection. In case you’ve fallen head over heels for this cutie patootie (and who could blame you?), contact Toy Poodle Rescue for more information.

Pros And Cons Of Individual Condition Coverage

Considering Individual Condition Coverage for your dog? Here are the positive and negative points about this type of dog insurance policy. When you’re looking to insure your dog, there are a number of options available to you. Individual condition coverage is amongst the most popular. It’s seen as a good mid-level form of coverage, which offers a fairly comprehensive package, covering your dog against all kinds of different veterinary expenditures. If you’re thinking about going for this kind of policy, you should learn about its pros and cons. Related: 5 Warning Signs That You Need Dog Insurance PROS: It’s not the most expensive type of coverage. Although it can be fairly pricey, individual condition cover is cheaper than lifetime coverage and offers good value for money. The exact cost can vary wildly, depending on a number of factors relating to your dog and your location, but it’s generally fairly affordable.It offers a good level of coverage. The amount paid out per condition varies according to the specifics of your policy, but it’s usually an adequate amount for most illnesses and injuries.You can select your deductible. Most insurance providers will allow you to select a deductible that works well for you. Make sure the deductible amount isn’t so high that you won’t be able to afford it if your dog does have to go to the vets. A higher deductible means cheaper premiums, but you may prefer to have a low deductible and a more expensive monthly payment. It really depends on your financial situation and your personal preference.There’s no limit to the amount of conditions you can claim for. Let’s hope your dog is healthier than this but, in theory, you could claim the upper limit for 10 unrelated conditions just in one year. While it’s unlikely that you’ll need to do this, it’s nice to know it’s an option if your pup did happen to suffer from a freakishly large number of different ailments. Related: What is Lifetime Cover Dog Insurance? CONS: You might run out of coverage if your dog suffers from a chronic illness or gets a serious recurring problem as a result of an injury. Since this type of policy only pays out a set amount for each individual condition, once you’ve reached the upper limit, the condition is excluded from the policy and no further veterinary bills will be paid relating to this ailment. Since the limit per condition is usually fairly high, this isn’t often an issue, but in serious cases, it can leave you stuck with thousands of dollars of veterinary bills to pay.You have to pay the deductible each year. The deductible is the amount that you have to pay out of your own pocket before the insurance kicks in. Usually, you only have to pay this once per condition, but if you claim for the same ailment in two separate insurance periods, you’ll have to pay the deductible twice. Boo!It’s not the cheapest. Even though individual cover insurance isn’t the most expensive, it’s certainly not the cheapest, either. Those on a low budget might be better off with a less comprehensive plan with lower premiums.The premiums aren’t fixed year to year, which means that the price of your policy is likely to go up each year. This will start off as a couple of dollars a year… no big deal, right? However, as your dog gets older and if you make any claims on the insurance, your premiums are likely to rise by a significant amount, which may price some people out of their own insurance policy. Did we miss any pros or cons? Let us know in the comment section below.

Adoptable Dog of the Week- Tank

This short-legged charmer has high hopes of finding his furever family! Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Tank, a little over 1 year old Terrier and Basset Hound mix from Willingboro, New Jersey. This cute doggo is neutered, house trained, crate trained, and up to date on his vaccines. Tank is a sweet and friendly pooch that does well with other pets and gets along with well-mannered children. Tank’s Tale Found as a stray, Tank might not have had the best start in life, but his bubbly personality and sweet soul definitely don’t show it. Weighing 35 pounds, he’s just the right size for an apartment and a house both- he’ll definitely have no problem fitting in any family with his lovely temperament. Tank is a happy-go-lucky pooch that loves being in the center of the attention: there’s nothing he loves more than being showered with love and affection! To boot, he’s a smart cookie as well and he is already house trained, crate trained, and walks great on a leash. You won’t have your work cut out for you with Tank- all he needs is someone to love him and share adventures with! Tank is a friendly pooch that gets along with almost everybody- he is fine with kids, seems to not mind the cats in his foster home, and he gets along great with any dog he had the chance to meet through his fosters. He would be a great match for families of all shapes and sizes: couples, parents with kids, big families with other pets, and singles. As long as you have some treats, toys, and belly rubs to offer, Tank will shower you with love. Those of you that have fallen for this short-legged stunner, contact Burlington County Animal Alliance to find out more about Tank and how you could adopt him.

Study Shows Dogs Most Likely Our Oldest Companions

A recent study of dog DNA revealed that dogs have most likely been humans’ closest companions for likely as far back as the end of the last ice age. The analysis suggests that dogs were domesticated before any other known species of animal to be so, and that domestication can be traced back 11,000 years. Dr. Pontus Skoglund is the co-author of the study and group leader of the Ancient Genomics Laboratory at London’s Crick Institute. In an interview with BBC, he said that dogs are really unique when we think about it. For a group of people who were still hunter-gatherers to domesticate a wild carnivore (at that time) is pretty frightening and amazing. He said he and his team wanted to know what motivated people to do that–to risk their lives as they befriended wolves. We know that to some extent, the genetic patterns of dogs somewhat mirror those of humans because as people moved, they took their dogs with them. Canines are believed to have been widespread across the northern hemisphere and split into five different types. Even with expansion of European dogs during the colonization of the world, traces of indigenous breeds are still surviving today in Africa, Asia, Oceana and the Americas. Related: Canine Family Tree Maps The Evolution Of Dogs Still, there are some major differences in genetics. Early European dogs seemed to originate from two very different and distinct populations–Siberian Dogs and Near Eastern Dogs. The study’s findings revealed that somewhere along the onset of the Bronze Age, a single dog lineage spread and replaced all other dog populations on the continent. There is no genetic pattern counterpart for the people from Europe. Dr. Anders Bergström is the lead author and post-doctoral researcher of the study. He said that looking back more than four or five thousand years, Europe was very diverse when it came to dogs. Today, the European dogs we see show very different shapes and forms, which is interesting in that they genetically come from a very tiny subset of dog diversity that used to exist. An international team looked at the whole genomes of 27 ancient dog remains that were associated with different archaeological cultures. They then compared those to each other and to modern dogs. They found that breeds like the south African Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Mexican Chihuahua and Xoloitzcuintli still had genetic traces of indigenous dogs from those regions. When it came to the ancestry of dogs from East Asia, there was more complexity. Many Chinese breeds seemed to be distantly related to animals like the New Guinea Singing Dog and the Australian Dingo, though others came from the Russian Steppe and Europe. The ability to migrate back and forth in those regions most likely is the reason for this diversity. Dr. Greger Larson is also a co-author from the University of Oxford who said that the ancient dog DNA shows just how far back our shared history goes, and proves that dogs are our oldest and closest animal partners. Related: Canines Evolved a Special Muscle To Make Those Disarming Puppy Dog Eyes Appear Dr. Skoglund said that dog history is so dynamic that it’s hard to read much into their DNA. Their findings suggest all dogs derive from a single wolf population, or maybe a few closely related ones, and were most likely tamed as wolves sniffing for food likely ventured into human camps. As they were slowly tamed, dogs could very easily have served humans as guards or hunting partners.

These Beautiful Photos Of Old Dogs Will Bring A Tear To Your Eye

Photographer Pete Thorne’s photo series “Old Faithful” is going to tug at your heartstrings. Guaranteed.

Watch Amazon Prime’s The Pack and Win During The Packed Weekend

Are you ready for a family-friendly show that celebrates the incredible bond between dogs and their humans? The Pack is a new competition series you’re not going to want to miss. Available only on Amazon Prime Video exclusively to Prime members, The Pack premieres on November 20, 2020. The Pack takes dogs and their beloved human companions on an epic around the world adventure. What Is The Pack? The Pack is an uplifting and exciting new unscripted series that features 12 pairs of human/dog teams competing as they navigate challenges all over the world. The pairs are not specially trained dogs or human athletes, and it will be heartwarming to watch how the impressive bond between humans and their best friends help them complete the challenges. The 12 teams will be divided into two packs, and they’ll face global challenges that will result in duos getting eliminated along the way. The teams start in Los Angeles and then travel the globe, with the adventure bringing the dogs and their humans even closer along the way. Gold medalist Lindsey Vonn will host, along with her lovable canine co-host Lucy. Aside from winning a life-changing prize for themselves ($500,000), the victorious human/dog pair will also earn a donation ($250,000) to an animal charity of their choice. To win, the pairs will have to depend on each other, understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and rely on their bond to get them through each fun and exhilarating challenge. All the challenges were designed with a team of accredited veterinarians and certified dog experts, all who go along with the teams to make sure the experience is positive for everyone. Additionally, The Pack donated $250,000 during its filming to various animal rescue organizations and animal charities in each country they visited. Not only did filming The Pack give the teams opportunities of a lifetime, it helped pay it forward to dogs and their humans all around the world. To prepare you for the woof-packed journey, here are the 12 pooch pairs – which one are you going to cheer on? All photos courtesy of The Pack on Amazon Prime Video

Pets In A Pandemic Report Highlights The Role Of Pets In Our Lives

The second annual Better Cities For Pets Program Report, Pets In A Pandemi c, was just released and showed how pets have been a top source of companionship this year during the COVID-19 crisis. Sponsored by Mars Petcare, the report looked at how pet ownership has changed during this pandemic. It found that for the majority of the respondents (86%), pets were a top source of companionship. Almost 60% of new pet owners said that companionship during lockdown was one of the main reasons for getting a new pet. Related: Researchers Investigate Pets and People Coronavirus Connection That said, the report also cited financial concerns about pet parenting, with nearly two-thirds of the respondents saying they were concerned about basic pet costs and 13% having to surrender their pets because they couldn’t afford to keep them.

Giveaway Alert: Win a SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect

Obesity is one of the major contributors to the onset of pet diabetes, and November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. To raise awareness, we’re giving away a SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect. What do you need to know about canine diabetes and how can you help prevent it? We all know that dogs live to eat, but that’s not necessarily healthy for them. Obesity is a huge issue in the United States, with over 53% of cats and dogs being obese. This leads to a number of health problems for our pets, with diabetes being one of the major concerns. Risk factors for the development of diabetes in pets include breed, genetics, obesity and age, and left untreated? Diabetes can lead to a number of additional health problems for your furry family member. In honor or National Diabetes Month, SureFeed is offering one lucky pet parent the chance to win a Sure Feed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect. Read on to find out how to enter. What Is Diabetes in Cats and Dogs? Diabetes Mellitus is disease of the endocrine. Type I Diabetes Mellitus is where your dog’s body doesn’t make enough insulin (this is usually produced in the pancreas) and you need to treat with insulin therapy for the duration of your dog’s life. Type II Diabetes Mellitus is where the body is making insulin, but not enough. When your dog’s body doesn’t have enough insulin, it can’t push sugar (or glucose) into your body’s cells. This means the body’s cells are starved and will try to make more glucose to compensate. Without the insulin, however, it’s futile. It’s that excess sugar that is produced that makes your dog or cat super thirsty and going to the bathroom all the time. If diabetes isn’t treated, a situation called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can happen and poison the body. It can be life-threatening, and you need to see a vet right away. What Are The Signs of Diabetes? Sometimes, your dog may not even show any overt symptoms of diabetes and you are shocked when the veterinarian tells you that’s the diagnosis. You may just chalk your dog’s ‘fluffy-ness’ to a few extra snacks here and there, and their constant begging is just who they are. But, experts say there are some outward signs of diabetes in your pet. If your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms, you’ll want to talk with your veterinarian immediately. Signs of diabetes in dogs and cats could include: Excessive thirstFrequent urinationIncreased hungerWeight LossLethargyBlindness Being overweight increases your dog’s risk rate of diabetes. Obesity causes the cells in your dog’s body to become more resistant to insulin. This will cause your dog’s blood sugar to rise, and that’s dangerous for many reasons. How Can Pet Owners Battle Diabetes In Their Pets Diabetes doesn’t have a cure, but the best thing pet parents can do is to keep their dogs and cats at healthy weights. Pets who have frequent exercise and stimulation and have healthy eating habits are less prone to obesity, and that makes them less prone to contracting diabetes. Keeping your dog at the right weight can be hard, though, particularly for senior dogs who change in their dietary intake requirements. Having regularly scheduled meals of appropriate portions is the best way to help keep them healthy. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect can make all the difference in your pet’s weight. Using your pet’s embedded microchip or an included RFID collar tag, you can control your dog’s access to their food. When your pet comes to his bowl, the feeder recognizes the chip and will open the bowl for your pet to eat the perfectly portioned meal. Better, it will only open and allow access to the feeder for the right pet using the right collar or authorized chip. This means that in homes with multiple pets, you can be sure that one pet isn’t sneaking another’s food and getting hefty with the extra. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect also uses the Sure Petcare smart phone app to allow you to control the feeding profile of your pet(s). You’re able to access how often and for how long your pet eats, and the app will record feeding patterns so if a change occurs, you’ll know. With the app, you can set portion size and the feeder uses an integrated scale to measure that perfect portion within one gram of accuracy. Operating for up to four months on C batteries, it’s assurance that you’re doing the best you can to keep your pet at its healthiest. How to Enter Using the Rafflecopter form below, you must leave a comment on this blog post. Tell us: Why would you like to win a SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect? To boost your chances by earning more entries, you can tweet about the contest (be sure to tag us @ PetGuideTweets) and follow PetGuide on Twitter, and follow PetGuide on Facebook. You have from November 24, 2020 to December 8, 2020 12AM EST to enter. We’ll announce the winner by December 15, 2020. One winner will be picked randomly. This giveaway is open to residents in the US and Canada. Good Luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pomeranian

Pomeranian Basics It’s hard to resist the sweet ball of fur known as the Pomeranian. Not only is this breed uber cute, the Pomeranian is a wonderful addition to the family, thanks to its docile temperament, intelligence and devotion. With a string of fantastic character traits, and its simply irresistible looks, the Pomeranian became the star of many a household. And just to prove you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover (no matter how cute it is), the Pomeranian makes an excellent watchdog – just don’t expect it will scare people off. Small, but with plenty of spirit, the Pomeranian will stand firmly by its loving family. And although they may be small in size, the Pomeranians are quite sturdy when it comes to their appearance and bone structure. Often compared to small foxes due to the shape of its face, the Pomeranian sports a plumed tail that feathers over its back. Being so small yet strong, these dogs will have plenty of energy and will love to play and exercise daily. A favorite among those who show dogs, Pomeranians’ easy going personalities make them a great forever companion as well. You can trust that your Pomeranian will be outgoing, easily trainable, and will love being the center of attention. And the looks will be simply impossible to resist. Read on to find out more about the Pomeranian. The Pomeranian is a wonderful addition to the family, thanks to its docile temperament, intelligence and devotion. Origin The history of this attractive dog breed can be traced back to the Prussian region of Pomerania, where the Pomeranian breed gradually emerged from the ancient Spitz dogs that were originally used as sled dogs. The breed’s name originally came from the historical region of Pomerania (now present day Germany and Poland). Originally weighing nearly 30 pounds, the dog served as an able herder of sheep in its larger form. However, where the original Spitz was a true dog with a role, the much smaller Pomeranian really isn’t. These were bred to be small and thus cuter, and were basically bred as lap and show dogs. These dogs, which weighed in at a hefty four to five pounds, became an instant hit among the nobility of the day. Its natural skills at showmanship not only made them popular dogs for showing in competitions, but also popular in the circus for its outgoing and winning personalities as well as their agility and ability to learn fairly complicated tricks. Having an exotic pupper to proudly display in their arms was a hit with the nobles of the day – and easily displayed their wealth and aristocratic position. The Pomeranian spread all over Europe from that moment on. There have been some rather famous owners of Pomeranians throughout history. Among them are Marie Antoinette, Mozart, Thomas Edison, and Michelangelo in addition to Queen Victoria who owned quite a few of these amazing little dogs. Queen Victoria’s pet was particularly small and tiny, and served as a staple for all other Pomeranian’s that followed. A true trend-setter, the Queen can be credited for launching the stellar “career” of this breed and increasing its popularity. Pedigree

How to Clean Your Dog’s Toys

Slobber, dirt and grime build up on your dog’s favorite toys – ick! Before you toss them, you may be able to make them squeaky clean again.

Bordernese

Bordernese Basics The beautiful Bordernese is a beloved designer canine breed, as these dogs make fabulous family pets. Combining good looks with a loving personality that easily wins hearts, the Bordernese could be the ideal choice for you, but before you bring one home, check out the information below to learn more about this unique breed’s needs. The Bordernese is a cross between a purebred Border Collie and Bernese Mountain Dog. Origin The Bordernese is a designer dog breed whose origins aren’t entirely clear. Pedigree

Pomsky

One of the more recent additions to the designer dog arena, Pomskies are a result of a crossing between a Siberian Husky and a Pomeranian.

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