Posts Tagged ‘alternative medicine’

Border Terrier As Man\’s Best Friend

Catherine V. Testaratti | February 20th, 2010

Border Terrier\’s are known for their jumping ability and agility. They are very intelligent with a level temperament. Many times you will see Border Terrier\’s as therapy dogs due to their capacity for independent thinking.

Borders love to run so daily trips to the park or out for a long run is just what the Border Terrier needs to keep them active. Natural born foxhunters they were used back in the day to flush the foxes, otters and badgers out of their holds. It\’s always amazing to see this quick dog in action and jumping despite their how short their legs are.

Beware of these little runners, they have been known to chase many a small animal like cats, mice and others. It\’s in their blood but you can break the habit if the Border Terrier is raised with the animal. But when you are outside your domain, keep an eye on them because they can disappear in a flash if something catches their eye.

If you become the owner of a Border Terrier, best to make sure that you keep all small stuffed toys and such away from this little guy. They love to chew on toys and have been known to consume a toy here and there. If you Border Terrier becomes listless or uninterested in affection or has trouble sleeping have him checked to make sure he has not ingested something.

The funny thing about these active dogs is that sometimes on a walk, they like to also sit and watch all the activity going on around them. They will often stop and lay in the grass to take a rest and at times it\’s difficult to get them up and going when you are ready. They do have a stubborn side that often displays itself when they are tired.

As with all breeds, these dogs tend to be prone to cataracts, retinal disease and hip Dysplasia. Seizures and juvenile diabetes are also an issues and it\’s very important to know that they are very sensitive to anesthetics however they are slow to put under despite their small size. This little dynamo can also have a high threshold of pain so if injured you might not even know.

Border Terrier\’s fall in the medium size category weighing in at between 11 and 15 pounds with the females usually weighing the least. Their coats are dirt and weather resistant that requires a weekly brushing. They do shed but the weekly brushing can help with this issue as well as hand stripping a couple of time a year.

Border Terriers respond well the command training. If you work with your dog as a puppy, you are more likely to curb their impulsive nature to bolt. Their eagerness to please their owners is a genuine quality of the Border Terrier. And don\’t forget the exercise regimen and that too will help to tire them out.

Border Terrier\’s can be a nice addition to you family, just remember their limitations. Socializing your dog early on can minimize the confrontational attitude of this dog. While it\’s not displayed often, it can occur so keep a watchful eye on your new pup and all should go well.

Have a Dog that you Love? Check out Catherine\’s recommended Pet Supplies for Dogs site that only uses nature\’s best ingredients. They have the greatest selection of amazing Natural Organic Dog Shampoos on the market.

Using Plant Medicine On Your Pet

Catherine V. Testaratti | November 18th, 2009

All of us at some point in our lives have tried some form of herbal treatment for an aliment. Well, now we can pass those herbal remedies on to our beloved pets. Find out in this article how we can use the most common herbs for our pet’s aliments.

The use of Aloe Vera as a medicinal purpose has been going on for centuries. People have been using it for scrapes, burns and other injuries. Our pets can also benefit from this for stomach ulcers, wounds and burns.

Gas or constipation can also be cured by this amazing plant. For internal issues, this aloe Vera can be ingested by your dog by mixing it into the dog’s food. External issues are cured by rubbing a little Aloe Vera on the affected area. Topically or ingested, Aloe Vera is a plus for dogs.

Flowers from the calendula herb are best used for wounds, cuts and scrapes for both humans and dogs. While it can double as an anti-inflammatory and antifungal, it is used more for the healing of wounds. And there are more uses in store for this little flower.

The petals of the flowers can be directly applied to dress the wound. The petals can also be used as an antiseptic wash by making them into a tea which helps to prevent bacteria from growing. Good to know that these sweet little petals can also serve a purpose.

How many of you use ginger in your tea to cure a cold. Well, the root of the ginger can be made into tincture or tea to cure your sweet pets upset stomach. This delicious herb has been used for centuries by people, now it’s time share this great remedy with your dogs.

If that’s not enough, then how about goldensel? This potent herb aids in the prevention of bacteria attaching to the walls of cells. How about those weepy eyes your dog has. Well, weep no more with goldenseal as a tincture or tea for washing their eyes.

We all know about the calming affect of a nice hot cup of chamomile tea. Try this triple threat of chamomile, valerian and California poppy to sooth that hyper dog. Just a small amount of valerian is used in combination with the tinctures, teas and extracts to help keep your dogs blood pressure low.

Using the above mentioned remedies for a healthier dog is not suggested as always without the consent of your veterinarian. Herbs are a great source of natural relief from aliments and will continue to cure many illnesses. Keep your happy pet healthy with our suggested remedies.

Have a Dog that you Love? Check out Catherine’s favorite Pet Supplies for Dogs site that uses all natural ingredients. They have the most wonderful Natural Organic Dog Shampoos on the market.