Texas Pet Company supports the LGBTQ Community. In the spirit of giving during Pride Month, we partnered with the Thrive Youth Center to outfit individuals in their organization who were dog owners.
The Thrive Youth Center's mission is to provide LGBTQ+ homeless young adults with a safe and supportive environment to facilitate their empowerment toward transforming their lives.Their vision is to create an equitable community where all LGBTQ+ young adults can flourish.
Animals provide companionship and a sense of security for homeless people on the streets and can be a really important source of support, of mental stability, among people who experience so much loss and trauma, and vulnerability.
While no official nationwide statistic exists, it is believed that between 5-10% of people living in homelessness are believed to have a pet, and as much as 25% in certain cities.
Many shelters and homeless service providers have strict rules in place around bringing pets into their facilities, as pets can raise questions around allergies and general safety. That means that owning an animal may exclude or deter people from getting the services they need.
Follow Thrive on Social Media @thriveyouthcenter
SUPPORT THE THRIVE YOUTH CENTER
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Thrive Youth Center provides successful programs with donations and volunteers.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Americans.
Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBT Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
Common symbols of pride include the rainbow or pride flag, the lowercase Greek letter lambda (λ), the pink triangle and the black triangle.
The nutrition of the apple is widely known. While many throw away the core when eating an apple, I eat the whole apple and leave nothing out as the core contains the most important and beneficial part of the apple. Apple cider vinegar is an amber-colored liquid made from apples and is a powerful, purifying and detoxifying agent. It contains minerals and trace elements such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, calcium, copper and iron. Cider vinegar is very effective at breaking down mucus, phlegm and fatty deposits in the body. With this process it improves vital organs such as the liver, bladder and kidneys as it prevents excessive alkaline in the urine. Cider vinegar possesses anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties and is very effective in neutralizing toxic substances that enter the body, thinning the blood through oxidation and improving digestion. Cider vinegar, when taken orally helps with acid reflux problems as well as high cholesterol, constipation and heartburn.
Apple cider vinegar (or ACV) is a potent source of potassium. Potassium assists with replacing immobile, worn-out and fatigued tissue within the body and has been researched to assist with alleviating and easing cold symptoms and allergies. This is ideal if you live in a highly polluted area where allergies and sinus infections are rampant. Since ACV is rich in potassium, it can also help with tooth decay and splitting nails which are due to potassium deficiency. It also helps with clotting and cleansing of the blood. Ill-health may occur due to lack of salts or minerals which might invite toxin build up causing acne, boils and blisters. Cider vinegar helps eliminate this process with it's potassium-rich properties.
As a beverage or through absorption cider vinegar is thought to assist with arthritis (applied topically with a warm compress soaked in vinegar and applied to the joints). It's a very strong and bitter taste/smell so be warned and use a sweetener like honey when drinking vinegar. I like to heat it up adding honey and a slice of lemon to drink as a tea. I most often use one teaspoonful of vinegar with at least two teaspoonfuls of honey when I make this tea.
With most plants, soil potassium deficiency can be a problem producing anemia which affects growth. Cider vinegar is known to be a useful potassium source assisting with health and size. The acidic properties can only help to deter pests and insects. Flies and bugs do not like the smell and if used as an atomized spray (half to full strength ACV), you can deter these pests. I've seen and heard of successful results where half-strength ACV is used on the coats of dogs and horses which leads me to believe it would be effective on any pet when trying to repel insects, ticks, fleas and bacteria or simply create a shiny coat. Additionally, pets benefit from ACV consumption. For example, I would give a small (toy) dog about 1 teaspoonful of ACV three times a day and a larger, two to three teaspoonfuls. Of course with the bad taste, it would need to be mixed very well in the food or drink.
Apple cider vinegar gives new meaning to the term "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". The reported cures from consuming apple cider vinegar are numerous and I'm thoroughly convinced of it's positive effects on and within the body. It only makes sense that apple cider vinegar would reduce the effects of aging and promote a healthy lifestyle. You can make ACV at home by using apples, yeast fermentation and acetic acid fermentation. The following site gives a detailed description of how to do this:
All content in this article and all articles I publish are to be considered for educational and informational purposes. As always, I suggest before you adopt, utilize or apply any of this content and information, that you research on your own and find out if it works, or will work for you. I have not adequately researched the combined effects of prescribed medicine and/or unnatural chemicals with apple cider vinegar or any other natural remedy discussed in this article or on this website. Although I have known of cases and people that have used ACV while taking prescribed medicine without negative reactions, this does not mean the same applies to all.
Does Your Dog's Diet Need to Include Dog Supplements?
A healthy, balanced diet is essential for a long and happy life with your dog. How do you know if your dog's diet needs dog supplements? What types of supplements should you add to your dog's diet?
In most cases, your dog's diet does not require supplements, but there are benefits to adding dog supplements. Assuming you feed your dog a diet formulated by a reputable dog food company, your dog's food is specially designed for a healthy balance to ensure excellent health for your pet.
Occasionally, some low-quality dog foods will increase the need for extra supplementation. Your vet may recommend that you give your dog's diet a little boost. Consider supplementing your dog's diet with eggs a couple of days per week. This simple step will add extra amounts of vitamins A and D to your dog's diet. Such vitamins help to maintain good bone structure and healthy eyes.
If you have decided to personalize your dog's diet by customizing a raw diet, cooking at home for your dog, or if just want to make sure your dog's diet is at its best, you will want to know about the benefits of other dog supplements. Your dog's diet can be supplemented with whole grains, vegetables, and nuts. These items will increase your dog's intake of important vitamins. Another way you can supplement your dog's diet is to increase the amount of vitamins that can be found in dog supplements. Your dog needs vitamins for a healthy, balanced diet to support healthy skin, bones and muscles.
To ward off immune system deficiencies, supplement your dog's diet with additional vitamin E. Good sources of vitamin E can be found in wheat germ, bran, and vegetable oil.
Vitamin K can be another important nutrient in your dog's diet. Liver, fish, leafy greens, and seeds can provide vitamin K to your dog's diet. This vitamin will help to enhance your dog's blood clotting abilities.
Supplementing your dog's diet needs to be done correctly. Always seek advice from a veterinary professional before supplementing or changing your dog's diet in any way just to be on the safe side. Be sure to consider your dog' weight and food ingredients.
Calcium supplements can be dangerous when used excessively in your dog's diet. Although calcium is good in moderation to form strong, healthy bones, too much calcium can create trouble. Large breed pups given too much calcium may grow large bones, but these bones lack the strength they need.
MOBIFLEXOR ADVANCED FORMULA HIP & JOINT SUPPORT FOR DOGS
Always talk to your vet about the supplements you are considering. Your vet can advise you on the appropriate amounts of each supplement to add to your dog's diet. Both you and your vet care for your dog and want what is best for your dog. Providing a healthy and nutritious diet is one of the easiest ways to ensure good health for your furry friend.
Texas Pet Company is dedicated to bringing you all-natural dog treats and supplements. A healthy alternative to processed, artificial, and chemical products for your pets. We treat our pets like family. We work hard so our pets can have a better life.
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Want to learn more about Dog Supplements including MOBIFLEXOR HIP & JOINT Supplement for dogs? Check out our blog posts
The article is about the Chihuahua breed of dog. It discusses their history, appearance, personality, health, and care. Chihuahuas are the smallest breed of dog in the world, and they are known for their big personalities. They are intelligent and loyal dogs, but they can also be stubborn and independent. Chihuahuas are susceptible to a number of health problems, including arthritis, hip dysplasia, and hypoglycemia. They need regular grooming and exercise to stay healthy. With proper care, Chihuahuas can live long and happy lives.
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world and is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, where it was discovered in 1850. Some scholars believe the Chihuahua to be descended from Chinese hairless dogs who may have crossed over from Asia to Alaska on a land bridge before continental separation created the Bering Strait and bred with the ancient Techichi dog, creating the modern-day Chihuahua. But due to the lack of archaeological proof to support this theory, it was later believed that Chihuahuas were brought to Mexico by settlers from Spain. The American Kennel Club registered its first Chihuahua in 1905.
Appearance
Size
Weight
Coat
Color
There are two types of Chihuahua. One of which has a smooth, soft glossy coat, which covers the whole body except the head and ears. The other version has a long coat with an undercoat. This type of coat could be curly or flat. The Chihuahua falls under the AKC's toy category. Generally, their height is 6 to 10 inches at the shoulders and their weight is 2 to 6 pounds. Chihuahuas come in various colors, from plain white to solid black and spotted, or other colors like silver, blue or gray, chocolate, fawn or tan, tricolor-chocolate, blue or black with tan or white markings, merle, and brindle, and each of the colors varies in tone and shade. Chihuahuas are mostly known for their small body and large, sharp ears. A Chihuahua's nose is usually short and slightly pointed. They have lean jaws and cheeks and blue, mole, or chocolate-colored noses. However, a pink nose is permissible in blonde Chihuahuas. The tail is either up or curled in a loop with the tip of it slightly touching the back.
Many Chihuahua owners often are confused by the variety of dog foods available on the market. They often complain that their pets suffer from intestinal disorders, itching, dandruff, allergies, etc. As a responsible Chihuahua owner, you should provide your pet with meals containing proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals. A proper balance of these components will not only keep the dog healthy and happy but it will also save you from the hassles and frustration of frequent vet visits and costs. Dry foods usually help to keep the dog's teeth clean and also, help to work his jaws. This kind of dog food is easily digestible. Aside from a few premium quality dog foods, you should avoid branded food items or commercial dog food. They contain preservatives, additives, artificial colors, non-nutritive residues, etc., and can adversely affect your dog's health and grooming tips. The chihuahua's diet also must contain vitamin and mineral supplements in balanced concentrations. You can safely give your Chihuahua a normal lamb and rice combination. This not only takes care of the nutritional needs of your Chihuahua, but it also reduces the risk of allergies and other health disorders. Due to lack of proper nutrition, Chihuahuas can suffer from vomiting, belching, loose stools, gassiness, and stomach ache after meals. Some foods commonly enjoyed by humans are dangerous to Chihuahuas like, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, macadamia nuts, alcoholic beverages, salmon (sometimes triggers allergies), etc. Also, do not overfeed your Chihuahua. Obesity is dangerous. In order to give your Chihuahua a long, happy, healthy life, you need to be conscious about what you are feeding it.
Personality
Intelligence
Loyalty
Stubbornness
Independence
Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity, and personality. Their curious nature and small size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments. Chihuahuas are usually intelligent and independent by nature. Some dogs are bright and can learn quickly, while others are more stubborn and obstinate. Some are outgoing and friendly towards strangers while others are withdrawn and aloof. Whatever your Chihuahua's attitude now, your love, care, and training can change your dog completely, from an unruly, out-of-control dog to the best dog in the neighborhood. Chihuahuas, in general, are delightful characters and are lively, entertaining, and very loyal. They crave constant love and attention from you and your family members. Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size, temperament, and tendency to bite when frightened. It is recommended that children be school-aged or older before adding a Chihuahua to their home. Also, many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. This can be nipped in the bud through proper socialization. Chihuahuas also tend to have a clannish nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other breeds of dogs. Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own size and may fearlessly confront larger animals, which can result in injury.
Health
Common health problems
How to care for a Chihuahua's health
Chihuahuas get sick from parasites, viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. In some cases, these diseases and infestations are fatal unless caught early and treated. Sometimes they sow the seeds of death or debilitation years down the road by causing chronic illness or damaging organs. Fortunately, veterinary researchers have developed drugs and treatments that reduce the occurrence and effects of many diseases and parasites, but they do not eradicate the diseases, they only hold them at bay. Immunizing Chihuahuas against disease is a simple process. Pet owners may even take vaccinations for granted. It is the most routine procedure performed in veterinary clinics. The major viral diseases are rabies, distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and coronavirus. The major bacterial diseases are Lyme, leptospirosis, and kennel cough. Diseases like Rabies, Lyme, and Leptospirosis can also infect people.
Chihuahuas can also get sick from debilitating diseases like arthritis and hip dysplasia but are most common in older Chihuahuas. Chihuahuas are also very susceptible to hypoglycemia and diabetes. Before trying any treatment options, you should get an accurate diagnosis of your Chihuahua, which is usually done by a physical examination combined with x-rays performed at your veterinarian's. Treatment and prevention are personal choices but involve several options when considering your Chihuahua's health. You can either go for modern-day medicines or homeopathic treatments.
Care
Grooming
Exercise
Diet
Proper Chihuahua health care also involves grooming. You will often notice many Chihuahuas with dirty, rough, or greasy hair, their nails too long, teary eyes, and dirty ears. Obviously, these Chihuahuas are not well-groomed. Remember, a well-groomed Chihuahua not only looks good, but he feels good from within as well. This paves the way for better health for your Chihuahua. Incredibly enough after grooming, chihuahuas can look very different and seem to have more pep. Ticks, fleas, mange, and other parasites often breed on a Chihuahuas coat. With regular grooming, you can avoid this.
Physical exercise is important for your Chihuahua. Puppies, adolescents, healthy adults, and senior pets alike need lots of regular daily workout sessions to maintain their health. The type of exercise depends on the age and fitness of your Chihuahua and your own lifestyle. Chihuahuas are adaptable and are happy to play Frisbee in the park or take long walks in the neighborhood. Daily exercise is recommended unless the weather is especially dangerous or a medical problem limits your Chihuahua's activity. If there is a medical problem, consult your veterinarian about exercise limitations. Keep in mind that obese Chihuahuas and those with heart and lung diseases may have a problem, and be sure to consult your vet before starting a new regime.
You know your pet best and can often notice subtle early warning signs of illness that someone else may not detect. If you observe symptoms or other signs that worry you, call your veterinary immediately. The safest approach would be to have your pet examined before it is too late. Although figures often vary, as with any breed, the average lifespan for a Chihuahua is approximately 8 to 18 years of age.
Although an owner needs to take great care of a Chihuahua it will be your best friend and faithful companion for their life. And will give the owner great joy if taken care of properly.
Dog allergy symptoms often tend to be similar, irrespective of the cause of the allergy, and this does not help when you are trying to find out the cause of the problem. However, there are small indicators you should look out for if you believe your dog has an allergy, and that can be used to determine a likely cause.
Dogs are no different from humans when it comes to allergies, and dog allergy symptoms are very similar to ours - sneezing, itching, and watering eyes. However, we humans generally have a rough idea of what is causing our allergy, and we also know that we have one, but your poor dog has no idea what is causing that awful itch.
He sure can't tell you, so let's have a look at the more common dog allergy symptoms, and how they can be used to perhaps determine what is causing them. 'Perhaps' is used because dog allergies are notoriously difficult to diagnose, but the dog itself might help you.
Itching, Redness and Scratching
Itching is caused by irritation to the skin, and causes the dog to scratch the affected area. This turns it red and perhaps even inflamed if the dog starts biting and gnawing at the irritation. As inflammation sets in and the immune system kicks into gear, then the dog can get really agitated and distressed. The skin can become broken and subject to bacterial contamination that causes pustules to form.
There are two major causes of these dog allergy symptoms: contact allergens such as fleas, and food allergies. It is not so much the 'flea bite' that causes these symptoms, though it can be irritating, but the flea's saliva. A flea bite is not an allergic reaction, but many dogs will have an allergic reaction to the saliva of the flea, which is used to prevent the blood from clotting as the flea feeds.
Other contact allergens include detergents, hairs (even human hairs) and some airborne allergens that land on the skin such as pollen, dust mites and other types of dust - they affect dogs just as they affect humans. The behavior of dogs suffering from any type of irritating itching is scratching and rubbing its skin on the ground - particularly a carpet or something slightly rough. Dog's sometime sit down and walk with their front paws and their behind on the ground when they have itching at their rear end.
Food allergies in dogs can cause exactly the same symptoms unfortunately, but the 'tell' here is that a dog may also vomit, have loose stools or the abnormal behavior can often coincide with a change of food. If you notice this, and change the food back to regular, then the problem should go. Alternatively try only tinned foods, preferably organic if you can afford it, and that should cure a food allergy.
Running Eyes, Licking Paws
Just like humans are affected by pollen, hay fever is also a form of dog allergy. Their skin can become irritated, so they may scratch with most of the symptoms above, but the 'tell' here is that bitches are more affected than dogs, and their eyes tend to water just as with humans. Not only that, but another of the specific dog allergy symptoms is licking their paws.
They do this to alleviate itching in their paws, and you should give their feet a careful examination because ticks and fleas can be picked up from grass, and of course, dogs do not usually wear shoes so can pick up all sorts of infections when they are outside, not only allergens. However, by walking in clover fields, or even among daisies and buttercups in your garden, they can experience severe itching from the pollen, in which case their eyes my not water but they will be seen to be licking their paws excessively, and sometimes even gnawing at them.
So, while it is difficult to establish the exact cause of dog allergy symptoms, you can narrow it down by keeping your eyes open and observing your dog's behavior. You can generally tell a contact allergen from a food allergy, and frequently hay fever can be diagnosed by the time of the year, your dog's exposure and they way its eyes water or it licks its paws.
Nevertheless, if you are unsure, and your dog is suffering and displaying extreme dog allergy symptoms, you should play safe and pay a visit to the vet.
Do you know that hermit crabs suffer from mites just like dogs and cats suffer from fleas? Dogs have the tick, dogs and cats have fleas, and hermit crabs are susceptible to their own type of parasite called the mite. So how to get rid of mites on hermit crabs?
Hermit crab mites are very small, almost microscopic in size compared to the host, or hermit crab, and can do a lot of damage to the health of your crab if left untreated including premature death. This is not something you want to have to explain to your little son or daughter.
Even though many times smaller in size than the crabs themselves, the mites are tan and black, looking like little grains of sand, and are visible to the human eye. Unlike the infection of other parasites, which seems to just be plain bad luck, proper prevention and care of your crabs are much easier than dealing with them when they infect your crabs, and will greatly assist in preventing these crabs from getting infected with mites.
How to get rid of mites on hermit crabs?
After identifying there are mite in your tank, the following 5 steps will prevent or help cure and get rid of hermit crab mites once an infection begins:
Although it seems tempting, do not purchase or use commercial mite spray. This will unfortunately kill both the mites as well as your crab.
If mites are spotted in the tank, every piece of equipment will need to be properly treated to ensure the infestation is gone. Transfer your hermit crabs to a holding container. Fill small bowls with room temperature dechlorinated water or spring water with marine salt, one bowl per hermit crab. Take all the food and water bowls, driftwood, stones, artificial plants, and empty shells and boil them for a minimum of 10-20 minutes before drying these items and returning them to the cage once cooled. Now you know how to get rid of mites in hermit crab tank?
Once all the substrate has been removed and all accessory items have been properly sterilized, it is important to properly and thoroughly clean the cage to ensure no trace of mites. You can clean the cage by taking a wet cloth or paper towel and wiping the sides and bottom of the tank. Be sure to apply much pressure as you clean to kill all the mites, including those hiding in the four corners of the tank.
Remove and replace all the substrate in the cage to ensure there is no trace of mites. You will want to replace either the coconut shaved substrate or sand. If replacing the sand substrate is not an option, rinse it with water and bake it at high heat for 10 minutes and let it cool before returning it to the cage.
Bathe your hermit crabs immediately if you sense an infection with mites. Be sure to dip them in and out of the treated water a few times to remove all the hermit crab mites out of their shell. You can see the mites float to the top of the water, which you'll want to eliminate so the mites don't return to your crab's shell.
Hermit crab mites are an unfortunate part of owning hermit crabs but can be prevented by changing their food regularly, cleaning the tank with some frequency, and giving your crabs a bath twice per month. If you do have to deal with hermit crab mites, following the steps above will help you treat the issue and prevent it in the future.
