Guest Post: What You Need to Know About Herbs for Dogs

As a dog owner, you, without a doubt, consider your canine to be a part of your family, loving him unconditionally just as he does you. And while catering to the needs of your beloved furry family member, you always want to be sure that you are offering the best available care to your dog, especially when their diet and health is involved. For most of us, no expense is too high when it comes to our dog’s health, and we’ll do most anything to keep them healthy, happy, and living a fun-loving life. Like humans, dogs also experience pain from time to time, and when many of us rely on pain relief in the form of medicine, so do our four-legged friends. With that being said, it’s important to be aware of potential adverse side effects from such drugs, and perhaps introduce you to other less harsh options to pain relief for your dog. Herbal medication for dogs is a great form of pain relief and has little or no side effects. Checking with your veterinarian on what types of herbal medication to use (and the appropriate situations in which to use them) is a wonderful way to familiarize yourself with this type of medication, while fully understanding the effect that it can have on your dog.

Turmeric is great for joint pain

While some (but definitely not all) herbal medication may tend to range on the pricier side, you might be happy to hear that some forms of herbal medication are available to you right now for free! Where? Look no further than your very own kitchen. These simple home remedies are easy to make, and are friendly to your canine (and your wallet). Turmeric for example, may prove to be beneficial to your canine, specifically for joint pain. Adding turmeric to your dog’s food is a simple way to introduce your dog to the herb, while offering your dog pain relief at the very same time. Cayenne is another cure-all herb you may have in your household, and it not only works to relieve pain in your dog, but also functions as an anti-inflammatory – also great for joint issues.

Chamomile can soothe eye irritation

Eye irritation is annoying to both humans and dogs. Fortunately enough, Chamomile can be used to help sooth your pet’s irritated eyes. It’s as easy as soaking a chamomile tea bag in hot water, letting it cool, and then squeezing the excess water out and applying it to your dog’s eyes. Another versatile herb is Aloe Vera which can be used for pain relief by forming it into a poultice and applying it to burns or flea bites. If stomach or back issues are giving your dog trouble, Ginger contains antispasmodic characteristics. In other words, Ginger possesses ingredients that combat muscle spasms, and is also helpful to soothe muscular strains and pulls. It’s always important to be aware of the amount of Ginger (or any other herbal medication taken by mouth) you’re giving your dog in any given dose – you can always give your dog more if need be, but you don’t want to risk giving your dog more than he or she can handle at one time.

Aloe can provide pain relief for
bug bites or burns

If you are ever unsure on whether or not a certain herbal medication or remedy is safe for your dog, it’s always smart to consult with your veterinarian. Herbal medication for dogs, used appropriately in relation to the condition and status of your dog’s health, is a convenient and fairly inexpensive way of relieving your dog of pain or other common irritations, while keeping their faces smiling and tails wagging for a very long time!

This article was provided by Silver Lining Herbs. Silver Lining Herbs is a world leader in human-grade herbal support for horses and dogs, providing the best possible resources for natural health.

Mad About Pets favorite home decor FINALLY REVEALED

After the long wait (and honestly, the fact that I forgot to write this…), I am ready to share with you Mad About Pets' favorite piece of home décor: the Naked Decor Animal Instinct Black Kitty Cat with Button Eyes Pillow! This pillow has been enjoying its position of dominance on my living room couch for a few months now, and has certainly drawn a lot of compliments from guests. As you can see by the photo of Rory and Gabe at the end of this post, it is also a big hit with the Mad About Pets cats!

Naked Decor designer
Supon Phornirunlit

This adorable pillow is a product of Naked Décor,  owned by prominent graphic designer Supon Phornirunlit. His decorative items have been featured in contemporary design magazines worldwide. Each pillow is hand silkscreened on cotton canvas, and the big kitty on the front features 2 huge red button eyes. I love this pillow because the cat design is super modern; it actually reminds me a lot of the work done by Shag, my favorite pop artist.

Naked Décor has a full line of decorative designs for the home, including many animal-themed products. One of my other favorites is the Cat and Kitten Pillow—so cute! Here are the full product lines of animal-themed items from Naked Décor to check out:

-Happy Hot Dog Collection (Dachshund décor including lamps, plates, etc.)

-Doggie Style Collection (silkscreened pillows)
-Animal Instinct (misc. animals, including the pillows described in this post)
-Pooch Décor (pop art style dog portraits)
-Under the Sea (sea creature pillows)

Gabe and Rory both attempt to woo the lovely
lady-cat on the pillow

Mounds Dog Fest 2011 photos

Mounds Dog Fest 2011 in Sun Prairie was a huge success! Just about every dog breed imaginable was in attendance, along with some very talented competitors in the dock jumping competition and other great events. Here are some photos from the day. Hope to see you there next year :)

Spotlight UK: Pet Friendly Pest Control

Pets and pests both need careful management if you want to get rid of the pests without harming the pets. This concise guide provides some pointers on how to achieve pet-friendly pest control.

If you’re taking pest control measures you should also be thinking about pet control.

This is for three reasons. Firstly, the measures that you take to deter pests can affect your pets. Whether it’s poisons, traps or some other means, you don’t want the family cat or dog coming to harm by mistake.

Secondly, your pets attract their own pests. It may be fleas buried in their fur or the host of creatures that feast on stored or left-over pet food, or those which thrive on the dirt and mess which your pets leave behind.

If that’s not enough, there’s a third pet pest matter to control – stopping them from annoying you. Pets become pests when they do damage inside or outside the home or don’t behave as they should.

Control pests without harming pets


Pest control measures often come in chemical form which could harm household pets. Weed killers, slug pellets and bait for rats and mice all present a potential danger, even if not eaten.

Many commercial pest control
products are highly toxic to pets

Before applying any form of chemical product it’s essential that you read the label and take note of what it’s telling you. If a serious pest problem has led you to call in professional help, either through your local council or a private firm, make sure they know what pets you have so that they can take the appropriate precautions.

Alternatively, you could use natural products which won’t harm animals. For example, sprinkling cinnamon or concentrated lemon juice outside your home and in your garden keeps many insects at bay, including ants.

Control the pests that come with pets



However hard you might try, there’s a reasonable chance that your pet will pick up some kind of parasite from time to time. The most common are fleas, which jump from one animal to another and live by sucking blood from their host.



Fleas are a common parasite for domestic
dogs, so use a good flea preventative



Pest problems can come from cockroaches, flies and other insects that are attracted to pet food, both stored and leftovers. Your pets will also shed hair and leave other waste matter behind them, all of which is an attractive food source to a variety of creatures.

Cleanliness is the key to minimising the risks in these areas. Food should be stored in secure containers, bowls kept clean when not in use and any leftovers cleared away and binned. The areas where your pets sleep should be regularly cleaned and checked for signs of pests.

Pet waste should not be allowed to accumulate inside or outside the house. Regular vacuuming, cleaning of hair from furniture and tidying up mess in the garden will make your home more attractive to your family and friends and less attractive to vermin.

Stop your pets becoming pests


You want to enjoy your pet so it’s important to prevent them from being an irritant to your neighbours.


Dogs without a fenced yard should be kept
on a leash at all times when outdoors-- in many
communities, it's the law!



Having a secure fence around your garden will keep your dog on your side of the boundary. Outdoor cats are harder to control but you should provide litter trays to encourage them not to make a mess in your neighbour’s garden.

Poor behaviour can be a problem, particularly in dogs. Incessant barking or uncontrolled running around is at best annoying and can be frightening or dangerous, particularly if older people or children are around. Investing in obedience classes can help deal with this. Dogs should also be kept on a leash at all times if they are outside in an unfenced yard.

Having a pet can provide years of pleasure but it also comes with responsibilities. By being aware of these and taking the appropriate action you can be a happy and successful pet owner.


This article was provided by London Pest Control, Bypest.com. London pest control professionals Bypest.com offer a comprehensive service for all kinds of pest-control problems throughout London and around the M25, serving both residential and commercial customers.

Help Support the Dane County K9 Unit on Sunday, June 12 at Dog Fest 2011 in Sun Prairie

Click the above image to open a larger version!

Using print-on-demand to find the perfect pet gift

 Print-on-demand services are really popular on the internet right now. You’ve probably seen these websites, where you can design your own t-shirt, coffee mug, calendar, etc. and have it printed up. The nice thing about these websites is unlike most printing companies, you can have a single item printed rather than being forced to buy a bulk amount. Everyone from famous comedians to musicians are using print-on-demand these days; there is no overhead cost to them, so it’s a great option to get merchandise out there.

Photo: Ruff Ruff and Meow

But print-on-demand is more than just funny posters and band logo t-shirts. Did you know that these services can also be great for creating the perfect gift for pets and pet lovers? For example, some of these websites allow you to custom design your own doggy shirt. If you’re like me, you probably think that most of the commercially available doggy tees with sayings on them are less clever than they are just plain…lame. With print-on-demand, you can design your own doggy tee or choose from the thousands and thousands that other users have created. The possibilities are literally endless. A custom doggy tee would make a great gift for your pup, or any other stylish dog you might know.

Example of a custom Birman mug

Beyond doggy tees, there are literally millions of ways to design the perfect gift for yourself or any pet lover with print-on-demand shops. You could create a calendar containing photos of your pet, an iPhone case with your pet’s photo on it, a coffee mug with your pet’s cute mug on it, a photo necklace of your favorite animal…and on and on. There are so many different items available to design (clocks, mousepads, ornamenents, etc.) I literally cannot list them all.  Instead of visiting store after store looking for just the right gift only to find they carry that cute greeting card in every breed *except* your friend’s favorite, or they don’t have the adorable Dachshund t-shirt in your size, just check out an online print-on-demand shop. Finding the absolute perfect gift will be easy and painless.

Dogs on the Square THIS WEEKEND- May 22, 2011

Mark your calendars for Madison's first annual Dogs on the Square!

May 22, 2011
12pm to 3pm
Capitol Square, Madison WI

Admission: $10 per dog, humans are FREE!

Benefiting: Madison Police Department Capital K9 Units

Tell your friends, grab a leash, round up your furry companions and join us at the Capitol Square for a fun packed day of games, contests, prizes and more. You won’t want to miss this event! The event begins with a Dog Walk around the Square at NOON, immediately followed by sponsor-led games and challenges. Turn in your Challenge Card to win an assortment of great prizes. Don’t miss out!

For more info or to register, visit http://www.dogsonthesquare.com/