We all want our pet buddies to have a comfortable way of living. Then why compromise with their feeding station, or the ways they have their main meals? The mealtime should be the most treasured and fun-time for these selfless, adorable pooches. By creating their food bowl stand, you can always give it a personalized touch according to their requirements and tastes! These feeding stations come with a lot of added benefits; from reducing their mealtime mess, to catering to secure storage, and these DIY feeding stations look excellent. Select your one from the seven amazing DIY dog feeding stations and relive your old school days.   1. Contemporary pet bowl stand with a twist This bowl is specifically for small breeds of puppies. Re-measure your pooch’s bowl and let your adorable one relish their food all the time! Supplies: Dog food bowls Cut down the square-shaped wooden dowels: —6″ (length) x 4 —19″(height) x 4 — six 6.25″ parts (depth) 1″wood screws (two packs are sufficient) permanent adhesive metal clamps sandpaper battery-operated drill machine   Method: Start out by building out the top and bottom.Then drill a hole. Initially, start building the top and the bottom. Attach one length and depth piece and secure them tightly with the adhesive and metal clamps. Once done, screw the opposite sides. Do a similar thing with the bottom. Attach the height pieces to complete the table. And don't forget to fill it with his favorite food!   2. Upcycled DIY Dog Feeder Dog bowls are a necessity for dogs, and this one is simple yet helpful. It takes a few steps to complete, and your four-legged buddy is ever happy to have his new dining table! Read the four simple steps to make this DIY. Supplies: Wooden duckboard Sandpaper Permanent paint White acrylic paint Flat paintbrush Paint sealer   Method: Even the surfaces of the wooden duckboard with the sandpaper. Make it smooth. Cut out the portions where you want to place its bowls and brush-off the extra dust. Paint the same while giving a half-n-half effect. Coat the wooden slat with a couple of coats. Allow it to dry thoroughly. Apply the gloss to make it permanent. Place his bowl full of food and surprise him with his new feeding station!   3. Log Bowl – nature-inspired elevated food dishes Log bowls are the perfect combination of the tree's beauty (in its natural state) and with some bit of high-gloss, and bright-colored paints! Every bowl is made of reclaimed trees of all types. Remember to use the local ones, fallen or cut down owing to the extreme weather. Cherry-pick the one you would like to make a DIY stand for your pooch. Supplies: Broken logs Acrylic paint (bright color) Water-based gloss varnish   Method: Pick the one you want to transform into your pet buddy's feeding station. Measure his feeding bowl and mark it on the surface of the log. Then with the help of a hacksaw, [...]

One of the most common questions pet parents ask is, "What's the best food to feed by pet?" But, there's no one right answer; it truly depends on the nutritional needs of each animal. That's why it's crucial to learn some general information about pet nutrition to help you make healthy choices for your four-legged family member. Yes, a lot goes into deciding what to put in your furry friend’s food bowl. So to make things easier, we’ve outlined some important points for you to consider.   What To Do -- And What NOT To Do For starters, there are some common mistakes that you should avoid, like overfeeding your pet, giving your pet store-bought food full of filler ingredients, and underestimating the importance of a balanced diet. All these factors can potentially lead to health issues down the road. Next, it’s important to know which kinds of wholesome foods and supplements you can give your pet. A dietary boost can help get your pal into tip-top shape, depending on his or her nutrition needs. You also have to decide whether to feed your dog or cat a kibble-based, wet food, cooked, or raw diet, depending on his or her health, as well as your budget and lifestyle. Yes, there’s a lot to consider! By far, one of the simplest and smartest ways to make sure your companion’s nutritional needs are being met is to consult with an animal or veterinary nutritionist. These professionals know about animal health and nutrition and can help you create a diet plan that caters to your companion’s specific needs. That said, it’s just as important to choose the right animal nutritionist for you and your pet. For instance, this person should be well-educated (with the proper credentials), accommodating of your budget and lifestyle, and most importantly, should genuinely care about the wellbeing of your beloved pal.   Your Pet Depends On You! Our pets depend on us to care for them, since they can't make these decisions for themselves. From preparing their meals to making sure their emotional and physical needs are met, it's our job to keep them as happy and healthy as possible. You don’t have to be an expert to be a wonderful pet parent. However, you do have to have a little background knowledge about how to care for your companion -- and that includes getting expert guidance from veterinarians and nutritionists you trust. But while their help is crucial, at the end of the day, the decisions you make for your four-legged friend are ultimately up to you. So, listen to the advice of trusted professionals, do some research, and use your best judgment. After all, no one knows your pet quite as well as you! -- About the Author: Suzie Cyrenne co-founded HomeoAnimal over five years ago, and has worked in naturopathic pet medicine for more than six. Day-to-day, she works as the lead manager for the homeoanimal staff and specializes in training [...]

For those looking to brighten up their space and bring the outdoors in, house plants are a necessary part of any decor. Because there are so many types, it’s helpful to know which plants are poisonous to dogs and cats. From the lilies on the dining table to aloe vera on your mantle, there common plants to watch out for if you have a dog or cat. Rover and experts at Pet Poison Helpline, who get over 2800 calls annually due to plant-related illness or concern, worked together to build a database for pet parents. Of the 2800 annual calls, 66% are about dogs and 34% cats. To learn more, check out the list of poisonous plants toxic to dogs, cats, or both, along with whether they’re commonly found in the wild, in gardens, or in homes as houseplants. Pet Poison Helpline provided common symptoms to watch out for should your pet encounter one of these poisonous plants. Of the nearly 200 plants, Pet Poison Helpline receives the most calls about the following: Lilies Tulips Daffodils Rhododendrons Kalanchoe Philodendrons Yew Poinsettia Begonias Aloe Vera   The full list here is intended to be a helpful resource to pet parents and be educational. Dogs and cats can coexist with many of your favorite plants and flowers safely. However, if you suspect your pet has ingested a plant that could make them sick, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service. Having background on which plants to watch out for is helpful if you share your home with a pet. Cats and dogs can coexist with plants if you’re cautious and know what to look for! There are also great pet-safe alternatives ready to provide oxygen and lively color to your space. -- Rover.com is the largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers. As a community of pet lovers, owners and sitters, they wanted to put together a helpful resource for pet parents to help keep dogs and cats safe.

Expecting a new baby can change a lot of things, including your adult dog’s behavior. His position in your family will change and you don’t want him to blame the baby. Make as many changes in your home environment and your dog’s routine as early as you can. If certain areas of your home will be off limits, like the nursery, establish that now. It’s also a good idea to teach your dog the difference between his toys and the baby’s. For dogs that have trouble differentiating between certain toys, use scent recognition to teach them the difference – put a dab of Listerine on the baby’s toys, truss the scented baby toy and a dog toy, then play the game “which one is yours?” Playing this game once a week, most dogs learn the difference within a month. The sound of a crying baby also upsets a lot of adult dogs, so it’s a good idea to desensitize your dog to the sounds before the baby arrives. Use a tape of a baby crying, put it in the crib, turn it on, and see how your dog reacts. Some experts recommend that you go so far as to get a doll and rehearse various activities that you’ll perform with the baby in the dog’s presence. When your dog acts indifferently to the crying or the activity, he is desensitized. Finally, when the big day arrives, dad should wait in the car with the baby while mom goes inside and greets the dog. Once the initial excitement is over, she should put the dog on a leash and have him sit or lie next to her while dad enters with the baby in his arms. Mom then slowly walks the dog toward the baby and dad. If the dog balks, acts nervous or anxious at any point stop and try again later. If all seems fine, let your dog sniff your baby. Most dogs treat babies with indifference and move on. The key is to introduce them gradually, don’t force it and don’t make a fuss. And no matter how well you know your dog, never leave him alone with your baby. Most dogs adjust quickly to the new addition. COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS HERBAL REMEDY If your dog has a nervous disposition, try skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) to calm him down. First, talk to your vet. HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY Kali phosphoricum 6x can be beneficial for hyperactive dogs. Give this salt daily for four weeks. For more information please visit www.chagrinfallspetclinic.com

It seems for most that kenneling your dog is a thing of the past. Why pay for your dog to sit in a cage for days or weeks at a time when you can often pay the same thing for your dog to either stay in the comfort of their own home or go to someone else’s? Pet sitters are wonderful alternatives to boarding your dog. Often, we consider pet sitters to offer a vacation away from home for pets while their owners are away on vacation. 1. No Worrying about Kennel Cough - Without having to kennel your dog, you also don’t have to worry about the communicable diseases that dogs can pass to one another. 2. No Worrying about Vaccinating your Senior Pet - While vaccines are good for some pets, they are not good for others. Leaving your pet at home and having an in-house sitter eliminates the need to vaccinate your pet just to have them boarded. 3. Dogs who Require Hospice Type Care or Specific Health Needs - Leaving your pet with an experienced pet sitter (Vet-Techs Who Pet Sit are the best for these dogs) allows you to travel without the worries of your pet falling ill or missing their much-needed medications. Often these sitters will stay in your home or take your pet to theirs. 4. Dogs who Don’t Mesh well with Other Dogs - Pet sitters are also great for dogs who don’t like other dogs. No need to keep them in isolation at a kennel, when they can be free to live their life normally while your away. 5. Pet Owners with Multiple Pets - For those pet enthusiasts with multiple pets in the home, pet sitters are a steal. Usually charging the same fee or minimal upcharge for additional pets. Your pets can stay in their own environment and enjoy the comfort of their own home. For more information please visit www.chagrinfallspetclinic.com

Should pet owners feel guilty…? As a practicing, integrative veterinarian for over 20 years, our clinical results document dogs enjoying superior health and longevity when fed “human food,” rather than commercial dog food. The fact of the matter is that when it comes to wholesome nutrition “food is food.” The statement, “you are what you eat” doesn’t just apply to people. It’s as true for you as it is for your dog! Why would the billion-dollar pet food giants spend thousands of dollars hiring graphic artists to draw chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, salmon, and the like on pet food labels, if they didn’t want dog owners to believe that is what’s in their dog’s food? Obviously, they wouldn’t. Why all the hype about feeding “people food” to pets? Many pet owners question how they would “balance” their pet’s diets. Others worry about feeding their dogs potentially toxic foods like grapes. Most pet owners are concerned about cost and many are looking for convenience. So, what’s the truth when it comes to your pet’s food? What are the Facts? The fact of the matter is that it costs money to eat healthy food no matter whether you have 2 feet or 4. If you buy 40 pounds of kibble and save a few dollars today then end up spending triple that amount a few years later in your vet’s office, what have you really saved? Do you honestly think the vitamin-mineral premixes from China being added to dry pet food to meet AAFCO’s guidelines offer your pet “balanced healthy nutrition?” Today’s Pet Food Giants spend thousands of dollars each month brainwashing veterinarians and pet owners alike as to the benefits of feeding commercial pet food and the dangers of home cooking for your pet. Why? Do we see similar ads, commercials and warnings about what and when to feed ourselves? Do grocery stores sell food categorized as “adult” and “senior?” How is that benefiting our health? Why are over half of all Americans suffering with obesity and diabetes? Why are one out of every three children today diagnosed as being “pre-diabetic?” Why are cancer rates surging in people and pets? Is there a connection between these diseases, which are reaching epidemic proportions to what we eat and what we put in our pet’s food bowls? What About Feeding Pets Table Scraps? Many well-meaning pet owners offer their canines the wrong types of human foods, like table scraps and pumpkin. With respect to feeding table scraps, if you don’t eat it, neither should your dog. Pumpkin fed in excess leaches the nutrients and minerals out of your pet’s gut. Garlic is also another overfeed nutrient. Fed on daily basis, garlic can lead to a lack of red blood cells or a condition called anemia in pets. Feeding Brewer’s Yeast to your pet? Brewer’s Yeast is a low-quality source of B-Vitamins thought to help repel fleas. In species like people who sweat, B-Vitamins including Brewer's Yeast as well [...]