Reduce Your Dog's Carbon Paw Print - 5 Eco-Friendly Pet Products

The recent article by NewScientist on the eco-pawprints of our four-legged best friends has prompted much debate on the Net. According to the article, a single medium-sized dog has a carbon footprint of 0.84 hectares while a gasoline guzzling SUV's footprint is only 0.41 hectares, less than half that of a medium dog! And that's not all, the land required to feed the dog population for the top ten dog-owning countries in the world is equivalent to the size of six and a half New Zealands! Wow!

Knowing all this, what is a dog lover to do? Well, we could start by using eco-friendly pet products like these to reduce the carbon pawprints of our dogs :

1. Booda Eco-Friendly Plush Dog Toy
Made from 100% recycled stuffing on the inside and natural wool on the outside, even the hangtags are recycled paper. Eco-friendly yet lots of fun for your dog.




2. Hueter Toledo Doggie Dooley System Model 3800
Eliminate one of the major causes for pooch's high carbon footprint - doggie poo. The Doggie Dooley System Model use bacteria action to liquify pet waste for ground absorption. Simply shovel stool into tank, close lid and occasionally add water and digester for it to work.



3. West Paw Recycled Fill Bumper Beds L
The fill in this comfy bed is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles that are crushed and grinded down. Even the fabric itself is made from 85% recycled plastic bottles! A perfect match of comfort and environmental friendliness.




4. Fresh Licks Eco-Disposable Bowls - Medium (10 ct)
This disposable bowl is made from 100% bagrasse - the fibrous residue remaining after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juices, this biodegradable bowl is perfect for travel, the beach, dog parks - even for use at home.




5. 6 PACK Wag Bags Doggie Clean-up Bags - 108 Count
With stylish colors - yellow, orange and green, a unique mitt-shaped design for easy pick-up, and most importantly biodegradable, the Wag Bags doggie clean-up bag is the perfect eco-friendly product to bring along on walks.




Besides using eco-friendly products, the best way to reduce the pooch's carbon footprint is to think and do "natural" as much as possible, for example, feed foods that do not contain articificial preservatives or additives and try to use only grooming products that do not contain chemicals that will harm the environment. Remember, a little effort goes a long way :-)

Tags: carbon footprint, medium-sized dogs, pet products.

Cool Summer Products For Your Medium-sized Dog

Summer is here in the Northen Hemisphere and summer trips, swimming and keeping cool in the heat are now the in-things. Here are a few products that will make this summer for you and your medium dog even more relaxing and enjoyable.

TRAVEL-tainer (7"H X 5"Diameter)
This handy TRAVEL-tainer (below) will keep your canine pal's food fresh and clean in an an airtight plastic container that can hold 1 gal. capacity of food. Just remove the carry handle and pull off the food/water dishes. Twist off the top and just pour! Perfect for summer trips! Comes in blue and pink colors.




Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket in Yellow (Medium; 14"Length; Yellow)
During the summer months, your dog enjoys swimming and having a fun time by the beach or pool as much as you do. With the Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket, you can make sure that he is safe while in the water. This doggy life jacket is quick draining and drying. The high-contrast colors and reflective strips ensure visibility in low light. A handy handle on top makes it quick and easy to pull your pooch out of the water if needed. The medium size fits Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Border Collies, Welsh Corgies and the large size is ideal for Bulldogs, Collies and Retrievers.



Caddis Black Big Thirst Automatic Waterer for Pets (11"L X 7"W X 12.5"H; Black; No-Tip)
Your dog will need more water in the hot weather. The Caddis Big Thirst Automatic Waterer for Pets makes sure that your dog is never thirsty even when you are not at home. The strong plastic base prevents tipping or spilling. It automatically refills the reservoir bowl without over flowing. Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.




Lixit Dog Waterer (3.5"Length)
If you have an outdoor faucet or garden hose, the Lixit Dog Waterer can turn your faucet or garden hose into a self-waterer that never runs dry or spills! Just attach it to your outdoor faucet or end of garden hose to make it work. It's like a water bottle with an unlimited tank! Your dog simply licks or nudges the lever control and refreshing, clean, sanitary water flows directly into his mouth. Steel nozzle attaches to outdoor faucet without tools. Can be permanently installed in the supply line with a thread adapter.




Mighty Breeze Battery Operated Pet Cage/Kennel Cooling Fan (3"L X 5.5"W X 6.5"H)
Keep your dog cool in his kennel by just hanging this kennel cooling fan on the outside of any cage or kennel. Cools for up to 100 hours on just two D-cell batteries! Feature two speed adjustment for high or low air flow.




Water-LESS Pet Bath Towel - As Seen on TV
Summer months mean more baths for your dog, and now finally.... there is a way to bathe your dog without getting him soaking wet! Just dampen this specially designed premium quality microfiber pet towel then rub down your pet gently and effectively to remove oil, dirt, dust, dander and more. Keep your dog healthy, clean, and happy without the stress of using of harsh shampoos and irritating chemical cleaners. Finish by spraying your pet with a pet deodorizer.



PetZoom Self Cleaning Grooming Brush - As Seen on TV
And besides bathing, a good grooming brush is essential too. This soft, ultra-comfortable brush is so comfortable that it has won numerous awards for its gentle grooming and one-touch cleaning. With just one pass you collect all the loose hair, dirt and dander right into the PetZoom. When finished, get rid of all that unwanted pet hair from your PetZoom with just one touch. Grooming your dog has never been this easy. Perfect for both wet and dry grooming.



Tags: medium dogs, medium-sized dog, summer dog supplies, dog brush, bathing dogs, doggy life jacket, food carrier, waterer.

Hypoallergenic Medium Dogs

With all the interest in hypoallergenic dogs recently, Medium Dog Guide has compiled a list of hypollergenic medium-sized dogs (between 16 and 22 inch at the shoulders) for readers who are interested in having a medium-sized hypoallergenic dog as a family pet. It should be noted that there are no 100% hypoallergenic dog breeds, only breeds that are comparatively less prone to provoke an allergic reaction in humans as they produce less allergens either because they have little or no hair or because they do not shed much. Also, some people with allergies might not be able to tolerate even such hypoallergenic dog breeds, so if you have allergies, it is important to spend time with these dogs first to see how your body reacts before deciding to get a hypoallergenic dog.

List Of Medium-sized Hypoallergenic Dogs:

Airedale Terrier
Basenji
Bedlington Terrier
Goldendoodle
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Labradoodle
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Portuguese Water Dog
Puli
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Standard Poodle
Standard Schnauzer
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Tags: hypoallergenic dogs, medium-sized hypoallergenic dog breeds, medium hypoallergenic dogs, medium dogs, medium-sized dog.

5 Great Ideas To Calm A Nervous Dog

Dogs, whether big, medium or small-sized, can become anxious and jumpy (yup even calm, placid ones) when there is a thunderstorm or when they are left alone or when they are in an unfamiliar environment.

Here are some great ways to calm a nervous dog down:

1. Play relaxing classical music at a soft volume. Soft classical music has been proven to have a calming effect on humans and now research has shown that this kind of music has the same effect on dogs too. As quoted in this post on Cesar Milan's blog

   When researchers polled rescues and shelters, they found that classical music calmed the dogs far more than pop or rock and roll. Dog owners who play classical instruments claim that when they practice, their dogs will fall into a relaxed state.

   So keep some relaxing classical music at home, and try to play it whenever your dog feels tense or starts to get nervous.

2. Give your dog a good doggy massage. A gentle massage can be as relaxing for your dog as for us humans. To learn more about home massage for dogs, check out this site . There are also some great videos on YouTube that teach us all about dog massage here.

3. If your dog is nervous because of thunderstorms, close the windows and curtains to lessen the effects of the noise and flashes of lighting, keep your dog close to you and keep calm. Your dog will sense that you are relaxed and this will lessen his aggravation. You can also give the Storm Defender cape a try. From the Storm Defender website:

   The cape has a special metallic lining that discharges a dog's fur and shields him from the static charge buildup reducing his sensitivity to the charge. The dog gets relief, and after a few storms begins to learn that the secondary triggers like rain, wind, thunder, barometric pressure and smells are no longer to be feared. With the cape on, the dog feels as though he has found a safe place.

However, it may not work on all dogs as every dog is unique... But the Storm Defender website states that the product has a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can return the cape for a full refund if it does not work for your dog.



4. Try using aromatherapy products that are specially catered for dogs. Some scents like lavender not only relax us, they also have a relaxing effect on dogs. To find out more about aromatherapy for dogs, check out this site or better yet check with a professional aromatherapist on what essential oils are the most effective in relaxing a nervous dog.

5. Last but not least, take your dog out for regular exercise so that he can burn off all that nervous pent up energy. And exercise also produces feel good vibes that will make your dog happier, more confident and ultimately more relaxed.

Tags: dog massage, anxious dog, nervous dog, calm dog

Great New Inventions For Your Medium Dog

While surfing the net for some the latest information on medium-sized dogs, we came across a few new products that were really very interesting...

1. Treadmill For Dogs
Is the hot summer weather affecting your dog's exercise schedule? Fret no more because according to this article, a new treadmill especially designed for your canine pal is now on the market. You need to stay with your dog while he is on the treadmill and I suppose it may take a little time for your dog to get used to exercising on the treadmill but this really is a cool gadget that is especially useful for those hot summer days or freezing winter days when bringing your dog for walks is truly a chore for both yourself and your pet.

The current model is only for small sized dogs but a medium-sized model for medium dogs will be available in October. Check out this website for more details on this new product.

2. Canine Heritage Standard Breed Test
If you are not sure of the breed of your dog, help is on the way with the Canine Heritage Breed Test. This is a DNA test kit that will allow you to find out exactly what breed your dog is. Just take a cheek swab, send it to the lab in the pre-paid return mailing evelope and just wait for the results which will take approximately 4 weeks. This really adds a new canine twist to the old DNA test :-P If this looks interesting to you, check out this website for more info.

3. Ringtones For Dogs Only?
Hmmm why would a dog need to hear a ringtone that humans can't hear.... Still, this is really one of the wackiest invention that we have ever come across. More details here.

Until next time!

Tags: inventions for dogs, medium dog, medium-sized dogs, dna test for dogs, treadmill for dogs, ringtones for dogs.

Summer Care Tips For Your Medium Dog

Summer is a time for picnics, swimming and lots of other fun activities but because of the sweltering heat, it is still necessary to take certain precautions to ensure that you and your medium-sized dog stay happy and healthy throughout this great season.

1. Do not leave your dog in the car even for a short time as temperatures can easily reach conditions which may cause heatstroke within minutes, even if the car is parked in the shade. Puppies, older dogs or short-nosed breeds like bulldogs are especicially succeptible to heatstroke.
2. Do not take your dog for walks during late mornings or afternoons, limit exercise to early mornings or evenings when it is cooler. Your dog may easily succumb to heat exhaustion in the sweltering heat (especially breeds with thicker coats or short-nosed breeds as they are less able to dispel hear from their bodies).
3. Provide more cool drinking water to your dog during this period as he will need more water to keep cool in the heat.

And check out these other important tips on keeping your pets healthy during the hot summer months in this article by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Tags: summer pet care, dog health, medium dog, medium-sized dog

Best Dog Crates For Medium Dogs

A crate is your dog's own private room, a den all of his own, where he can have some well-deserved R&R (rest and relaxation). A crate should not be too big, just big enough for your dog to stand up straight, turn around, stretch and lie down comfortably.

Here are some of the highest-rated and most popular dog crates for medium-sized to large-sized dogs that Medium Dog Guide has found that are available from some of the best online pet accessories stores today.

Mahogany Pet Crate by Richell USA

This good looking crate has a study wooden frame that matches well the interior of a house and has a cosy and comfortable feel just by itself.





Precision Pet Products 2-Door Great Crate (48" L X 30" W X 33" H; Black; For Pets Up To 110 lbs.)
This durable wire kennel does not require any assembly, just unbox and use. It also includes a handy divider panel that can be used to resize the crate to fit growing puppies.



Midwest Lifestages Double Door Fold & Carry Crate (42" L X 28" W X 31" H; Black)
This convenient fold and carry crate has rounded corners for maximum protection and comes in a handsome satin black finish. Also comes with an easy-to-clean ABS plastic pan and divider panel.



Precision Pet ProValu Dog Crate (42" L X 28" W X 30" H; Black)
This rust-resistant and affordable crate comes with a free divider and crate training guide.



If the above do not meet your needs, you can easily find many other good and affordable crates and kennels for medium dogs on trusty old eBay.

And to make your pet's crate even more cosy and comfortable, consider adding bedding and crate covers to the crate.

P.S. Don't forget that your dog needs his favorite toys in his "room" too ;-)

Tags: crate, kennel, medium dog, medium-sized.