Yes, your dog can eat apples.  The apple seeds however are a different story.  The seeds have a form of Cyanide in them which is harmful to any pet.   A seed or two won’t hurt your dog so don’t worry, but a large amount of them could really make them sick (including Golden Retrievers).  Let’s say your dog swallows the seeds without actually biting into them, this can’t harm them.  The outer shell of the seed is where the Cyanide is so they would actually have to bite the seed.

Apples are a good source of vitamin C but they also have sugar in them.  Dogs really shouldn’t be eating sugar as it is but a few apple bites every now and then isn’t going to harm them.  Just like in humans, too much sugar will lead to weight gain.

Mange is a skin condition that causes irritation on the skin followed by itching and pain.  The mange can become much worse if not treated right away.  The cause of mange is mites that burrow down into the skin.  This condition can also be passed onto other dogs or even in some cases, other cats.

As soon as you see any symptoms of mange, you should take your pet to the vet immediately.  A few symptoms that are associated with mange are red bumps in the infected area and spots of missing hair and constant itching in that area.  Just remember that during all of this your dog is experiencing pain and discomfort so don’t just wait to see if it will heal up and go away.

Dogs and cats just like humans need to get regular check-ups.  It’s important to ask your veterinarian questions while you are there to make sure you aren’t missing anything.  Even if you have pets that are strictly indoor doesn’t mean they can’t get fleas.  This is something you can prevent by giving them the necessary dosage of Frontline Plus. This can prevent your dog or cat from getting heart worm which can be deadly.

What you feed your animals makes a huge impact on their health so do your research or consult with your vet to make sure they are getting a balanced nutritional diet.  There are a few human foods they absolutely must stay clear of such as: grapes, chocolate, onion, garlic and whatever is in your garbage.

Make sure your pets have a steady exercise routine to keep them active and healthy.  Take your dog on daily walks and you can play with your cat around the house with toys.  This will keep them happy and in good shape.

Spaying or neutering your pet can keep them more healthy and prolong their life too.  The easiest way to take care of getting your pet fixed is to go to your regular vet or contact an animal shelter as many of them have programs that perform a spay or neuter for a low cost.

Keep in mind that owning a dog is a big responsibility but it’s all worth it.  It’s important to choose the right veterinarian for your dog care.  Regular check-ups and a good exercise routine is key to raising a happy healthy dog.

They always need fresh water and a nutritious dog formula.  You can learn how to read the labels and find out what to look for and what to stay away from.  Your Vet will also have good advice on what kind of food is right for your little friend.

Your dog should wear a ID tag at all times just incase they slip away from you.  I have found dogs in the past and luckily they were wearing a tag and I was able to return them to their owner within minutes.

Many long haired cats are known for their sweet dispositions.  They tend to be very passive so they do best as indoor cats and that protects them from any predators on the outside.

Grooming your long haired cat can be somewhat of a labor intensive experience.  As you know, most cats don’t like to be messed with especially when it comes to getting wet.  It’s good to know that long haired cats don’t shed anymore than short haired cats.  The long haired cat breeds have such a long coat which makes it almost impossible to properly clean themselves, that’s where you come in.  They need to be brushed almost every day or they may end up with matted fur and that’s no fun for either one of you, trust me.

The Long Hair cat breed exists in a wide variety of shapes, colors, sizes and breeds.  Here are a few long haired cat breeds:

• Norwegian Forest Cat
• Turkish Van
• Persian
• Javanese
• Birman
• Ragdoll
• Cymric
• Somali
• Turkish Angora
• Maine Coon

All of these long haired cats have different characteristics and origins.  They all have something unique about them and are friendly and social breeds.  One of the characteristics they do have in common is that they all have a beautiful long coat.

They are very devoted and loyal to their loved ones but are very stubborn and want everything their way.  They have a heightened sense of hearing so they do make a great watch dog.  They do prefer being the only pet and demand lots of attention, as much as they can get.   The Lhasa Apso dogs  don’t like being left alone for long periods of time and will let you know it.  They do bite if frightened or angered so they aren’t the best dogs for children. 

The Lhasa Apso needs to be brushed daily to avoid any matting or tangling of the hair.  They need to be bathed on a regular basis and routine check-ups are neccesary as they tend to have eye and ear problems if not properly cared for.   The Lhasa Apso breed is great for people that live in apartments or condos since they love indoor activity.

The Vizsla is a very smart dog and easily trained.  They are good with children and love to play.  They prefer to be active as much as possible.  Like many other dogs, the Vizsla dog breed needs a lot of excercise or they will become destructive in the home.  When left alone, they need to be entertained as well so they will not turn your belongings into their chew toys.  If they do not get the right amount of excercise; they may become very high strung and a bit neurotic. 

If you aren’t planning on excercising and being active everyday, the Vizsla would not be the right choice for you.  They need a good sized yard to play in and they don’t make good apartment dogs.  They prefer the outdoors. 

This breed has a life expectancy of up to 15 years and they are prone to hip dysplasia.  They can weigh anywhere from 40 to 60lbs.  They make great companions and are very loving and loyal.  They are not a high maintenance breed. 

Start litter training your cat at about 3 weeks old.  They can usually teach themselves to use the litter box at this age but if moved to a new home, they may get a bit confused as to where to find their litter box.   If you find your kitten eliminating on the floor/carpet, pick him/her up immediately and place it in the litter box.  If you keep the litterbox nearby for easy access, you won’t have as many accidents.  They don’t control of their bladders like older cats do, the longer it takes for them to get to or find, the more likely they will just find somewhere else to go.  Just like with older cats, you can’t put the litterbox in the same area they eat in or else they will not use it.

Cats and kittens tend to be pretty picky when it comes to their litter box.  They don’t like strong scents, if you have a strong scented litter this may drive them away from the litterbox.

Since it’s important that the kitten feels comfortable using it’s litter box; you must make sure that nothing unpleasant or frightening happens near or around the litter box.  If you try scolding your kittens while in or near the litter box, they may start using other places in the house to go.  It’s up to you to keep it clean and comfortable for your kitten and this will help them develop good litter box habits.

However, they can’t clean their own litter boxes so they need some help from you!

Your puppy should have access to it’s food and water bowl until a certain time in the evening.  If they have access to their food and water even an hour before they go to bed, you will most likely be waking up to accidents in the house. 

Crate training is a great way to set a steady training routine for your new puppy.   It may not seem like it at the time but you are doing your pet a huge favor by using this crate.  It will keep them out of trouble when left alone.  They won’t be able to chew up your things and they won’t have accidents all over the house.  They will learn to control their bladders.  Using a crate will make house training your puppy more consistent and effective. If you properly train your dog to use the crate, he will begin to think of it as his/her safe place.  The crate training process should be done with in a positive way with no negative associations.

There are tons of books and websites on how to properly and effectivley house/crate train your new puppy.  Be sure to do your research before you bring home your new puppy.  It will make the experience for everyone much more pleasant if you have the upper hand.