Cute, adoring and adorable – how can you possibly go wrong with a picture of a cuddly puppy or fur-ball of a kitten?  Well, it’s not always so easy to get that purrfect shot.  Here are a few tips for your next photo shoot with the four-legged family member.

1 – Use Natural Light:

Set up outside or near a large window with lots of natural light.  The light should be coming from behind you or slightly to the side as you face your pet.  Avoid direct sunlight as it is too glaring and can alter the natural coloring of your pet.   Try not to use the flash since it is hard to avoid red eye, and the flash distorts coloring and shading.  (Unless your pet is black, in which case the direct sunlight or even the flash can help bring out the shading and details of her coat more).

2 – Clear the clutter:

Survey the area behind your pet and make sure the background is uncluttered.  You don’t want the magazine rack or wild fabric on the sofa to detract from the portrait.  If need be, drape solid colored sheets over furniture to help it fade into the distance.

3 – Play with props:

A kitten in a big boot or a puppy in a basket can add a whole new level of cuteness to your shot.

4 – Keep the Eyes Sharp:

Focus on your pet’s eyes to capture their essence – the eyes are the window to the soul.  Zoom in for good face shots; and try a 3/4 view as well as directly in front.  Experiment with some close ups using the macro setting or lens on your camera – let their face and fur fill the whole frame.

5 – Pick the setting:

Sometimes it is best to wait for your pet to be settled somewhere and go to them.  Get down to their level – sit or lie down to get the best angle.

6 - Show off his/her natural personality:

A yawn for the lazy or sleepy pet, a head tilt from your curious terrier, on their back and begging for a belly rub – pick a pose that shows of who she really is.  Mix it up and try a variety of poses.

7 – Enlist a helper:

An assistant with a supply of toys treats is a valuable asset.  They can hold and then let go just as you snap, or get the pet’s attention with a toy.  Try surprising your pet a bit by letting them settle into a comfy position or play by themselves for a moment, then when you have the shot set up have your assistant call their name or shake the treat bag to get their attention and snap the shot as they look up.

8 – Get in on the fun:

Have your helper take some pictures with you in the shot, too.  Even if your face itsn’t in the shot, a photo of you stroking your pet or lieing next to her on the floor can add a whole new element to the end results.

9 – Patience is key! 

Just like taking photos of small children, plan on taking many shots and having lots of patience.  It can take 20 snaps of the camera to get one good photo.  If your camera has an “action” function that will snap a series of photos, give that a try to capture just the right image as your pet rolls over or plays with a toy.

Our furry family members are unique members of our family.  Creating portraits of them can be fun – and you will be so happy that you took the time to include them in the family photo album!

Urinating frequently is a part of dog’s life but frequent bowel movements are entirely different. They can become messy day by day and can indicate serious health problems. If your dog is suffering from bowel problems, it is important to identify the reason and find its solution.

Bowel problems are more commonly seen in senior dogs than young ones. This problem is also referred to as fecal inconsistence in medical science, in which the dog is unable to control its bowel movements. Caused due to injury in spine or intestinal disorder, bowel problem is distressing both for the owner and the dog.

Senior dogs normally suffer from three main kinds of bowel movement problems. The most common type is diarrhea or the runny stool. The second type of bowel problem is inconsistent stool that differs day to day and the third bowel problem in senior dogs is actually passing stool. However, each of these problems is irritating for your pet and needs to be cured immediately.

If it is recognized that your dog is facing a problem in making a bowel movement, consider it as a serious problem. One reason for this problem could be blockage in the dog’s bowel due to its bad eating habits. If your dog eats regularly and does not show bowel movement in three days, quickly take it to the vet.

For proper diagnosis, you are required to give the detailed history of your dog’s symptoms and likely incidents that have triggered this condition. This can help your veterinarian in finding the underlying cause of your dog’s inconsistence and treat it effectively.

Your veterinarian will go through the dog’s normal physiology examination by paying proper attention to muscles of the sphincter and anus. A thorough chemical blood profile will be performed, including a complete blood count, a fecal analysis and a urine analysis. In case any infection is detected, it will probably turn up through any of these diagnostic techniques.

Know more about digestive aides and other dog supplements to cure bowel problems in your senior pets.

Pets love food. While this is not a serious issue in younger pets, it is a matter of concern in senior pets. Their activity level of senior dogs is less compared to their young counterparts and thus they require lesser intake of calories to remain fit.

Overweight dogs suffer from several health issues such as joint, bone, arthritis, skin and urinary tract problems. Obesity is also one reason for shorter life period in all animals. So make sure that your pets stay healthy and fit always.

To keep senior dogs active, owners need to coax them. Exercise and balanced diet are essential for proper cardiovascular health, digestive system function and also to get rid off many problems related with old age. Below mentioned are certain tips to keep senior dogs healthy.

Always provide low protein diet to your dogs. Serving small amount of vegetables and fruits can help them, particularly if they are older and prone to constipation. Also include fiber to your pet’s diet in the form of steamed fresh green beans, plain canned pumpkin, wheat bran or canned green beans.

To help boost senior dog’s immune system, also provide extra vitamins and other nutrients. Antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids like gamma linolenic acid and fructooligosaccharides are quite beneficial to maintain healthy digestion and burnish their coat and skin. Baked into rich-quality foods, these nutrients are used by many people to feed their senior dogs, nutritional supplements.

Twice a week veterinarian check-up is essential to maintain proper health of your pets. This is important as a only a vet can advise an appropriate diet or even suggest a vet nutritionist who can assist you in planning a suitable diet for your dog.

Arthritis is a major health problem that many dogs face as they age. This happens due to many reasons leading to the wear and tear of their joints, endured over the years. Arthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis.

Senior dogs love to lead a peaceful life and are less enthusiastic to be groomed. This could be mainly due to ageing coupled with arthritis. If you are concerned about the well being of your companion, you must have your pet checked with a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Regular exercise is a must to avoid loss of muscle mass and stiffness. Older dogs suffering from arthritis and stiffness may show less willingness to go for regular walks. Normally they are visibly lame on one leg. All these which results in chronic pain can considerably affect your dog’s quality of life and make them grumpy as well. There are several options available to relieve your dog of the pain and make their life more comfortable.

If any of the above mentioned symptoms are visible in your pet for more than 2-3 weeks, take him to a local veterinarian immediately for treatment. It would first require some X-Rays and a physical examination. The best way to deal with arthritis is to get your dog diagnosed as early as possible and get on with a treatment plan.

Here are some solutions that can assist you in relieving your pet’s pain:

• Exercise and balanced diet to maintain proper weight.
• Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Foods containing either chondroitin sulfate or glucosamine have shown to ease arthritis pain in dogs.

Find out more about arthritis and joint supplements for dogs from Senior Pet Products.

Pets love food. While this is not a serious issue in younger pets, it is a matter of concern in senior pets. Their activity level of senior dogs is less compared to their young counterparts and thus they require lesser intake of calories to remain fit.

Overweight dogs suffer from several health issues such as joint, bone, arthritis, skin and urinary tract problems. Obesity is also one reason for shorter life period in all animals. So make sure that your pets stay healthy and fit always.

To keep senior dogs active, owners need to coax them. Exercise and balanced diet are essential for proper cardiovascular health, digestive system function and also to get rid off many problems related with old age. Below mentioned are certain tips to keep senior dogs healthy.

Always provide low protein diet to your dogs. Serving small amount of vegetables and fruits can help them, particularly if they are older and prone to constipation. Also include fiber to your pet’s diet in the form of steamed fresh green beans, plain canned pumpkin, wheat bran or canned green beans.

To help boost their immune system, also provide extra dog vitamins and other nutrients. Antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids like gamma linolenic acid and fructooligosaccharides are quite beneficial to maintain healthy digestion and burnish their coat and skin. Baked into rich-quality foods, these nutrients are used by many people to feed their senior dogs, nutritional supplements.

Twice a week veterinarian check-up is essential to maintain proper health of your pets. This is important as a only a vet can advise an appropriate diet or even suggest a vet nutritionist who can assist you in planning a suitable diet for your dog.

Find more about weight loss dog supplements for your senior companions.