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Cat Behavior ? Alternatives to Declawing
2012-02-02 14:18:00
When the cats start scratching the furniture, declawing is often the first thing that comes to mind, but there are many less radical alternatives to this sometimes dangerous and debilitating operation. While for some cats the choice is truly between declawing and surrender to a shelter, many other cats can learn to respect the furniture and claw only appropriate objects. It certainly pays to give these alternatives to declawing a try. One of the most important things cat owners can do is introduce the cats in their lives to scratching posts, climbing poles and other appropriate scratching surfaces as soon as possible. Making these surfaces even more attractive by rubbing them with catnip is a great idea as well, as is placing the front paws on the surface and miming a scratching motion. Most kittens and many older cats will get the idea right away. Of course providing good alternatives to scratching your favorite couch, chair or set of curtains is only half the b...
More About: Behavior , Alternatives

Choosing the Best Dog For Your Children
2012-01-26 14:16:00
At some point in every parent?s life, a child will ask ?Can we have a dog?? Dogs can make wonderful companions for children but care should be taken when choosing a dog for your family. Any dog that is raised from puppyhood with children around may become reasonably accustomed to their presence, and some breeds are known to be especially fond of kids, but some dog breeds are not recommended as pets for families with small children. The best dog for young children is one that was raised around children and is known to be fond of them. A younger dog (less than a year old) will have energy levels more closely matching your child?s; an older dog may not appreciate wild play. Have a supervised visit for the child and dog, and watch to see that the dog is not inattentive to the child or runs from him, and that the dog doesn?t overreact to having its ears and tail pulled, feet stepped on, and fur ruffled up. Of course, children should not be allowed to treat a dog this way,...
More About: Children

Acting like a Dog
2012-01-17 14:15:00
There may come a point in our life when we begin to attribute human characteristics to our beloved pet dogs. This is natural; who is to say that dogs cannot acquire human traits from association? My pet grew up to be a very loud dog from a very silent pup. Now, whom do you think did he get it from? My point is, dogs are smart. They are smart enough to learn by associating with their masters and constant companions. Some say their dogs are geniuses. Do we believe these claims? I donít know. Thereís one thing I sure do know and thatís the fact that dogs are still dogs and whatever you do and however smart you think they are, they're not going to stop acting like dogs. Here are a couple of tidbits about dog behavior. May you learn from them. There's a dog pecking order. When I walk my dog and we meet other dogs, my dog usually just flips over with his paws waving up the air, trying to make himself as small as possible. It's obvious that my dog is afraid o...
More About: Acting

The Importance of Socializing Your Puppy
2012-01-11 14:14:00
Dogs are natural pack animals, and they tend to get along quite well with other members of their species, be they a tiny Pekinese or a giant Mastiff. Even so, however, puppies need to learn how to socialize with one another appropriately, and how to control any natural aggression they may possess. . Each puppy will react differently to the same situation, and it is important for pet owners to help socialize their puppies properly. It is important for those new puppy owners to start socializing their young dogs as early as possible. Taking the dog to places where there are lots of people and other dogs, such as a local dog park, a pet store or similar venue, will help a great deal. It is important of course to use caution when introducing the puppy to dogs and other animals, and to get the permission of the other dog owner before approaching. A structured puppy kindergarten or other type of training class can be a perfect way to socialize the young dog. Many pet s...
More About: Puppy

Feeding Homemade Dog Food
2012-01-05 14:13:00
Homemade dog food prepared in the proper nutritional proportions is considered by many experts to be the best diet for your dog. Before switching to a homemade diet, check with your veterinarian. Individual dogs may have unique nutritional requirements. Remember that changes in diet should be made gradually to avoid digestive upset. Experts vary in their recommendations for a good general homemade diet for dogs. Meat recommendations run from 25% to 40% and can include beef, lamb, poultry, and fish. Fish and flaxseed or good sources of omega-3 fatty acids that are healthy for your dog. Organ meats, such as liver, hearts and kidneys, are good for your dog but should not be fed every day. Other sources of protein include cottage cheese, eggs, and soybeans. Dogs also need vegetables and grains in their diet. These can include carrots, green beans, spinach, potatoes, rice, oatmeal, or pasta. A good canine vitamin/mineral supplement along with Brewer?s Yeast sh...
More About: Food

January Clearance! 25% off already Great Sale prices
2012-01-02 00:25:00
It is time for our January Clearance Sale ! For a limited time for our email subscribers -take and additional 25% off of items in our January Clearance Section online at Big Paw Designs. So it is a Sale on a Sale! Enter coupon code JANSALE12 at checkout. Valid online at http://www.bigpawdesigns.com/jacl.html! Offer Details Coupon Code JANSALE12 Online at Big Paw Designs Valid 1/1-1/31/2012 only. **Not valid on previous purchases, or out of stock items or with other offers. Valid for the January Clearance section only. While supplies last. Not valid on wholesale orders Must enter coupon code at checkout for offer to apply.**
More About: Great

Training Your Puppy to Collar and Lead
2011-12-29 14:12:00
Training Your Puppy to Collar and Lead Teaching a dog to walk on a lead is perhaps the most basic of all dog training, but judging from the dogs I see walking around the neighborhood every day, this basic piece of training is missing in many cases. No matter what the size of the dog, the best time to teach this important lesson is when the puppy is still young. Young puppies are much more accepting of new things and new situations than are older dogs, and it is far easier to teach good habits from the start than to try to eliminate bad habits later on. One of the most important parts of teaching a puppy to lead is simply allowing him to get used to the strange new thing around his neck. Simply placing the collar on the puppy and leaving it in place can teach the important lesson that this new object is nothing to be afraid of. Of course it is important that the puppy be supervised whenever the collar is left on, and providing positive reinforcement in the form of ...
More About: Training

After Christmas Sale - 40% off - Hurry!
2011-12-26 16:11:00
After Christmas Sale ! Didn't get all you wanted? Have some extra holiday cash? For a limited time for our email subscribers -take [40% off online] at Big Paw Designs, including SALE items! Enter coupon code REINDEER at checkout. Valid online at http://www.bigpawdesigns.com! Offer Details Coupon Code REINDEER Online at Big Paw Designs Valid 12/25-12/28/2011 only. **Not valid on previous purchases, sale items or out of stock items or with other offers. While supplies last. Not valid on wholesale orders Must enter coupon code at checkout for offer to apply.**

Happy Holidays
2011-12-25 13:33:00
Wishing a warm and safe holiday season to our friends and of course our furry companions!
More About: Holidays , Happy Holidays , Happy

Best Gifts for Pet People
2011-12-08 23:57:00
And #3 on the list is Big Paw Designs! 3. Big Paw Designs Big Paw is a wonderful online store that sells unique gifts for pet lovers has a very sweet line of charms and keychains and other items that benefit Used Dogs Rescue in New Orleans. Check out this great post from our friends at Romeo the Cat and see more exciting Gifts :
More About: People

New Facebook Store - Like and Get a discount!
2011-11-18 20:42:00
Big Paw Designs has added a store to our Facebook page with select products.  We will be adding more as time goes on.  If you "Like" our page - you get a friends and family price -  how cool is that! Check it out!
More About: Store

Blog Special Alert! 20% off until 9/30/11
2011-09-20 15:06:00
Save 20% off - just for our blog readers! Now through 9/30/11 Use coupon code BLOG20sept on http://www.bigpawdesigns.com Cannot combine with other offers, on past orders or out of stock items. Not valid on out of stock items or previous orders.  Cannot be combined with other offers.
More About: Blog , Special , Alert

Cat Questions Answered
2011-09-20 14:20:00
 Everyone wants to be the best "cat mom" or "dog mom" there is.  But let's face it, we don't always know how or what to do.  This is especially true with cats - they can be quite a mystery to most folks.  So that is where the website Cat Questions Answered comes into play. The website has many categories to choose from:  treats, behavior, cat breeds - you name it!  It looks like they even have an ebook you can download to have a handy reference - and a holistic cat health course you can sign up for.  We have written about many cat things - but this website seems to be a true one stop for cat questions - I could not think of any subject they did not cover.  They even have an article on how to toilet train cats - I mean these guys are serious about cat questions! I also found the site very easy to navigate and very fast to load.  There does seem to be a lot of promotion for the ebooks, but hey - if they are as helpful as the website - w...

It's Hot! Take 20% off to cool off
2011-08-04 14:26:00
It is hot here at Big Paw - like 110 hot!  Way too hot for dogs and cats to be expected to play outside!   Please remember to take care of your pets in this heat with plenty of water, bring them inside, etc. Now to the fun!  Take 20% off anything online through August 11, 2011!  Enter coupon code HOTHOTHOT at checkout.  Stay cool! Woof!Meow!
More About: Cool

Big Savings with 1800Pet Meds and MyCoupons.com
2011-06-28 20:35:00
MyCoupons.com is a great site - and if you have not checked it out lately, they have made some changes. Big Paw especially loves this site as you can save money on things like flea and tick medicine, heart worm medicine, etc. as they partner with 1800PetMeds Coupons. The site has a neat little area that tells you average savings - you could save more or less of course - but we found that very helpful.  It also tells you when the coupon expires.  It also tells you how many people have saved money using a coupon that week. There are several coupons to click on and you can even share the love on Facebook and Twitter. They tell you how much you save - then you click and go! My click turned up 20% off Flea and Tick meds for the upcoming July 4th weekend. Perfect! That is a lot of money saved!  Here is a screen shot of the 1800PetMeds page on MyCoupons.com so you can see how well laid out it is: About My Coupons.com Hundreds of coupons codes on site from retailers like Sea...

Save 40% on Doggie Pick up Bags - 3 days only!
2011-06-18 22:38:00
Save 40% on Bon Ton Pick up Kits & Refills - Coupon Code BONTON40  http://www.bigpawdesigns.com/pickup bags.html
More About: Bags , Days , Save

The Bulldog
2011-06-08 19:33:00
The Bulldog originates from the British Isles, where it was bred for ferocity and used in the sport of bull baiting. However, when dog fighting became illegal in Great Britain during the1830s, the future of the Bulldog looked very bleak indeed. Dog lovers rallied round in support of the breed, in the hope of preserving it and eliminating its aggressive nature. Thankfully, due to their success, today?s Bulldog is an affectionate, dependable and gentle dog, which loves attention and is good with children. Although Bulldogs are gentle and love plenty of attention, they can be a little too demanding at times and even dominating. Strong leadership will be required to keep them in their place. They are not huge fans of exercise, particularly as adults, so you may need to coax them out for regular walks to keep them fit and healthy. Appearance Bulldogs are medium-sized dogs with a thickset, low swung body. They have a large short-faced head with wide shoulders and sturdy limbs. They...

24 hours only - 50% off orders over $50!
2011-05-12 19:36:00
It is a blah rainy day today, so to cheer us (and you) up - we are having a 24 hour sale! As a special treat for our newsletter subscribers - take 50% off orders over $50 at Big Paw Designs ! Offer DetailsCoupon Code ONEDAY50 Online at Big Paw Designs Valid 5/12-5/13 2011 only. **Not valid on previous purchases, some clearance items, out of stock items or with other offers. Must enter coupon code at checkout for offer to apply.**

Happy Mom's Day
2011-05-08 14:28:00
Happy Mom's Day to all Moms, Dog Moms and Cat Moms! Take 15% off today at Big Paw Designs!
More About: Happy

Getting on in Years: Your pet and aging
2011-03-23 13:31:00
Today pets are living longer than ever before, due to improved technology, advanced research and nutritious diet. We, as owners, want our pets to remain in optimum health, and we can ensure that happens by making sure our pets get proper veterinarian care, lots of exercise and a diet that is filled with nutrients. We also need to be aware of the signs of aging so we can take help our pet achieve longevity. As our pets bodies age, metabolism slows down and requires less calories to maintain optimum health. The slowing of the metabolism also means that your pet won?t have the energy that it once had. It may not run and play like it did in the prime of its life. Because your pet isn?t getting as much exercise, it is your responsibility to ensure that food intake is monitored so that no excess weight is gained. Extra weight can shorten your pet?s life. Added pressure to joints and organs can make existing medical problems worse, or cause new problems. Nutrient requirements will differ...
More About: Years , Aging

The Maltese Terrier
2011-03-20 23:18:00
The Maltese Terrier is one of the most recognizable toy breeds in the world, and is thought to be one of the oldest European toy breeds. They are believed to be the result of crossing miniature spaniels with the miniature poodle. More than 2,000 years ago, Phoenician traders were thought to have brought this breed to the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta was a geographic center of early trade and explorers first discovered these little white dogs when they were used as bartering tools for necessities and supplies. They became favored companion dogs by royalty and Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria and Marie Antoinette were just a few of the proud owners of this pretty and affectionate breed. The Maltese was also depicted in Greek art and could be seen in ceramics, sculptures and paintings. Appearance The Maltese Terrier is easily recognizable by its long, white and silky coat, small black nose, big brown eyes and drop ears. These dogs have no under...

Free Gift With Purchase!!! Spread the word!
2011-03-17 16:03:00
It is spring break in many parts of the country, so we decided the pets & pet owners need a little treat too! Especially those of us stuck at work instead of on a beach! Big Paw Designs wants to Give you a special treat! A free paw sticker with every purchase over $15. Choose from Turquoise, Yellow, Green, Purple, Pink, Red or Orange. Simply add the color paw sticker of your choice to your shopping cart with your $15 purchase. At checkout, enter coupon code FREEPAW and the cost of the sticker will be taken off your order. Offer Details: Coupon Code FREEPAW Online at Big Paw Designs Valid 3/17/11-4/1/11 only. Not valid on previous purchases or with other offers. Must enter coupon code at checkout for offer to apply.
More About: Word , Free , Gift

Cats of Some Renown: Celebrity Kitties
2011-03-16 18:27:00
Cat lovers know that there's something entirely special about their cat. Felines have been domestic pets since ancient Egypt, at least. In fact, Egyptians considered cats so highly that to harm one was a crime punishable by death. And, when a family cat passed away the whole family would show their mourning by shaving off their eyebrows! Following you will find a by-no-means-complete list of Famous Cats , both modern-day and throughout history: * Felix: Star of the very first animated cartoon, Felix was a movie star even before Mickey Mouse. Felix carried his 'bag o'tricks' with him everywhere he went and often used the contents to thwart his nemesis, Master Cylinder. * Garfield: Created by cartoonist Jim Davis, Garfield is a big orange-and-white tabby with an insatiable appetite for lasagna. * The Cheshire Cat: Denizen of Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat was often found lounging on an overhanging tree limb. He was known to purr-speak something witty to Alice before disappearing,...
More About: Celebrity

Big Paw Blog Giveaway - win $50 to shop!
2011-03-15 19:36:00
In honor of our blog switching back to blogger - we are having a giveaway! (We are still trying to get some of the posts back on the site too! Our wordpress site will not be taken down yet - so you can still see some of the older posts if you like.) In honor of our old followers and our new ones - you could win $50 worth of pet goodies from Big Paw Designs! Buy it: You can buy pet gifts such as collar charms, stickers and magnets online at Big Paw Designs! Most items are affordable little luxuries and many benefit pet charities. Win it: One of our blog readers will win $50 worth of items from Big Paw Designs! Who hoo! Paws in the air! Here is the scoop: - Giveaway Ends Midnight 3/15 CST, entries posted after this will not be considered. - US & Canada 18+ only, no PO Boxes - Winner chosen via random.com and will have 24 hours to reply to our email claiming their fabu prizes! Mandatory entry - Follow our blog - the Big Paw Blog via GFC and tell us your favorite thing abo...
More About: Shop

Lucky Dog! (And Cat) Sale
2011-02-26 14:46:00
Lucky Dog! (And Cat) Sale In honor of St Patrick's Day Big Paw Designs wants to celebrate all of you lucky dogs and cats. So we are having a sale! Take 17% off now through St. Paddy's Day! Enter coupon code LUCKY2011 at checkout.
More About: Lucky

Add your blog to our blogroll!
2011-02-14 15:45:00
Have a pet blog?  We would like to invite you to add your blog to the Big Paw Blog roll ! Look forward to seeing you there! High Paw five to all of our new friends! Woof! Meow!

Overstock Sale
2011-02-13 21:25:00
Big Paw Designs has added an overstock section where you can find great finds and deals! We had several stores that carry Big Paw items close in recent months that we had stocked inventory to sell.....so we have some extras! Shop for overstocks here (& check back often!)
More About: Sale , Overstock

Happy Valentine's
2011-02-10 21:28:00
Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine's Day! Woof! Meow!
More About: Happy

Blog is back on Blogger!
2011-01-30 20:39:00
Well, a few years ago we switched the blog to wordpress. Quite frankly I am not sure if it ever worked correctly. Today - we switched back to blogger. Unfortunately, the wordpress site crashed and we lost 2 years for posts. But the good news is we now have a blog that is operating smoothly!Thanks to all for your patience!Woof! Meow!
More About: Blogger , Blog , Back

Big Paw Designs® Celebrates the Joy of Pets With Angel Paws? Line
2010-01-29 15:18:00
Big Paw Designs® Celebrates the Joy of Pets With Angel Paws? LinePosted using ShareThis