Category Archives: Animals and Pets

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If you own a cat, then you already know how much they love to be fussed, petted, and generally adored. Unlike other animals, cats seem almost obsessed with being in contact with their human friends. Of course, when they are young, it’s easy to find yourself giving them all of the attention they need. But, as time goes on, it’s easy to let this area slip. Petting your cat doesn’t just make them happy, though, it also gives you the chance to start making their life better. To show you how this post will be going through some of the areas which are most impacted by regular and loving fussing.

• Their Emotions

cats are very emotional creatures. Without the right elements in their life. It can be very easy for a cat to become depressed or stressed out. One of these elements is social time and entertainment, which can both be derived from a good old fuss. When a cat wraps their tale around your legs, this is their equivalent of a hug. When they sniff at you or rub their face on you, these are also signs of affection. Just imagine how you would feel if you tried to hug someone and simply got ignored; it wouldn’t feel good.

• Medical Issues

Along with keeping your cat happy, regular petting is a tool which can be used to keep your cat as healthy as possible. The texture of an animal’s skin and fur can tell you a lot about their current condition. For example, if your car has a lot of scabs and is very itchy, they may be suffering with fleas. To solve this issue, you’d need to read a cat flea treatment review or two, before finding the right option to get rid of the pests. This is just one example of an issue you can find by stroking your cat, and there are loads like it.

• Molting/General Fur Health

Like a lot of other mammals, cats have to molt their fur during the summer months to make sure that they aren’t too hot. During this time, they might need some help to

remove the excess fur . Petting is the perfect way to do this. Along with this, when you pet your car, your hand acts in a very similar way to a brush. You will smooth their fur, help to remove knots, and keep it all in good condition. Fur health is very important to any cat.

• How To Pet Your Cat

Once you have renewed inspiration to pet your cat, it’s a good idea to start looking into the best ways to do it. You probably already have an idea of where you cat likes to be stroked. But, with some research you can increase your pleasure-giving potential by a huge margin. Generally, cats will prefer to be stoked around their scent glands.  Making the head, neck, lower back, and cheeks perfect places to get started. Be careful, though as most cats won’t want a belly rub.

Hopefully, this post will give you a good idea of the benefits of giving your cat loads of attention. The more you touch and interact with an animal like this, the more they will want to spend time with you, making it well worth it if you want a good relationship with your pet. You brought the cat into your home, so it’s your job to make sure that they are happy.

It’s well-known that dogs can be incredibly destructive creatures. At some point in your dog ownership career, it’s likely that you’ll have to deal with at least one incident caused by your furry friend. Of course, this is a small price to pay for the companion you receive in return for this hardship. But, the size of the price doesn’t mean you have to keep paying for it. To help you out with this, this post will be going through some ways to protect your home from your canine. By doing this work, you will make it much easier to live in harmony with your dog. And, you may even make the house safer for them.

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• Setting Boundaries

Dogs are very much creatures of habit, and this can be used to your advantage. A lot of pet owners don’t like the idea of their dog being able to access some areas of their home. A dog in your bedroom could make a big mess, so most owners will restrict access to areas like this. To do this, you should start enforcing these rules as soon as your pet arrives at your home. Using baby gates, you can create a physical barrier which they won’t be able to get past. After a few months of having this restriction in place, you should be able to remove it and continue to maintain order.

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• Keeping On To Of Jobs

Of course, keeping your dog out of certain rooms in the house won’t limit their destructive capabilities. In fact, you’ll need to do a lot more to secure your home. A lot of the messes dogs cause is actually their owner’s fault. By failing to keep the house tidy or clean, you could present loads more opportunities for the dog to cause chaos. Along with this, if you don’t keep on top of fleas and other parasites, your home could quickly become infested with them. You should get your hands on regular dog fleas treatment, to keep this part of their life in control. You could also consider taking your dog to the vets on a regular basis. This will help to make sure they don’t have any health issues which could cause a big mess.

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• Buying The Right Items

Along with doing the right work to keep your home in the clear, it can also be very helpful to choose the right items to go around your home. For example, if your dog tends to tear rolls of paper towels, it could be worth finding a protective covering for them when they’re not in use. The type of furniture you buy will also have a big impact on its lifespan with a dog. Leather is much better than fabrics if you want to keep your sofas and chairs going for as long as possible, and metals are much better than woods and plastics.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start finding new ways to protect your home from your canine friend. A lot of people live with big issues that could easily be solved with a little bit of work. So, it’s worth doing plenty of research when you identify a problem area with your dog. This way, you’ll always be one step ahead of their mischief.

Adopting a dog is a wonderful feeling. For some people, the feeling you get when you introduce your furry little friend into the home is equivalent to that of bringing your newborn into your home for the first time. However, it’s a lot less maintenance and less costly than raising a child, which is why dog ownership is so popular nowadays. It’s a fantastic way to introduce a new member of the family, and children are usually great with pets.

Sadly, you can’t just go to a pet store and then instantly bring home a dog—it doesn’t work like that. You need to ensure that your family are well-prepared and stocked so that your dog has the best chance of fitting in without any issues. So to help you out, here’s a list of things that you should get in order before even heading to the pet store.

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Research dogs and breeds

With so many dogs around, you need to ensure that you get one that has a personality that will fit in your family. For instance, Akita dogs are courageous and extremely loyal, while Pugs tend to be more suitable for apartments due to their smaller size and ease of care. Pugs are also friendly towards strangers and are affectionate towards family members, making them perfect for first-time dog owners. Another popular breed (thanks to how often you see them on the internet) is the Shiba Inu. These are bold dogs with fiery personalities. They’re not great around strangers, but they’re fine being home alone which is perfect for owners that regularly have to leave the house.

Find a local veterinarian

You’re going to need to take your canine friend to the vet every now and then for shots, check-ups and for any medical conditions they might develop or have. Because of this, you should find yourself a veterinarian as soon as possible. Connect with them, speak to them about their rates to see if it’s affordable for you and make sure you converse with them about dogs to learn a bit more. You might be able to pick up useful bits of information such as what breeds they specialise in (if any) and how to generally take care of your new dog.

General affordability

You need money to take care of a dog, which is why you also need to consider the financial viability of having a dog. No one wants to have to give up their dog because they simply can’t provide it with enough food and medical care to look after it, so ensure you’re able to afford everything from dog food to paying the medical bills and buying accessories and toys for them. If you want to treat your dog with something like duck jerky dog treats made in the USA, then you need to be prepared financially. If you want your dog to be trained professionally instead of winging it with articles you’ve read on the internet, then again, you need to be prepared financially.

Are you trying to think of new ways in which you can do more for your dog and make their life better? This is an issue that many dog owners try to confront. They don’t want to have their dogs’ lives lessened for any reason. And there are many examples of dogs getting bored and unhappy because they are not given enough to do by their owners. It can be a real problem in some cases, but it doesn’t have to be the case.

There are all kinds of great things that you can give your dog more of. And, let’s face it, they deserve it. After all the love and happy memories they have given you and will continue to give you and your family, they deserve nothing but the very best. So, always remember that.

Below, you will find details of 10 things that your dog deserves more of. If you can make sure that you give your dog all of these things, they will be happier straight away. They are all relatively simple to provide, so it doesn’t even need to be difficult for you. Read on to learn more.

1. Water Activities

Water activities are really important for dogs. Most dogs love to spend time in water, but if you don’t live near the coast, it can be difficult to make that happen. However, it is still possible, and you should do whatever you can to make sure that you always provide water activities for your dog. It can be done if you are willing to use your mind and get creative. The first thing to do is ask your vet if they know if any local swimming pools or locations where dog activities are organised. If they’re able to swim, their muscle strength will improve too.

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2. Dog-Friendly Vacations

Everyone needs a good vacation from time to time, and there is no reason why the same shouldn’t be true for your dog. They need time away from their daily routine. Sure, they might not have to spend every day from 9 to 5 in the office like you do. But they do have to do other things that can tire them out. And the repetitious nature of their lives can sometimes be damaging for them if the routine isn’t broken up. There are plenty of vacation resorts out there that are dog-friendly, so do some research into these. It could be just what your dog needs.

3. Training

Training is great for your dog and great for you too. It teaches them something new, and it gives them more discipline. Of course, this is good for you because it’s easier to control and manage the behaviour of your dog, which can be very important. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t be good for your dog too. Many people fail to realise just how important and helpful training can be for dogs. And it’s not all about obedience either. It can also be about mental stimulation and challenge; both of those things are what your dog needs.

4. Treats

There is nothing wrong with giving your dog treats. Of course, this is something that needs to be done carefully. You can’t just throw treats at your dog all the time. They will eventually gain weight and become more unhealthy if you do this, and that’s certainly not what you want to happen. Instead, you just need to come up with new ways to make sure that your dog gets treats regularly and that this happens when the treats are deserved. If you can make that happen, you can ensure that your dog remains happy and rewarded.

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5. Sociability

Sociability is something that matters to animals; it’s not just for humans. And I’m not talking about making sure that there is always people around your dog offering attention. That is important, but it’s more important that your dog also has time to spend with other dogs. It advances their social skills and teaches them something new. You don’t want your dog to grow up virtually unaware of other dogs. That’s not healthy or positive for them at all. You need to make sure that you remember that.

6. Good Grooming

Good grooming not only helps to keep your dog looking great at all times, but it can also make sure that your dog remains in good health and only ever needs to go to the vet when something serious is wrong. Poor grooming can lead to minor health problems that are entirely preventable. And dogs often enjoy being groomed. It’s like being pampers, and the attention is great for them. You can take them to professional to offer these grooming services if you don’t have the time nor the ability to do it yourself.

7. Fun

Dogs need to have fun; they’re fun-loving creatures after all. If they are not kept properly happy and entertained throughout the day, they will get bored, and that can be damaging for them. You should play games, and even something as simple as playing fetch with your dog can have a big impact. There are gadgets and toys that can make providing your dog with fun even easier too. Fast Dogs breaks down the petsafe dog ball launcher, so read that and decide whether this is a product that you should get. It could be what your dog needs in order for it to have more fun.

8. Varied Exercise

Exercise is always going to be important for your dog; that much should be obvious to you already as a dog owner. And there is nothing wrong with taking your dog for walks each day. However, you should try to do a bit more than that. Your dog needs a bit of variety when it comes to how you keep them active. You shouldn’t just taking them on the same walk each day and assume that’s enough. You can do other things like playing frisbee and other sports that are suitable for dogs. That variety will eventually improve their health a lot.

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9. Comfort at Home

A little extra comfort can make all the difference for your dog. If they are made to feel comfortable when they’re in your home, they will be at ease. This can help their physical and mental health. If your dog is not comfortable at home, they could become more stressed and anxious, and that’s never good in the long-term. Do what you can to make sure that your dog has a place of its own that it can go to whenever it wants to. It should have a bed there that is both comfortable and big enough for them.

10. Attention

Your dog can never has too much attention. And it’s so easy to neglect your dog when you have a busy lifestyle that often means you have to take care of other things. You should try to dedicate more time to your dog. Simple sitting down with it and petting it can offer that closeness and attention that your dog craves. It doesn’t require much effort to make that happen, so why not make it happen? It could make a huge difference to the wellbeing and mental health of your dog.

As a caring and responsible dog owner, you should make sure that each of the 10 bases above are covered. If your dog has more of all of these things, their lives will be happier, healthier and more fulfilled. That has to be a good thing for them and you as an owner.

We’ve all been out somewhere in public when we’ve seen a child throwing a temper tantrum. It can be incredibly painful to watch, especially if the parent is doing everything they can to salvage the situation, but to no avail. Now, imagine yourself in the very same situation… but with your dog, instead! It might sound laughable, but badly behaved pooches can throw up much the same scenario for you, as well as being difficult to control within the home as well. Everyone has a very clear idea of what their relationship with their dog will be like when they bring him or her home… but more often than not, this dream-like situation doesn’t end up happening! Sure, you love your dog to the ends of the earth. But if he or she is mischievous at best and potentially dangerous at worst, you could have a disruptive doggy on your hands. This can soon start to impact on other areas of your lives, such as friends not wanting to come over and visit you, and other dog owners avoiding you in the park. All this can get pretty upsetting – but remember, it is always possible to teach an old dog new tricks! Here are some ways in which your pooch might be misbehaving, and what you can do to turn things around for both of you.

They go mad every time they see another dog

This is a common issue with many domestic animals, but especially with dogs. Dogs that were not properly socialized as puppies often become overwhelmed, overexcited or defensive when they see another animal – something that can make going to the dog park a bit of a challenge, to say the least! But even if your dog wasn’t socialized as a puppy, it’s never too late. Gradually introduce him to other dogs in a safe environment, and praise him when he stays calm around them.

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They don’t stop barking

There is little more annoying than a dog who constantly barks -whether you’re trapped with the sound in your home, or you’re mortified because of it in public. Dogs bark for all kinds of different reasons, but usually, it is to do with wanting attention. There are a few things you can do to deter your dog from barking so much – this article here looks into the best bark collars on the market today, which many people swear by. Also, learn to ignore your dog when he barks (unless it is something urgent). When he learns that being quiet is what gets your attention, he’ll stop being so noisy.

They destroy your possessions

Sometimes, dogs rip things up to get their owner’s attention. In other circumstances, they may destroy things like furniture and shoes due to a more serious underlying issue, such as a phobia or an aggression disorder. The first thing to do is to take your dog to the vet to check that there isn’t anything physically wrong with him or her. Then, you can focus on directing your dog’s behavior to things you WANT them to chew on, such as specially designed toys. This will help to keep their compulsions in check, and you can all live a happier life.

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If you have decided you are going to get a puppy for you and your family – that’s brilliant. But before you go and bring your new addition to the family home, it would be a good idea to brush up on some things, so that you feel properly prepared for anything.

Once that’s out of the way, you will be able to pick up your pup, and start your new future.

Breeds

There are tonnes of dog breeds out there, all said to have different traits, personalities and behaviours, so it would be wise to read up on this before you just pick anything. You may want a lap dog that’s calm and placid, but without doing your research first, you may end up choosing a breed that is the complete opposite of that, who is constantly hyper, bouncing off the walls and wants to play fetch every two minutes!

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Tricks

Consider taking your puppy to some obedience lessons. It is so important to train your dog, and this can be done by yourself with your own set of rules, but going to a class can be very helpful. They will show you exactly the right way to teach them, and your puppy will also get to socialize with other dogs and make friends.

Grooming

If you learn how to groom your dog, you can end up saving yourself a lot of money over the years. There are many ways that you can pick up some dog grooming tips, whether that be through books or online. You could even have a look at any classes they give in your area.

New locations

You’re going to be walking an awful lot now you have a dog because they need all the exercise they can get. But instead of taking them to the same park every single day, it can be a nice change of scenery if you go somewhere else, not only for your dog but for you too.

It can get pretty boring after a while, seeing the same set of trees and grass all the time. So get looking at other parks in the area, look out for lakes and rivers that your dog may enjoy playing in. And don’t be afraid of going too far! – If the weather’s really good one day, when not go for a drive up to somewhere nice and have a day out in the sun?

Body language

Being able to understand your dog’s body language can be such an amazing skill to have. This is what dogs do with us, they read our bodies and faces, and by doing this, they know what emotion we’re feeling. So studying how your pup reacts when they do certain things could be a real insight for you.

For example, when you see a dog wagging their tail, you instantly associate this with happiness and excitement. But dogs actually use their tail for a lot of other strong emotions too like anger! So reading your dog can be very helpful.

Most moms and dads would agree that keeping pets at home is a good idea. That is because children need to learn respect for animals from a young age. However, parents are often confused when it comes to selecting the right pals for their little ones. Today, I’m going to make some pet suggestions you might like to consider. I’ll cover the obvious ones first, and then move onto some ideas you might have overlooked. With a bit of luck, you’ll make the right decision after reading my advice. I’ve kept pets at home ever since I can remember and I believe they have improved my family’s life. Let’s see if they could do the same for you.

• Dogs and cats

The most common pets on the planet, dogs and cats are an excellent addition to your family. You just need to work out which breeds are most suitable for your kids. It’s sensible to select well-behaved dogs if you have small children in the home. That is because they might annoy the animal and create a reaction. The last thing you want is to turn up at the hospital because your dog has bitten your child. German Shepherds are always popular because they are loyal and calm most of the time. Whatever you decide, make sure you try to get the animal from a rescue center. There are lots of dogs and cats in those places that need love and attention.

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• Chickens

Keeping chickens in your garden is a fantastic idea if you have enough space. They will help to teach your kids about the circle of life, and they’re fun creatures. You can either build their compound yourself or buy chicken coop kits from specialist retailers. Those animals need more room than most people imagine. So, make sure you research the subject and head outside with your tape measure before suggesting it to your kids. You don’t want to get them all excited if it turns out your backyard is too small. The best thing about keeping chickens? Free eggs!

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• Lizards or snakes

Many people keep reptilian creatures at home in vivariums. Running those contraptions will often increase your electricity bill. Still, they’re amazing animals, and they’re fascinating to watch. Of course, you need to remember that feeding lizards and snakes is a little different to most other pets. That is because they tend to eat live bugs or frozen mice. Your kids might find that a bit disturbing when you first bring the pet home. So, ask them how they feel about the idea in advance. That way they won’t die from shock when you reach into the freezer for Micky’s cryogenically frozen cousin.

There are lots of other animals you could keep as pets at home. However, the ones I mentioned in this post are by far the best. If you decide to get something more exotic, just make sure you perform a lot of research. You need to provide them with adequate living conditions because animal cruelty isn’t nice. Whatever you decide – do not purchase a monkey! They grow fast, and they often become aggressive in captivity. Still, you wouldn’t believe the number of people who seem to think it’s a good idea.

Dogs, much like humans, can suffer from all kinds of mental health issues. One of the most common problems that we see in dogs is anxiety. When you leave the room and they appear to be distraught or if you find them scratching walls and barking in an attempt to run away from you, then those are behavioural problems that might stem from their anxiety.

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What causes anxiety in dogs?

One of the most common causes is a pre-existing illness or physical condition. These can often develop into anxiety and can turn into larger issues, such as fears or phobias. Fears can also be a major component in behavioural changes, often as a result of a nasty or scary experience when your dog is forced into a bad situation. Dogs can also be deprived of social interaction if left cooped up at home without anyone to interact with. There’s also separation anxiety, to the feeling that your dog has been abandoned by you. This usually triggers if the dog has multiple owners or is being neglected by the owner.

Diagnosing anxiety in dogs

Whether you’re getting a new pet or if you’ve decided to take your dog’s health issues seriously, it’s recommended that you take them to your local veterinarian. Usually, the first thing your veterinarian will do is rule out underlying problems such as diseases that could cause the behavioural changes. Blood tests will also be carried out to rule out the possibility of toxic substances affecting your dog. Once those possibilities are ruled out, your veterinarian will move on to the history of your dog. They’ll ask you about fears, anxiety problems or phobias, and your dog might require medication to solve their issues. In some cases, equipment or toys from a reputable company such as Smart Pet Love might be recommended instead of medication if your veterinarian thinks that it’s too early for your dog to take more drastic measures.

Calming your anxious dog

Drugs aren’t for every dog and it’s only recommended you give your dog medication if it’s prescribed by a veterinarian. However, if there are cases where your dog needs to take medication but can’t because they’re either in a panic or restless, then it might be best to hospitalise your dog and keep them cared for while you worry about work and family issues. However, there are methods that you can utilise from home that can help you ease your dog’s worries.
Cuddling can help to soothe an anxious dog. Touching and physical contact can actually help both humans and dogs relieve anxiety, fear and even stress. If you’re ever feeling down, then giving your dog a cuddle can improve both your moods. Regular exercise can also help. Make sure you take your dog out for walks and exercise on a regular basis and let them burn off some energy by running around and calming down. Dogs are also known to act in a similar way to the humans that care for them. If you act anxious, worried or stressed out, your dog will sense this and react in a similar way. Stay calm and collected, and your dog will pick up the same habit from you.

Congratulations! You’ve brought the new dog home for the first time. Although you have prepared extensively for this day by buying toys, a bed, and other accessories for your new family member, it will take some time for everyone to establish a new routine. Your dog may need things that you haven’t even anticipated yet. Here is a quick checklist to make the transition easier for everyone.

Make sure everyone is on the same page

Dogs are hard work at the best of times, but even more so when they’re confused and adjusting to a new environment and strange people. Make sure the whole family will follow similar guidelines when interacting with their furry companion. Everyone must discipline and train the dog, in the same way, give him food at the same time each day and decide who will be taking him out for walks. Several other house rules must also be agreed upon, so the newest family member has a smooth induction.

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Puppy-proof your home

Even if your new pet is not a young pup anymore, it’s a good idea to make a note of potential hazards. Remove any toxic plants in the garden, invest in childproof latches to secure lower cupboards, especially if that’s where you keep the cleaning products, close off staircases with a baby gate and keep sentimental items out of reach until you’re sure your puppy has learned not to chew through everything.

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I.D your dog

A dog tag will get him back to you if he ever gets lost. It’s also a good idea to get him microchipped (see Oz Microchips for more information) just to be safe. The sooner you get this done, the less you’ll have to worry about your new furry friend while he finds his bearings in a new neighbourhood.

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Arrange for home care

Even if you plan to take some time off to help your dog adjust to your home, eventually you will have to go back to work and make sure someone is around in case something goes wrong. Look into local dog walkers, doggy daycare or even a regular dog sitter and take them time to get Rover used to the concept before you get back to your usual routine.

Start training right away

It may not be fun teaching a dog new tricks, but the sooner you start, the quicker he will learn some basic manners. In the long run, it will be less nerve-wracking introducing the puppy to your friends if you’re confident he won’t jump on them, bite them, or get distressed.

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Find a vet

If their first time at the vet is a disaster, your dog will fight you every time he needs a check up. Do your research, and if possible read testimonials before booking your first appointment. If the experience is pleasant, your dog will take each visit in stride.

Others are sure to have more advice that will make the first few weeks easier for you and your dog.