Heartworm prevention in dogs can seem like an expensive and unnecessary treatment, but it is vital to your favorite dogs health and by extension your pocketbook. Although you may have never known a dog who succumbed to heart worms, Read the rest of this entry »
For a solid and trustful relationship between dog and owner, a common language needs to be created. This can only be achieved by Dog Obedience Training that opens the way to learning and understanding your pet and its needs. By dog obedience Read the rest of this entry »
Parents-to-be have baby showers to help them prepare for the new arrival, but outfitting a non-human family member is relatively simple and a lot less expensive (assuming that you can ignore luxuries such as four-poster kitty beds and cashmere doggy vests). Your new pet will be healthy, happy, and comfortable as long as you have the right food and a few basic supplies on hand. Here are some of the essentials for your shopping list.
FOR DOGS ONLY
Give That Puppy Plenty to Chew On
For teething puppies and many older dogs, chewing is an urge that’s impossible to resist, so make sure you provide your new dog with plenty of alternatives to your furniture and shoes. Give her chew toys made of hard nylon, such as Nylabones, or from a cornstarch formulation, such as Booda Velvets. Start right away to draw your pet’s attention to her chew toys and give her lots of praise when she uses them. Keep Him on a Short Leash
Whether you’re about to adopt a dog, a cat, or a guppy, the settling-in period will go much more smoothly if you know what to expect. That adorable ball of fur isn’t quite so cute when she’s chewing up your new pair of shoes. But chewing is perfectly normal puppy behavior, and if your new shoes are handy . . . well, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
The beginning of your relationship with your pet will probably be the most difficult. She’s leaving one home — possibly her mother and littermates — to join another. It’s traumatic and scary, and your pet will need extra attention and care during the transition. You may have to invest a great deal of time as you help your pet adjust to new surroundings, new family, and sometimes other household pets. And you’ll need to teach the new arrival what’s acceptable behavior inside and outside your home.
It’s wise to learn as much as you can before homecoming day. The better you prepare yourself and your home, the more you’ll be able to enjoy your new family member — and set the stage for a long and happy relationship. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Copyright © 1999 by Rodale Press, Inc.
Every animal is an individual with a unique personality. That’s part of the fun — and the challenge — of owning a pet. You can never fully anticipate how a pet will change your life, but there are many factors you can think about. How will you incorporate the new pet into the household? Where will your pet live? Will your pet go outdoors? Consider the following before you bring your new animal home.
For Dogs Only
A New Puppy? Clear Your Calendar
A new puppy shouldn’t be alone for more than about three hours at a time. So if you’re planning to bring one home, don’t make too many other plans. Schedule some vacation time from work or adopt your puppy when older, responsible children can take charge during school vacations. Puppies need a lot of attention in the beginning and feel abandoned when their human companions disappear for long periods. The more time you can devote to caring for and training your pup early on, the more quickly he’ll adjust.
Keep It Legal
Many vicinities require licenses for all dogs, so check with your local health department about which rules apply in your area. In most locations, you’ll need to provide evidence of a rabies shot or other vaccination. See if your veterinarian has the necessary forms. Hello! My Name Is Buffie
Whether or not your dog needs a license, get the animal an ID tag with your name and phone number on it. You can be fined for having an unlicensed dog, but the consequences may be much worse if your dog is lost with no identification. Dogs Come In and Must Go Out
All dogs need to spend time outdoors to relieve themselves and get the necessary exercise. Before you bring home a dog, consider what kind of outdoor access she will have. To a large extent, this depends on where you live. A fenced-in backyard or dog run is ideal for exercising and keeps your dog from wandering off. City dogs will have to be walked on a leash. Plan on at least three walks a day for an older, housebroken dog and up to six or seven for a puppy. All dogs require vigorous exercise at least once a day, so factor in some playtime for the two of you.No matter where you live, never let your dog outside unsupervised. Between traffic, other dogs, and wildlife (and even a few strange people), it’s much too dangerous.
For Cats Only
Plan a Weekend with Kitty
A new cat or kitten won’t require as much time as a puppy, but your new pet will need extra attention during his first few days at home. Plan on bringing your cat home when you’ll be available to spend time with the animal, such as at the beginning of a not-too-busy weekend. This will give you both a chance to get used to each other. Observe your pet’s behavior carefully so that you can address any potential problems, and keep an eye out for household hazards that might endanger his safety. Outfit the Outdoor Cat
If your cat will be spending time outdoors, make sure she’s had all her shots for rabies, distemper, and feline leukemia. And also make sure she’s wearing a flea and tick collar at all times, as well as an ID tag with your name and phone number on it. This should be a breakaway model designed for cats so that your kitty won’t get caught on something and strangle. Copyright © 1999 by Rodale Press, Inc.
You can never really “replace” a pet that has died. That’s what’s so tough about the decision to adopt another animal. It seems so risky and sort of . . . disloyal. Here are some ways you can tell whether you’re ready for take two in the wild world of reward and responsibility known as pet ownership.
For Pets in General
Are You Ready to Love Again?
Many a person quickly buys another pet because she misses the animal that died. But that can be a big mistake because you’ll never have that animal again, and the new pet will suffer if you expect him to fill the old pet’s role in the family. You’re ready for a new pet when you can honestly say “I want to have a relationship with a dog (or parrot, or ferret, or hamster),” not “I want another Fluffy.”
In the cartoons, it’s dog vs. cat and cat vs. mouse. In real life, most types of pets can learn to live together in peace and harmony — or at least to tolerate each other. The important thing is to proceed with caution when introducing a new pet to another in your household. A number of factors are at work here, including territory, sex, age, and individual personality. Even loving families get into spats, so why should we expect our pets to behave any better?
This Will Hurt Only for a Minute
Before bringing a new pet into a household that already has resident animals, be sure the established pets are up-to-date on all their vaccinations. Treat ‘Em Like Garbo
If your new pet won’t be confined to a cage or tank, you may need to do some serious pet-proofing to keep your valuables — and your pet — out of harm’s way. Set up a “home base” where the animal will be comfortable and happy and where you can limit mobility for a while. At this early stage, you’ll be getting to know each other, and it’s safer to do so in a controlled environment. Here are some ideas on how to get ready for the new arrival.
For Pets In General:
Stow Your Valuables, Save Your Relationship
Before bringing home a new pet, get anything that’s really precious out of harm’s way. Puppies chew, cats claw and scratch, and most pets are subject to “accidents” of one kind or another. If you have a valuable antique rug, piece of fine furniture, or heirloom vase, move it to a closed-off room or store it away before bringing an animal into your home. Remove the possibility of serious damage so that you can focus on giving your pet the love and affection the animal needs — and avoid anger and resentment.
Your new pet has just left everything he knows for a strange new environment full of unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells. Is it any wonder he’s scared? All pets need a period of adjustment — but they don’t all adjust in the same way. To welcome a puppy, there’s no such thing as too much love and attention, but a reptile or hamster would rather be left alone for the first few days. If you understand your pet’s needs before he comes home, you’ll be well prepared to make him comfortable in his new surroundings.
For Pets In General
Serve Up the Usual Chow
Pets have many adjustments to make when they move to a new home, so it’s a good idea to continue feeding them what they’ve been used to for a while. Get a supply of the food your pet’s been eating and keep her diet the same for a week or so. If your vet recommends a different diet, introduce it gradually so that the animal’s digestive system can adapt to the new food.
Teething — 9 Tips to Chew Over
A Rodale Press contribution
You’ve had your puppy for only a month and already he’s left an imprint on your heart. Unfortunately, he’s also left an imprint or two on a paperback book, your best leather shoes and the leg of the kitchen table.
Teething is a natural behavior that usually occurs between three and six months of age, when your pet’s deciduous (or baby) teeth are replaced by adult teeth. All puppies do it, and even kittens will occasionally give their teeth a workout.
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