Care | Raining Cats and Dogs

Things to Remember when Moving with Pets

June 7, 2011 by admin

The quest for a new home is daunting: properties must be inspected; costs must be mastered; and your loved ones must fumble for stability amidst the chaos of packing.

Such chaos can often breed mistakes – such as ignoring your pets.

Your family isn’t shaped to two-legged precision. It’s instead defined to wagging tails, and moving requires specific steps to ensure the security (and happiness) of your pets:

Understand Laws

No city is created equal, shaped to the same laws and demands. Each is instead unique, and individuals facing relocation must understand what’s expected of them. Veterinary rules (regarding shots, immunizations and identifications) must be followed by all pet owners. These should be learned before a move occurs and can be discovered by contacting local clerks.

Note Transportation

There are, you understand, some choices that are simple: such as using HOA management to maintain your home. Others, however, seem to defy logic. The ability to transport your pet from one area to another is defined by multiple options and all must be examined. Cars, airplanes, professional carrier services and more are available to owners. Each boasts its own advantages and concerns; and individuals must be aware of the distances they must travel, the costs they can afford and the comfort of their animals before making a decision.

Choose A Carrier

A move will define your world to cardboard: with boxes stacked in uneven towers throughout your home, shoved into your car. Those same boxes do not offer the appropriate protection for your pet, however. A carrier is instead vital.

Remember these suggestions to make a move easy and safe.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Animal, Pet, Transport

Finding a Local Dog Breeder

May 24, 2011 by admin

It’s highly unlikely that you will find the dog breed of your dreams at a local pet shop since most dog breeders don’t sell to them. Meanwhile, shelters and rescue facilities are typically home to mix breeds and very little purebreds. So if you want one breed and one breed only, you will have to buy right from a dog breeder of that kind. The good news is that you don’t have to travel far to buy from a renowned breeder who will overcharge you, instead there are probably numerous local breeders in your area.

Image courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/schwa23/219573110/lightbox/

Dog breeding is a very niche business so you won’t find many commercials or billboards advertising their services. The classifieds section of your local newspaper may list dog breeders, but due to the cost and space, the information in the ad is sure to be limited. A great alternative is to search online, but it’s more efficient to use services that cater to specific areas rather than search engines that will produce unmanageable results. Concentrate on your geographic location, like canada 411 if you live in Canada.

You can also find local dog breeders through word of mouth. Meet with your local veterinarian to find out with they have any recommendations, as well as advice on how to decide if a breeder is legitimate. And don’t be afraid to ask dog owners in your neighborhood where they found their pets. Along with searching for a dog breeder, search for any organizations or dog events our area that could point you in the right direction.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Dog, Dog breed, Purebred

Basic Puppy Preparation and Tips

May 15, 2011 by admin

Puppies are all fun and joy when they first arrive in your home. They’re playful and very curious. If you are seriously considering getting a puppy, make sure you understand what you’re getting into first. Puppies require lots of attention and time to train them.

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If you expect your puppy to come with an automatic be-good-button, you might want to consider a goldfish. If you aren’t sure, try researching online. So here are a few basic tips about preparation for you puppy.

Rearranging your home is the first stage. Puppies will get into anything and everything that they can reach.You don’t want anything that is plush or cloth near the floor. Your darling new puppy will chew anything within reach. Also move any power cords up off of the floor – they are very dangerous for puppy.

If you have any anti-pest products, make sure you put them all away and clean up any residue. Like all dogs, your puppy has a super sniffer! On top of being able to find anything that smells, they tend to eat whatever it is too. They’ll probably find things that you never knew were there, so check around under all of your furniture before your puppy arrives.

Another option is to make puppy safe zone. If you don’t want to move all of your furniture around, just make one area into a puppy safe zone. Close it off with a baby fence, but make sure to spend enoug time with your puppy.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Dog, New Puppy, Puppies

Crate Training to train a dog

April 8, 2011 by admin

Unfortunately, many people do not understand the importance of crate training for their puppy or dog. On the other hand, they consider as the cruelty against their pests and hence don’t even think about that.

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The principle of a crate training is to establish a routine which will make your dog behave normally even in your absence, as it is imperative to make some provision for your dog, when you are out. The crate training is also the safest way to carry your dog in a car or even at any other place where you feel that it would not be appropriate to take it. The only way puppy acquires this intelligence is through the means of crate training. It is believed that a dog can never make his den dirty, if it is being trained properly and in well organized manner.

The crate must be very safe place where your dog can feel pleasure and warmth. An attractive den is considered as the comfy blanket. However, confining your dog will temporarily to a small area will make it feel stressed out and uncomfortable, but this is the part of crate training and your dog will get used to it after a certain period of time. Always try to feed your dog very close to its crate, so that he can keep in touch with the crate every time. After that dog has finished eating his meals, just push the plate out of the crate, make sure that he does not show any sign of anxiety.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Crate training, Dog, Pet

Basic Pet Care

March 27, 2011 by admin

There are many different types of pets, but there are basic pet care considerations for pets of all types.

The first thing to consider is vet visits. Many animals need routine visits to check on their health and to receive vaccinations. Some pets, such as rabbits, dogs, and cats may need surgical procedures such as sterilization. The cost of these visits is something that should be considered before you get a pet.

Feeding is another basic care procedure. Animals need a source of quality food and water. You’ll want to make sure you have food and water bowls available for the pet. You’ll also want to make sure you are feeding your pet a healthy diet based on their overall needs. Feeding a low quality diet can lower your pets life expectancy. Your vet can assist you in this area if you do not know what kinds of foods you should be feeding your pet.

Grooming is something else to consider. Many pets need to be bathed and brushed. Some pets need the nails clipped. Dogs need to have their anal glands drained so that they will not rupture and cause further health problems. Many pets need their teeth to be brushed. Consider all of this before you get a pet so that you will not be burdened or overwhelmed with the responsibility. If this does not sound like something you want to be bothered with- then reconsider becoming a pet owner.

Pets need love and attention. This is the most basic part of caring for a pet. You need to spend time with them and make them feel loved. Don’t be mean or cold to your pets- they did not ask to be placed in your household and that’s not fair to them.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Anal gland, Eating, Pet

People That Should Not Have Pets

March 24, 2011 by admin

There are many reasons to get a pet, but pet ownership is not for everyone. You can be a loving, kind, and attentive person; but that doesn’t mean you are cut out to own a pet.

If you travel a lot you may not be a good candidate for pet ownership. Pets require attention, feedings, and other care procedures. If you travel a lot, you won’t be able to tend to the pet. True, you could hire someone to care for it while you are gone, but that can get expensive and if you travel frequently you may not feel comfortable with having someone in your house so frequently.

If you frequently lose interest in things you may not be a good pet owner. Pets are not accessories that you can just stuff in the closet when you get bored. So if your attention span is short when it comes to new projects, you should really think long and hard about getting a pet. Take some time to think about it then in a few months if you are still interested then you can proceed.

If you do not have a lot of disposable income then perhaps pet ownership is not for you. Pets can become expensive- especially if they get sick. You don’t want to fall in love with a pet, have it get sick, and then not be able to do anything about it. Also, pets need things on the regular. Toys, food, vet checkups, grooming supplies- are all basic things that pets need. If money is tight, you might not want to get a pet- unless it’s a fish. But even fish need food, a tank, and tank cleaning supplies- and all of these things cost money.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Animal, Ownership, Pet

Reasons to Get a Pet

March 17, 2011 by admin

It’s hard to separate people from their pets, but why do people decide to be pet owners in the first place?

Actually, there are many reasons to get a pet. Perhaps you are lonely and want companionship. Pets make wonderful companions for people who don’t live close to family or friends; or for people who prefer the company of beings who will love you unconditionally. Some pets make better companions than others. For example, if you are lonely you may find the company of a dog or cat to be more exciting than the company of a fish.

Another reason to get is pet is because you want to teach your kids responsibility. Kids can learn a lot from having to take care of a pet. They learn not to be selfish and how to care for someone other than themselves. Even small children can help with basic tasks such as filling a pets food or water bowl.

Protection is another reason to get a pet- in particular a dog. Some breeds are better watch dogs than others so it is important to research breeds before you go and buy a dog. Also keep in mind that dogs need to be trained. You can’t expect to get a dog and sit back and relax. If you have certain tasks you want it to complete, you need to be prepared to train it to do so.

If you love animals, this can be another reason to get a pet. Some people get great joy from waking up and seeing their favorite animals faces. If you are not lucky enough to work in an environment with animals, having a pet of your own can be the next best thing.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Dog, Pet, Recreation

Small Dog Health Problems

March 14, 2011 by admin

Small dogs can have a variety of health problems. The first problem they have is with their teeth. Larger dogs can use hard food, bones, and other items to clean their teeth; but with small dogs it’s harder. In addition to providing chew toys it is important to brush your small dogs teeth. Many small dogs end up losing their teeth because the owners just can’t keep them clean.

Your small dog may eventually need a professional teeth cleaning. This may seem silly, because it is expensive, but if you want your dog to stay healthy, you have to make sure their teeth are healthy.

Having bad teeth can cause a variety of health problems because the germs from the mouth can travel into other areas of the body. Once this happens, the germs manifest themselves as other diseases.

Lack of exercise is another health problem that plagues small dogs. Since small dogs are so cute and cuddly, owners have the tendency to carry them all the time and overfeed them. This means the dog is not getting any exercise but they are eating up a storm. It’s okay to carry your small dog- after all, maybe that’s why you got a small dog in the first place. But you still need to make sure they get exercise.

Take your small dogs for walks, let them run around and get some fresh air. If you live in a cold environment see if your local area has a dog gym or play place. This can be a great way to get out and have some fun with your precious pooch.

Just like with humans, being overweight can cause health problems for dogs. Especially small dogs that just don’t have the resources to support normal functioning on top of an overweight body.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Dog, Health, Pet

Should You Get a Pet?

March 3, 2011 by admin

Perhaps you are at the time of your life when you are considering getting a pet. Maybe your kids are bugging you about it, or perhaps you seek companionship; whatever the reason is, there are some things to consider because it’s not a good idea to just rush into buying a pet.

The first thing to consider is what kind of pet you will get. Dogs and cats are the most common pets- each with their own pros and cons. For example dogs need to be walked each day rain or shine and it may be difficult to potty train them. You also have to consider the breed of the dog to see if it matches your temperament, living space, and any legal codes where you live. But one big benefit is that dogs are loyal and will be your best friend if you treat them well. They are also very fun to play with.

Cats are more independent than dogs and that can be a pro or a con depending on what you want in a pet. If you want a pet that is going to be happy to see you when you get home- you may be a little disappointed if you get a cat. Cats can also climb on your sofa and countertops and scratch up your furniture. However, cats are intelligent, they like to play games, and they can help keep your place rodent free.

When it comes down to it, you have to evaluate the pet that would be best for you. After all, you could do your research and find out that neither a dog or a cat will suit your needs- maybe you’d be better suited to have a fish, snake, or rabbit for a pet.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Dog, Pet, Toilet training