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Friendly Furry Companions and Better Health

July 17, 2011 by
TaraenBram

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Furry companions live in the moment. Pets serve as ice breakers and facilitate social situations among us. Mentally, emotionally, and physically this is a good relationship to have especially when a person is alone.

The articles on this site, dpfa.org highlight the health benefits. Pets give us unconditional love, comfort us in our woes, listen when no one else will, and teach us how to let things go. There are four elements to the human and furry companion relationship–intimacy, safety, kinship, and constancy. If you want a pet of your own, you can go to http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/ and check out their Pet page, where you can find the information you need and even interact with fellow pet lovers.

  • Intimacy with a furry companion is immediate and at the owner’s discretion. Studies show pet relationships lower blood pressure, and anxiety especially in the elderly. Often Alzheimer patients are more manageable when a pet is around for soothing.
  • Safety can be the fabulous story of a furry friend warning a person about a stranger, or other dangers. Safety also involves the fact furry friends make humans feel more secure. Walking a dark street at night is a joy if a dog is tagging along, but can be a frightening experience when alone and every shadow seems a threat.
  • Kinship is simply the fact furry friends form such deep bonds with humans that they become family. They provide a love pattern in our lives that humans take for granted until one day the furry friend is not there. Humans discover they often grieve as deeply for the loss of a pet as they do for a loved one.
  • Constancy is the concept that furry friends do not change over the years as much as humans do. The bond is stable and easy.

Loving furry friends is cheaper and healthier than taking medication.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Pets, Relationships Tagged With: , ,

Things to Remember when Moving with Pets

June 7, 2011 by

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: , ,

Top 5 Pets for Apartment Living

April 24, 2011 by

Having a pet is a great way to make your apartment feel like a home. When you bring home your new pet, it’s like a cute little addition to the family. Here are five great pets for an apartment.

Guinea Pigs

The cutest of all rodents, the guinea pig is a plump, furry little ball of sweetness. When checking out apartments for rent, make sure they allow caged animals at least, just for the sake of having a guinea pig. Listen to their wheeking and fall in love—yes, at first wheek.

Fish

The most sedate pets of all, fish are great for just gazing at. The best part is when you feed them and they all scramble for the surface. Well, maybe fish can’t scramble, but they certainly hustle it on up there to get their share of the tasty morsels.

Frogs

A frog is a simple creature. He sits on a lilly pad ribbiting, hoping to attract a mate with his song. Then he eats some flies. It’s not a complicated life, but it suits him just fine.

Turtles

Turtles and their land loving cousins the tortoises like to travel, albeit slowly. Some say that the turtle has a mating ground that they are all trying to reach, which is why they will so doggedly keep struggling against the confines of their enclosures.

Snakes

Snakes are great creatures if you have a rodent problem. They also have the uncanny ability to hang out, and then suddenly drop in. All puns aside, snakes are great creatures to have around and easy pets to take care of—they stay in their cages for the most part.

Filed Under: Pets Tagged With: , ,

Crate Training to train a dog

April 8, 2011 by

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.

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Basic Pet Care

March 27, 2011 by

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.

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People That Should Not Have Pets

March 24, 2011 by

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: , ,

Reasons to Get a Pet

March 17, 2011 by

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.



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Small Dog Health Problems

March 14, 2011 by

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.

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Coping With Pet Health Problems

March 7, 2011 by

If your pet is suffering with health problems, it can be hard to cope with. You may feel sad, helpless, and distraught; after all, many people consider their pets to be their best friends.

The first thing to do is to realize that you have done the best you can to keep your pet healthy. You love your pet, and you did not want them to get sick. This is not your fault so don’t place blame. Don’t spend time feeling guilt; it is not going to help the situation.

The next thing you should do is to make sure you are seeing the most qualified veterinarian. Just because a vet is close to your house, it doesn’t mean that it’s the best vet for your pet. Ask around to your friends, neighbors, and family members to see if they have any vet recommendations. You can also read reviews online. Searching online may be an even better idea if your pet has a specialized health problem- that way you can get testimonials from people who have been there and done that.

Remember to stay positive when interacting with your pet. Emotions play a big role in health and healing. Try to avoid saying negative things or being sad when bathing, walking, or feeding your pet. Instead, try to enjoy the moment and realize that your moods do make a difference.

If you have children, this last point is especially important. Children will follow your lead- so if you are sad and worried about the situation- they will be too. This can be traumatic for a young child. Likewise, if you are positive and upbeat- they will feel more comfortable with the situation. You do not have to lie or be dishonest- it’s always good to tell them the truth so they won’t be shocked- but you want to be balanced in your approach so that you won’t leave your child scarred for a long time.

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Should You Get a Pet?

March 3, 2011 by

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: , ,
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