Animal Shelter

Confused About Your Canine? Read This For Clarity

Raising a dog is a big undertaking and long term commitment. The responsibilities that come along with owning a pet are numerous, however so are the rewards. This article aims to provide you with a few useful tips to help you with the different aspects of owning and caring for a dog.

Always be prepared to pick up after your dog with a scoop and bag. Although most people think that this is simply a polite thing to do so that others don’t step in it, your dog’s excrement is actually hazardous!

It contains a bacterium that can contaminate local supplies when it washes through to ground water.

Talk to your vet about what foods are best for your dog. Sometimes, your puppy may not be developed enough to consume certain brands, as this can lead to an upset stomach or sicknesses. Be careful about which foods you feed your dog.

Don’t buy cheap dog food. It is best to invest in quality dog food. Sure, it’s more expensive. But, isn’t your pet worth it?

If your dog does something that you do not like, try to avoid just saying no. To your dog, no doesn’t really explain what you want your pup to do. Instead of saying no if your dog is jumping, try to get your dog to sit or lay down. By doing this, you provide your dog with an instruction of what to do.

Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. Once the dog arrive home, place a call to the vet and schedule that appointment. Your vet will provide a full check up and establish vaccination dates. In addition, consult your vet about spaying or neutering your dog. The shelters are already overcrowded, so you do not want to make that problem worse.

Do not allow your dog to remain outdoors all day long. Dogs need to interact with people and other dogs. Your dog may be lonely outside if he is the only dog in your household. In addition, if severe weather strikes, your dog needs to come inside in order to ensure its protection.

If your veterinarian prescribes medication or special care for your pet, make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. While a cone around the head is not a pleasant experience for your pet, it may be a necessary requirement for a short time. When a vet makes a recommendation, it is for the safety and health of your dog; if you ignore them, that can lead to trouble.

Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your dog. You should congratulate your dog when it displays a good behavior, for instance by giving it a treat or petting it. Talk to your dog in a soft voice and make sure you praise it every time the good behavior is displayed.

Groom your dog frequently. Keep them clean and reduce the amount of hair they shed by brushing them frequently. When the weather warms up, start checking them for ticks and fleas daily. Dogs generally require a few baths a year. Before you give your dog a bath, make sure to cut or comb out mats and tangles. Rinse their coat thoroughly to avoid dirt sticking to any soap residue.

If your dog gets anxious and lonely when you leave, put some music on before you head out. The sounds of the music will provide a sense of security and company for your dog. It could be just what he needs to get over his anxiety while he waits for you to come home.

Humane Society

Put your dog through obedience training. A well-trained dog is a joy to live with for both you and them. Teaching them simple commands like “Come,” “Heel,” “Sit,” and “Stay” can help curb or prevent troublesome behaviors in no time. You can either teach them yourself, or you can find out about obedience courses by contacting the SPCA or the local humane society for class recommendations.

There are few greater joys in life than the love you can share with your loyal companion. It won’t always be a walk in the park but the rewards are more than worth it. Enjoy your pup and continue to learn more to help keep your lives happy and healthy.…

Animal Shelters Near Me

Cat Tips: Keep Your Pet Happy And Healthy

Cats, like many other pets, require regular grooming. Do not expect grooming a cat to be like grooming a dog. Extra care must be provided to ensure they stay clean. Read on to find more things cat owners should know.

If your cat is picky about drinking water, invest in a cat fountain. These battery operated or plug in fountains keep water circulating and aerated. Many cats prefer this. A cat fountain will help keep your cat out of the kitchen sink and the toilet. It will also help prevent your cat from pawing water onto the floor in search of fresh water.

For a healthier, happier cat choose plain litter over scented litter. Cats like nice, clean, clumping cat litter. Scoop your cats litter box daily and change it completely every three days or so. When you change the box, wash it out with water and dish soap. Don’t waste your money on liners as cats tend to destroy them.

Never have your cat declawed. Many people misunderstand declawing, thinking it is the simple removal of a cat’s nail. This is not true. In fact, the veterinarian must remove the top knuckle along with the claw during the procedure. This can result in arthritis pain later in life and many behavior problems, such as biting. There are many alternatives from scratching posts to glue-on claw caps that can protect your belongings from a cat’s claws without resorting to such a harsh surgical solution.

Check your cats ears frequently for ear mites. You may notice your cat shaking their head or scratching their ears a lot if they have them. They are tiny parasites that look like coffee grounds in your cat’s ears. If you have more than one cat, they can also travel from cat to cat. See a vet before using any medication on them since their ears need properly cleaned first.

If you cat is pregnant is with babies, you can expect to have a lot of kittens on your hands. Create a comfortable place for the cat to deliver her babies somewhere in your home. Make sure the spot is big enough for the kittens to move around as they grow.

Feed your cat a proper diet. Cats are carnivores and have specific dietary needs. Feed them quality cat food that has been approved by AAFCO or the Association of American Feed Control Officials. If you wish to make your cat’s food yourself, make sure you speak with a vet about necessary supplements or specific recipes that your cat needs to eat.

When the cat’s litter box starts to become rough and worn at the bottom, it is time to replace it. If you leave it this way, it will cause waste to accumulate in damaged areas. Your cat may be very offended by the odor and decide to use the bathroom somewhere else in the house.

Pet

Help keep your cat’s fur soft and healthy with regular cleaning. While your pet might object violently to a dunk in the bathtub, there are other options. Many pet stores sell feline cleaning wipes. These convenient disposable wipes reduce allergens and remove oils and dirt. Some are scented with chamomile, which helps to calm your cat. These are especially useful if you have an older or injured pet that cannot groom itself properly.

Think about where you want to put the litter box. It is temping to put it someplace where the odor will not be noticed. But the most important factor is making sure your cat can easily access its littler box. Understand that cats are extremely picky. If its litter box is not in a convenient location, then your cat might not use it. Keeping litter boxes on cement floors that are cold can be remedied by placing a rug or mat under it.

Pet Adoption

If you are looking for a new home for your kitty, consider registering with an online pet adoption agency. Some of these companies screen applicants, so you will be sure that your pet is going into a good home. This is better than selling him to a creep who lurks around Craigslist all the time.

Your cat will be much happier if you apply the tips from this article. Do your best to make sure your cat is healthy and gets all the attention she needs. Any grooming efforts you take will be appreciated by your cat. You should apply the tips you just read to keep your cat happy and healthy.…