For The Love of Our Pets

When it comes to puppies, it can be difficult for people who have a full time job to provide the needed care. For puppies under six months old, it will be necessary for the owner to be home for at least some of the day, but for older puppies, a few convenient pet accessories can provide assistance for those times when at work. It’s important to have a dog door installed for owners who work. The dog door allows the pet to go outside when needed and the owner won’t have to worry about house trained pets having an accident while not at home. It’s also a good idea to have an automatic pet feeder and waterer to provide food and water throughout the day. While some dogs can be trained to have food in their bowls at all time and regulate their weight through physical activity, a lot of dogs will continue to eat until they’re too full, which can be unhealthy.

When owners do arrive home, it’s important that attention be paid to their dog right away. All dogs are pack animals, and when the leader arrives home, they will want to be near them for the rest of the day. Plan on taking a walk and spending time together often after work!

The ASPCA recommends bathing your dog every 3 months or so; your pet may require more frequent baths in the summertime if she spends lots of time with your outdoors. Always use a mild shampoo that’s safe to use on dogs, and follow these easy steps:
- First, give your pet a good brushing to remove all dead hair and mats.
- Place a rubber bath mat in the bathtub to provide secure footing, and fill the tub with about 3 to 4 inches of lukewarm water or use a pet booster bath, for your pets safety.
- Use a spray hose to thoroughly wet your pet, taking care not to spray directly in her ears, eyes or nose. If you don’t have a spray hose, a large plastic pitcher or unbreakable cup will do.
- Gently massage in shampoo, working from head to tail.
- Thoroughly rinse with a spray hose or pitcher; again, avoid the ears, eyes and nose.
- Check the ears for any foul odors or excessive debris; if you choose to use a cleansing solution on a cotton ball, take care not to insert it into the ear canal.
- Dry your pet with a large towel or blow dryer, but carefully monitor the level of heat.

Please note: Some animals seem to think that bathtime is a perfect time to act goofy. Young puppies especially will wiggle and bounce all over the place while you try to brush them, and tend to nip at bathtime. If this sounds like your pet, put a toy that floats in the tub with her so she can focus on the toy rather than on mouthing you.

Snip, clip, wash and dry! Groom your dog like a pro:Ever watched your dog roll on the ground, lick her coat or chew at a mat on her fur? These are her ways of keeping clean. Sometimes, though, she’ll need a little extra help from her friend to look her best.

Grooming sessions should always be fun, so be sure to schedule them when your dog’s relaxed, especially if she’s the excitable type. Until your pet is used to being groomed, keep the sessions short—just 5 to 10 minutes. Gradually lengthen the time until it becomes routine for your dog. You can help her get comfortable with being touched and handled by making a habit of petting every single part of your dog, including such potentially sensitive areas as the ears, tail, belly, back and feet.

And here’s one of our most important tips of all—pile on the praise and offer your pooch a treat when the session is finished!

Food. You can offer your kitten either dry food, canned food, or both. Be sure to choose food which is designed for kittens. They require a diet which is especially rich in protein, calcium, and other nutrients. Cat food that is for adults is not sufficient. Your young cat will need the enhanced kitten food until he or she is a year old. Young kittens need to eat every few hours, because their tummies are so small. I like to feed them canned food several times a day but also have a bowl of dry food available for them to munch on whenever they wish.

Warmth. Young kittens need to stay warm, but their bodies are too small to retain body heat well. That is why they like to cuddle up together, or curl up under your chin or in your lap to sleep. Kittens younger than about 10 weeks need a warm place to be, such as under an incadescent lamp or a Heated pet bed. This is especially important if you have only one kitten.

Litter boxes. Kittens will instinctively use the litter box as they get older, but their mother also helps to teach them. Make sure that a litter box with sides low enough for the kittens to get in and out is easily accessible. Use regular litter, not the clumping kind! Small kittens can lick themselves, swallow the clumping litter, and suffer dangerous blockages in their digestive track! Once the kitten is 3 months old, they can safely use the clumping litter. Keep the litter box clean - this encourages the kitten to develop good litter box habits. I hope you and your new Kitten will be very happy together.

Whether you’re going around the block or across the country, the ASPCA recommends that you keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. Make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. You’ll also want to keep in mind: 
 1.Don’t allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window. This can subject him to inner ear damage and lung infections, and he could be injured by flying objects.
2.Don’t feed your furry friend in a moving vehicle—even if it’s a long drive.
3.Carry a gallon thermos of cold water, or bring along a two-liter plastic bottle of water that you’ve frozen the night before.

It’s not always easy to live with humans if you’re a dog. First, you have to learn that humans don’t like it when you urinate or defecate indoors. Then you have to figure out how to get outside when you need to go! Since you don’t have opposable thumbs for opening doors, you’re in a bit of a predicament You could suggest a pet door.

Sometimes it’s difficult for pet parents to tell when their dogs need to go outside to eliminate Thats why a pet doors is a great idea. Some dogs show obvious signs, but others aren’t as adept at telling people when they need to go out. If your dog falls into the latter category, don’t worry. There’s a way to help her/him let you know when she needs a bathroom break.  Start paying attention to your dogs Body language that will help you a lot.

Let’s face it, we all like to have our dogs with us wherever we go, but often unattended dogs can get into trouble. Whether outdoors in the backyard, or relaxing at the beach, a portable dog pen is an excellent option. While portable dog pens can’t house dogs of all sizes, most are effective with small and medium sized dogs. Having a portable dog pen also eliminates the need to have the dog tied up, and we all know how dogs always find away to entangle themselves! It’s possible to find portable dog pens in a wide range of sizes suited for most dogs, and portable dog pens can also be used for other pets including cats, rabbits, and chickens. For travel and camping, portable dog pens are ideal for pets that like to spend time outdoors near their owners.

Depending on the model, some portable dog pens can be attached to each other and used to form a more substantial fence. This is ideal for owners who have open backyards, and want their pets to be able to go outdoors but not escape from the yard.

Dogs, especially older ones, tend to love routine. But for the sake of her/him health, your vet may recommend the following changes:

Aging animals undergo metabolic and body composition changes. Some of these are unavoidable, but others can be managed with diet. Dog foods formulated for seniors should be lower in fat, but not lower in protein (ask your vet for a recommendation). It is also a good idea to change your dogs bed to a thermo pet mat, for better sleeping for your aging dog.

Since smaller dogs live longer and don’t experience age-related changes as early as bigger dogs, size is used to determine when it’s time to feed your canine a senior diet:
Small breeds/dogs weighing less than 20 pounds—7 years of age
Medium breeds/dogs weighing 21 to 50 pounds—7 years of age
Large breeds/dogs weighing 51 to 90 pounds—6 years of age
Giant breeds/dogs weighing 91 pounds or more—5 years of age

More frequent feedings are easier on a dog’s digestive system than one or two large meals a day.

Some vets feel that aging dogs benefit from the addition of dietary supplements, also known as “nutriceuticals.” Common nutriceuticals added to senior food formulas include glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene and extra vitamin C and vitamin E. Speak with your vet about whether your dog needs additional supplements for specific health issues.

When you first get your cat, you’ll need to spend about $25 for a litter box, $10 for a collar, and $30 for a carrier. Food runs about $170 a year, plus $50 annually for toys and treats, $175 annually for litter and an average of $150 for veterinary care every year. The best place to get a cat? Your local shelter! Please visit your local shelter and rescue groups in your area to find the right cat for you.

Grooming
Most cats stay relatively clean and rarely need a bath, but you should brush or comb your cat regularly. Frequent brushing helps keep your cat’s coat clean, reduces the amount of shedding and cuts down on the incidence of hairballs.

Housing
Your pet should have her own clean, dry place in your home to sleep and rest. Line your cat’s bed with a soft, warm blanket or towel. Be sure to wash the bedding often. Please keep your cat indoors. Cats who are allowed outdoors can contract diseases, get ticks or parasites, become lost or get hit by a car, or get into fights with other free-roaming cats and dogs. Also, cats may prey on native wildlife.

Litter Box
All indoor cats need a litter box, which should be placed in a quiet, accessible location. A bathroom or utility room is a good place for your cat’s box. In a multi-level home, one box per floor is recommended. Avoid moving the box unless absolutely necessary. Then do so slowly, a few inches a day.

Keep in mind that cats won’t use a messy, smelly litter box, so scoop solid wastes out of the box at least once a day. Dump everything, wash with a mild detergent and refill at least once a week; you can do this less frequently if using clumping litter. Don’t use ammonia, deodorants or scents, especially lemon, when cleaning the litter box.

For couples where both people have a career, it might seem impossible to have a dog without being at home for long stretches.  But with a few helpful supplies, even the busiest people can have a loving dog waiting for them when coming home.  First, unless prepared to be at home for at 14-16 hours throughout the day, purchasing a puppy isn’t a good idea.  Puppies require constant care during the first few months of their lives, and it’s not feasible to have a puppy unless they are attended to for a majority of the day.  However, owning a dog that is house trained and can hold their bladder is much simpler.  For feeding and water while not at home, purchase an automatic pet feeder and automatic pet waterer.  These items will ensure the dog has fresh food and water at all times.  It’s also a good idea to install a dog door in the home, and depending on location, a pet fence in the backyard.  This will allow the dog to go outside when needed.  Most adult dogs can only hold their bladders for about four hours at the most. 

With the above products in place, business people who might be away from the home for 8-10 hours during the day can still have a dog.  Just remember to give them lots of attention upon returning!