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Why Puppies Play and the Purpose of Playing
Puppies and adult dogs like to socialize. One important aspect of learning for puppies and how they fit in a multi-dog household is playing with other dogs and their pet parents. Playtime allows them to determine what boundaries there are in their household.
In addition, play allows puppies the ability to test what is and is not appropriate behavior, such as chewing on a shoe versus chewing on a toy. Other purposes of play provide puppies with additional benefits, including:
- Strengthening the bond you and your puppy share. Establishing a strong bond between you and your puppy makes it easier to train him or her. Puppies will trust you to guide and teach them.
- Puppies learn how to control biting. Playtime with stuffed toys... read more
The Best Exercise for Older Dogs Is Right in Your Own Backyard
As our dogs age we strive to find the right balance of exercise and relaxation. Moving from the living room to the backyard in comfort, and quickly if nature calls, requires extra attention from pet parents. A dog flap for free access to the outdoors is ideal for this time of life, and even installing a dog door in a glass door is easier than you might think.
Elder dogs benefit from the same activities they have always enjoyed, but in smaller doses. Regular gentle exercise prevents heart problems, arthritis, and obesity.1 Exercising in the backyard may help prevent the strains and injuries that occur in tall grass, deep sand, or in the brush. It is also a safe environment for dogs...
read moreCan Dogs and Cats Get Depressed?
When you’re down and out, chances are that your dog or cat senses these feelings and sticks by your side until you seem to be feeling better. Just like humans, pets can also suffer from depression. Has your once bubbly pet become listless and withdrawn? Has a major life event taken place recently? If so, your dog or cat may be suffering from pet depression.
Signs of Pet Depression
It’s hard to know when dogs and cats are suffering from depression, simply because we cannot ask them, but there are certain symptoms that your furry family member may show if he or she is down and out. Common signs of dog depression include:
- Changes in appetite
- Avoidance
- Loss of... read more
Why Do Pets Itch Their Ears?
Itches happen! When a dog or cat uses their hind foot to reach a scratch, this is usually normal. On the other hand, if your pet is pawing or scratching at their ear constantly, chances are that there’s an underlying health issue that may be causing discomfort. Keep reading to learn what could be causing your dog or cat itching ears and treatment options to consider.
Causes of Ear Scratching
Constant itching of the ears in pets is a telltale sign that there’s something going on. Your pet’s diet, breed, and lifestyle all play a role in the health of their ears. Ear scratching can be caused by:
- An ear infection
- Skin problems
- Wax build up
- Debris in the ear
- A cut
- Poor... read more
How to Help Your Pet with a Stomach Ache
Treating an upset stomach in humans typically involves bland food, ginger ale, and medicine to settle things down—but do you know what to do if your dog or cat has an upset stomach? Here are the signs and symptoms of a stomach ache in your pet, as well as treatment options and helpful tips such as installing a dog or cat door.
What Causes a Pet Stomach Ache?
In pets, there are all sorts of factors that can cause a stomach ache. More likely than not, your pet ate something that he shouldn’t have. Dogs are notorious for eating anything they can put in their mouth. Other times a dog may have tummy issues because of a sensitive stomach, stress, or a sudden change in food. On the other hand, a cat...
read moreCan Cats and Dogs Get Along?
In the movie Ghostbusters, Dr. Peter Venkman said, “Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together … mass hysteria!” People often use the phrase “fighting like cats and dogs.” Our culture seems to peg the two as polar opposites, destined to be adversaries.
However, it is possible for the two to get along. The idea of dogs living with cats isn’t so far-fetched, especially if they’re introduced in their youth. Puppies are far less aggressive than adult canines, in most cases, and keener on learning a cat’s boundaries. A feline is then less likely to go scurrying through the cat doors; also, a kitten is less likely to have had bad dog experiences. In fact, animals often forge a bond as they grow together.
Other factors in acclimating dogs and cats...
read moreHoliday Gifts for Your Pets
With the holiday season here, many families are planning their gift giving. That includes the pets. In fact, a National Pet Owners Survey from the American Pet Products Association reveals 48% of dog owners purchased pet Christmas gifts for their pooch in 2016, as did 38% of cat owners. Aside from pet doors, there are nearly limitless ideas.
In case you need pet gifts ideas, here are a few:
Ideas for Dog Gifts
- Rawhide, plastic, or plush bones
- Squeaky toys in any color, shape, or size
- Ropes with attached squeaky toys or balls
- Personalized dog collar with name and/or stones/jewels
- Water bottle with attachable... read more
Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth
Many pet owners leave out an important aspect of dogs’ and cats’ health—dental care. In addition to annual visits to the veterinarian, you should consider brushing their teeth daily. It can make their lives easier—like pet doors can. You may prevent disease, tooth extractions, and even avoid dog teeth cleaning by vet technicians.
Shopping for dog and cat doors may be simple, but how do you go about getting your pet to cooperate with toothbrushing? First, your dog must be calm and relaxed. Try to brush pets’ teeth daily so they get used to the routine; it can prevent bad breath, tooth decay, discoloration, gum disease, and oral bacteria from entering a pet’s bloodstream and organs.
Helping Your Pet Lose Weight
Pet doors come in many sizes, and so do pets. If you find your dog or cat is showing signs of obesity, it’s time to help them lose weight. In 2016, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reported about 54% of canines included overweight dogs and 59% of cats in the U.S. are overweight. Thus, fitting through those tight dog doors and cat doors can get tough.
Overweight dog health problems include diabetes, arthritis, heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, and even cancer. If you want your overweight cats and dogs to live healthier, here’s how to help your pets lose weight.
Calculate and Measure
Feeding guidelines often don’t consider your individual pet’s needs. Calculate calorie requirements by dividing the pet’s weight (in...
read moreHelping Your Pet with Seasonal Allergies
Tis the season of sniffles, sneezes, and sore sinuses. That’s right. Springtime seasonal allergies are back, once again, and they affect many Australians. What many forget is that cats and dogs can experience seasonal allergies and often need treatment to ease their suffering, too. Natural remedies are available to help alleviate cat and dog allergies so that they can get back to their old selves.
If your dog gets itchy during spring, summer, and autumn, he or she is most likely reacting to seasonal environmental allergies. If the symptoms continue year-round, it could be a sensitivity to a certain ingredient in the food you feed him or her.
The general symptoms of allergies in pets include:
- Itchy, red, moist,... read more