Blog
Training an Obedient Dog
Starting a training program with your dog can help him improve his manners, ability to follow directions, and overall leash control. Even well behaved dogs can benefit from basic discipline. Not only will training help improve your dog’s demeanor, it can also keep him safe from harm’s way in an emergency.
Getting Started
Training is a continuous process that only improves with time. It’s best to start a regimen with your dog when he’s young – ideally within his first year. Teach in short bursts to start, no longer than half an hour each. Over time, you can increase your sessions as your pup’s attention span develops.
Popular Commands
Here are some common commands to try:
- Sit: Mastering this request is the best... read more
How to Train Your Kitten to Be an Outdoor Cat
Most cats love having the opportunity to play outdoors, but yours may be an exception. Some cats live in fear of the elements, while others have simply become accustomed to indoor life. If you’d like to give your new cat the chance to spend more time in your yard, try training him using the steps below. Before long, you may even be able to install a cat door to let your feline friend explore your yard whenever he wants.
Why Some Cats Prefer the Indoors
For some kittens, indoor living is all they’ve experienced in their young lives. Other cats have a learned fear of the outdoors, whether due to a dangerous experience or an encounter with another animal. If your cat is adopted, he may have spent time...
Tips for Controlling Shedding
When choosing a pet, many families seek specific breeds for the amount of hair they shed – or lack thereof. Shedding is not always a matter of heredity, however: there are also several environmental factors that can impact the amount of hair animals shed. Here are a few common reasons why pets shed, plus ways to control the amount of hair in your home:
Why Pets Shed
There are many different factors that affect shedding, such as:
-
- Nutrition: Like humans, the food that pets eat can directly affect the amount of hair that they shed. When consuming proper nutrients, your pet’s skin will stay well-oiled and elastic, allowing for strong hair follicles. Vigorous hair follicles equate to... read more
Remedies for Pet Allergies
A fur or hair allergy diagnosis can be devastating for people who love to own pets. It’s commonly thought that allergy sufferers can’t experience relief without giving their pet up for adoption, but it doesn’t always have to be that way. Luckily, there are many actions for pet lovers to take to ensure that companionship with their dog or cat continues for many years to come.
Find Out the Specifics
If you think you may be allergic to your cat or dog, see a doctor first. Different people react to separate allergens – like dander or fur – and symptoms can range from watery eyes to life-threatening asthma. Have an allergy test done to determine the root cause.
Make Your Home an Allergy-Free Environment
After you’ve...
Top Reasons to Have Your Pet Spayed or Neutered
One of the most important parts of being a responsible pet owner is having your cat or dog spayed or neutered before it becomes an adult. Spaying (for female pets) and neutering (the male equivalent) is a form of birth control that prevents unwanted litters. In addition to keeping homeless pets off streets and out of shelters, spaying and neutering can also have long-term health benefits to help your pet live a happier life. Many cities now enforce mandatory spaying and neutering, but read on for additional reasons to help you make the right decision.
-
- Prevents Unwanted Pets: Unplanned litters often mean pets going homeless, either in shelters or on the streets. Most cities already face overcrowded shelters, so take... read more
Why You Should Never Get Your Cat Declawed
Scratching is a form of exercise for cats, and it also helps keep their claws maintained. Though scratching is perfectly normal behavior, some cat owners become frustrated by pets who claw and scratch furniture and carpets. As a quick fix, many owners have their cats declawed by a veterinarian. Once a common procedure, these days declawing is widely known as a dangerous and painful practice that can have long-term effects on the health of your pet.
Declawing Defined
Many believe that declawing is a simple surgery that can be compared to trimming a human’s fingernails. The actual process, however, involves amputation of the last bone on each toe. To compare this to the human body, declawing would be like...
read moreFive Common Cat Personality Types
Like many animals, cats have unique quirks and personality types. If you own more than one cat, this fact is especially apparent, as even kittens from the same litter can display drastically different behaviors. For example, one cat may love to run amok at all hours of the night, while another refuses to leave his favorite hiding place under your bed. Here are five common cat “personality types” – which does your pet fall under?
The Mischievous Cat
Also known as the “party animal,” this type of cat is known to have a lot of energy. If your cat is rambunctious, he may run and play all day – and night – long. Though playful cats can be a lot of fun, they may expel excess energy by damaging furniture or a
The Five Dog “Personality Types”
Dogs are intelligent creatures that are capable of many emotions. As researchers learn more about the way canines interact, the more they uncover about their habits. Many believe that by understanding your dog’s individual personality, you can better comprehend his behavior; from bad habits like begging, to hiding or other defensive actions. Most dogs can be categorized as one of five common “personality types.” Read on for more info and how to properly manage each personality type:
Confident and Independent
Dominant pups are natural pack leaders and often feel secure with their surroundings. Usually, their confidence is indicated through body language, which is why they...
read moreThe Facts About Cats
Cats have been domesticated pets for thousands of years, but many myths about our furry friends still exist. Misconceptions about cats can result in difficulties with owners and visitors who come in contact with them, so clearing up myths about cats can help make life easier for cats and humans alike.
- Myth 1 – Cats have nine lives: Cats are smart, tough and good at getting themselves out of jams, but immortal, they are not. This is the most common and obviously false myth about felines.
- Myth 2 – Cats steal the breath of babies: Cats do not do this, but they are attracted to warmth and may cuddle up with babies in cribs. Should the cat press up against the face of an infant who cannot turn away, breathing may be hampered. It’s best to keep cats out of areas... read more
Three Top Separation Anxiety Myths
Separation anxiety is a common problem among canines, and it can cause destructive behavior such as chewing, soiling carpets, and aggression. Many dog owners don’t understand canine separation anxiety and there are many myths about the problem. Here are three of the most common:
- Letting your dog sleep in your bed will cause separation anxiety – Research shows no basis for the theory that co-sleeping with your pup will make him more likely to experience separation anxiety. However, if your dog already suffers from separation anxiety, co-sleeping may exacerbate the problem. For dogs suffering from separation anxiety, a better solution is allowing the dog to sleep in a bed near... read more