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There is an age old stereotype of cats being labeled as “divas”. Why? Most of it stems from the fact that they stay indoors, whereas dogs are let outside for daily walks making them seem more approachable, playful and loving. So, why not let cats outside?

To start off, cats and dogs are different in the ways they interact with the outside world. Both dogs and cats like to run around, play and stay busy with things that amuse or interest them. The difference is when you tell them not to do something or call them back; dogs will listen - cats will not. There’s a reason a dog is called a “man’s best friend”, and it wasn’t to take a stab at cats, even though dog lovers like to think otherwise. It was because dogs have a deeper level of attachment to their owners; it is just something that is inherent in them. It is not in a cat’s nature to be obedient, as it is a very independent animal.

Since putting a leash on them (although they should always have a collar/identification tag) to let them out for walks around the neighborhood is out of the question. If they choose to explore, there’s not much you can do to stop them and the only time they’ll choose to come back is most likely when they get hungry or tired. With that being kept in mind, it is costly for something as simple as to be able to allow them to roam. Vaccinations, flea and worming treatments are necessary in order to ensure they do not catch something because they are likely to explore and end up somewhere unclean.

Another factor that should play a big role in your decision is whether your female cat has been spayed. The chances of it ending up pregnant are unfortunately very high, especially if there are a lot of strays in the neighborhood. Furthermore, a cat’s life expectancy is shortened to three years when it is allowed to roam, versus the twelve years of life it enjoys indoors because, unfortunately, the chances of a cat surviving being hit by a car are very slim.

This problem is non-existent if your cat has spent most of its life indoors because it is probably terrified of the outdoors. It really comes down to the cat’s choice of whether it wants to go outside. Many have escaped outside as an act of rebellion, only to rush back realizing the error of their decision.

Talk with your vet about the pros and cons of letting your cat outdoors and the steps needed to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

Dental hygiene in dogs is extremely important because, just like people, dental disease can have a holistic effect on their body. If gone untreated for long periods of time, these problems can potentially have disastrous effects.

Plaque accumulates on your dog’s teeth and if it isn’t taken care of in a timely fashion, it hardens into tartar. This can lead to gum irritation and periodontal disease. One of the best remedies against this is water additives. They don’t contain any chlorhexidine, chlorines, or alcohol, which can be harmful to your dog. Instead, they typically contain enzymes that break down plaque as well as kill the bacteria associated with periodontal disease. Consult with your vet to determine which of the many solutions on the market are best for your dog.

Another remedy worth looking into is dental chews, which also counter plaque and tartar buildup. Like water additives, some may even contain enzymes to combat plaque before it hardens into tartar and control bacteria while others clean the dog’s teeth, simultaneously exercising his jaw. Again, consulting with your vet is always the best option before opting to use any method as part of your dog’s oral care. Your veterinarian can better determine what remedies are the best for your dog by taking x-rays to ensure there are no problems under the gum lines, as well as clean and polish your pet’s teeth.

Dogs are either good at hiding their pain or are unable to articulate their pain. Many owners can see changes in their dogs’ behavior after they receive dental therapy, citing their pets as much more playful and active than before. The ideal way to ensure good dental hygiene in your pet is by daily brushing and visiting the vet twice a year. Remember, good oral hygiene is imperative to your dog’s overall health, so treat it with as much care as you would any other problem.

Aging is a part of life, and cats are no different. Unfortunately, studies show that people put more effort into taking care of their aging dogs,  man’s best friend, than they do their cats. With a little bit of care and attention, even our older cats can live a longer and healthier life being the precocious animals they are.

What would be assumed to be the most obvious yet generally overlooked tip is to make sure you are visiting the vet at least twice a year. This could be an appointment for blood and urine samples for example, informing you of what is considered normal for your cat and what to recommend for it’s health accordingly.

While it’s easy  to let your older cat lounge around, justifying its age as the reason, it’s actually important they stay active. Cats, by nature, are prone to chase, hide, climb and explore. You don’t have to invest in pricey or even a multitude of toys, but just a few basic ones that can keep you cat busy. The idea is to keep them active, not to tire them out completely.

Just as activity is important, so is their rest; or more aptly, their means to rest. Move his bed to a more accessible area, (the same also goes for his food and water bowl) and make sure there are plenty of easy to reach spaces so your cat is able to climb without problems.

Because of declining activity, it is important to adjust your cats food intake accordingly. A food specifically designed for older cats is the best way to go. A dry food diet is good for cats, supplemented through canned food. This also allows you to observe their appetite, as cats tend to love canned food. Remember: obesity shortens your cat’s life span and hinders them from partaking in their daily activities, whatever they might be.

Show your cat the consideration and love needed in its later years. By doing so, you will receive the same love and affection back.

Many dog owners have established a kind of bond over the frustrating, but equally comical, experience of their dog’s reaction to water during bath time. However, water is imperative to a dog’s well being in many ways rather than just the obvious thirst-quenching factor.

 Involving the use of water in housetraining is a first. The norm has usually been to limit a dog’s water during the fact to keep them from urinating when you are unable to let them out. This technique is generally flawed. For one thing, dogs keep cool by panting, which is done effectively only if there is enough moisture in their respiratory system. Water helps in transporting waste products out through the kidneys and intestines, and also helps in cleansing the kidneys, reducing the risk of infection. Furthermore, if a dog is deprived of water when he needs it, he will make up for it after by drinking more than he needs to after. This in itself is a problem as it can cause physical ailments such as diarrhea, bloating, vomiting and urinating inside the house, the one thing you wanted to avoid in the first place.

Cooling is the next obvious use of water. Dogs are unaware of their needs, and are therefore thoroughly dependent on you to fulfill this essential need This is imperative since it is hard to distinguish overheating in dogs and can lead to death. Keep a close watch on your dog when the temperature starts rising, as your dog has not yet adjusted. It is normal behavior for your dog to occupy himself for long periods of time with activities that distract them such as chasing squirrels or some outdoor activity. Try to avoid leaving them alone for too long in hot temperatures because a dog will not realize it needs water until it is too late. If you are not sure if your dog is overheating, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Water is also great for a recreational use. In order to work through a dog’s natural fear of water, introduce them to it gently. On hot days, spraying them with cool water will not only cool them down but also create a positive association that dogs can have with water. Water is also sometimes used as a part of a physical therapy regimen for dogs with orthopedic problems.

Whatever the reason, make water your dog’s friend. They will thank you for it later.

The weather is nice out, so avoid the soggy bathroom and wet paw prints on your floors and take your dog outdoors for a bath! Unfortunately, most dogs don’t like to partake in this activity to get clean, but they, and you, have to tolerate it. To make this ordeal easier on the both of you, be sure you are properly prepared!

First of all, choose soap that is made for dogs; don't use dish soap or human shampoo, these aren’t formulated for maximum benefit for pets. You can even skip out on the flea soap since regular pet soap does just as good a job of killing fleas by washing them down the drain -- if there are any fleas on your pet at all, that is. The best way to keep your dog flea-free is to use a monthly "spot-on" treatment from your veterinarian by Frontline or Advantage.

Footing is important, inside or out. If you're using the bathtub, put down a mat or towel so your pet won't slip and get hurt. Outside, wash your dog on the lawn; it should give plenty of traction. Also, a spray nozzle is also essential. Pouring dirty water back on your pup seems a little counter-productive, don’t you think?

To prepare your dog for the dreaded bath time, comb or cut out tangles and mats beforehand. Remember to put a pinch of cotton just inside your dog's ears and a drop of mineral oil in each eye to help keep out the soap, too. Don't forget to take out the cotton later, though, or you'll be wondering why your dog is ignoring you more than usual!

Now the time has come to bathe your dog. Wet him thoroughly and then start shampooing, working up a good lather. The key to a good bath is a good rinse, since leftover soap will make the coat look dull and flaky. A cream rinse or detangler is a good idea, especially for silky or double-coated breeds, and must be followed by another thorough rinse for the best results.

After your dog has shaken off all the water, towel him off and let him dry inside. Dogs who dry off clean stay cleaner longer, and that means you and your dog can avoid the next bath just a little bit longer! 

Moving is tough on families, pets included. Animals have a way of telling when something’s amiss, even if they aren’t sure what it is, or why. Here’s the key to moving pets: secure them before and during the move, and settle them safely and quickly into a routine after. The first thing you should do when moving your pet is order ID tags with the new address and phone number, so you'll have them securely attached to all collars when moving day finally arrives. You may also want to spray the premises for fleas before you are all moved in. This is your best chance to get into every nook and cranny.

 If you have a cat, the move can be especially difficult. Cats form a bond not only with the people in a home but also with the home itself. Cats like to roam and explore, so it can be hard to keep them around the new home long enough to realize that this is where their family will now be staying.

Dogs are a touch easier to deal with, though. Just put his leash on and take a drive to the new house, showing him his new home and the securely fenced back yard. Unless the dog is some sort of incredible high-jumper, he'll stay put while he adjusts. It’s as simple as that.

Keeping cats confined is a must when moving to ensure their safety as they adjust to their new home, making it their own. Set your cat up in a “safe room”, such as a bathroom, with food, water, his bed, a scratching post, litter box, and a toy or two while packing and moving are taking place. When you finally bring your cat to the new house, put your cat into a this room for a few days, just until the movers are gone, the furniture arranged and most of the dust settled, and then allow him to explore on his own terms.

Quickly re-establish a routine for all of your pets. It would be a good idea to have a few extra litter boxes around the house to avoid any accidents. Overtime, you can gradually reduce the number of boxes when you know your cat isn't picking unapproved places to go.

Moving to a new home is the perfect opportunity to convert your free-roaming cat to a house-dweller if you have been considering it for health and safety reasons. In your old home, you'd be constantly listening to your cat demanding to be let out into the rest of his territory. In a new home, his territory hasn’t been claimed so the new home can be made into his only turf by keeping him inside from day one.

If you don't want to convert him, keep him inside for a couple of weeks, until he seems relaxed. You can introduce your cat to the new yard by taking him on short tours with a harness and a leash, but in the end, you'll have to take your chances, open the door and hope for the best.

Moving to a new home is an exciting adventure. Just make sure you are taking all of theright precautions to make sure it is just as great for your pet. Good luck!

 

The loss of a beloved dog is always a trial for it's owners, who very much see it as a family member. For those blessed with two or more dogs, the loss is very evident in the other dogs' behavior as well. Depression and being inactive is a common occurrence along with personality changes. In order to ensure that your dog makes it through this rough patch, there are a number of things you can do, which can in turn also be therapeutic for you.

Positive training with your dog, if done effectively, will not only improve your relationship with your dog, but will also refine the dog's behavior. Positive reinforcement for rewarding behavior is essential in training the dog. Consulting a trainer or observing a class may be a helpful way to go about it if you're unsure where to start.

Take care to notice all the things that the grieving dog used to enjoy that he/she seems disconnected from now. Little things such as taking walks, even if just to the mailbox, can be a great technique to slowly bring your dog back to a routine.

Many owners rush into getting another dog in order to fill the void the previous one left. This can be especially detrimental to the grieving dog's healing process. For one thing, your dog is your family member and cannot be easily replaced. You will simply make room for a new addition, but do so at a manageable pace. Forcing this will cause your dog to feel abandoned, as it is not uncommon for owners to start paying more attention to a new dog, especially a younger one. Moreover, chances are the new dog will not exactly be welcomed with open arms by the grieving dog, possibly resulting in aggressive altercations between the two. Receiving individual attention is crucial at this stage for the grieving dog and it is best to wait before getting a new one.

Mourning the loss of a loved one is natural and it is extremely important to realize that your dog may also be taking a toll from this loss. The best thing to do in this situation is to reach out to the grieving dog. This is a healthy remedy for not only your pet, but you as well.

 

Often times, people believe that the only way to create a good bond with their dog is to start when they are puppies, but this is not necessarily true. You still have the ability to create a strong relationship with a dog that you adopt at an older age. It’s hard work to build relationships, but in the end, it’s a labor of love.

Bonding occurs when you and your dog focus on each other, so it is crucial that you take time out of every day to spend with your dog. Do you have more than one dog? Take each one on an individual outing to build a relationship with each one. If you always take them all out together, you are missing out on important bonding opportunities!

People who seem to be reliable to the dogs wind up receiving complete trust in return, an important factor in the bonding process. This means taking them out frequently so that they can avoid an accident, being fed regularly, and not leaving them in a crate for extended periods of time. Think about it, don’t you get along better with those who you can rely on?

There are a few errors that people make when attempting to bond with their pup:

1. It may sound odd, but some people trick their dog into doing something wrong, and then punish the dog to teach them what not to do. Practice success, not failure! Dogs learn better through praise and reward, making them confident and teaching good habits. Your praise is valued by your furry friend, take advantage of that!

2. Extending a correction to something a dog has done wrong can really distress your dog and affects their ability to learn. Corrections to issues should be quick and over before the dog can even get upset, ending with the dog doing the correct thing and then being praised and rewarded for it.

3. Nothing is gained by punishments that inflict pain or fear. In fact, it only makes things worse! By doing this, your dog loses trust in you and confidence in himself/herself.

Here are a few things that you should regularly include in your dog’s schedule to create a healthy bond between you two:

1. Take your dog on outings- just the two of you. This is a great time to work on training and socializing!

2. Train your dog daily for several months. The best types of simple training to create a bond are teaching him/her to stay, retrieving, come-when-called, eye contact, and walking on a loose leash.

3. It is impossible to overstate the benefits of grooming your dog daily. This gets your dog used to human handling and, in particular, your touch.

It is great for you and your dog to create a bond with each other. By doing this, you are making him/her a part of your family, leaving everyone feeling happy!

 

It’s bad news if your cat is feeling stressed. Why you ask? Stress is a key factor in health issues that develop in cats which can lead to litter box mishaps. To keep your cat healthy and your home nice and clean, look out for and try to avoid these stressors your cat could be experiencing:

1. You have many cats, and not enough litter boxes! This is going to lead to tension and aggression among your felines, especially if one cat in particular is hogging the restroom and the other cats have nowhere else to turn. Also, be sure the boxes are in quiet, private areas of the home and are kept clean. They need to be easy to reach, especially for those cats that are a tad older and have a harder time getting around. Your best option: at least one box per cat to avoid prospective issues from having to share.

2. Cats don’t appreciate change! Consistency in food, dish location, and feeding schedules are a must! Seclusion is a key factor as well; cats prefer to eat in private---this means they want their own bowl, full of clean, fresh water that hasn’t been touched by another cat. You may even want to consider getting a pet water fountain for a constant supply of recirculated, filtered water. Yeah, cats are picky that way.

3. Bored cats are stressed cats. Let them outdoors, they love it out there! Just be sure they are fenced in to keep them safely in your yard. Your home can be fun to them too, though; cat towers are incredibly helpful here, giving them something vertical to climb on. They also love to hide in spots and explore, so give them that opportunity! Don’t skip out on play time, either. Cats love toys and even a few greens and catnip for them to chew and roll around on would be a great addition to your home.

4. Try to keep the noise level to a minimum in your home. Loud TVs and family members aren’t the most pleasurable thing for a cat---they like to have quiet time and prefer to stay away from all the racket.

5. A massage for your kitty! This could be beneficial for the both of you! Research has shown that petting your cat lowers your stress levels as well as your cats.

Reducing the amount of stress in your cat’s life can ultimately reduce the amount of stress in your own life. So, not only are you keeping your cat happy and healthy, but you are benefiting yourself as well!

 

We all know that exercise is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For all of us dog lovers, we like to have them participate in our activities, but we have to remember that our energetic little friends have limits that differ from ours.

Here are some potentially hazardous scenarios to avoid when exercising with your pup.

High Jumping- While dogs love to chase around a ball or Frisbee, tossing these objects too high or off of a tall structure can cause your dog to land awkwardly. Unfortunately this accounts for the crippling of many canines each year. Be sure to keep the objects lower to the ground to protect your pet from over extending themselves and causing an injury.

Dangerous Objects- When fetching, use lightweight safe toys like a tennis ball for instance. Heavy and hard objects can damage dog’s teeth when caught. Sticks can also pose a hazard to pups when caught, because they can easily extend to the back of the mouth or throat causing an injury.

Over-Exercising- Our dogs may seem like they have an endless supply of energy, but the reality is, they experience fatigue just like we do. Without moderation a dog will become tired, lethargic, and extended bouts of extreme exercise can lead to more serious conditions like heat stroke or dehydration. Always bring water to keep your canine friend hydrated throughout exercise sessions.

Heat- In South Florida we are accustomed to a hot climate. We have to remember that unlike humans, dogs have an inability to regulate body temperature efficiently. Dogs that have short muzzles, black and long-haired dogs, and especially young or old dogs are most susceptible to overheating. Remember that the top temperature for a working (or allowing a dog to play excessively) is about 85° F. However 85° would be too hot for those dogs that are most susceptible to overheating. Also remember the humidity, as the heat index increases with the level of humidity.

Warming Up- It is crucial to have your dog warm up before sessions of intense exercise like pulling a sled or doing a lot of running. This can prevent strain and fatigue. Light activity allows the pup to warm up his muscles and get moving before taking on a heavier activity load. The rest period after activity is also vital as it is the time allotted for muscle recovery.

Following these basic guidelines will have you and your pet living a happy, safe and healthy lifestyle together. Now all you have to do is get moving!