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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. 

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.

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!

 

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!

 

February 20th is Love Your Pet Day and we’re here to help celebrate the day by giving you 20 fun facts you might not have known about your favorite furry friend!

This section is for the Ailurophiles which is a name given to those people who love cats!

• Studies have shown that cats have better memories than dogs, monkeys or orangutans.
• Cats spend almost 30% of their lives grooming themselves.
• Your cat's heart beats twice as fast as yours.
• Cats almost never "purr" at other cats. The sound is reserved for humans.
• One litter of kittens can be produced by more than one father.
• Sir Isaac Newton invented the cat door.
• It’s not just from the movies; cats really can be trained to use the toilet as their litter box. Some can even be taught to flush when they’re done.
• Cats have five toes on each front foot, but only four on each back foot.
• A cat can jump up to five times its height in a single bound.
• Just like fingerprints. Every cat’s nose pad is different.

This section is for “Amantes de los perros” which is Spanish for dog lovers!

• The phrase “raining cats and dogs” originated in seventeenth-century England. During heavy rainstorms, many homeless animals would drown and float down the streets, giving the appearance that it had actually rained cats and dogs.
• Dalmatians are completely white at birth.
• Some dogs can detect cancer that is too small to be detected by a doctor and can find lung cancer by sniffing a person’s breath.
• Despite their breed or size, all dogs have 42 teeth and 321 bones—all breeds.
• The dog was one of the first animals domesticated by humans.
• Louis Doberman, a German tax-collector, created the Doberman breed in the late 1860s to protect him while he worked
• The only sweat glands a dog has are between the paw pads.
• The U.S. has the highest domestic dog population in the world.
• It has been established that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.
• The world’s smartest dogs are thought to be (1) the border collie, (2) the poodle, and (3) the golden retriever.

Having a hard time finding the perfect gift for the pet-lover in your life? Look no further! Here are some ideas to help you discover the best gift for that special someone.

Make this Valentine’s Day a special one with a customized gift from 4 Paws Forever. 4 Paws Forever creates one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry from the actual paw print of pets--- and since every paw print is unique, just as no two fingerprints of a human are the same,  this gift is completely original! Just visit www.4pawsforever.org to get started on a custom gift to give this year.

You can spread the love AND help out a charity when you buy a gift from the Animal Rescue Site! Each item you buy provides at least 14 bowls of food for shelter animals in need---could it get any better? From jewelry to measuring spoon sets, you are bound to find just the right thing to give for Valentine’s Day this year at www.theanimalrescuesite.com.

Finding just the right gift for your pet-lover is SIMPLE when you shop on Dog is Good’s website. Even better, a portion of the proceeds for some of these gifts benefit rescue! Dog is Good is proud to enable dog addicts worldwide and only offer the best, and sometimes the funniest, products to their customers! Check out what they have to offer at www.dogisgood.com.

Sites like these take the hassle out of gift giving. Now you should have no trouble discovering something special and unique to give on Valentine’s Day! 

February is National Pet Dental Health month, so we decided to celebrate the most appropriate way by giving you some tips and the importance of taking care of their dental health. Many pet owners don’t realize the importance of brushing their cat or dog’s teeth, and tend to neglect it. The key to maintaining good oral hygiene is to brush their teeth daily in order to remove plaque, which is a collection of bacteria that builds up at the gum line. If you don’t remove this plaque routinely it will form tartar, which will irritate the gums and could lead to infection or the loss of teeth. You don’t want your pet to get an infection under the gum line because it can spread to the liver, kidneys, and heart.

If you brush your pet’s teeth daily, you will not have to have them cleaned by a veterinarian as often. You should examine their teeth monthly and check for yellow or brown material where the tooth meets the gum line. If there is a lot of yellow or brown material, bring your pet in for a professional cleaning as soon as you can. If you perform daily brushings at home, start by picking a soft-bristled or finger toothbrush and apply only toothpaste purchased from your veterinarian. Do not use human toothpaste because it is harmful to your pet and has detergents that shouldn’t be swallowed by them.

Begin brushing your pet’s teeth as soon as their puppy or kitten teeth surface so that you can get them used to the procedure. Also, brushing their teeth is very necessary in the removal of plaque. There are also many precautions that you can take to try and avoid a large buildup:

• Hard food helps remove plaque from teeth. The combination of special diets and daily brushings is the best way to keep the teeth clean.
• Chewing on objects harder than teeth may lead to dental fractures. Cow and horse hoofs commonly cause fractures of the upper fourth premolars.
• Tug-of-war games should not be played, especially in young dogs and cats to avoid moving growing teeth.
• Throwing toy discs can cause trauma to the teeth, resulting in pulpitis (an inflammation of the pulp).

Remember, humans aren’t the only ones who need quality dental care. Give your pet a sparkling smile and they’ll thank you for life!

One of the most common diseases in older pets is kidney disease. This may be a stressful time for your family but with the assistance of your veterinarian and a few helpful tips, your pet can live a long, happy, and healthy life.

 What is Kidney Disease?

   The kidneys filter and remove waste materials from the blood and help regulate body fluids. Kidney Disease occurs when the kidneys fail to perform these functions properly and waste accumulates in the blood.

Signs of Kidney Disease

     Signs usually do not appear until more than 2/3 of kidney function has been lost. Pets over 6 years old should be screened for kidney disease before signs of disease appear.

These signs are:

   - loss of appetite, increased thirst, vomiting, or diarrhea

  Causes of Kidney Disease

   Acute kidney disease is a rapid decline in kidney function, often result of poisoning, shock, blood loss or other diseases.

   Chronic kidney disease can result from age, nutritional factors, and breed or hereditary tendencies.

Slowing the Progression

     Kidney failure may be stopped and many pets can recover completely once the underlying problem is resolved.

Home Care

 - Give your pet special care and attention

 - Follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully.

- Feed your pet only the recommended food every day and speak to your veterinarian before changing your pet’s medication or feeding regimen.

Make sure to monitor your pet’s weight, activity, thirst, and general condition regularly. Inform your vet of any unexpected changes. Provide free access to fresh clean water.

Proper nutrition is essential in fighting against chronic kidney disease. Your veterinarian will recommend a well balanced diet with reduced amounts of phosphorous, salt, high-quality protein and higher amounts of fiber to reduce kidney workload. As always if you are ever suspicious of something, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.  

You love to spoil your pet, and that is great because they deserve all of the love and devotion in the world! Is it possible, though, to pamper them too much? As a pet lover, I could go on and on about the reasons why animals are so fantastic, but is there a point where the adoration of your little friend has gone overboard? Has pet love gotten out of control?

Sure, the amount of money spent on pets has most certainly increased in our modern society, but how different is that from a person spending a ton of money on a hobby of theirs? The pet industry provides jobs and is excellent for start-up businesses, inventors, and entrepreneurs, which, in turn, are businesses that benefit the community. In fact, dog/cat shows, competitions and events help bring money into the economies of the communities hosting them. That’s good news, isn’t it?

There is no doubt, however, that some people have gone over-the-top when it comes to loving their pets. They spend all of their time and money on them, almost to the point of obsession.

As long as this sort of unhappy relationship doesn’t exist, the amount of money or time spent with an animal really isn’t an issue. Studies have shown that pets lower blood pressure, decrease depression and generally improve the quality of life for people who share their lives with them. So go ahead and show your pet an abundance of affection and attention, just don’t overdo it!