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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 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!

 

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!

 

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! 

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!

It’s understandable that you want to spend money on your pet. They are definitely worthy of a little gift every now and then, but when money is tight, less money spent is better. Your pet will love you whether or not you spend loads of cash on them, so, how about giving them priceless gifts that really only require your attention? Check out these “gift” ideas that will make you pet and your wallet happy.

The gift of health

It’s no secret that pets have their own issues with obesity, so one of the best gifts you can give to your pet is making sure they are healthy. Regularly take your animal to get some exercise; even just going out for a walk is helpful. In fact, getting your pet exercise may even help you stay in shape! As far as a healthy diet, your pet can’t exactly head out to the drive-thru window or use the microwave---the owner is the one provoking the bad eating habits! Be sure to give your animal the proper portions at meal time, cut back on those treats. Your pet will be forever thankful.

The gift of time

Sadly, it’s not unusual that many pets end up spending most of their lives alone. People gets busy with work or school and rarely are at home. So it is truly a gift to your pet to have time to spend with you! Obviously you can’t avoid work or school considering those are pretty essential, but the time you spend on the internet or watching television can be replaced by playing with your pet. Always look for opportunities to hang out with your little buddy!

The gift of training

A well-trained pet typically has a better relationship with his/her owner. Through training, a pet and its owner are able to establish a good means of communication and get to spend more time together. Don’t know where to start? Call up your veterinarian for referrals to a local trainer.

The gift of safety

Making your home a safe place for your pet to live is crucial! Lock up those cleaning supplies and put those toxic plants out of reach. Most importantly, don’t forget to put a collar and ID tag on your pet. This is the best way to ensure that if your pet gets out, he/she will make it home safely.

So go ahead and show your love to your furry friend! Remember, it isn’t about how much you spend. It’s the thought that counts; even when it comes to our pets.