Tips to Protect Your Pet’s Paws this Summer

Summer can be extremely harsh on your pet, especially their paws. As the temperature rises outside, sidewalks, roadways, and even sand can get extremely hot and cause burns and damage your dog’s paws. It’s not uncommon for asphalt, sand, wood, and concrete to be about 50 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. For example, if its 85 degrees outside, an asphalt driveway can reach temperatures as high as 140-141. Imagine how your feet feel when walking barefoot on the patio or across the driveway, your dog’s paws experience this same degree of heat. Here are a few tips to protect your pet’s paws this summer.

Walk in the Morning or Evening
Concrete sidewalks and asphalt pavement can get extremely hot during the afternoon hours, and prolonged exposure to these surfaces may scorch your pet’s paws. To avoid the risk, the best time for exercise and walks are early morning hours and just before the sun goes down, but it’s still light outside. If you must go out during the afternoon, be sure to walk in the grass.

Be on the Lookout for Debris
Not only can your pet’s paws get injured from scorching asphalt, but during the summer there tends to be an excess of debris on sidewalks and roadways. Be sure to watch for broken glass and other sharp objects that may break the skin on paws. If your pet does injure their paw while on a walk, take them home and clean the wound with antibacterial wash right away. If the injury is less than a half-inch in diameter, wrap it in a bandage, but if it’s deeper, contact your veterinarian for further instructions.

Put Booties on Paws
One of the best investments you can make for your pet is a pair of pet booties. There are booties available in various types of material, even lightweight options, such as cotton. During the summer, lightweight cotton booties will help protect their paws, without causing extra heat. Make sure booties fit well and fully in place before going for a walk; loose booties may cause tripping, so make sure they fit snug.

Dry Paws After Swimming
If your pet loves to swim, it’s an excellent way for them to cool down, but they may be more susceptible to burnt paws after swimming. Be sure to dry their paws immediately after they get out of the water. If you notice your pet is limping, chewing at their paws, has blisters or missing areas of the pad, contact your veterinarian for instructions on how to proceed.

It’s important to examine your pet’s paws after each outing carefully. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, be sure to contact your veterinarian right away. If your pet’s paws get burned, without appropriate treatment, there is a risk of serious complications. If you are comfortable treating the burns at home, apply antibiotic ointment to the affected area and bandage their paws. However, in extreme burns or loss of the pads, you must take them to the vet right away for the appropriate treatment.

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Why You Shouldn’t Scold Your Pet

Scolding or yelling at your pet when they misbehave might seem the appropriate way to get them to behave appropriately, but it has the opposite effect. At first, this would seem to be the best way of dealing with the situation. Nonetheless, yelling at your pet as they commit mistakes is not a successful way to discipline them. If it’s disruptive biting, peeing anywhere, or jumping unnecessarily, your response shouldn’t be to scold the pet. The issue with scolding your pet is that you don’t really educate your pet much, and you may also develop some type of long-term behavioral issues with your pet. There are indeed many better and more effective ways to teach your pet rather than just start yelling at them.

· Fear
Think of it this way, when parents yell at their kid, the kid gets scared of them, and they fear making the same mistake again. And while this is a somewhat effective technique for children, it doesn’t seem to be working for pets! Although some pets may tolerate rough handling, most pets will start to develop more issues, such as servile urination. Some pets become vulnerable and stop tolerating any kind of behavior. They get overwhelmed with anxiety, and do not realize the positive conduct that you want them to follow instead of the harmful actions that you scolded them for!

· They’re Not as Understanding
Scolding is something that we have grown used to doing with other beings. Even though it doesn’t make people feel better, if it’s targeted at us, we can learn from our mistakes. But your pet will not have the ability to reason, and that’s something people seem to forget, so scolding doesn’t have the same influence on them. Even if you yell at your pet to stop a certain behavior, your pet may stop that behavior, but only for a short time! Since you’re not teaching them to do something like sit down, that exact behavior is likely to happen again. Rather than shouting at your pets for performing anything unpleasant, instruct them the actions you want them to follow instead.

· They Just Want Attention
For certain pets, any attention from their trainer is safer than being neglected. Behaviors such as stealing things from the dining table that make you chase them across the apartment, climbing up to get the attention that ends up with you shouting in neglect. Dogs bark because they’re upset, and you encourage the barking by yelling at them to be silent are also both things that indicate that your attention-seeking pet is getting some sort of attention they desire from you. Instead of yelling, you have to find out what exactly the cause of this behavior is and then resolve it.

· They’re Confused
If you come back home to a hole created in your lawn, your first impulse may be to scold your dog for it. The challenge with this strategy is that your dog is not going to associate punishment with the crime. Yeah, your dog is going to send you the best relaxing postures as you yell at them hunched back, tailed covered, eyes downcast, yet at that moment, your dog is responding to your frustration. It’s not “shame” or admission of misconduct, your dog’s action is simply an effort to relax you.

Although it may be tough to avoid scolding your dog once you’ve already fallen into the habit, altering your behavior would be rewarded. You will establish a closer relationship with your pet!

Bringing Home An Adopted Cat

Shifting into a new house for the first time is quite a scary and nerve-wracking experience. Well, it’s the same scenario when you bring a cat home for the first time. The reason for that is because cats do not like change, especially if it’s a change of territory. Hence, they feel terrified and uneasy, but don’t worry, they won’t feel this way forever as long as you make their transition as welcoming as possible.

First things first, you have to start by making the house cat friendly before your cat even enters it. Since cats are territorial, it is essential to give them a dedicated “cat space” to play in. Most people have this room in the basement, the roof, or the laundry room. The place is then filled with a bunch of cat toys, a bed, as well as a litter box. Next, there should be a type of food station in this room, so the cat has a sufficient intake of daily nutrition and water. This station should be far away from the litter box. All the entrances, doors and windows should be locked.

You have other animals, especially dogs; they should be kept away from the new addition of the family until the cat is comfortable. Your cat is terrified, and the last thing we want to do is overwhelm it with attention! Shouting at a cat is a terrible idea, especially if the cat is new to the house. Once your cat has settled in, be ready to spend hours and hours with it daily. This way, your cat will get used to you being around it and very likely speed up the process of becoming comfortable in the new space.

After preparing and cat-proofing every other space in your home, it is now time to have some raised surfaces around the house. Cats ought to get up and explore their area. Don’t be shocked if it doesn’t eat initially. It is usual for re-hosted cats to display little interest in food, sometimes for a few days. Pick up the remaining leftovers and leave. Come back in a few hours for a fresh meal of the same high-quality cat food. If the cat is asking for attention, you should open the door and allow it to move around the house and explore. After a few weeks, your cat will slowly keep doing this, and you will slowly keep introducing it to new rooms until the cat is now comfortable with the whole house.

The willingness of animals to come together in the same household relies on their particular personalities. There’s just going to be one that rules. A new cat sometimes upsets the current pecking order, or an old cat or dog can find it appropriate to assert supremacy immediately. Getting comfortable with another addition in the family is a massive change for animals. The phase of getting comfortable and acquainted can last a while, but it’s a significant element in the effective adoption of a new animal.

A scared cat will quickly break out of a wide-open window. It is recommended to have animals indoors for their whole existence, but if you do want to take the new cat outside, it must remain entirely indoors for at least one month and the young cat before it grows up.

It’s important to remember the whole process takes time, and you, as an owner, should do everything in your power to speed up the process for the cat.

Training with a Clicker

Clicker Training is an example of operant conditioning according to which animals learn to react in a manner that earns them a reward and helps them avoid punishment. Clicker Training is a method used to train dogs by using a distinctive sound or click indicating the dog that he/she has done something right. A clicker is used to make this sound. It is a small handheld device, when pressed, creates a unique sound like a click, whistle, a cluck of the tongue, a snap of the fingers, or even a word. They have been previously used to train marine animals, ex: dolphins or seals, and now are favored for positive dog training.

First of all, to teach your dog the meaning of a click, give him/her a treat immediately after clicking the clicker. This provides a dog with instantaneous feedback and strengthens the specific action, choice, or conduct it has just done. The dog soon identifies the sound with something good and responds quickly again in expectation of receiving a similar present.

Clicker Training and Benefits

Clicker training is the right choice for your dogs and has many benefits. To start with, it boosts your dog’s confidence as no harsh words, no punishments, only a click, and a treat. Second of all, it strengthens your bond and trust with your dog as using a clicker is more about communication than passing over commands.

One of the biggest joys of using a clicker is that your dog isn’t forced to respond to you but wants to. He/she will respond to your command without force or physical usage, as listening to you is what will get him/her a reward.

Clicker training is a very effective method as you won’t have to spend a lot of time teaching your dog numerous commands. Clicker training helps your dog to be creative and initiative as he/she isn’t scared to make mistakes and keeps trying to find new ways to get that click. Dogs are easy to handle, but some can give you a hard time. Clicker training even helps you train complex and precise behaviors. When you use clicker training your dog knows to react to the sound of a click no matter who is pressing is, this allows him/her to interact with other people without attacking anyone. This can also help to take care of him/her in scenarios when you are busy and can’t give it time. This training can be used no matter the environment you are living in, thus making it very convenient.

Clickers are used for training, especially on newly bought dogs, so they can adjust to the household and listen to the owners without causing harm. This doesn’t mean that they’ve to be always used, once you think that your dog is responding to your commands and has learned the whole concept of doing the right thing and receiving a reward, clickers can be removed. The clicker device is usually handheld, which makes it harder to use. However, if the clicker is put on a finger or worn attached to a bracelet around the wrist, it can be easier to operate while leaving hands at liberty to hold a leash. Dog clickers can be effortlessly found in any supermarket or pet store; they are used in practically every community in the United States. They can range from being 3$ and above, showing that they’re a very economical choice. Clicker training is a very productive and constructive method that should be given importance and resorted to.

Pet-Friendly Flooring Options

Investing in the right type of flooring is essential for pet owners, mainly because pets tend to be rough on flooring, especially cats and dogs with their sharp nails and claws. Low-quality flooring can easily be ruined if you own a pet. Therefore, pet owners need to consider all options before purchasing flooring.

Let’s take a look at some pet-friendly flooring options:

Stones and Tiles
Stones and tiles are one of the best options for people who own pets, as they are easy to clean and stain and water-resistant as well. In case your new puppy has not been potty-trained yet, then no worries, because tiles and stones are very easy to clean and do not leave any stain as well. Moreover, this type of flooring is durable; even the long nails of your pet cannot harm the tiles and stones in any way. However, there is just one drawback of tiles and stones that they are not very comfortable for the pets as the surface is hard and usually cold. So, in order to make your pets comfortable, do get them a soft bed or warm blanket for the floor.

Cork Flooring
Cork is considered to be the best type of flooring for houses with pets. Cork flooring is microbial, soundproof, and scratch-resistant. However, it doesn’t mean that it will not scratch at all, therefore, do keep your pet’s nails trimmed to avoid scratch marks. Also, it is better to get cork flooring in a lighter color, so the scratches won’t show. Cork flooring looks like hardwood flooring and provides warmth and comfort to your pets.

Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring also gives a wood look to the floor. It is another great option for people who own pets. Bamboo flooring lasts long, resists stains and scratches. If your pet’s nails are not trimmed, worry not because those scratch marks will not show. Before deciding on bamboo flooring do your research thoroughly and go for good quality bamboo. Bamboo flooring is also extremely easy to clean and maintain. Similarly, food spills or accidents by your pets also do not harm the floor in any way. Bamboo flooring is very cost-effective, therefore, a great flooring choice overall.

Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring can imitate any type of flooring, from hardwood flooring or stone tiles. However, it is a very comfortable and budget-friendly flooring option for homes with pets. Vinyl flooring tends to stand against almost all sorts of challenges that come with pets, such as, it does not tear or scratch easily. Similarly, it is water-resistant so if there are any accidents or water spills, vinyl can easily withstand it. Some varieties of vinyl are also waterproof. Vinyl is very easy to maintain and clean so definitely a good choice for pet owners.

Conclusion
If you own a pet or are planning to get one, it is advisable to assess your flooring first. There are many flooring options that work better for homes that have pets. When you decide to own a pet, a lot of challenges come along and if not better equipped, you can be in deep trouble. Invest in pet-friendly floor once so you do not have to go through the trouble of spending heavy amount on maintaining or cleaning it. Consider each option thoroughly and go with the one that suits you and your pet’s needs the best.

Why Your Cat May Be Stressed

Stress can have a lot of negative effects on a human’s mental and physical health. Just like that, stress also negatively impacts a cat’s health as well. Just like it affects human relationships, it can also have an impact on relationships with other pets. Because of stress, you might notice a lot of changes in the behavior and physical condition of your cat. Cat owners soon learn many things that cats do when under stress.

Chronic stress is the number one issue that can cause health problems in your cat. You will notice sleeping patterns changing, aggressiveness increasing, behavior patterns shifting, energy levels decreasing, and loss of appetite increasing. These symptoms are common for cats that are under stress. There are several reasons and sources as to why your cat might be stressed out. It’s always important to remember that while cats always help us with our stress, it would always be healthy to check up on them and their behavior, as well as they, might be stressed too.

Many stress factors are involved which cause health issues in cats. As a cat owner, it’s your responsibility to figure out the sources of stress. Cats aren’t fond of change. They don’t deal well with it. External sources of stress can be as followed:

Vet visits

Vet visits stress out cats a lot. Many cats go through anxiety during veterinary visits. Make sure you always calm your cat during such situations by putting a soft fleece on them and carrying them in a crate. This will make them feel much safer.

New animals or people

Cats react differently to new faces in the household. A sudden introduction of any pet or human can startle a cat. They might need time to adjust and they might feel less important. As a cat owner, you should understand the huge change your cat is facing. They need you to make them feel still as important. Handle them with patience and accept that they will be working on their relationship with new pets or people at their own pace. Don’t rush them.

New residence

Moving can be stressful for anyone. Cats are super sensitive to changes and surroundings. Constant changes can make your cat feel uncontrolled. They might feel under pressure to always keep up with changes and new things in the household. Your cat’s life will be as disrupted as yours. Which is why it’s important to make them feel comfortable during the move. Always keep your cat with its favorite toys, blanket, and food in another room while you unpack and start shifting. Having their own stuff in the house will make them feel more at home. Your cat should feel loved and cared for in the new house.

New routine

Changes in daily routines can cause disruptions. Plan ahead and take things slow while introducing anything new in your cat’s daily routine. Even if it’s as simple as getting them a new toy. Cats need to adjust at their own pace to certain things.

Seasonal changes

Your cat mood is also affected by temperature changes, seasons and environments. Changes in the weather, the temperature, the environment can greatly impact the cat’s mood and energy. A pleasant sunny day can reduce the stress levels of your cat. Anxiety and stress can greatly decrease if the weather is sunny and breezy. Letting your cat run around freely in lovely weather will make your cat feel energetic, positive and full of life. This is why weather is a huge stress factor involved when an animal or human feels a lot of pressure.

5 Chew Toys Your Dog Will Love

When it comes to dogs, you cannot keep toys out of the reach of their sharp teeth. Hence, even hard toys get torn into shreds if your dog is aggressive when it comes to chewing. Plus, chew toys are important since they help in keeping your dog’s teeth clean and offer them a mental stimulation. Thus, your dog’s natural need for chewing is also fulfilled, and not to mention it keeps them away from chewing on your belongings.

The ideal chew toy needs to have certain factors. For instance, durability in the material that they are made with. Hence, rubber and rope toys are probably the perfect match for your canine’s sharp teeth. Moreover, you should stay away from materials such as latex and majority of the plush toys and squeakers since your dog can easily tear through them. Plus, these materials can turn into choking hazards. Also, it is important to select toys that are compatible with the size of your dog. Therefore, you need to make sure that your dog’s chew toys are of the right kind.

Here is a list of the five chew toys that your dog is bound to fall in love with.

1. KONG Extreme Dog Toy
This dog toy is perfect for a pet who is a hyper athlete or just a chewer. This toy will hit all of the right sweet spots of your dog during playtime. Furthermore, it helps in cleaning the teeth and is ideal for playing fetch. Plus, it is treat-friendly and comes in five sizes starting from small to extra extra large. Adult dogs of each size and ability are the perfect candidates for this toy. The only downside of this toy is that it is not ideal for certain puppies and can be difficult to clean.

2. Nylabone FlexiChew Bone
This toy is perfect when it comes to the dental care of your pup or if your dog has certain chewing issues. Not only does it help in keeping your dog’s teeth clean, but it also relieves any tooth pain. Plus, it encourages improved chewing habits and comes in five different sizes starting from Petite to Wolf. This toy is beneficial for dogs that are in need of a lot more care when it comes to chewing and their dental care. The downside to this toy is that it is not ideal for dogs that are aggressive chewers. Plus, tiny pieces might break off from the bone.

3. Goughnuts – TuG Interactive Large Dog Toy
For a dog that loves tugging and pulling games, this toy is a wonderful addition to their playtime. It is strong enough and perfect when it comes to interactive play. Plus, this toy is specially built for bigger dogs. The downside to this toy is that it can be a bit expensive. Also, it is not really good for small to medium-sized pups.

4. Chuckit! Ultra Ball
This toy is not only durable; it is also easy on the pockets. This toy is the best outdoor companion your canine friend could have asked for. It is great for playing fetch with your dog. Plus, it is not difficult to clean and comes in five sizes that range from small all the way to extra extra large. Furthermore, the majority of dog breeds are suitable for playing with this toy. However, the downside of this toy is that due to the constant wear-and-tear, you might need to replace it a lot more often.

5. ZippyPaws – Sea Buddies Burrow
Even though this toy is a squeaker toy and is plushy; it is ideal for your dog if you are looking to improve the search skills of your pet. It is an interactive toy that is treat-friendly and a great puzzle game for your pup. Plus, it is easier to clean this toy and it comes in an adorable design. Also, it comes in a small size and large size and it is suitable for an adult dog. However, super big dogs or even puppies might not be suitable to play with this toy; hence this is its only downside.

NATIONAL PET CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CANCER IN PETS

The last thing a pet owner would want to hear is that their beloved pet has cancer. Sadly, cancer in pets is more common nowadays as compared to years ago. However, just as the disease has progressed, so has its treatment. There is a plethora of information out there from preventative options to the treatment itself. Knowing the basic information about cancer in your pets can help guide you in taking the right steps. In this article, we will discuss the preventative measures you can take in order to save your pet from getting cancer and what to do if your pet does get diagnosed with cancer.

Basic Information About Cancer In Pets

SPAYING AND NEUTERING
There are various reasons for you to neuter or spay your pet. For starters, it can greatly improve their behavior. Plus, when it comes to female pets, it stops them from going into heat and creating an unpleasant mess. Despite all that, the most important reason is that it prevents your pet from getting cancer. If you spay your female pet prior to them going into heat, you will greatly lessen the chances of them getting mammary cancer. Even if the pet has already gone into heat, spaying is still very effective in preventing cancer. Likewise, neutering your male pets will get rid of any chance of them getting testicular cancer.

A SIMILAR DIAGNOSIS
As your pet ages, the chance of them developing cancer increases as well, just like it does in humans. Furthermore, dogs have a higher rate of being diagnosed with cancer as compared to cats.

SUNSCREEN FOR YOUR PETS
It might sound strange but just like humans, dogs and cats can also get sunburnt and develop skin cancer. It is advised to keep your pet away from the powerful midday sun and if you cannot do that then apply sunscreen on them. However, use the sunscreen that is specifically made for pets. Since pets tend to lick their fur often, you need to make sure that your pet’s sunscreen contains non-toxic ingredients.

CANCER CAN TAKE PLACE ANYWHERE IN A PET’S BODY
Cancer can take place anywhere in your pet’s body, whether it’s the spleen, skin, tissue or lymph nodes. Plus, some types of cancers can be seen or touched. However, in order to catch the other type of cancers it is important to notice changes in the moods and habits of your pet; hence visit your vet often.

OBESITY IN PETS
There is a decent amount of evidence available that suggests that obesity plays a great part when it comes to your pet being diagnosed with cancer. It can greatly increase the chances of your pet developing certain types of cancers.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Veterinarian?

If your pet has been diagnosed with cancer, then do not fret. There is still a lot of hope left. Below is a list of questions that you can ask your pet’s veterinary oncologist and veterinarian in order to clear any doubts you might have and ease your mind.

What treatments are offered?

What is the prognosis with every treatment?

What will be the aftermath of each treatment and how will it affect my pet’s life?

For how long should my pet be treated?

How much does each treatment cost?

For how long do we have to visit the veterinarian afterward?

Cancer Treatment Options
The course of your pet’s cancer treatment is decided by your veterinary oncologist or veterinarian. Plus, it will depend upon the form of cancer and other factors that are specific to your pet. Your veterinarian might suggest radiation, chemotherapy, surgery or a combination of these cancer treatments for your pet. Your veterinary oncologist or veterinarian might suggest discontinuing the treatment if the symptoms relating to radiation therapy or chemotherapy cannot be treated with the help of supplementary medicine. Moreover, veterinary medicine has recently made progress in treatments like antibody therapy and immunotherapy.

In the end, a pet owner is overwhelmed with anxiety and stress after they discover that their pet has cancer and wants the most effective treatment that is out there for their beloved pet. However, planning ahead by taking preventative measures and discussing the health of your pet with your veterinarian on a regular basis can potentially save your pet’s life in the future.

Helpful Tips for Keeping your Cat Healthy

Cats are one of the most adorable and preferred animals for keeping as a pet. However, possessing cats can be challenging if not taken proper measures in time. Cats are sensitive in nature and require extra care and love for healthy living.
Just like we maintain a healthy lifestyle and routine, a cat owner needs to do the similar for them. Here are some easy tips that one can follow to keep their beloved cats healthy.

Physical Hygiene

• Cats love to clean themselves but often ends up with hairballs in their stomach. Keeping your cats coat clean, do daily light and gentle brushing your cats’ fur and choose the right brush for your cat.

• Clip away your cat’s nails and trim away the extra hair between their paws but be careful and use the right instrument to do so. Always ensure that your cat is calm and relaxed.

• Brush your cats’ teeth keep a healthy oral hygiene. Cats specialized paste and toothbrush are available at good pet stores.

• Look for flea and ticks regularly and clean your cat’s skin with a wet surface. If there is flea infestation, clean and vacuum your entire house. Grab a flea spray and regularly spray the vulnerable areas to avoid infestation.

• Check your cats’ eyes and ears for possible problems, such as wax build up and foul smell, or buildup of crust in the corner of eyes. Clean the eyes and ears and take them to vet regularly.

Cat Food

• Keep a balance diet, provide your cat with protein-based cat feed. Ensure younger cats eat more than older ones. Keep an eye on your cats’ weight, have a visit to your vet if your cat is gaining some extra weight.

• Avoid dry feed, as cats absorbs water from their food, and mostly dry feed are rich in carbs which can lead to cat obesity and diabetes.

• Give them fresh water and place the clean fresh water bowl next to the cat food. This will help them to digest their food.

• Keep the cat’s food and water bowl clean, and always fill fresh water and food daily.

Litter Box & Sanitary Habit

• Provide a relax and clean environment for your cat to do the bathroom rituals. Always keep multiple litter box in your home. Clean them regularly, cats tend to make a mess if their litterbox is dirty. If by any chance, they decide to ditch the litterbox, clean the dirty spot using a specialized pet odor cleaner. Because if the spot is not cleaned properly, the cat might start going to the same place. Make sure that you put away any solid waste and change the dirty soaked litter.

• Keep the litter box away from household appliances and place them open, quiet, visible and well-ventilated space. Cats don’t use litter box where they might feel trapped or suffocated.

• If the cats start urinating at unusual spots, use a pet stain and odor remover to clean it and take them to the vet as it might be due to urinary tract infection, constipation or other illness.

Play with your cat and let them be “Just Cats”

• Do healthy activities with your cat and engage with them.

• Provide your cat scratching post and provide them multiple options for it. Make sure its reachable place. If you don’t provide them this activity they might use sofa or other furniture to scratch away.

Regular Vet visit

• Take your cat on regular vet visit, this way the vet will monitor your cat’s health, provide detail regarding essential vaccination and suggest a dietary routine.

• Visit a vet immediately if there is anything unusual about the cat or its behavior.

• It is a good practice to spay or neuter your cat, take professional advice before proceeding.

Food to Avoid in your Dog’s Diet

Dogs are one of the most faithful and loyal animals for keeping as pets. Some families with small children love to pet dogs because of their playful nature and friendliness. Dogs are also very caring animal. Relationship and friendship between dogs and humans are exemplary. Some types of dogs are also hired to help humans with work. For example, police department keeps dogs aside police officers to assist in investigations.

Happy dogs require healthy diet, which is very important otherwise dogs tend to lose appetite resulting in lesser life span. Possessing a dog is not that easy after all; special care and love is required to nurture them. People tend to share all sorts of human food with their dogs which may cause health problems.

We tend to pay lot of attention to our diet and routine, similarly to pet a healthy dog it is necessary to closely monitor its diet and what is daily food intake.

Let’s review about few common things that we tend to feed our dogs that should be avoided 100%.

Junk food

Firstly, you can start from off with not sharing junk food such as burgers, pizzas, bacon and fatty meat with your dog. Junk food can cause pancreatitis and stomach upsets in dogs. Also junk food is oily and has rich salt content, which can lead to dehydration.

Food with high salt, garlic and onion content

 

Such kind of foods such as chips, snacks, crackers, pop corns with high salt coating can cause sodium ion poisoning, sometimes vomiting, excessive urination, diarrhea and fever. Food containing garlic and onion are also lethal food for dogs. This kind of food causes hemolytic anemia or in simple words damage their red blood cells. Damage to red blood cell causes lack of oxygen in blood which may lead to breathlessness and vomiting.

Sweet Delights

 

Always avoid feeding, chocolate, sweets, and candies, it disturbs dog’s insulin levels which causes a sudden drop in blood sugar.

(Some) Fruits and Nuts

 

This includes raisins, macadamia nuts, apple seeds, avocado, peaches and plums, and tomatoes. Mentioned fruits and nuts makes dogs lethargic, indigestions, and bad stomach.

Raw meat, fish and liver

 

Although it is debatable as some vets suggest to cook the meat and other suggest to give raw, most of the vet community suggests that raw meat should not be given to dogs since it contains bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli that is harmful for them.

Dairy products

 

Avoid giving dairy products to dogs, be it in raw condition or added in other products. It should be avoided mainly because digestive system of dogs is not built to process products made of cow milk. Fat content in dog food should always be low otherwise they can start vomiting and suffer severe diarrhea.

Raisins

 

It is better to avoid raisin as well. Although, some dogs digest them without any issue, but raisins are still risky for dogs. Raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. So, it is better to keep your dog’s diet raisin free.

It is very important to take good care of dog’s diet and avoid above mentioned points as they can harm their health and induce diseases that may also be harmful for humans around dogs. These days cooked, and processed dog food is available in market, which saves dog owners from the hassle of preparing dog food at home. These packed dog food containers keep all the safety measures in account, therefore, they are healthy for dogs. Processed dog food should be introduced early on so dogs can familiarize with the taste.

Paw-some Ways to Celebrate National Dog Day

August 26th is National Dog Day, continue reading to discover what you can do to celebrate furry friends around the world!

What is National Dog Day?

National Dog Day was founded by pet lifestyle professional, Colleen Paige. She created this beloved day in 2004, and it has been getting stronger and stronger ever since. The purpose of this day (other than celebrating man’s best friends) is to raise awareness and money for dogs in need. The goal of this National day is to find a home for 10,000 homeless dogs each year. On top of this, this day raises celebrates dogs right to live a safe and protected life.

Ways to Celebrate National Dog Day

There are so many different ways to celebrate National Dog Day. Here are some great tips to get the most out of this celebration:

• Donate to a local animal shelter: For people working in shelters, they are focused on animal protection and welfare every day of the week! Show your support for the amazing work these people do all year round.

• Volunteer for an animal charity: There are so many charities that depend on the work of volunteers. Pick your favorite non-for-profit and volunteer on August 26th to show your support for pups everywhere!

• Treat your best friends: If you have a dog today is a great day to celebrate everything it does for you. Buy it a treat or take them out for an extra-long walk. Whatever it is, make them feel extra special next National Dog Day!

• Post online: Make sure you raise awareness for this day on social media. Share a link to your local charity or post a photo of your dog with #NationalDogDay. Whatever you want to share, it’s time to celebrate your pup!

• Adopt a dog: Have you always wanted to get a dog? Well, National Dog Day is the perfect day to realize your dream! However, instead of going to a pet store consider adopting a dog from a shelter. Take a look at websites such as ASPCA and The Shelter Pet Project, to find out more about adoption.

Why Celebrate National Dog Day?

Even if you don’t own a dog, this is still an important day! Dogs bring so much to our life, companionship, loyalty, and affection. Many people depend on service and guide dogs to help them to do day-to-day activities. Dogs are even being used in witness stands to help comfort young people who testify in court. Additionally, there are K-9’s and military and farm dogs that assist with work.

There is no denying that there is a magical bond between humans and their best friend! On top of this, there is an overwhelming number of dogs around the world that need shelter, medical assistance, and a loving family. It’s important to raise awareness and funds to support organizations that are connecting at-risk dogs with the help they need.

Reasons To Love Your Pet More

Here are just some of the reasons why we need to start celebrating National Dog Day!

• Dogs give us unconditional love and affection, as already mentioned this has been invaluable for people who need a service animal.

• It’s been shown in studies that patting a dog can go a long way to help reduce anxiety.

• Dogs keep us fit: If you want to lose some weight and keep healthy, a dog is a great exercise companion.

• Dogs can be very protective of their families, so you should show your appreciation!

• Taking your dog out for a walk is a great way to stay social and active and show some love! A dog can also be a great icebreaker and can help you to make meaningful connections in your community.

• Dogs can bring so much color and fun into your life!

• Canines are very loyal and loving, so they’d definitely thrive if you show your affection

• Loving your dog means that your bond will grow.

• Training a dog can be a lot easier if you love your pet!

• Dogs who feel loved show better behavioral patterns.

June Is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month. What Can I Do?

This June is “adopt-a-shelter-cat month” and there are more cats without homes than ever before. With the warmer weather approaching, there will be new kittens looking to find their forever home. Want to be involved? Continue reading to find out more!

 

Adopt a cat.

According to the ASPCA, 3.2 million cats can be found in shelters every year. By adopting, you are making an impactful significance to the animal’s life and providing a safe forever home and loving family to a cat. If you can’t foster a cat, considering volunteering at your local shelter.

 

Post on social media.

If you don’t have the ability to adopt a cat, there are other ways to support cat shelters. For instance, you can post about the amazing work shelters through Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. If you follow your local cat shelter on social media, make sure you share their content such as articles and adoptions postings. If you run a blog, Pinterest account, or website, you can also use these platforms to express your passion for cat shelters. The more awareness that’s spread around, the more effective and influential you are about the cause!

 

Get involved!

There are so many ways to get involved with cat shelters. Contact your local shelter to ask them about volunteering opportunities or a donation wish list. Posting flyers for an upcoming fundraiser event impacts your local cat shelter. There could be an opportunity to take photos of pets and be a part of their shelters marketing efforts. Every little bit helps. On top of this, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people and ogle at all the beautiful cats!

 

Donate.

Donations are always greatly appreciated in cat shelters. If you can’t spare financial support, there are many other things that shelters are in dire need of. You can donate cat food, litter, toys, towels, and even office supplies. However, don’t stop your involvement there. Encourage your friends and family to donate what they can this June for adopt-a-shelter-cat-month.

 

Volunteering.

As mentioned before, it’s worth diving into volunteer work a little more. One of the benefits of volunteering at a cat shelter is that these organizations are usually quite understaffed. They survive on their volunteer cohort. Volunteering your time is a great way to learn new skills and make valuable social connections with people in your community. If you have something specific to bring to the table, send an email to the shelter with your CV and the times that you’re available. They may have opportunities for you to use your skills for the greater good. Cat shelters often need people who have computers, photography, and writing skills as a lot of the adoption process happens online.

 

The Kitty Bungalow Shelter

Do you want to make a difference for a cat who deserves a new home and a chance of a normal life? Pet-friendly cleaning company Fizzion is a passionate supporter of The Kitty Bungalow Shelter. This organization is based in California and is the only shelter that is totally dedicated to feral cat rescue. The volunteers at The Kitty Bungalow Shelter have a cage-free environment. With one-on-one loving attention, they turn feral kittens into calm, sociable, and affectionate house cats.

Fizzion is a pet-cleaning product that is a non-toxic and effective stain remover. It’s a powerful triple action cleaner that is safe to use around pets and children.

Follow the link below to find out more about Fizzion and The Kitty Bungalow Shelter!

Facts About Pets That Will Make Your Heart Melt

There’s nothing cuter than a puppy.  Those fuzzy faces. Those tiny ears. That little tail.  They are the most adorable critters on the planet. But puppies have some pretty unique characteristics that you may not know.  Check them out and see if you know these facts about puppies.

Puppies Love Baby Talk

Puppies simply love baby talk.  Just like babies, puppies respond positively to sing-song voices. A recent study at University of Lyon at Saint-Etienne showed that people talk baby talk to puppies and to puppy photos, and when the recorded talk was replayed to puppies, the puppies responded positively.  When the recordings were played to adult dogs, the dogs showed no interest in the recordings.  Scientists don’t know why puppies are hard wired for cute talk, but apparently they are.  So, don’t feel foolish talking to you puppy with that higher pitched baby talk.  He’s loving it.

Your Puppy Really Does Love You

The cute act your puppy is giving you really isn’t an act.  When that puppy looks into your eyes with love, he really does love you.  A study in 2005 confirmed this.  Puppies show preferential treatment to their owners who raised them over strangers. They followed their owners more and even waited by the door when the owners left for bit.  It’s interesting because wolves that were raised by caretakers showed no more preferential treatment toward their caretakers whom they knew their entire lives than a stranger.

Looking at Puppies (and Puppy Pictures) Helps You Focus

If you’re one of those people who puts up cute pictures of puppies on your workspace walls and have a screensaver with puppies on it, you’re probably a pretty focused individual. Japanese researchers in 2012 discovered that people who looked at cute pictures of puppies were more focused, careful, and effective at accomplishing tasks that required a high amount of concentration than people who looked at photos of other things or older dogs.  So, if you want to be more productive, surround yourself with cuteness.

Puppies Learn to Read Human Gestures

If you think your puppy understands you when you point at something, you’re right!  Scientists discovered that puppies as young as six weeks old understand when you point at something. Of course, the skill is learned, and they get better at it with age, but you can actually teach your pup to look and find something you point to.  Good puppy!

Puppies Don’t Have Fully Developed Senses When Born

When a puppy is born, he responds to smell, touch, and warmth, but not much else.  He is both blind and deaf for the first couple of weeks of his life.  He won’t fully develop his amazing hearing until he is four weeks old and his eyesight won’t be fully developed until he’s about six weeks old.  That means he must rely on his mom and siblings for support until that time.

Puppies Grow Differently, Depending on the Breed

Studies have shown that the emotional and physical development of puppies varies by breed. That makes some puppies more immature than others even though they may be the same age. So, if you have a puppy from a breed that is reputed to be slow at maturing, take your time and enjoy having a puppy a bit longer.  Don’t expect him to behave like a faster maturing breed of the same age.

Size of Litters is Breed Dependent

Not all purebreds have a similar number of puppies. A study conducted in 2011 showed that small breed dogs had fewer pups than other breeds. For example, Pomeranians and Toy Poodles had an average of 2.4 puppies and Rhodesian Ridgebacks (the dog breed with the most puppies) had an average of 8.9 puppies. Age also played a role in litter numbers with older dogs having fewer pups than younger ones.

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National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week: How to Volunteer at Your Local Animal Shelter

When you want to volunteer at your local animal shelter for National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, you need to know your options and the shelter’s needs. While specific roles in any shelter may depend on the needs of the shelter, you can volunteer your time by discussing the options with the manager or any professionals involved in running the shelter.

Offer to Clean the Cages

A key problem in any shelter is cleanliness. You may notice an unpleasant odor due to pet urine and other pet-related smells. By learning how to eliminate urine odor using Fizzion pet cleaner, you can address a common concern associated with a shelter. Fizzion pet cleaner has a key advantage when working in a shelter. It is biodegradable and non-toxic, so you will not harm the dogs or cats in the shelter. It is a safe option when you want to limit the spread of sicknesses and get rid of unpleasant odors.

Work on Connecting Pets to Potential Owners

The shelter may ask you to put letters into envelopes or otherwise engage in campaigns to help get dogs and cats adopted into a loving family. Depending on the shelter’s goals, the way you may choose to volunteer your time will vary. For example, you can take pictures of the dogs and cats to promote them through social media or you can raise awareness of the local shelter at different events you attend. Discuss your plans with professionals at the shelter to ensure it will help with their goals.

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is a time to help your shelter with the animals in their care. Whether you want to get involved directly by volunteering your time to clean and help with the animals or you want to focus on helping with the adoption process, you have options for this upcoming appreciation week.

October is Adopt-a-Dog Month: How To Tell If You’re Ready For Dog Ownership

The American Humane Association (AHA) has deemed October “Adopt-a-Dog Month” in the effort to help over 4 million dogs get the loving homes they deserve.

When you decide to adopt a dog during October, you want to make sure you have the right mindset for your new pet’s care. You want to be ready for dog ownership. By evaluating your lifestyle and home, you can determine if it is the right time to bring a dog into your home. Make sure you’ve checked these items off your list.

Check the Rules

The first step to determine if you’re ready for a pet is your living situation. If you’re renting, then you need to check if your landlord allows you to bring a pet into your home. If you are allowed to bring home a dog, then you want to make sure you do not have any size limitations. Some apartments or rental homes may allow pets, but set a limit on their size and weight.

Evaluate your Home

Your home is more than just the rules. You need space for your dog to run and play. You also need a safe environment for your pet. Check on the safety of your home and make sure you do not have any potential risks. You may need to change out your cleaning products for non-toxic, biodegradable options like Fizzion products.

Prepare for the Messes

Dogs may have accidents in your home. You will want to prepare for the messes with the right pet urine odor remover. Focus on non-toxic options like Fizzion Pet Stain and Odor Remover for your pet’s safety.

Talk to Your Family

Talk to every member of your family or your roommates before you bring a dog into your home. You want to make sure everyone agrees to the idea of a new pet in the house.

October is Adopt a Dog Month. It is a time to consider opening your home to a pet. The key is preparing for the changes that come with pet ownership. You want to make sure you are ready for the responsibility of caring for a dog before you bring your pet into your home.

How to Potty Train a Puppy: A Comprehensive Guide for Pet Parents

Potty Training a Puppy

Bringing a new puppy into your home will inevitably result in accidents and stains. While Fizzion products will help with the initial accidents, you want to start potty training your puppy before it becomes a daily chore.

Use a Crate

Crate training is a traditional approach to potty training your puppy. Get a crate that is large enough for your puppy to turn comfortably, stand or sit without discomfort. Do not use a crate that is excessively large, since that will give your puppy space to make messes in a corner.

When you notice your puppy whining, scratching or behaving in a similar manner, take him or her outside immediately. Do not wait. You should also have a consistent schedule for trips outside to teach your puppy that they use the bathroom in the yard or a specified space.

Try Using Paper Training

Paper training is a process used when you do not have the time to take your puppy outside on a schedule. You teach your puppy to go on a piece of paper or a puppy pad that gets smaller over time. The advantage of the paper training method is that you teach your puppy how to use designated spaces until he or she is old enough to wait. The downside is that you will find yourself using pet urine odor remover until your puppy has better bladder control.

The key to training your puppy is consistency. You want a consistent schedule that fits their body’s rhythms and functions. Do not get mad at the mistakes. Your puppy needs time to learn and you can use Fizzion pet stain & odor remover for the accidents. Once your pet is fully trained, he or she will no longer have accidents in the house.

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