It’s natural that you would love having a dog. Dogs have been great pets for thousands of years. It’s always a great idea to get a dog, but you have to remember that you are also taking on some responsibility when you bring a dog into your house. Here are some ways you can handle those responsibilities.

Be careful with your dog around Christmas season, many dangers are lurking just under the festive ambiance. For instance, electrical chords are typically strewn about during the holidays, and dogs often chew them, creating an electrical hazard. Dogs may be tempted to eat the decorations on the tree. They may also be tempted by the tree water, which can be toxic.

If you are planning to take your dog on an extended car-ride, talk to your vet about motion sickness medication first. Avoid feeding him before setting out to prevent queasiness and vomiting and make sure you buy him bottled water if you are traveling to any destination that is known to have issues with water quality.

Never allow your dog to be alone with small children, no matter how much you trust his temperament. Many little kids have been attacked by family dogs who have otherwise never demonstrated a tendency towards violence. Sleeping dogs may be woken by a toddler and react negatively or some other offense is committed against the animal that sets him off.

The dog breed you choose should blend in well with your lifestyle. If you like to go out running in the evenings, select a dog that also enjoys vigorous exercise. If you much prefer to be at home, a small dog that enjoys a lot of inside time is an ideal choice. Getting the right fit for you will give you both much more joy.

Pick and choose when you are going to groom your dog. You do not want to attempt grooming when your pet is in a particularly frisky mood, because the process will not go well. Instead, do so only when your dog is calm and tired, like after you have taken him for an especially long walk.

Grooming your dog every day will ensure it doesn’t shed all over the place. Brushing daily will give them a shiny, beautiful coat. The brushing motion will distribute the oil through the dog’s fur.

Know your dog’s behavior and body rhythms well, to keep him at his healthiest. Medical issues often present themselves in slight nuances early on and if you know your dog, you’ll see them. Pay attention to input and output, sleep duration, energy levels and so forth to keep on top of important issues that affect his health.

Having a dog isn’t all fun and games. You have to give yourself some time to really think about what you’re doing, and to act accordingly. You can use the tips here to help you to know what you need to do. You can always have a happy dog, if you take the time to give it a little thought.…

There many reasons why cats make great pets. Cats are entertaining and can keep rodents away. You might be surprised at how many ways a cat can improve your life.

Drape cords should be kept distant from cats. It is easy for the cat to get his head caught among the cords when playing with them. This may seriously injure or kill your cat. All drape cords should be fastened and kept away from any harm that might come to the cats.

Cats love to squeeze into tiny spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. A breakaway collar is a good option since it will break if your cat pulls on it. This will allow your cat to live another day if it gets tangled up.

If you own a female cat, you should have her spayed when she is old enough. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant. You can prevent this by spaying or neutering your cat.

Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. A microchip, on the other hand, is inserted near your cat’s shoulder blades, takes only a second to do, and all of your current contact info can be read through the chip. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.

Put your cats’ litter box where it is most acceptable to him. The litter box should not be kept in an area with a lot of traffic. In addition, it does not need to be near the cat’s food. In addition, you should ensure you place the litter box in a well-ventilated area to minimize the smell. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.

Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs are known for eating other pet’s food. This is why it is necessary to have two separate feeding areas. This is a good way to keep your pets from fighting over food and water.

Watch kittens around kids. Children under five years of age should not be left alone with a kitten. A child of that age doesn’t realize when they are being too rough with a pet. As children grow, it will be easier to see if they’re mature enough to handle a cat.

When something seems amiss with your feline friend, speak with other cat owners. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.

Cats may be less effective for security than guard dogs, but they still track down the small critters in your home. Cats are actually excellent hunters and often get the kill. This makes cats extremely popular with owners.…

Adopting a dog is a great idea. They make perfect pets and are incredibly loving. To ensure that your dog is healthy and happy does, however, take some effort. Utilize the great dog-care tips discussed in this article to avoid problems and ensure that your doggy lives a happy and healthy life full of fun and joy.

Make sure your house is free of doggy danger. It should be perfectly safe before you bring a dog in. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Some very common plants are quite toxic to animals, so always make sure they are out of reach.

If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.

If you are interested in providing your dog with the healthiest of diets and making positive contributions to the earth’s environment, make his food from scratch. You can buy locally grown organic ingredients and provide him all the proteins, carbs and fats he needs with no preservatives while reducing the waste from packaging as well.

Brushing your dog’s teeth is important, but it is not easy. If your dog is resisting, once a day simply lift their lips and use your finger to rub their teeth lightly. Do it quickly at first, and then begin to draw out the time you spend performing this action. This will help them get use to the process. After that, you can begin using an actual brush and toothpaste.

Although the sound may be cute, your dog’s nails shouldn’t click along the floor when it walks. That’s a sign that the nails are too long. The nails should actually just barely touch the ground. Seek the advice of a professional on what tools are the best for giving your dog a pedicure.

Take time and correct bad behavior when you first see it. If you ignore it, it will be hard to contain it later. You could end up with a dog that hurts other people, so make sure you’re in control at all times.

If your dog is a digger, make sure to protect him and your garden. Some plants are poisonous to dogs, not to mention the damage those paws can do to your prized flowers and produce. Put up an appropriately sized fence to keep him out or consider using an electric one.

Keep your dog warm during winter with the latest in canine fashion and accessories. You may think it’s just for show, but dogs need protection from the elements too! Keeping your dog’s paw-pads dry is essential to their health in sub-freezing weather, so invest in suede or leather footwear and pick him up a coat while you’re at it. Make them instead if you are creative!

Dogs make great pets. To be a great pet owner, however, does require some work on your part. Take time to educate yourself on all of the latest doggy-care recommendations. Apply everything you learn, including the hot tips from this article, to ensure that your loyal pooch lives a healthy and very happy life.…

As a dog lover, you understand the joy such a pet can bring to your life. You will never be alone again, and you will always have a companion who thinks the world of you. In return, it is your job to care for them, and this article will teach you all you need to know.

Your dog needs to have an annual checkup, the same as you do. Your dog can’t speak to tell you he’s in pain. Annual checkups can catch issues before they develop into something serious.

If you notice your dog gets dry skin in the winter, you probably need to brush him or her more often. Doing so will get rid of old fur and help get their oil glands working properly. Try brushing once in the morning and once in the evening to see if it makes a difference for your pet.

Avoid impersonating a medical professional when it comes to your dog’s health. In an attempt to save money, many people try to diagnose their pet’s conditions or use human treatments on various elements and that can be very dangerous to the animal. If you can’t afford full vet care, tell that to the doctor and ask their advice anyway or if they could arrange a payment plan for you.

Let your dog know who is boss! Unless shown otherwise, a dog will naturally assume that he is the leader of the pack – once this has been established it is quite difficult to persuade him otherwise! When disciplining your dog, be firm in tone, but calm. Never punish a dog in a physical manner, as this will lead to lifelong mistrust. Also, when he behaves, remember to praise him!

If your dog does something that you do not like, try to avoid just saying no. To your dog, no doesn’t really explain what you want your pup to do. Instead of saying no if your dog is jumping, try to get your dog to sit or lay down. By doing this, you provide your dog with an instruction of what to do.

Timing is key when bringing your dog home. Try to introduce him to his new home over the weekend or when you have a couple of days off. Take the time to get to know one other – this will make him feel much more comfortable when he has to spend time in the home alone. Also, if you have children, make sure that they don’t overwhelm him at first. If you have other pets in the house, be extra cautious when introducing the new arrival.

Check and double check your fenced in yard for spots your dog could escape through before letting him roam. The most secure method of keeping your dog outside is on a long run with a strong collar, but if you are comfortable that your fence can hold him, he’ll enjoy that even more. Just make sure there’s no room for error!

Caring for your dog starts with a good education, and this article is a stepping stone to true understanding of the species. Thankfully, you have read it in full, so keep these tips in mind as you continue loving your dog. Read as much as you can to learn more about your pet.…

A lot of people get a cat because kittens are so adorable. Then, when they get the cat home, they’re not sure what to do. They are not always as expressive as dogs are, so cats can sometimes be puzzling. Here are a couple ways you can keep your cat happy.

Create a warm bed for an outdoor or feral cat by lining a banana box with a thick layer of newspaper. Cut a piece of Mylar to fit the bottom of the box. Put another layer of newspaper on top. Add a warm blanket. Place the whole box inside a dog house or under a porch where it can’t get wet.

If you have multiple cats, save money on cat dishes by checking your local dollar store for salsa dishes. You can usually get a package of three for a dollar. These are sturdy and come in pretty colors. They look nice in your kitchen, and they are just the right size for cat food.

Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. By choosing a cat from an animal shelter, you can do your part to help with overpopulation. Also, you become a lifesaver!

If your cat is an outdoor cat or a cat that has a habit of getting outside, they need proper identification. The cat should have a safety collar and an ID tag. Safety collars that have elastic bands allow cats to get out of the collar if they get it caught on something. An ID tag or an implanted microchip can help your cat get returned if they’re lost.

If you have a male cat, it is important to have him neutered before he goes into heat. When male cats start maturing, they will begin to spray around the house. It smells like ammonia and is hard to remove. Having your male cat neutered can help to prevent this from happening.

Give your new cat some space. Moving to a new home can be stressful on a cat, especially one who is no longer a kitten. To help them adjust, give them a quiet place that they can call their own, such as a spare bathroom or laundry room. This gives them a safe space they can retreat to until they have become comfortable with exploring the whole house. Depending on the cat, this process may take a few days up to a month or more.

Do you have more than one cat? If so, then you should have more than one litter box as well. Having one for each of your cats will give them multiple spots to go. If the odor gets too much you can add a little baking soda to the litter to freshen it up.

After reading this article, you are probably going to be better at taking care of your cat. Try each tip out, to see what your cat responds best to. You can always find out more, so make sure you keep learning about cats so that yours always feels taken care of.…

There isn’t any animal that compares to a cat and they are great pets for several reasons. Not only will they keep you entertained, they also can hunt for pests like rodents that may be terrorizing your home. Read on to find out how to care for your kitty.

Regular veterinary checkups are important for the health of your cat. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. Make sure you keep the same veterinarian for your pet throughout its life. This will ensure they know the history of your cat well.

If your cat is misbehaving, you can influence its behavior in a safe and humane way by using water. Fill a small squirt gun or a spray water bottle with plain water. Give your cat a few light squirts of water when you catch it misbehaving and it will soon learn to stop doing the unwanted behavior.

Keep your cat healthy and non-finicky by introducing a varied diet. Always purchase several different brands of food and rotate them. In this way, your cat will be used to trying and accepting new tastes. If one food brand goes out of business, you will always have lots of other acceptable choices to offer.

If you absolutely must bathe a cat, set everything up in advance. Set up two tubs large enough to dunk a cat. Fill them with comfortably warm water. Set your open bottle of cat shampoo, a heavy towel, and a secure pet carrier close by. Wear heavy rubber gloves. Grasp your cat by the scruff of the neck. Dunk, shampoo and scrub quickly in one tub. Dunk to rinse in the second tub. Wrap the cat securely in the towel and place in the carrier to dry.

A great toy for your cat is a laser pointer. Cats love to chase the laser around and try to catch it. This will help you give your cat some exercise, while your cat is having fun at the same time. It will also help to fine-tune their hunting skills.

Keep the litter box clean. Cats are naturally very clean animals, and a dirty litter box will have your cat looking for alternative places to relieve himself. Cats also value their privacy, so try to locate the box in an area that does not get a lot of foot traffic.

Having a hard time giving your cat a bath? Try this. Take an old window screen and put it in your sink or bathtub. Put your cat in, and he will claw the screen and stay there. Then start washing, but do don’t dilly dally. Use a cup to help you to pour warm water on your cat unless you have a movable shower head.

Cats and dogs provide two different benefits to a home. A cat will seek out small rodents for you and love to be part of the family. Cats are natural hunters and they do not lose that instinct when they are pets. With these skills and admirable qualities, it is easy to see why cats are a desirable addition to the family.…

It’s a big responsibility to care for a dog. It’s like a baby, only they never really grow up. A big task, but it’s totally worth the effort. Want some advice? Read on.

While you can hug your dog, you should avoid kissing your dog. It is unsanitary to be licked by a dog. Dogs love to dig in garbage, get into the toilet, and then they lick their butts, yuck! It’s an old wives tale that your dog’s mouth happens to be cleaner that a human being. It simply is not true.

Make sure that your dog gets neutered. Research has shown that by doing this you can be sure your pet can have a longer life and not be at risk for things like cancer. A spayed or neutered dog is also less likely to stray from its home, meaning it won’t risk getting lost or winding up in a street accident.

When it comes to dog flea treatments, you should proceed with caution. Some of them contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer in children, and are 1,000 times as strong as the safe levels recommended by the EPA. Talk with your vet concerning alternative treatments, and do not let small children come near while treating your dog.

Dog training should be take place out in the yard, or even inside your home. Don’t train them in any areas full of people. There are too many distractions there.

Avoid the bargain brands of pet food. The cheaper dog foods have tons of additives and preservatives which aren’t the best for your dog. You can get a list of veterinarian-recommended foods from your vet or from animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness groups. Your dog will benefit greatly from better food.

If your dog will be outside, he will need a dog house. Your dog could get sick if he is left outside in the cold or if the ground is wet. Build a shelter yourself or purchase a kit from the nearest pet store.

Take your new dog to a vet. Make the appointment when you buy your dog. Your vet will administer the necessary shots and make sure your dog is in good health. Remember that there is a tremendous dog overpopulation problem, so you should have your dog spayed/neutered.

Becoming a foster home is a good way to work with dogs without committing to one on a long term basis. Many abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting for adoptions, but there is a lot of overcrowding and many resources are scarce. Fostering an animal will help animals and help you decide whether or not you would like to keep a dog of your own.

It isn’t easy to care for a dog. Your dog must be cared for as carefully as you would take care of a child. He must have what he needs to thrive. The task is not a small one, but it does have great rewards. You can be a great pet owner. This article will highlight different ways to be a great owner.…