You’ve mastered cat-parenting, now it’s time for the human kind. Introducing a new member to your pride does not have to be a stressful experience. By providing a slow and steady introduction, the result can be enriching for both your cat and your child. Here are a few quick tips to make the initiation process as smooth as possible for everyone
The first step in keeping your cat off countertops and tables is to remove any opportunity or temptation. As responsible pet owners, we want to give our pets the best chance possible to behave well.
Make sure all your food items are put away or stored in cat-proof containers such as Tupperware or a bread bin.
Put a lid on your garbage can and
The most common behavior problem that cats engage in is eliminating outside of their litter boxes. It is important that you treat this problem early, as the longer the cat continues to do this, the more likely it is that it will become a habit, regardless of why it started.
The first thing you should do when your cat urinates or defecates outside
Like dogs, many cats mark places that are new and unfamiliar to them. Intact male cats are more likely to mark than neutered males or female cats. Marking behavior can be modified if you start training early. When introducing your cat to your home, be prepared. Here are a couple tricks for a marking quick-fix.
Health Check: If your cat is
Many cats enjoy being stroked– they purr, knead their paws, and lean into your hand. Sometimes it seems they quickly change their minds and bite out of the blue. Other cats only briefly tolerate petting and show no indication of actually liking it. Whatever the reason may be, there are steps that can be taken to help ease your cat’s petting-
Play biting is normal kitten behavior. For kittens, playing is really just practice for hunting, and hunting entails biting. Though she will probably never grow up and need to hunt, the play instinct is hardwired into your cat. Play biting may also be seen in adult cats that weren’t properly trained as kittens.
This type of biting usually occurs
Door dashing can be a dangerous habit for you and your cat. However, it can be easily corrected with patience and proper training. Before entering your house in any situation, be sure to take time to set down any bags and peek inside to ensure your cat is not waiting by the door and revving his engine.
Make sure your cat is properly identified
Cats scratch objects in their environments for a variety of reasons. Scratching stretches the muscles (especially after a nap), removes the outer sheath of the nail, marks the area with the scent from the gland in the cat’s paws, and sometimes, it’s just fun! Because scratching is such a vital part of a cat’s well-being (which is why even declawed
Much like dogs, and small children for that matter, cats also crave your attention. Many times cats will even misbehave just to get you to notice them. Although this behavior can be pesky at times, cats who feel ignored and are seldom handled by humans are more likely to become introverted and standoffish. Providing your cat with regular attention
Teaching your cat to come is a very nifty behavior to instill in him. Calling a kitten when it is contemplating climbing the drapes or jumping on the dog is a terrific way to prevent bad habits from forming; it also saves you time from searching every nook and cranny of the house for your hiding cat. Not to mention, teaching “Come” is so easy to
We cannot simply tell our cat to not be afraid of something. Rather, we must communicate it through our actions and our energy. With time, patience, and proper training, you can help your shy and fearful cat develop into a confident and friendly feline.
Health Check
Before anything else, it is important to consult your veterinarian to rule out
It’s a fact of life – cats meow. It is one of the ways they communicate their needs to us. If you believe that your cat’s meowing is excessive, you need to understand why your cat is vocalizing in order to change his behavior.
Overnight Meowing
Cats, especially young ones, are naturally most active late at night and early in the morning.
Ignore
A day at the dog park can be a great outing for you and your dog. If introduced correctly, dog parks can be a fun and social experience for your canine companion. Dog parks can also be a fiasco. Before going, it is important to determine if a dog park is a good option for your dog based on his own personality.
Know Before You Go: Recognizing
Much like children, young dogs lack a sturdy sense of impulse control. As responsible pet parents, it’s important to teach your canine companion proper manners.
Say Please
Keep your dog from bombarding you as soon as you pick up a toy or treat by teaching him to “say please”.
First, tell your dog to sit or lay down.
Hold a food or a toy in
Outdoor events are great ways to spend time with family, friends, and with a little extra planning, your canine companion too! With the right preparation and planning, bringing your dog along to outdoor events can be a doggone good time for everyone.
First, make sure that the event is in a dog-friendly location and follow all the posted rules.
Bringing home a new family member? With all the fun and excitement a new dog brings, it is easy to fall short in being fully prepared. Here is a list of basic items that will help make your dog’s transition period go as smoothly as possible.
Food and Water Dish:
In general, stainless steel dishes are the best option. Stainless steel bowls are
Make sure you and your pet are prepared for any emergency by following these tips:
Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit
Food
Keep at least three days’ worth of food in an airtight, waterproof container
Water
Store at least three days’ worth of water specifically for your pets, in addition to the water you need for yourself and your family
Medicine
Pet ownership is one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences in one’s life. However, it also costs money. As much as our pets require love and patience, they also require annual visits to the vet, vaccines, grooming, food, and bedding. It is important to remember that there is more to owning a pet than the initial adoption fee and to be
A well-exercised dog is a happy dog. Sufficient exercise is a key part in keeping your dog healthy, happy, and away from destructive habits such as chewing. In general, dogs need at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise each day. Along with that 30 minutes, your dog should also get at least 15 minutes of interactive play each day as well. For
Halloween may look a bit different this year, for humans and pets alike. You may experience less doorbell rings and not as many oddly-dressed strangers, but it’s still important to consider some safety precautions to keep your pets calm and safe. By keeping these tricks in mind, you’ll be sure to make this Halloween a real treat for both you and
‘Tis the season for pet safety! With all the hype of the holidays, it’s important to keep in mind potential pet hazards. Here are a few tips and tricks to help keep your pet out of harm’s way this holiday season.
Christmas Tree Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip or fall. Covering the tree holder or preventing access to it is
Never leave your pet in a parked car. A parked car quickly becomes dangerously hot, even with the windows left partly opened. Outside temperatures do not need to be high for a car to become dangerously hot very quickly. This puts your pet at risk for irreversible organ damage or death.
Be aware of the humidity. When the humidity is high, dogs
Fireworks, Thunderstorms, and Big Booms, Oh My!
How to Navigate Loud Noises That Scare Your Pet
Many dogs and cats experience anxiety when they hear sudden, loud noises. With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, more people will be gathering for holiday parties where fireworks may be set off at odd times and in unexpected locations. Plus
Like fine wines, our companion animals only get better with age. (That’s why we call them the Golden Years, right?) As pets get older, they require our extra love, care, and attention. Companion animals begin to show age-related changes anywhere from seven to twelve years old. Generally, larger dogs begin to show signs of age earlier than smaller
For some pet parents, a trip is never complete without their favorite canine companion. Traveling, however, can be highly stressful for some pets. With some basic supplies and careful preparation, you can make your trip safe and happy for everyone involved.
Make sure your pet is safe and secure in a well-ventilated, appropriately-sized crate. An