Dog Help and Cat Care Tips Dog and Cat Help Care.com

Getting fit this summer: Teens use a variety of activities to get fit for the coming school year
Getting in shape over the summer is easier said than done. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either. All you need is the right attitude and the drive to stay physically active — whether by walking around the carnival or hitting the gym with friends.

Read more on Pacific Daily News

Are you and your pooch getting fat? New bootcamps get you both in shape
With obesity rates on the rise among Americans and their pets, two Californian women have come up with an all-in-one solution — a doggy bootcamp where dog owners and their canine friends work out together.

Read more on New York Daily News

Product spokesthings: Dude, you’re getting a pink slip!
Emily Mae Young “The Welch’s Grape Juice” girl, then seven years old, is now in seventh grade. Courtesy photo Ben Curtis, who plays Steven the Dell guy is a New York acting student. He is known for saying “Dude, you should have bought a Dell.”

Read more on SMU Daily Campus

Inaugural Wiener Dog Derby getting attention from across the state, beyond
On Sunday, March 28, pooches from across the state will find out who is “top dog” – and who gets to wear the coveted “Wien Jacket.” The first-ever Florida Wiener Dog Derby will be held at the Shell Factory & Nature Park next Sunday, with registration beginning at 11 a.m. and races from 1 to 5 p.m.

Read more on North Fort Myers Neighbor

If you have never owned a puppy before, this article should help to prepare you for the many things that you should know and expect from your puppy and some of your responsibilities as the owner, as far as how you should go about properly training them. Dog training is very important and the earlier that you start with it, the much better off that you will be, no doubt about that one. Puppies come into our homes and you need to keep in mind that even though they are very small usually, they are also very, very inquisitive and will surprisingly catch on to many things very quickly. It is so important for anyone who is considering to get themselves a little puppy to definitely remember that you will just have to make sure that you apply some dog training skills on them right away, the longer that you put it off, the more difficult they will be to train.

Rewarding our little puppies with tons of praise and even some little treats, is the best way to teach them right from wrong. They love to make their owners happy and will go out of their way to every single time, as long as you have constantly given them that praise that they deserve for being such a good puppy and listening to your commands. Everyone wants to be the proud owner of a very well behaved lil puppy but most people do not want to put forth the effort to actually try and get their puppies trained by a professional or train the puppy themselves, which is why so many of us really need to get educated a little bit more about puppy care and the many reasons why it is so very important to properly train our animals, especially our little curious puppies. They are so adorable but can turn out to be very ugly later on if they are not immediately properly trained, so that they will know exactly how they are really supposed to act.

There are just a few things that everyone who owns a puppy should remember, when they are ready to begin applying their dog training skills. Learning just the few basics on dog training will really help to prevent any bad behavior out of your puppy in the near future. It will only take a little bit of your time and a great deal of consistency ofcourse, and then you will have the opportunity to show off your dog training skills to all of your friends and family, they will all be very impressed by your pooches good manners and adorable tricks. There are so many different books available that can teach you even more about dog training and all of the different dog training techniques. You will be so surprised once you begin learning more about this, surprised at how simple things could be for you and your new little friend with the most appropriate dog training skills.

We often think of cats as being very independent animals. It seems as if they merely put up with their human owners. They seem to have their own interests, plans and preferences—none of which are really tied to the desires of their owners.

“You own a dog,” they say, “but a cat owns you.” Sometimes it can seem that way. Calling a cat to come to your side is often a hit or miss proposition. The cat will seemingly come to you when he or she feels like it, instead of when you would like it to do so. The positive reinforcement techniques that work so well in dog training are often eyed with a menacing glare by a cat who will walk away from an attempt at training whenever the mood hits him or her.

Despite the standoffishness of cats, we continue to keep them as pets. Cats were among history’s first domesticated animals and have been an incomparably popular pet since nearly the beginning of recorded history.

What is it about cats that attract human interest? Is it their vulnerability? For all of their independence, domesticated cats could never make it in the wild—they need us whether they want to act that way or not.

Is it their independence? Perhaps we have a respect for their apparent self-determination and willingness to do their own thing regardless of what others want. Cats could be seen as an illustration of freedom.

Regardless of the reasons, cats and humans are forever linked. There is just something unique and special about the human/cat relationship. Even though the bond may defy easy description, it is apparent in the eyes of cat owners and felines alike.

It is worth mentioning that this bond between man and animal can be strengthened and made deeper via the adoption of some very simple strategies on the part of the pet owner. You see, despite their apparent disregard, cats do appreciate human companionship and can be very receptive to being treated in a certain way.

We are so often warned against spoiling. We shouldn’t spoil our children. We shouldn’t spoil our dog. We can, however, safely spoil our cat. Cat pampering is one of the best ways to improve a cat/owner relationship.

Cats thrive on human attention and caring. They tend to mirror that behavior. Those cats who are treated well generally tend to give more positive attention and comfort to their owners. Thus, even though it would still be rewarding without a personal payoff, cat pampering does offer some real advantage to the cat owner, as well as the pet.

Cat owners must take the time and expend the energy to do a few “extra” things for their pets. This might involve making homemade treats, proving a kitty with a massage, or simply giving the cat a warm towel fresh from the dryer in which to play. Efforts can run the gamut from spending some extra time with the cat to buying expensive cat playground equipment in the form of “kitty condos.”

No matter what one does, it can have a positive impact. So long as the cat is receiving caring attention, a relationship is bound to grow. However, by seeking out and finding quality sources of information that provide helpful suggestions and hints on the subject of pampering one’s cat, that relationship is likely to grow even faster and stronger.

Any cat owner interested in improving the overall quality of his or her relationship with her cat should consider searching out a multitude of ways by which they might be able to pamper a cat. Not all cats are amenable to all approaches, so it is important to find a series of options with which one can experiment in order to see optimal results.

Although all cats may not respond in the same way to particular pampering plans, every cat can be reached by some technique. It may take some time and effort to learn what really makes your cat tick, but the rewards certainly justify the efforts.

Choosing a new dog might seem to be a very simple and one way task, but there are indeed a lot a factors to consider. And when one embarks on it, it could be quite confusing and exhausting. With proper information at hand, choosing a dog can be a lot of fun. The main point to consider is finding the kind of dog that would fit and complement you, the owner.

Among the things that will have to be considered and discussed before getting a new dog are: 1. Who will have the primary responsibility of caring for and training the dog?2. The expenses to be incurred for food, dog care, and the rest of the dog’s needs like supplies, bed, crate, among otherthings.3. The veterinarian that you will choose for your new dog.

Different breeds of dogs fit different peoples’s lifestyle. There are dogs that are suited for the elderly, dogs for people with active lifestyles, and dogs for families with children.

Would you get a puppy or a grown up dog? Taking care of a puppy would require more attention and more trips to the vet, while getting an older dog will mean extra effort in establishing a bond between master and pet.

The breed of the dog is also a very important factor to consider. Temparament, activities, and other needs of a dog are sometimes influenced by its breed.

If its a pure breed dog that you want, your local kennel club is the best source of information. It should have access to reputable area breeders. A veterinarian can also provide reliable information where to find breeders for your dog of choice.

If its a hunting dog that you want, I would suggest the sporting breeds like the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever. Breeds of these nature are easy to train and are good with children, but they require an active lifestyle.

For experienced owners, recommended dogs are those from the AKC’s working group like the Siberian Husky, the Rottweiler, the Akita, the Bullmastiff, and the Giant Schnauzer. Hip dysplasia is common among these breeds, to be sure to get this type of dog from a reputable breeder.

Small dogs are ideal for apartment dwellers and people with older children. Dogs in this group include the Pug, the Shih Tzu, the Pomeranian, and the Maltese. These small dogs still require training and a fair amount of exercise. These small dogs are very popular today.

People who have a farm and work livestock may want to consider dogs from the herding group like the Border Collie, the Australian Shepherd, the German Shepherd, and the Shetland Sheepdog. The Border Collie is a very intelligent dog that requires a lot of exercise, both physical and mental. If you want to spend a lot of active time with a dog, you might choose a dog like this.

Adoption is also a very good option, since there is such a huge dog population. Assistance in this area can be obtained from your local humane society or dog rescue organization.

When choosing a dog, do take your time. It could be a very enlightening and enjoyable adventure. Do some research, or better yet, talk to dog owners, groomers, breeders, and veterinarians. They have first hand information and they can give you sound advice from their experience. This will help ensure that the dog of your choice will fit into your lifestyle and you’ll have the chance to enjoy your dog more.

Surgical neutering of the male dog is important in helping the dog owners to control the male dog’s aggressive behavior. Yes. By doing the surgical neutering, it becomes possible to control the dog’s restlessness, which might have caused so much agony for the owner and hence, neutering corrects such activity to the benefit of the dog owner.
When the dog is in puppy stage, the dog may be subjected to the surgical neutering technique. Hence, the hormonal impact is highly minimized in such male dogs.

The surgical neutering of the male dog helps to prevent the incidences of prostate gland diseases.  Generally, in case of male dogs, the prostate enlargement is more common.  In canine patients undergone the surgical neutering, the incidences of such prostate enlargement are totally minimized.  

Sometimes, the adult male dog has more difficulties during  defecation. However, one has to rule out the feed borne constipation like lack of fibers etc. before resorting to the fixation of prostate enlargement as a cause for this.  Constipation is mainly due to the increased size of the prostate gland.  Neutering makes shrinkage of the prostate gland.  In surgical neutering, the incision is placed in front of the scrotum and the testicles are removed in a surgical manner using aseptic techniques.

The wound need not be closed except the tying up of the cord after cutting of the testicle.  However, in two to three days time, as a routine tissue reaction, some swelling may occur in the scrotum.  However, once you administer the antibiotic that has a broader spectrum of activities, the condition gets recovered in a satisfactory condition. Septic shock may occur if the surgical site gets infected with some microbial infections and in these cases, the wound needs a thorough dressing procedure and the patient needs to be continuously monitored in a clinical environment.

Take note that local animal organizations perform the surgical neutering when the stray male dogs are captured by them.

What Does Neutering Involve?

Neutering your male cat is a simple surgical procedure that involves the removal of the testicles. As with any surgical procedure there is a certain measure of risk, but the health benefits of neutering your cat far outweigh the risks. Moreover, this routine procedure helps to control pet overpopulation, and thus avoids the necessity of having to put down unwanted kittens and cats.

What is the Recovery Period?

To reduce pain and discomfort, both neutering and spaying are performed while your cat is under general anesthesia, and must be performed only by a licensed veterinarian. Most cats are able to resume their normal activities within a few days, and the stitches are removed after about two weeks. Following the procedure, your vet will advise you on how to best care for your cat while he is recovering.

What are the Benefits of Neutering my Cat?

With the testicles removed, the cat’s body can no longer produce the hormones that are responsible for certain undesirable behaviors.

1. One of the primary reasons to neuter your cat is to reduce spraying. Male cats mark their territory – both outside the house and in – by spraying urine. Because the surgical removal of the gonads (testicles) also removes the source of the male hormone, neutered cats are less territorial, and therefore less apt to need to spray.

2. Neutering your cat also removes the source of sperm production, thus reducing your cat’s sexual behavior. Unneutered cats often roam long distances in search of a female, placing your cat at greater risk of being harmed by another animal, hit by a car, or simply lost. These problems are significantly reduced by neutering your cat.

3. In order to maintain their territorial dominance, male cats can be quite aggressive, often getting involved in fights with other male cats to preserve their territory and to dominate the female cats in the neighborhood. Sometimes these fights can result in injury to your cat, or in the transmission of parasites (such as ringworm) or diseases (like feline leukemia). Because neutered cats tend to be less aggressive, your neutered pet will be less prone to injury and disease, and you are more protected against the ensuing veterinary costs of treating your animal. However, your cat’s hunting skills and general playfulness are not impacted by the neutering procedure. In fact male cats tend to become sweeter and more affectionate following castration.

4. Neutering your cat provides for the prospect of a healthier future by eliminating the possibility of testicular tumors and cancer.

5. Neutering your cat will prevent unwanted births. Each year, millions of unwanted kittens are born, only a lucky few of whom are actually adopted. The remainder are euthenized in a shelter, or succumb to trauma, starvation, or disease on the streets. Those living wild in an alley or barn are very susceptible to disease and infecting other animals with that disease. Neutering your cat will help to prevent these unwanted births and spread of disease.

When Should my Cat be Neutered?

Studies show that cats can be spayed or neutered safely when they are as young as eight weeks of age. When possible, the procedure should at least be done by six months of age, as doing so will help reduce the risk of physical and behavioral problems.

Neutered cats have a tendency to gain weight, since they are no longer driven to roam as they were previously. However, your cat’s weight can be managed effectively through proper diet.

The only downside to neutering your cat is that your cat will no longer be able to reproduce. This is generally a problem only if you are breeding cats. Otherwise, in terms of helping to prevent pet overpopulation as well as allowing your cat to lead a longer and healthier life, the best gift that you can offer your cat is to have him neutered.

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Spay or Neuter a New Cat
Millions of cats are euthanized each year in shelters due to the overcrowding of animals. Cats can easily have over 10 kittens in a given pregnancy leaving owners with problem of trying to find homes for these kittens. There is an easy remedy to this problem and that is spaying or neutering your cat. Not only is this the responsible thing to do but it is better for your cat. If unspayed female are more at risk of developing the following conditions: breast cancer, pyometra, tumors of the uterus & ovaries. While unneutered male cats run a risk of developing testicular cancer. 

The Price of having a cat
When people see a cute kitten they immediately decide to adopt it. Once home they realize they have made a mistake. They are not prepared for the responsibility of a cat, not all members of the family are happy to have a cat, resident pets don’t adapt well to the new addition or it just doesn’t fit into your lifestyle. The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, vaccinations, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.

Checking the health of your new cat
When a household decides to adopt a cat, be it from the shelter or a breeder a great deal of time should go into selecting the right animal. Have questions about where the pet came from, how they have interacted with the staff, do the pet have a behavior issue, etc. If you are buying from a breeder, ensure they are registered with an appropriate cat council. When visiting the cattery check out the overall health of the animals. Always have everything in writing, including the final cost of the cat, health guarantees etc.

Buying purebreds from pet shops or backyard breeders
If you are buying a cat from a pet shop or a backyard breeder there is probably little chance that a proper screening of genetic problems has taken place. Pet shops generally charge more for purebred kittens than a registered breeder would. Not only this, but they most likely won’t have certified paper to ensure their authenticity and health. As a result, you may be buying a cat that could have substantial medical bills in the future or even pass away suddenly. 

Seek veterinary help
People don’t realize the seriousness of a medical condition & fail to take appropriate action & get the cat to a vet. This may be due to the lack of knowledge they posses or funds. Cat owners should look into the cost of having pet health insurance or a special Cat Fund prepared in case of emergencies.

Flea Control Product
Unless recommended by your veterinarian, cats should be treated with a cat flea treatment only such as Frontline. Pet owners think they will save money by sharing their dog’s flea control product with their cats. This can prove fatal as cats are extremely sensitive to pyrethrins & pyrethroids which are often in dog flea products. The use of these on cats can result in death.

An appropriate diet
Cats have very specific dietary needs and as such need a balanced diet. There are many commercially available brands of cat food available which will fulfill your cat’s dietary requirements. Don’t attempt to feed your cat a home-made diet or other human consumed foods unless you have spent a great deal of time researching, as certain food s can do more harm than good.

Your roaming cat
Some owners feel that having your cat roam outside the home is beneficial for them. In actuality it may do more harm as free roaming cats & their lifespan is considerably shorter than that of indoor only cats, or cats with limited/supervised access outside. Outdoor cats run the risk of being highly stress by been hit by a car, attacked by another cat or dog, plus many other dangers they encounter which is very traumatizing.

Declawing VS not Declawing
Declawing has been a heated debate for many veterinarians, cat advocates, and owners alike. Some veterinarians consider declawing a “routine” surgery, while cat advocates consider it cruel, inhumane, and unnecessary in almost every case. Declawing is not for everyone and cat owners should have all the facts before making this decision.

Litter Box Maintenance
Cats will use a litter box only if it is kept clean, and if the litter is not scented or pleasant to the cat’s feet. Carefully maintaining your cat’s litter box will almost guarantee that you will not be faced with litter box avoidance problems. Don’t try to over clean the box with disinfectant or bleach as cats are very sensitive to these and other chemicals. It is also recommended to have an automatic litter box to help in reducing the maintenance. If your cat suddenly starts urinating outside the box despite your careful maintenance, you should immediately suspect a urinary tract problem and call your veterinarian.