Getting Your Kids To Be Responsible About The Family Pet

Watching a child interact with a pet can be an amazing display of love and affection that can warm the heart. It can also be a horrible noisy mess. The trick is showing your children the right way to treat the household pets, which isn’t always easy but there are several tricks you can use along the way.

It’s always important to remember that age is a huge factor in how a child interacts with the family pets. A younger child is much more likely to be entertained by a pet but forget about the responsibilities that go along with it. For that reason it’s never a good idea to give to much responsibility to young child, but its always a good idea to try to include everyone in some areas of care for your families pets. You can let your youngest children be in charge of (supervised) feedings, which will not only let them feel involved but will also give them a sense of responsibility. As children get older increase responsibilities, age nine is a good time for a child to take on a pet of their own, but remember for some children they can be ready earlier and some won’t ever really be interested. It takes a village to raise a child and that saying fits in perfect with the family pet as well. No matter who the primary care giver is, it is the family’s responsibility as a group to care for their pets and everyone should be expected to pitch in.

Don’t get into the routine of using threats or scare tactics to get your children to take the dog for a walk or fill his water bowl. If you broke down to a child’s constant begging for a puppy and now find yourself up at 7.30 in the morning on Saturday taking Spot for a walk don’t threaten to give the dog away, unless your really considering it (which would be a shame). Try to work with your children and get them to understand the importance of all the little things that go into caring for an animal and turn it into something that you and your child can share.

A good trick is to switch walking the family dog from a daily choir to something fun. Let the guys (dad and son) take the dog out and spend sometime together or use it as a reward. Allow a child to walk the dog only after they have proved they can handle it. You can also set up rewards as a fun treat that are associated with the achievement of different responsibilities. You can give the reward of a trip to the dog park after your children have taken the dog on 15 walks. This will not only incorporate your children into caring for your pets but it will allow them to enjoy it.

Remember that sometimes it’s better to start small; don’t always jump to get your little one the puppy or kitty that they’ve been begging for. Make them work for it. Start out with something that is simple for them to care for and that you can check on easily. A good idea is a fish tank or one of my favorites when I was a kid, newts and salamanders. They are easy to take care for, don’t bite, are slow moving, and require parts of both water and land in the aquarium, which makes for some interesting viewing. Remember that a family pet does require some attention and care but the rewards greatly outweigh the responsibilities.

Getting New Pets Used To Each Other

When we think of a cat and a dog we always think of the war that happens when one chases the other, but believe me, it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact most different types of pets can not only learn to live together, but they can actually become quite close along the way. The important thing to remember is that it is a process, especially when first introducing a new pet to a pet that has already made your home their home.

There are several different aspects that play into how well two animals will get along. These include the age, sex, and personality of each animal, as well as each animal’s need to have its own territory. An important thing to remember is that all pets should be up to date on their vaccinations when meeting for the first time just to be safe. Also be sure to have an area where you can take your new pet to have some quite time in their new home, away from your other pets. This will allow some time for your new pet to take in all the new smells and relax with you for a while. A bathroom or laundry room can be a great place but remember that puppies and kitties can get bored of something pretty fast!

You have to take time when getting two new animals acquainted with each other. Start out by holding your new pet and getting close enough to your other pet so they can see each other. Sometimes it’s easier to sit down holding your new pet in your lap while your other pet gets a good look. Be sure to encourage your new pet and give lots of loving to him/her to get them to relax. This will give your two pets some time to get used to each other. This is a process and you’ve just completed step one. Now with each passing day spend a little more time getting your pets used to each other, getting them closer and closer to each other. Eventually they’ll be playing by themselves and you’ll be fighting to get some attention from them.

Bring Home a Puppy to a House with a Cat

Always keep in mind that different animals have different behaviors. When you bring a new puppy into a house that already has a cat your new puppy might look at that cat as a big fluffy toy at first and might just get rewarded with a swat on the head. Your cat might hiss and swat or just run away until the puppy leaves, but this is normal. Each animal has to reestablish his/her boundaries and this can take some time. You never want to force two animals together when they aren’t ready, give them each their own space. This relationship will take time to build and will come more on your two pets terms than yours but chances are that sooner or later they will grow to love each other.

Bringing Home a Puppy to a House with a Dog

When bringing a new puppy into a home that already has an older dog you should definitely expect some tension at first. Your older dog will normally not like a new dog coming into his territory and it’s important to keep your two dogs apart at first. Bring them together only for short periods of time at first, when you can be on hand to supervise. You may also want to start off by feeding your two dogs in different rooms bringing the food bowls closer together as time goes by. One trick you can use is to give your older dog something to sleep with that has the puppy’s scent on it so he/she gets used to the smell. In the worst case scenario your two dogs will learn to live with each other and as your puppy gets bigger the two will get closer. In the best case scenario the two will become running buddies, inseparable, and leave you fighting to get some bed space.

Bringing Home a New Cat to a House with a Cat

When introducing a new cat into a household that already has an older cat expect to have the most problems out of any scenario. Cats are especially territorial creatures and they do not like new animals in their space. That doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to bring in a new cat to your already cat occupied house. Your cat is much more likely to accept a young kitten into its (your) house than it is an older cat of similar age and size to its self. Always be there to watch the first couple of meetings and be ready to break up any fights, but watch out for those claws! Most cats, over time, will learn to live with each other once they pass the initial confrontational stage and work out the pecking order of who the dominant cat is. With cats though its more up in the air than our other situations. They might just barely learn to live with each other spending much of the time separate and getting into an occasional fight or they might become best buddies. Many times it depends on the two individual cats and if their personalities can get along.

Are The Birds For You?

Birds are a different story, it is possible to integrate different kinds of birds and keep them in the same cage but it’s a much harder process. Birds are not aggressive animals in nature but if they feel threatened or scared they definitely have the tools to defend themselves and cause serious harm if not death to another bird. After you’re sure your new bird is healthy (usually about a two week waiting period) place the two cages side by side and see what happens. After a week or two if they seem to enjoy each other and spend time interacting or sleeping close to each others cage, try taking them out with yourself and a friend. If you still have no problems it might be time to purchase a larger bird gym where they can try playing with each other. Be sure to always be ready to break up any aggressive behavior by making a loud noise like clapping or spraying a water bottle at your birds. In the end your two birds will let you know if they enjoy each others company, you just have to pay a little more attention to the signs. Remember to never leave your bird(s) alone out of its cage with a dog or a cat around, these guys just wont get along. In fact if you have a cat lurking around the house you might want to invest in a stronger cage for your feathered friend, preferable one that isn’t on the ground level.

Furry Fuzzy Ferrets

If you’re a ferret lover and are interested in adding to your lone ferret remember that older males (it helps if they’re neutered) are always more accepting of a new friend than a female, but even the females can learn to get along. Be sure that like the rest of our scenarios you start off keeping your new ferret in a separate enclosure only bringing the two together under your supervision. After the first night or two you can switch the bedding of your two ferrets to help them get used to the others scent. With any luck in a couple of days you’ll need a larger cage because they’ll be best buds and won’t want to be separated. One thing to remember is to always keep a ferret separated from dogs and cats. That is one relationship that is a hard one to create (but can be done, I just don’t recommend it) because of your cats and dogs natural predatory instances. You should also keep your ferret away from your bird; a bird tends to look like a toy to a curious playful ferret.

Remember when introducing a new pet into a home that already has one it will be a process and expect some bumps along the way. Don’t get discouraged and don’t think that because a couple of fights break out that it’s impossible for your pets to live harmoniously. Before you know it more times than not you’ll catch your two buddies curled up together on the couch catching some sleep.

Finding The Right Vet

The best way that we can be sure that our pets are healthy and stay that way is by regular screenings by your veterinarian, but choosing a vet that’s right for you and your pet can be a bit tricky.

There are many different ways to choose a veterinarian but if possible I always like to rely on the word of others. Ask around, friends, family, neighbors. This is a good way to have some prior knowledge about a specific veterinary clinic before even going in. If you aren’t able to talk to someone first hand you can use the internet to try and find a vet close to you that has good reviews or a very informative friendly website.

The best resource out there is probably the American Animal Hospital Association. If a vet is a member of the AAHA it means they have meet the highest quality stands in the areas of faculty knowledge and application, equipment upkeep, and the quality care of the animals. Just look for this logo on all AAHA approved vets and materials:



AAHA also has a website dedicated specifically to pet owners where you can find veterinary referrals in addition to information on your pet’s health. Visit AAHA pet owners website here, or get in touch with them through their directory assistant toll free phone number at 1-800-555-1212.

You can also use Pets911 where you can find vets in your area and yahoo local which will give you a list of local vets as well as customer reviews.

Some key things to ask yourself are:

How clean is the waiting room, examination room, and the equipment?

How many veterinarians are there at the practice and will you always see one or will you see who ever is available that day?

Are there any other professional staff members other than the vets themselves?

Are dogs and cats boarded in separate areas?

Is the staff professional and courteous towards both yourself and your pet?

Do the veterinarians have and specialized qualifications?

Does the pricing fit into your budget and are there any discounts available?

Are all specialty services (x-rays, blood screening, etc) done in-house or sent somewhere else and how long will you have to wait for results?

What emergency services are available?

It’s always important that in addition to having your vet’s number on hand, but that you also have a 24 hour emergency care animal hospitals information available in case of an emergency. Often times your veterinarian can refer you to a good 24 hour emergency clinic that has some ties to their own local practice.

It’s always important to remember that just because you visit a vet once doesn’t mean that it’s your vet for life. If you feel uncomfortable with your vet or it seems that he or she doesn’t interact well with your pet or yourself, it might be time for a change. Keep looking until you find somewhere that you and your pet feel comfortable and enjoy going. Also keep in mind that every animal is different and the perfect vet for you dog might not be so great at treating your new parrot. Do some research and make the best educated choice you can for you pets well being.

Puppy Training: Do's and Don'ts

It’s hard to think of anything that could bring more joy to someone’s life then a cute little fuzzy puppy. They're so adorable and perfect…..that is until your puppy uses the new living room rug as a bathroom and the kitchen garbage as a lunch buffet. There are many joys that a puppy can bring to your life, the trick is to be prepared for the other times.

A puppy learns based on the outcome of its actions, because of that you have to learn to reward good behavior and create a punishment for bad behavior. A puppy much like a child does not know the difference between what acceptable behavior is and what is not. When your new puppy destroys the morning news paper, he isn’t trying to cause any trouble, he’s just looking for a good time. The trick is to let him know how to have a good time while still following the rules, and it can be a lot simpler than it seems.

It all starts with understanding that your puppy is learning everything for the first time right in front of your eyes and that it’s up to you as a “parent” to walk him through his first steps. You have to teach him what good behavior is and what bad behavior is, and the best way to do that is to reward him when he does something good. You can even create different kinds or rewards, such as a treat (but remember to keep it healthy), a trip to the dog park, or just some good old fashioned loving. Not only is this a great way to train your puppy but its fun for you too.

One of the important things to remember when training a puppy is not to get into the routine of just punishing bad behavior. One of the easiest and most effective ways to train your puppy is by rewarding him for doing the right things. No parent likes to say no to their child all the time much like no pet owner constantly enjoys disciplining their pets. So instead of jumping on the bad things, do the opposite and jump on the good things throwing tons of love for playing with a chew toy instead of a slipper. While this is a great training tool that is all that it is, one tool out of many. Don’t let it go to your head. Be sure no matter how good your puppy has been that you still discourage the bad behavior when it happens, and it will.

There is a difference between bad behavior and wanting attention. If your dog is running in and out of the room barking while you’re trying to watch a movie he might just want a couple of minutes of attention before curling up and sleeping on your lap for the duration of your film. If this type of behavior annoys you one thing you can do is ignore it and your puppy will learn it will get him nothing. It’s important to learn not to punish this type of behavior; after all he just wants some of your attention.

One thing to remember when training your puppy is that much like he will seek out rewards for good behavior from you he will also learn to create his own rewards in the form of unguarded food plates, interesting garbage bags, or remembering just where to dig in the rose bushes out front for that interesting smell. If your puppy learns that acting a certain way within your environment will get him certain rewards he is all the more likely to repeat that action. You have to be aware of what rewards he is creating for himself and take those away.

One of the best ways to teach your puppy that something is bad and to stop is by using a verbal command. It is very important that while doing this you never use your puppies name while scolding him, you only what him to associate that with himself and you don’t want to scare him. Remember to be consistent in the word also; don’t start off by saying no and ending up by saying hey, keep it consistent. Choose a word that you can say with out getting or sounding angry but while sounding authoritative. I know that can sound confusing but again you don’t want to scare your puppy, you just want to let him know what he’s doing is bad. Don’t yell just try to sound like a boss when you want an employee’s attention in a meeting; sharp, direct, and to the point. Once you catch him doing something bad and let him know it, remove him from the scene of the crime and focus his attention on something else. As your puppy gets older he will begin to remove himself from trouble simply by hearing your command word without you having to remove him.

Another method of punishment is by using the time out, which can be anything from a trip to the carrying case, the bathroom, or simply being taken away from the rest of the family for a couple of minutes. This is a good method but be sure to only use it sparingly, a couple of minute will do fine.
Remember while training your puppy that patience is the key. When you see him doing something wrong don’t just jump to the worst punishment in the book, be gradual. Let him know he is doing something wrong and take him away from that distraction. If he goes back to it in a minute or two verbally let him know he has done something wrong again and take him into his timeout area for a couple of minutes. After a while your puppy will learn right from wrong and again don’t forget to give him lots of love and praises for doing things right along the way because after all he’s a puppy and that’s what he disserves.

Overweight Pets and How To Help

A little known fact is that the leading nutritional disorder among dogs and cats in the U.S. today is obesity, with studies showing that 25 percent of our pet populations are considered obese while 30 to 40 percent are considered over weight. While we all might love a pet with a couple of extra pounds, we have to see that there are many potential problems that can arise down the road such as respiratory complications, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Luckily there are things that we can do to make sure that our pets have a good chance of avoiding all of those problems.

Wight management is a much more sensitive issue for our pets than it is for us. If we add a couple of extra pounds during the holiday seasons it’s not the worst thing that can happen, but weight changes in our pets has a much more drastic effect. It’s a good idea to keep track of your pets’ weight, taking note of any significant changes while keeping an eye on their diet and making sure they get their daily exercise.

A good way to get an understanding on how your pet is doing weight wise is to place your finger tips on the side of your pet. Gently press against his/her sides, if you have to use any pressure to feel their ribs then your pet might be on the track to becoming overweight. Your pets’ waist should also always be visible; you should be able to physically see your pet become more slender from the end of the rib cage to the hind legs. One thing to keep in mind is that every animal is different, and the best way to determine how your pet is doing weight wise is a visit to your vet.

There are several ways you can take an active role in controlling your pet’s weight and making sure they’re around as long as possible. Always make sure that your pet is getting plenty of exercise and keep an eye on how much they’re eating. If you think your pet could stand to lose a couple of pounds always keep in mind that you make sure they do so over a couple of weeks. A 4 to 6 percent drop of body weight over one months time is best for his/her health and a good way to do that is by:

Giving them smaller portions of food, but never skip a meal!
Giving them a larger amount of dry food than wet food
Making sure they get plenty of exercise
Talking to your veterinarian about a special diet

Another thing to keep in eye on is how you add to your pets weight issues when thinking about controlling them.

Do you give your fuzzy friend tons of treats each day?
Do you find it hard to resist those cute eyes starring up at you while you’re at the dinner table?
Are you to lazy to play with your pet for a half an hour or go to a dog park?

These are all things that can lend to our pets becoming overweight and we have to learn to do things differently ourselves in order to help them. Instead of going down the grocery store isle and picking the familiar bag of treats look at the label and try getting low-calorie treats. There are several high end pet foods that can also be used as treats; I myself give my cats Wysong Archetype Canine/Feline Diet as a treat. You also never know what raw vegetable or fruit could substitute a processed pet treat, when I was younger my dog’s favorite treats were raw carrots.

Table scraps are one of the biggest problems because the food that we prepare for ourselves contains complex fats, salts, and other ingredients that not only will cause your pet to gain weight but can also make his/her stomach upset. A good thing to do is to have some of those healthy pet treats handy when you sit down for dinner, but be sure that you aren’t rewarding bad behavior like begging. Instead give your pet a treat when they are behaving and letting everyone enjoy dinner with out a head on their lap. This will really deal with two problems because you pet will soon learn to stop begging at the table to get treats. In the end your pet’s health and weight rely on a variety of different factors, and controlling your pets’ diet is just the beginning; but doing that in combination with making sure they get their daily exercise is the best way to start making sure they will be around for as long as possible.