How to help keep the pet of yours happy and healthy

Seeing your pet healthy and happy is among the best feelings, and this is the reason it’s essential to invest effort and time. Many people think having a pet is simply feeding and playing with them, but there’s far more to this. Below are some suggestions that will go a long way in helping you ensure your pet is actually happy and healthy.

Proper nutrition is among the most important things in a pet’s life, and you have to feed it the proper food. The pet trade is a big market, but don’t worry about all of the options, just focus on what’s best for your pet and your pocket. Food is likely to help your pet maintain a good weight, which is required for preventing obesity-related illnesses and extending the lifespan of theirs. A well-balanced diet of quality food is likely to help meet the food requirements of your pet. It’s a great idea to speak with the vet of yours and find out whether your pet needs supplements. You have to watch out for the number of treats your pets are actually getting. Treats shouldn’t account for over ten % of the daily calories consumed by dog, cat or rabbit etc. Always make sure they’ve enough fresh water.

Regular check-ups It’s a great idea to take the pet of yours for an annual wellness exam where the vet will do several tests to spot some warning signs of disease or perhaps detecting diseases. A dental once a year is great because the vet is able to deal with plaque and tartar build-up. Dental health is important for the pets of yours, just the same way it’s for you.

Exercise

Hiking, swimming, regular walks, and playing fetch are actually going to keep them physically active and fit. Additionally, you have to keep in mind they require mental stimulation. Get toys for the pet of yours so they are able to play with them, hide treats, and build obstacle courses for them to perform new tricks. Changing up the walking routine will be ideal for the pet of yours since it gives them the chance of experiencing new smells and scenery.

Grooming

This can involve brushing the pet yours a few times a week, trimming the nails of theirs, and regular baths. When grooming the pet of yours, you are able to see some changes in their fur or skin, like bald patches, dandruff, or perhaps skin that is dry. When you do not have experience with grooming, consider talking to the vet of yours so they are able to provide you with a good grooming routine.

Socialisation

A pet must be exposed to circumstances that are various and folks when they’re still young since it’s likely to prevent antisocial or perhaps fearfully aggressive behaviour when they’re adults. Your pet must have enough individuals and animal interaction throughout the lifetime of theirs. This will likely involve visiting friends and family, going for walks around the neighbourhood of yours, going to the dog park, and day-care.

Affection

A powerful bond between both you and your pet will be advantageous for both of you. Petting, cuddles, brushing the coat of theirs, and belly rubs are several of the ways of showing love to them. This helps in strengthening the emotional connection and promoting positive interaction with other humans and animals.

Raw Food Diets: Is there Any Evidence They Work?

One very popular trend now is switching dogs over to a raw food diet. You can either choose to make this food yourself or buy it from commercial, raw food providers. There are several things to consider before choosing if this option is right for you and your dog. A change in a dog’s diet is not something to consider lightly and takes time. Any type of switch in food types must be done slowly, whilst carefully watching how your pet reacts.

Raw diets have still not been scientifically proven to be better for dogs. Raw feeding is also not recommenced by vets. Raw food can pose many threats to humans and dogs, especially considering the bacteria, parasites and other potential pathogens that can be in raw meat. If you do decide on a raw diet, it is recommended that you do not make it at home, to try and help decrease these risks, but to purchase it from a commercial seller (preferably one that is a member of PFMA) as they will have certain health regulations to follow.

Raw diets are especially dangerous in a household with anyone who could be immunocompromised (very young, pregnant or older family members). Before making any diet changes for your pet, you should always consult your vet and get a professional opinion.

Dog Safety Tips at Christmas

Most everyone is excited for a bit of Christmas cheer to help brighten up this difficult year. One thing dog owners should be mindful of, is how to protect your pet from the harmful aspects of Christmas decorations.

Five Christmas Dog Safety Tips

Trees

If you have a live tree at Christmas be sure not to let your dog ingest the needles that fall from the tree as they are mildly toxic and could even possibly puncture the digestive tract or cause an obstruction. Fake trees could also have small plastic or aluminium bits that could break off and cause mouth irritation or intestinal blockage.

Ornaments

Glass ornaments could be a hazard if they were to fall or be eaten which is dangerous if stepped on or could cause blockages in the digestive tract. Many ornaments are also toxic due to the chemicals used in manufacturing, so consider non-toxic, natural decorations. Edible decorations, especially chocolate ones, are quite dangerous and could cause a pet to knock the tree over trying to get to them; the chocolate of course poses its own dangers.

Water

The water used for live Christmas trees, and the added preservatives could cause poisoning for your dog, so ensure the watering dish for the tree is covered.

Tinsel

If your dog were to get a hold of tinsel, this could cause major issues including diarrhoea, vomiting, blocked intestines and in extreme cases, surgery.

Lights

Lights can get hot and possibly burn your pet, cause electric shock or burns if chewed and in rare cases cause pulmonary edema, from wire chewing, which could be lethal.

It is important when planning your decorations, to try to keep in mind the safety of your dog or other pets. No one wants an emergency trip to the vet, and especially not during the holidays.

Why Should You Rescue Instead of Buying a Dog?

Dogs truly are humans best friend and they make such an incredible addition to the family. It can be easy to get caught up in looking for puppies, for sale, online but is it the best way to get a dog?

Reasons to Give a Rescue a Chance

1. Dog breeders are more concerned with getting rid of dogs and may not mention any problems or issues the puppy may have whereas rescue dogs get assessed as to any issues or triggers they may have and the dog carer is going to be more concerned that the rescue is going to the right home.

2. All dogs need training. A brand-new puppy that you have bought off someone or an abandoned rescue dog, either way, will require proper love and training.

3. It can be so much less expensive to get a rescue!! Puppies are ridiculously expensive and you will also have to pay for spaying/neutering, microchipping and vaccinations. Typically, a rescue dog already has all of these aspects covered. You may only need to pay an adoption fee.

4. Purebred dogs usually have more health issues than mutts. Just like with humans, the more restricted and uniform a bloodline is, the more problems that develop. Even if you want a particular breed, you could most likely find a rescue that fits your preference. You might even surprise yourself and fall in love with something completely different.

5. Last but not least, you will most likely be saving a life!!! Christmas time is rife with an increase of abandoned dogs. There are over 100,000 abandoned dogs just in the UK at any given time.

10 Most Dangerous Things for Dogs to Eat

Dogs, like children, typically do not know what is best for them and they will try to eat nearly anything they see you eating. It is our job to make our best attempt at ensuring they only eat the things that are best for them and won’t harm them or upset their normal diet. This list is not all inclusive but lists some of the biggest toxic culprits.

1. Grapes: can be highly toxic to dogs and should never be given.

2. Onions: are also very poisonous for dogs, definitely avoid.

3. Bread dough: due to the action of yeast can cause bloating, abdominal pain and worse, very dangerous.

4. Alcohol: dogs’ livers cannot process ethanol and is a very high threat to their health.

5. Citrus: any citrus fruit is highly toxic to your dog and like the items above, could be fatal.

6. Macadamia nuts: very toxic and fast acting. If ingested, by your pet, contact a vet.

7. Toothpaste/gum: the sweetener xylitol, common in gum, toothpaste and many sweets can be detrimental if ingested by your dog.

8. Chocolate: contains theobromine that is very poisonous to dogs. The darker the chocolate the higher the toxicity.

9. Coffee/Tea: caffeine in any form is not good for your dog, and could cause life-threatening symptoms.

10. Tomato: whilst ripe red tomatoes may be ok, any other part of the tomato is very toxic to dogs, such as stems and leaves.