A new baby’s arrival is often much met with much joy and anticipation – the would-be parents are often excitedly planning out the nursery, childcare arrangements, family gatherings … but where does your beloved canine companion fit into all these? Dogs are extremely sensitive beings – they can already sense that big changes are about to take place before you make your big announcements to your friends and family!

Therefore, it would be wise for you to prepare your dog for your baby’s arrival as early as possible … in fact, you can even do these when you are trying to conceive! There is no harm, as these tips can train your dog to get along with toddlers and young children.

Setting up your home

All of us dog owners know that our furry loved ones always need movement and interaction in order to be happy and healthy. Most of the times you may think „Hey, my dog always plays with everyone in the family and seems more than happy in the house and backyard, is it really necessary to have a daily walk?” Well, the answer is a definite YES. Although they have our love and attention whenever they need it, our furry friends also need some furry friends of their own in order to socialize and learn how to behave amongst people and other dogs alike.

When to go for a walk?

Just like us, dogs are mostly active during the day, they are energetic and lively in the morning and tend to get lazy, and sometimes tired in the afternoon, when they have spent a good amount of their energy for the day. So, the best time to take your paw one for a stretch out and walk would be during the morning, when he/she is bursting with energy. Don’t think that after the afternoon nap your dog will have the same drive, because they are usually still a bit tired.

Cats are not meant to be vegetarians. If you own a cat, you must have come to terms with that fact. But if you spend much time contemplating the ingredients and processes involved in making standard cat chow or canned food, you might be rather horrified. So you can spend a great deal on ‘premium’ cat foods, and you probably should to ensure a balanced diet for your cat. But every now and then, why not connect the cat’s food supply to your own and let the cat help you consume what might otherwise go to waste?

Let your cat eat local

Many cats who spend any time outdoors eat local with some frequency, of course. But if your cat is an indoor cat or you’re just not fond of cleaning up the cat’s leavings on the sidewalk, you can find another way. If you buy whole chickens from a local farmer and then cut them up or roast them for your family’s food, save the giblets for the cat. There’s a variety of ways to prepare or present this treat. Some people cook the giblets and cut them into small pieces for the cat. Some boil, some use the microwave. If you use the microwave, make sure to pierce the heart first as you would a potato as it might tend to explode.

We all know that trips to the vet can be very expensive. Thankfully there are some home remedies available for those occasions when your pet is unwell rather than seriously ill. If you do opt for treating your animal yourself and it does not become substantially better within twenty-four hours, then it is necessary to seek professional advice.

When it comes to home remedies fortunately there are common household items that may be used to treat a pet or at worst, you may need to take a trip to your grocery store to add to your supply or borrow an ingredient from a neighbor. Here are a few treatments for common ailments that may save you some money.

Common Ailments and DIY Treatments from your Kitchen

A rabbit has a long lifespan of up to ten years so bear this in mind when making a purchase. They are very cute and cuddly but require a little more care than your average pets. They should ideally be housed indoors as they are sensitive to extreme changes in temperature, loud noises and predators. 

Rabbits also love to chew so make your home a safe environment for your bunny. This means removing electric cords from their reach and ensuring that they don’t come into contact with any poisonous substances or plants that could kill them such as Calla Lilly’s, Aloes, Azaleas, Philodendron and Lily of the Valley together with a variety of other bulbs.  Because they are sociable, it is advisable to purchase two rabbits.

Rabbit Housing

When a half-feral cat adopts you, there’s often a reason beyond a desire for some decent food. When a litter of kittens is the result, it’s not a big surprise. But a mama cat that has showed up at your apartment pregnant simply cannot be made into an indoor cat immediately. And occasionally, bad luck is the result. Mama Cat is struck by a car and killed. You cancel the spaying appointment you’d set up for her and begin to think about the larger question – what do you do with the five kittens, still too small to be weaned?

Consult with a veterinarian to develop a method

You absolutely need some professional advice to get started if you hope to save these kittens. With a veterinarian’s help you can get the supplies you need, check the kittens’ health to be sure none need to be isolated, and develop a plan based on how old the kittens are at the time of their mother’s death. If you have a fairly healthy litter, find a big shoebox or something similar to keep them in. Line it with newspaper. This may not sound too cozy, but keep in mind that the kittens will foul their living quarters and the lining will have to be changed frequently. Keep a heating pad, wrapped in towels and on its lowest setting, under one side of the box only. Use a thermometer to be sure the warm side of the box isn’t more than about 90 degrees. Make sure there’s a cool side of the box so that the kittens can rotate and not become overheated.

Dogs that react when they meet other dogs are a problem - not least because they can get their owners into trouble.

It is one of the most common problems confronted by animal behaviorists and trainers.The issue can manifest itself in a range of ways. It could be anything from our dogs seeming to act uncomfortably around their peers and being defensive right up to fully blown fighting aggression. Sometimes the same dog can display all these traits in different situations.

Prevention is better than cure

Owners abandoning pets is a worldwide scourge involving many millions of adorable animals, many of which are being put to death each year.
The reason, as with so many other scandals is money. Breeders keep breeding increasing numbers of puppies in a chase to make more and more money. Other members of the public reward them by buying these puppies when they could easily choose to save innocent, healthy dogs by adopting them from rescue centers instead.

Money’s too tight to mention

Too many pet owners then later decide that having a dog, with all the commitment that goes with it,is an inconvenience and expense they could easily do without.

If one of our dogs is the instigator of an attack we could find the weight of the law falling heavily on our shoulders - and we could end up with a criminal record!

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 made it a criminal offense for a dog to attack any dog that is assisting their owner (a Guide Dog for the Blind or a Hearing Dog) for instance. This law applies whether the attack causes  injury or death. It even works is the person with the assistance dog has reasonable grounds to believe their animal could be injured.

Cat lovers like to say that it is their cat’s personality that is special to them, but they also admit to being drawn to a particular cat’s by the colour of its coat. 

There is also a feeling that the two are linked. Is this true?

One 1995 study concluded that orange male cats tend to be challenged by other males getting too close.   Another that looked at how cats react to new experiences indicated that orange and cream kittens tended to react more aggressively than other kittens when handled by a human being they did not know. 

You have the chance to take some well-earned time away with your family or friends and you are really looking forward to it. The only thing that is bothering you is you are not sure what to do with your beloved pet(s) during that time.

There are 3 main options for you:

Take them with you

5 steps to adopting a pet

People give up their pets for all sorts of reasons and they are usually not the pet’s fault. Some reasons pets need to be re-housed include:
They are often bought on impulse as a kitten or puppy and as they grow, their owners find they become a burden on both time and money.
The owners are no longer able to care for them adequately. This is often the case when the owners are elderly or if their working hours increase.
If the owners have to move house they may not have the space or permission to bring their beloved pet with them.

When a couple decides to have children their pet may not cope well with the change and may become anxious or aggressive.

If you are looking for a new pet, choosing a per-loved one can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Follow these steps to help you find your ideal pet.

Decide on the type of pet you want

Carefully consider your own likes and needs. Do you enjoy walks? Do you like to snuggle up to animals? Would you like a small pet for an apartment or a large pet for a rural area? Think beyond cats and dogs too. Birds, fish, hamsters, rabbits, and even goats and horses can end up in shelters needing a new home. Be sure to match the care they require with the amount you are able to give.

Start searching

You can look for per-loved pets in many places. Start by asking your friends and family if they know of anyone that needs to give away or sell their pet. Your local pet shop may be able to help too.

Search online using Google or Face Book. Type in ‘Free Pet’ or ‘Adopt Pet’ and look for results in your area. There are many sites devoted to finding new homes for all sorts of animals. Some target specific breeds while others happily help any creature of any size if they can.

Find your local animal shelter and visit them. You will usually find these pets have been DE-sexed, micro-chipped and screened for pests and diseases. Their staffs are trained to help match your needs with those of their furry friends.

Visit the shelter or owner’s home

Go and spend some time with the pet or pets on offer. Watch them interact with other animals and people. Does their personality appeal to you?

Don’t choose a pet on impulse

While you may fall in love with the first pair of pleading eyes you see, be sure to go back to your original checklist and see if they tick all the boxes. This is especially helpful when you need to make your final choice.

Bring them home

Now that you’ve found your perfect pet, bring them home and spend time with them. They need to feel safe and secure and you may need to train them. The most important thing though is simply just to love them.

Some Background Information

We have all experienced flea bites from these pesky little critters from time to time. One flea or tick bite is bearable and the itch can be relieved with a little salve or Tea Tree oil. But what does one do when there is a massive infestation and both humans and pets are suffering? It feels as if no matter how much poison you spray they just keep coming back. 

A massive flea infestation arises because one adult flea can lay 600 eggs during its lifetime and these eggs can take from two to fourteen days to hatch. Ticks are also prolific breeders and opportunistic feeders. The trick is to become really serious about ridding your home and pets of these nasty creatures that may cause hair loss, dermatitis, anemia, and Rickettsia diseases that can be deadly to pets and humans.

When considering whether it is viable to show your prized Persian, Siamese or house cat at a cat show it might be wise to attend one yourself to get a feel of what it is all about and establish whether it is something that might interest you. Should you decide you would like to give it a try, the next step is to contact your local cat showing body to determine whether your cat is indeed eligible for entry. If you are lucky and your pet is a likely candidate, the next step is to educate yourself as to what the entry procedures are as well as your responsibilities as an exhibitor.
Cat shows are usually arranged months in advance and have a variety of categories that you may enter.  It is therefore wise to establish all the details beforehand and arrive early so that you will not be disappointed.

Preparation before the Show

Find out what you need to take to the show well in advance.  It is usually a good idea to pack a few items such as combs and brushes for the final touches to his grooming before showing commences.Make sure that you do clip your cat’s claws a couple of days prior to the show.  If this is not taken care of you will probably be refused entry.  It is also a good idea to check that his ears are clean and mite free.

Birds are incredible creatures. Although we think they came from dinosaurs, it is not completely true. They do share some attributes with reptiles, although feathers and body heat is not something they have in common. In any case, birds are ancient. They have always amazed people by their ability to fly. Another appealing attribute of their is their singing and, in some cases, the ability to speak words. This is the reason why birds have become popular pets. While many people would like to own a parrot or other feathery creature, not many know how to properly take care of them.

Installing a bird cage

First of all, you must think of a place where you will be keeping your avian. It certainly cannot be somewhere next to the window, because birds are extremely sensitive to droughts. There is one thing you should consider when choosing a cage: the bigger, the better. Therefore, make sure it’s a large cage which fits in your room. You can decorate it with tree trunks or branches, and also with live plants. Just keep it in mind that birds will sharpen their beaks on these branches, and it all will be quite messy.

Bathroom is a room that people use a lot for different purposes. It is, in fact, a kind of space in every home that has much importance to the inhabitants because it performs many functions. If you have a pet at home, it is pretty obvious that it will also use bathroom one way or another, or, at least, will want to walk there from time to time. However, many cats are afraid of bathrooms because they have traumatic experience related to bathing times.

Why your cat might need a bathroom

Well, first of all, you might place its litter box there. You will not probably put it in the kitchen or in the living room, and often, bathroom and a toilet are not separated. You might want to remember that toilet training might not be a problem itself, but the litter is often spread around the place by the feline after each visit of the bathroom. So, you will surely do a lot of cleaning, especially if a litter box is an open type. Anyways, you will need to make sure that the litter box takes as much space as it is required so that the cat will feel comfortable using it.

If you are thinking about having pets at home, but do not want to deal with either fur or complex personalities, or just do not have enough space for an animal to walk (or fly), you may consider buying an aquarium. Having an aquarium has certain advantages compared to other options (such as owning a hamster or a rabbit). Let us take a look at those few pros.

Aquarium as part of your home decor

First of all, an aquarium can act as an essential part of your interior. It will look extremely beautifully, especially if you combine it with other elements of your decor. You need to select an aquarium carefully for it to look stunning and add some extra charm to your place. Secondly, the fish itself might turn out to be a great companion. It is true that it is quiet and even pretty boring sometimes, but, on the other hand, it can have a calming effect on you, especially at times when you are under stress. Thirdly, there are so many fish varieties that, even if you do not have any ultra positive feelings toward fish, you will certainly love some of its species. In fact, choosing an aquarium and fish can be quite fun.

There are a lot of stories about cats falling out of windows, from terraces or other high places. Most of these stories end up well, but in many of them an animal undergoes some kind of treatment resulted in, most likely, broken limbs. There are cases of cat falls every week, and the veterinarians deal with them all the time. They even have a name for this phenomenon, high-rise syndrome.

Unfortunately, many of the cat owners do not take this seriously enough. They let their felines carelessly walk on the window sills, terraces, fire escapes or roofs. They can easily explain this with understanding their cat’s need to explore or have some extra space. This might be a good idea, but it poses a great threat to the animal.

Do not overestimate your cat’s abilities

All cat owners are familiar with one common problem – everything gets covered with cat hair. Of course, there is nothing pleasant about it: the hair sticks to the clothes and furniture; it is left on the carpets and can be easily found on the dinner table. This hair can get into food, and some might develop allergy to it.

Well, hairless cats surely might be a great solution – you don’t have to do anything about the fur if you have one of those felines. However, these cats are quite expensive, and not everybody really likes them. Having a cat at home usually means that you have to deal with its hair all around the place. Of course, there are ways to minimize the amounts of it.

Cleaning your place

Want your pet furniture to last without the ruin of sour smells? A washable pet bed may be the option for you. Some pet beds can get a sour smell after your pet has spent months laying on it. Most times it’s difficult to get that fresh smell - or any good smell - to return. Washing the bed is not always simple. The inner stuffing can get lumped up in the washing machine, if it can even fit in there. Now your pet's bed is fresh, but the stuffing may never be smooth again. A pet bed with removable stuffing can be the perfect solution. With a Velcro closing, you can remove the stuffing and wash the bed fabric with no worries. And replacement is no issue, when the stuffing gets too flat. Here's how you create a comfy pet bed that can be washed again and again.

Materials Needed:

Freshly washed sweatshirt - Preferably one that your pet loves
Polyester Stuffing
Yarn / Thick Thread
Thick Needle
Scissors
Pins
Sewing Machine (Optional)
Piece of fabric (Optional) - Preferably fabric that matches the sweatshirt
Tape measure for fabric
Velcro Brand Sew-On fasteners, measured to length of bottom hole

Instructions:

Turn your sweatshirt inside out and smooth it out. Use your pins to stretch the sweatshirt and keep it straight.

Measure the width of the bottom of the sweatshirt and cut two Velcro pieces of the same length.

Sew the Velcro pieces to the inner edges so they will face each other when the sweatshirt is outside in.

Back stitch the fasteners to secure them.

With the sweatshirt still inside out, sew the neck hole (the collar) together, leaving a small hole at the top. Sewing while the sweatshirt is inside out will ensure the thread stitches are hidden once your bed is made.

Turn the sweatshirt right side in and fill entirely with stuffing - belly and sleeves. Test to make sure bed is full to your liking. You may use your pet to test it but beware - (s)he might not want to get off.

Once you’ve adjusted the stuffing to your liking, put extra a little extra in the sleeves so that some is left out past the cuff. Join the cuffs together and sew them so that they make one long sleeve.

As an option, you may circle your piece of fabric around the sleeve cuffs to hide the thread stitching. After sewing the fabric, turn it in so its stitches face the sweatshirt, not you. Now your pet bed is done.

Alternatives:

For larger pets, you may use a large sweatshirt. As an option, you may sew the sleeves along the body of the sweatshirt after you back stitch the Velcro pieces. If you do this, use your pins to stretch and straighten the sweatshirt.
You may fill the belly of the sweatshirt with a pillow rather than stuffing.