Pets and Animals Articles

Pets Are Constant Companion

Your child is bound to get bored and lonely. This happens most when you are raising a single child. However, having a pet around helps your child to have a constant companion in the house.

Pets also can match the energy and excitement level of a child. A human adult can never match the energy and enthusiasm a pet, in the form of a dog, has. The pet can keep your child busy and engaged. It can be your child’s constant playmate without getting bored.

Increase Your Child’s Activity Level

In the era of smart-phones and tabloids there are chances that your child might become less active. However, a recent study has shown that the kids, who own a dog, exercise eleven minutes more on average, than non-dog owning kids.

Eleven minutes might sound quite less but also when you add up the figure in terms of weeks and month you realize the benefits. A pet in the form of a dog really helps your child to walk the extra mile and keep him/her active.

Grows Responsibility

Children with pets become more responsible than the others. It keeps them alert whether the dog or the cat got their share of food or water. They also tend to share more than the other kids.

The kids learn to be accountable of someone else. In that way they grow up to be more responsible adults. They learn fast that how the pets are dependent on the human beings and from that understanding, the attachment develops.

Makes them Empathetic

Pets also teach your children to become empathetic and kind towards others. Kids without any kind of pets tend to become cruel or repulsive towards other animals. However, kids having pets like dogs or cats tend to care more for others.

The responsibilities of owning a pet makes them accountable and their self-esteem also increases. They grow-up to be dependable adults than kids who don’t own a pet. By keeping in mind their pet’s feeding and grooming routines, they also learn to keep track of their own routines.

Makes them Healthier

Studies have shown that there are also certain health benefits of having pets. Babies who are being raised near pets tend to fall less sick than the babies who are not. Pets, especially dogs, carry certain microbes from outside into your home. These microbes tend to help your baby by improving their immunity.

Interaction with pets also helps in releasing the dopamine hormone in your child. This makes them more cheerful than the others.

Holly Gough is a life long owner of pets, from Dogs, Cats, Pony’s and Birds to name a few. You name it Holly has grown up with them, from rescue pets to special breeds, Holly has a wide range of experience with animals. She also helps run a website were they sell a wide variety of training tools, fun agility kits

Sometimes a pet displays signs of poor health that aren’t necessarily related to a disease or illness. When this happens, changing pet food may be a good way to ensure that they’re getting the proper nutrients. Here are common indicators that it may be time for a change.

Flaky or Dull Coat

Just like fatty acids keep humans’ skin healthy and hydrated, if a pet’s food lacks the proper fatty acids, it may result in a dull or flaky coat. If a cat or dog usually boasts a silky and healthy looking coat, but it slowly becomes less vibrant or more knotted with time, it can be an indication that their diet is lacking in said fatty acids. If this indicator appears, keeping an eye out for a brand that includes high levels of Omega-3 or Omega-6 fatty acids may help return the shininess to a pet’s coat.

Fatigue or Lethargy

It’s normal for animals to go through lethargy during certain stages of their lives, such as when they are pregnant or are growing older. However, if a young and otherwise healthy cat or dog begins showing signs of excessive sleep and lack of interest in play or other activities, it could be a bad sign. This may be the result of an underlying illness. In order to combat this, finding a pet food with high levels of antioxidants can help the animal’s immune system and speed up their recovery time. However, it’s a good idea to contact a vet before making such changes to ensure that the lethargy isn’t a sign of something more serious.

Age

Even though humans’ diets generally stay the same through all stages of their lives, the same isn’t true of animals. Luckily, pet food comes equipped with the right nutrients for all the stages of a cat or dog’s life. Puppy or kitten chow is fortified with the vitamins and nutrients needed for higher levels of activity as well as for healthy growing. But the same is true for animals of older ages. When a pet is considered a “senior,” which is around 5-7 years depending on the size of the animal, it’s a good idea to find a food that will allow them to age comfortably. Older animals do not need the high levels of fat and nutrients in “all age” foods, and an excess of these can actually be harmful.

Excessive Itching

If a cat or dog is itching excessively, most of the time it’s an indicator that fleas or other pests have made their home in its coat. However, just like humans, some animals are born with natural allergies. These allergies may manifest themselves in upset stomachs, but they may also result in an itch that won’t go away. In this case, it’s a good idea to take the pet to a veterinarian to determine if an allergy is present and to find a low-allergen food that can reduce its irritation.

Knowing what food is right can be hard, and it may take a few attempts to get it right. But the result will be a healthier and happier member of the family!

A family with a lot of furry members is really a heavenly abode with lots of enjoyment every day. However, with it comes – greater responsibilities, as the pet family requires lot of care and efforts to keep them all fit and fine, maintaining their overall wellbeing. Whether you have to take care of two kitties or a pack of four dogs or a whole farm, you need to take care of each vital thing ranging from food, preventive medications, and litter boxes to beds and toys.

Here are a few tips that fully aid you in organizing your day to day activities for taking care of multiple pets. Following the tips, you can definitely have time for yourself along with having a quality playtime with your furry pal.

Arrange for Multiple Beds

Having multiple pets in your home means a special place to provide all for a nap. Get beds for each and every pet in your home. Multiple bed will discourage pets from laying or bouncing on sofas.

Protect Furniture

It is crucial to cover your furniture. Tiny dog or cat hairs are more likely to get easily stick to the furniture. Cover them with fleece blankets and throws on tables, chairs and couches to keep pet hair to minimum. Additionally, when it comes to your car, it’s good to cover the seat in order to keep that mud away in case your dog must have brought it from the dog park.

Keep Food in Air-Sealed Containers

Different pets mean different requirements of various kinds of foods. To easily recognize the food, it is better to label the plastic bins for different food types. Ensure to store them in a pantry or in a kitchen counter shelf. Keep it away from damp place and check that it is not accessible to your furry pal or either to your children. Ensure that you keep the feeding place well organized and mess free. To avoid fights among your pets, maintain a feeding schedule.

Separate Feeding Locations

You are wrong if you are thinking that there is no need for separate feeding locations for your multiple pets. It is to avoid food hostility as dogs and cats are quite territorial so try to feed pets in different rooms. Some pets may go along well, but if it seems there is some tension, then it is better feed them at separate places. This helps to avoid unwanted accidents.

Keep A Folder for Pet Records

Don’t mess your pets’ medical records. Organize different pets’ health records including vet visits, adoption papers, vaccination cards, microchip registration, licenses and pet insurance policies in different folders for various pets. It would be quite helpful in case of any emergency.

Provide Litter Box for Each Cat

Cats are inclined too much towards cleanliness. They are too picky about clean litter boxes. Provide each of your cat a separate litter box, which they are sure to appreciate. If you want them all to use litter box, then it is better to provide them each a separate one.

Stock Up First Aid Kit

Always have your pet’s first aid kit in handy. With so many pets in the house, there can be accidents at some times. Providing them first aid will largely cut on the vet bills. The important things that your pet’s first aid box should include are Gauze of various sizes; scissors; first-aid tape; wound disinfectant; antibiotic ointment; eye wash solution; hydrogen peroxide; cotton balls or swabs; cortisone spray or cream; thermometer.

Parasitic Preventive Treatments

A home with multiple pets mean that there is a huge probability of spreading disease due to fleas, ticks or worms from one animal to another. Missing treatment of flea and tick infestation or heartworm preventive for a few of them is of no use as gradually they too will be infected by the infected animals, and the cycle of recurring infestation will continue. Treating all the pets in the household will deploy the occurrence of parasitic infestations.

Multiple pets mean taking various responsibilities and providing the best care. Always keep a stock of essential medications including preventive treatments along with proper food and nutritional supplements. This ensures a great health and happiness for your big family of humans and four-legged companions.

It is fun to shop for pet accessories and even more exciting to take home to your little furry pets and feathered family members. Whenever you look for the best and functional toys for your pet, keep in mind that prices and brands are not necessarily that important when it comes to pet accessories – unlike with regard to electronics or other products. Rather than being concerned with the popularity of the brand, check out the designs and materials that are not harmful and dangerous. A number of things to think about when inspecting the shelves are as follows:

Physical Stability

No one can really be so sure if a particular bird branch or cat tree is safe, so inspect it carefully to help in your decision. Large accessories – like carpeted trees and scratching posts – need to be heavy and strong enough to keep them from falling over when your pet cat climbs and plays. Though cute domed beds look perfect for your puppy or kitten, they may tip over or trap your pet. When you are in doubt, check consumer reviews.

Swallowing and Inhaling Dangers

Even if toys with ribbons seem to be fun and adorable, many dogs and cats are fond of eating string. So, when thinking of buying toys that have long, dangling parts, see to it that these are strongly attached and will not easily tear apart. Also, ensure that the toy does not have small pieces that can be easily swallowed, since these are often made from plastic and other materials that are not edible. Some accessories like catnip essences and bird mite protectors give off fumes that are too strong for your small pet. Always stay away from fume-based applications, except if they are approved by your veterinarian.

Hazardous chemicals

Many pet stores contain a big pet care section where owners can buy things like flea and tick spray and dog vitamins. While buying any of these items may seem like a good idea, this may not be the case. As a matter of fact, numerous dogs and cats become sick due to contact with dangerous sprays, flea and tick collars, as well as vitamins and essential oils. Always consult your vet before buying new products to make sure they are not detrimental to your pet’s health.

Do not let the potential hazards prevent you from spoiling your pet. Each one of them would love a new comfortable bed to sleep on, an entertaining toy to play with, and a tasty pack of soft food. Your pets will stay both happy and safe when you buy them accessories based on your best judgment.

This a short information about dog flu symptoms and treatment.

Canine Influenza, otherwise called canine flu, was initially seen in the USA in 2004 in racing greyhounds in Florida. The CIV H3N8 strain has now spread to over 38 countries and generally happens in the canine population. Genetic analysis indicates that the virus is closely associated with equine flu, also as greyhounds and race horses frequently are around the very same racetracks, speculation is that canine flu evolved in the equine virus and jumped from horses to dogs.

In 2015, an epidemic of a new breed of dog flu appeared. This breed known as CIV H3N2 is of avian origin rather than linked to this earlier CIV H3N8 virus.

Dogs of any age may be affected, and since the viruses are comparatively new, there’s little to no natural immunity from the canine population. Virtually all dogs who are exposed to the virus become infected and almost 80% show clinical signs of disease. The virus is extremely contagious, but mercifully has a very low mortality rate. There’s no “season” for this, and it spreads year round. Dogs greatest in danger are those bundled together, the very young, the very old and also the immune-compromised. The disease doesn’t affect humans.

The virus spreads through respiratory secretions (e.g. Mucous and saliva) and infected objects and surfaces (e.g. Noodle surfaces, water, food bowls, collars and leashes). Folks also distribute it going between infected and uninfected dogs with no appropriate hygiene or precautions.

Indicators of canine flu follow along one of two paths, severe or mild, with the gentle kind being the most frequent. Symptoms are usually found within 2-3 days of disease. The gentle form contains: Soft, moist cough which lasted for 10-30 times, Dry cough, such as kennel cough, Loss of desire, Lethargy, Sneezing, Discharge from eyes, Runny nose, and Thick discharge from nose.

Treatment will be based on the symptoms that your dog is introduced. Antibiotics may be prescribed to combat any bacterial infections existing. Anti-inflammatories might be awarded for fever, swelling and pain. Fluid treatment is given to all those dogs that are very dehydrated. Other medicines may be prescribed based on the additional symptoms present. Hospitalization may be required in more severe cases. Fatalities have just been reported with the beginning of pneumonia, however, the speed is less than 10 percent of dogs that are affected.

Boosting the Dog Immune System

Boosting your pet’s immune system helps accelerate the recovery from dog flu, in addition to preventing further afield. It is the work of the immune system to secure your pet’s own body from cells infected by bacteria, a virus, fungus, or parasites. The immune system also filters out toxins and retains cells powerful enough to fight dog illness like the dog influenza. When the immune system is weak, micro-organisms comprising infections and toxins can pass via the immune cells that are immune.

The most effective methods to enhance the immune system include fundamental nutrition and nutritional supplements. A puppy who eats entire foods free of substances and additives and allergens like wheat, soy, and corn may have higher health than a puppy that has a bad diet. Your pet’s diet ought to be rich in organic ingredients which mimic what he’d consume in the wild and also the food needs to have a high moisture content.

1 approach to help your pet remain free of the flu would be to vaccinate him against it. Vaccines have now released vaccines against the two canine flu viruses. Flu vaccines aren’t a guarantee that your pet will not catch the illness, but when a vaccinated pet doesn’t go down with influenza, it’s typically not as severe as it is in puppies which are unvaccinated.

Could puppies catch flu from people?

Diseases that leap from animals to humans are known as zoonoses. However, there’s also the possibility of diseases like influenza, to maneuver out of people to animals. These are known as reverse zoonoses.

Reverse zoonoses is not very well known, and it is not very common.

We are aware that ferrets, and sometimes cats, can catch flu from individuals, but there’s less evidence of puppies doing this.

Can people catch flu from puppies?

In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence of transmission of canine flu from dogs to humans. There really have been no documented instances of an individual catching flu in their puppy.